A High Functioning Alcoholic’s Story of TreatmentAlcohol AbuseBy Promises AustinMay 1, 2018Many high functioning alcoholic’s stories end tragically. Thankfully, Nicole chose to make a different story out of her life. Like many young people, Nicole liked to go out and party with her friends. But there was something different about the way Nicole partied–she didn’t just drink to have fun. She drank to get wasted. Soon,… Details
Struggling to Stay Sober? Try Some Self-CompassionStaying SoberBy Promises AustinApril 30, 2018Being kind to ourselves doesn’t come naturally to some of us. It can be an unfamiliar practice for those who have grown accustomed to mistreatment as a result of trauma early in life. And while self-compassion is essential for a life of sobriety, people with addiction more often feel deserving of punishment. What is self-compassion?… Details
9 Multidisciplinary Addiction Treatment TechniquesAddiction TreatmentBy Promises AustinApril 23, 2018By Christian Castaneda, LCSW, Program Director at Promises Malibu Addiction recovery cannot be achieved through one method alone. Research has shown that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for both healing from the ravages of addiction and maintaining sobriety. The best drug rehabs address addiction on all levels and offer support for mind, body and spirit.… Details
How Substance Abuse Can Lead to DissociationDrug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinApril 16, 2018When Alan was small, his alcoholic father verbally and physically abused him. He never knew when the belt would come down. He lived in fear of those nights when his dad would come home upset about work. That’s always when he got hurt the most. To cope with the unbearable physical and emotional pain, he… Details
A Hockey Player Discovers New Passions After Prescription Drug AddictionTestimonialsBy Promises AustinApril 12, 2018Max grew up in Chicago and played hockey from a young age. At age 14, he moved to Maine to play prep school hockey, landing a scholarship to play Division III hockey at Plymouth State in New Hampshire. At just 18 years old, Max was the youngest student on the team by three years. With… Details
Do Married Couples Have to Be Celibate in Addiction Recovery?RecoveryBy Promises AustinApril 9, 2018By Christian Castaneda, LCSW, Program Director at Promises Malibu Addiction recovery is a vulnerable and healing time when people must learn new ways of creating healthy relationships with themselves and others. Singles must remove themselves from unhealthy sexual encounters and refrain from starting new romantic or sexual relationships for one year. But what if you… Details
Managing Triggers That Can Lead to Drug RelapseRelapse PreventionBy Promises AustinApril 2, 2018By Christian Castaneda, LCSW, Program Director at Promises Malibu When you’re in addiction recovery, the whole world can become a trigger for drug relapse. If you’re addicted to alcohol and you walk past a bar where you see old friends, it may stimulate your memory of old times. If you are addicted to pornography, you… Details
Managing Celibacy in Addiction Recovery: Why Can’t I Have Sex for One Year?RecoveryBy Promises AustinMarch 29, 2018By Christian Castaneda, LCSW, Program Director at Promises Malibu Addiction recovery is about letting go of the substances and behaviors that got you into trouble and learning new ways of coping with life. It requires being in touch with true feelings and old trauma. You also have to find new ways to deal with sex… Details
Mindfulness: A Healthy Alternative to Substance Abuse for Creative PeoplePersonal ResourcesBy Promises AustinMarch 14, 2018By Kenneth England, MFT, Primary Therapist at Promises Malibu Creative people have long been associated with lavish use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Many talented people have been molded by the idea that drinking and drugs inspire their craft. Although scientists have long looked for a direct link between creative inspiration and drug use,… Details
How Long Does it Take for Caffeine to Wear Off?Other AddictionsBy Promises AustinMarch 5, 2018Many people don’t consider caffeine a drug, but it is the most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world. While about 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide a day, tea, chocolate, cocoa beverages, soft drinks and energy drinks also contain varying amounts of caffeine. The stimulant effects of caffeine on the central nervous… Details
