How to Help My Husband With Drug Addiction

Husband and Wife in an Argument Over Alcoholism When you feel like you’ve lost someone you love to the clutches of addiction, it can cause issues in your life and bring up various difficult emotions that can be very hard to manage. It’s normal to feel resentment and mourn the loss of the person you once knew — but rest assured, they can get better.

Substance use disorders are treatable, and anyone can overcome them with a robust support network and detox treatment. As a wife, you make up the most fundamental component of that support network. This responsibility doesn’t have to weigh you down, and you should never feel responsible for your husband’s condition. Just know that there are ways you can help and specific things to avoid.

Try to Avoid Arguments

There’s no denying that people who struggle with addiction are prone to behaviors that can test your patience. Excessive drug use can have a negative impact on some of the most contentious matters of daily life. Finances, socializing, daily functioning and your loved one’s personality are affected, so many couples fall into the trap of fighting with each other.

It’s incredibly tempting to tell your husband off or chastise him about the way he’s been acting. Often, the addict becomes much more argumentative. You must hone your self-control and resist arguing entirely. It only serves to make your stress levels higher, and it’s more likely to make his problem worse than help him.

Listen and Be Supportive

The main aim for you if your husband is addicted to drugs or alcohol is to get him into a luxury rehab for men. While you can support him, you won’t be able to cure him. To help him make the necessary changes, you’ll need him to feel that you’re on his side. You love him, so of course, you want what’s best for him, but someone with a substance use disorder is susceptible to poor judgment. Listen to how he feels and let him know how much you care about him.

Separate the Person From the Addiction

Your husband may have become distant, quick-tempered, deceptive and isolated as a result of his condition. Being patient and remaining calm yourself is always going to be more constructive than letting your emotions take control of you. Many people find it’s easier to put their resentment and anger into context when they separate the person from the addiction.

A substance use disorder is medically classified as a disease, not a lifestyle choice or display of low morals. By aiming your negative emotions at the destructive condition that has changed you and your partner’s life instead of the man himself, you have a vent for your frustration without taking it out on him.

Gently Persuade Him to Seek Professional Help

Before trying to persuade your husband to do anything, make sure you have done your research. People are far more likely to listen when you frame your suggestions with facts and knowledge of the subject you’re talking about. It’s also a great idea to seek the advice of an expert to ask them for guidance. Call Valley Recovery Center in California today at 866-986-2486 to speak to an advisor about your individual situation.

Addiction Detox

How To Stop Drug Addiction from Ruining Your Marriage?

Drug Addiction Men's Rehab

ExecutiveDrug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Programs for Men

Neither drug addiction or alcohol addiction discriminates based on gender or socioeconomic status. However, people from different backgrounds do turn to substance use for distinct reasons. What drives men and women to abuse drugs or alcohol is incredibly different, and the most effective treatment center should target your specific needs. It’s also true that people from contrasting socioeconomic positions in society develop substance abuse disorders for varying reasons. Executive drug rehab for men targets the most successful professionals and executives within society, whose demanding professional lives and high-pressure jobs can take a severe toll. Standard facilities often have less staff and more patients and may not be furnished with the type of amenities that you, as someone at the top of their field, are used to.

Retreat-Like Rehab – Executive Rehab Center

If you’re a seasoned professional, the chances are you haven’t shared a room since college — and you probably swore you’d never do it again. What puts a lot of people in the higher echelons of society off the idea of drug rehab is the notion of a crowded, clinical facility with cold decor and hospital beds. At our men’s luxury rehab facility in California, each client enjoys the use of their own exquisitely decorated room. You’ll have access to a stunning outdoor pool and jacuzzi, nestled in the breathtaking scenery of Agua Dulce. On top of that, access to a fully equipped gym and game room makes our residential treatment facility more akin to a retreat.

Learn to Cope Confidentially

One of the critical factors that drives an executive to abuse substances is the state of mental health – the hectic lifestyle, which means you always have to be switched on. Many professionals work so hard, and for so many hours every week, that unwinding after a long day feels almost impossible. It’s easy to fall into the habit of relying on drugs or alcohol to relax — or to rely on them to keep going. Our addiction experts can help you devise healthy coping mechanisms and see that substance abuse only makes the problem worse in the long run. We also treat any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your addiction, which can be the difference between sustained recovery and relapse. Our secluded, tranquil treatment center goes the extra mile to guarantee you’re kept away from the spotlight during this sensitive time.

Ensure Your Unique Needs Are Met

The reasons why a professional with a high-powered job turns to alcohol or drugs are usually distinct from those for someone who’s struggling to make ends meet. Pressure can be incredibly burdensome, and professionals typically work longer hours than the standard 40. Having the weight of responsibility of an entire department or company on your shoulders is not easy. Although you probably seem to breeze through it all daily, something has to give at some point. If you don’t have healthy strategies in place for dealing with stress, substance use can seem like the only way to deal with it all. Valley Recovery Center customizes a treatment recovery program to your gender and individual circumstances.

Feel Comfortable Among a Like-Minded Peer Group

We only ever have a maximum of six clients on an addiction treatment program at any time, and we employ a full team of addiction specialists. This means that, unlike ordinary drug or alcohol rehab, the staff can dedicate the amount of time required to truly gain an understanding of each individual within their care. There is no one-size-fits-all with us, and the family-like environment means you can develop strong bonds with your fellow residents across the 45-day program. Additionally, everyone using the facility will be a like-minded fellow professional. Empathy and feeling able to relate to your peer group are integral parts of recovery. During group sessions, you’ll be able to discuss the daily struggles you’re up against as an executive and feel understood.

Never Compromise High Standards

You would never compromise on standards at work or at home, so there’s no reason you should have to do it when receiving life-changing treatment at our rehab facility. Our executive rehab for men is located in the picturesque Agua Dulce, California area, north of Los Angeles, and is designed to meet your every need. We’ve got it all covered, from the finest relaxation areas to delicious chef-prepared meals and luxurious suites to retire to at the end of the evening. If you’re an executive or professional man seeking a drug rehab program or alcohol treatment facility located in California that can cater to your individual needs, speak to one of the advisers from Valley Recovery Center about our treatment plans at 866-986-2486 today about how we can help you with addiction recovery.

Executive Rehab

How to Prepare for Drug Detoxification

Hopeless man looking through the window If you’ve chosen to begin rehab and start making the changes necessary to regain control over your life, you should be proud. It’s not an easy decision to make, especially if you’re struggling against the confines of addiction. This disease takes over your mind, and it becomes incredibly hard to prioritize anything else apart from your substance of choice. Not knowing what to expect can make the experience seem more daunting than necessary.

By gaining an understanding of what happens during your recovery journey at rehab and getting into the right mindset, you can prepare and minimize any fears or worries you might have.

What Is Detox?

Knowing what to expect and doing your research are the best ways to prepare yourself for detoxification treatment. The most important thing to realize about this initial process is that the focus is almost entirely physical. Your body is purged of the substance that has been causing you the problem, giving you a clear mind to work on the psychological grip of a substance use disorder.

When you detox at a rehab clinic, the focus of the doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff is on making the process as painless and safe as possible. Trying to do it alone can be dangerous, especially if you’ve been using opioids or benzodiazepines. Your body becomes dependent on having these drugs in its system, and managing these undesirable withdrawal symptoms in a residential setting is the most sensible option.

How Are Withdrawal Symptoms Managed?

There are several methods the staff deploys to help minimize withdrawal symptoms and promote a safe, peaceful recovery. In cases of opioids and some other drugs, you may be prescribed a medically assisted detox. Doctors administer non-narcotic doses of medication that help to ease you off the substance you’ve been using without causing a shock to the system. As you gradually taper off these medications, your body adapts to the changes more comfortably.

If you don’t require a medical detox, there are still plenty of activities and alternative treatments for you to take part in to relieve pain and promote relaxation. Some of these include:

Group meetings
Meditation, mindfulness and yoga
Music and art therapy
Massage
Drinking electrolyte-enriched beverages
Eating light, healthy meals
Chiropractic treatments
Acupuncture

Call the Clinic and Ask Any Questions You May Have

We strongly recommend that you compile a list of questions to ask the clinic in advance of starting your course of treatment. If there’s anything that concerns you or any preconceptions you want to find out more about, write it down. By speaking to the staff in advance, you’ll get insight into how caring and helpful they are. It also gives you the best chance of feeling secure by knowing exactly what to expect. Here are examples of some questions that may be worth asking:

How long is the average detox?
What items can I bring to the detox center?
How will detox medication affect me?
Can I speak to loved ones?
Who works at the clinic?
What does a typical day look like?

Positivity Is Key — Focus on the Future

A crucial piece of advice to keep in mind is that your attitude is everything. The entire recovery process goes much more smoothly if you embrace it with open arms and engage fully. While some aspects of recovery aren’t desirable, the benefits outweigh the negatives by a mile. Maintain a positive outlook and try to think of the bigger picture if you feel down. Remember, in rehab, there is always someone to talk to — make the most of it.

If you’re ready to get into a detox program, call our luxury rehab center in California at 866-986-2486.

Drug Detox

Alcohol Detox Timeline

alcohol detox timeline Alcohol use disorders affect each individual differently. They range from mild to severe and require specialized treatment that takes into account your unique background and circumstances. If you need alcohol to feel normal, it’s likely you’ve developed physical dependence. This isn’t the same as addiction, but the two go hand in hand. In case of dependency, you’ll need to go through a detoxification program to purge alcohol from your system and begin the recovery process.

What Is Detox?

It’s vital to understand that detoxification doesn’t cure alcoholism; it’s the necessary first step along the journey to recovery. Detox removes all traces of alcohol from your body, which puts your mind in a better place to receive treatment. The word itself refers to the natural process of your body, removing toxins and poisons, such as ethanol, that accumulate after the sustained use of alcohol.

Medication, medical supervision and group and individual counseling sessions are usually provided during this process, which lasts between 10 and 14 days.

Who Needs to Detox?

If you’ve frequently been drinking for a prolonged amount of time, stopping drinking suddenly can be dangerous. It causes a host of withdrawal symptoms that range in intensity from person to person. The longer you’ve been drinking, the more likely you are to experience adverse effects. In these cases, the best course of treatment is in a residential rehabilitation center with round-the-clock support from medical professionals.

The Detox Process

You go through this process in preparation for a more extended treatment program. In most cases, there are three stages to detox:

When you check into the clinic, you’ll go through intake first. This usually involves a medical examination as well as an interview to determine your medical history and requirements. The doctor will do your blood work, discuss your drinking patterns and check your mental and physical health.
Medication is often given to those with chronic alcohol use disorders. These pills mimic some of the effects of alcohol without making you inebriated to minimize withdrawal symptoms. They can also help to ease issues surrounding mental health and general discomfort.
The third stage provides further treatment that helps you to address the causes of your illness and aims to teach you new coping mechanisms so you can rebuild your future.

Acute Withdrawal

These symptoms occur within 24 hours of your last drink. Most of them are significantly reduced by the medication administered during medical detox. Severe withdrawal symptoms can last between three days and several weeks and include:

Hypertension
Tremors
Sweating
Vomiting
Sleep disturbances
Nausea
Convulsions
Anxiety

Early Abstinence

This is the second phase of withdrawal and can last for several months as the brain resumes normal functioning. This stage also takes into account that your lifestyle and day-to-day habits will need to change significantly to overcome alcohol use disorder. Continuing with rehab after detox arms you with strategies to prevent the following symptoms from overwhelming you and tempting you to drink again:

Anxiety
Depression
Restlessness
Sleep disturbances
Diminished appetite
Mood swings
Sense of hopelessness
Craving

What Are the Dangers of Detoxing Alone?

If you’ve been using alcohol for a prolonged amount of time, we wouldn’t recommend trying to quit cold turkey. Although rare, some serious medical consequences can arise when you go from drinking heavily to not drinking at all. These include:

Seizures
Pneumonia
Heart arrhythmia
Insomnia
Migraines
Kidney or liver dysfunction
Intense cravings
Hallucinations

If you’ve been using alcohol to the point that you’re unable to go without it, it’s time to seek help. You can speak to an expert from our luxury rehab center and find out more at 866-986-2486.

Alcohol Detox

What to Bring to a Luxury Addiction Treatment Facility

Deciding to start your journey to recovery and check into rehab is a big deal. In our experience, it’s essential that you know what to expect so you can prepare mentally and get your ducks in a row. To understand what a luxury drug and alcohol treatment center is like, throw your preconceptions out the window. Each day is jam-packed with sociable mealtimes, fun physical activities, traditional therapy, experiential therapy, community support and more.

There are some items we recommend bringing with you, as well as rules about what you can’t take with you. We don’t do this to be restrictive or stop you from enjoying yourself but to maximize what you get out of your experience and minimize the risk of harm. Valley Recovery Center has a hot tub, pool, game room, gym, modern private rooms and stunning views of the serene California landscape.

Items to Bring with You

Personal ID
Comfy slippers or flip-flops for indoors
Hot water bottle and cozy pajamas
Swimsuit for the pool and hot tub
Unopened lip balm
Credit card for daily purchases
Workout gear for activities and the gym
A three-day supply of your current medication in its original packaging
Names and numbers of loved ones and essential contacts
Reading material that’s appropriate to recovery
Musical instruments for downtime
Comfortable, warm clothing such as sweaters, hoodies and sweatpants
Attire for outdoor meetings such as shirts, jeans and nonathletic shoes

What Not to Bring

Leave all of your electronic devices at home, e.g., consoles, cell phone, laptop, iPod
Valuables such as cash, jewelry and expensive watches
Car or truck
Weapons of any kind are not permitted
All clothing must be free of depictions of drugs, drink, violence or sex
All toiletries must be unopened and sealed
Cigarettes need to be new, unopened packets
Vapes must have a new, unused chamber
Vape juice should be sealed and brand-new

Will I Be Bored at Rehab?

Boredom is something that bothers lots of people when they think about rehab and sobriety in general. Addiction has a sneaky way of tricking your brain into thinking that your priority is getting drunk or high and that you’d be bored without them. When you stop and think about it, however, the opposite is true. There are so many activities and pursuits that are hindered by being inebriated.

Exercise gives you a natural high, releasing endorphins as well as actively improving your health and physical appearance. You’ll also find that you have more to say and can think more deeply about the things that matter to you. Rehab helps to remind you of all the awesome things you can do when you’re sober, as well as providing therapy and treatment to get you back on track.

Why Do Cigarette Packs, Toiletries and Vapes Need to Be New?

We trust you; honestly, we do. But we don’t trust substance use disorders. They can make honest, good-hearted people do things they would never normally do while sober. One of these things could be trying to sneak in drugs or alcohol when you first arrive. Once your mind is clear, you would never do something like this. However, we can’t take that risk before you’ve started treatment.

What’s the Benefit of No Electronic Devices?

We don’t allow electronic devices because these serve as a distraction and divert your focus from the recovery process. Plus, when there are so many incredible things to do, who wants to hide away alone in front of a screen?

If you’re ready to find out more about how rehab can change your life, get in touch with the Valley Recovery Center now at 866-986-2486.

Opioids Detoxification Timeline

If you’re struggling with the burden of opioid addiction and looking for a way out, help is at hand. You may have heard that the process is dangerous, or you may have tried to do it alone, but it was too painful and difficult. You’re not alone. It’s one of the hardest things you could try to do. Opiates hijack your brain and trick your mind and body into thinking you need them. With professional help, there’s a way to minimize withdrawal symptoms and get back on track to realizing your dreams.

Early Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’ve been using short-acting opiates, such as morphine sulfate, heroin (diamorphine), hydromorphone or codeine, the onset of withdrawal symptoms is usually within six to 12 hours. For longer-acting ones, such as methadone, fentanyl, hydrocodone and extended-release versions of all opiates, the onset in within 30 hours. These initial symptoms can include:

Fever
Racing heart
High blood pressure
Anxiety
Runny nose
Sweating
Excessive yawning
Anxiety
Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Muscle aches
Teary eyes
Agitation

Late Withdrawal Symptoms

Within 72 hours, you’ll begin to feel late-stage withdrawal symptoms. These last a week, on average, but can be longer depending on the severity and duration of the addiction. This part of the process can be the most difficult, and we don’t recommend trying to do it alone. With medical support, you can receive medication and 24-hour supervision and take part in activities in a safe and clean space. Some of these symptoms include:

Intense cravings
Stomach cramps
Depression
A sense of hopelessness
Diarrhea
Vomiting and nausea
Goosebumps
Inability to focus

Methods of Coping with the Detox Process

When you take part in a modern rehabilitation program, the first step of the process should always be detoxification. This means purging the body of the toxins that are causing it harm. There are many ways to help manage the symptoms that go along with detox, but most of them can only be administered in a clinical setting. A recovery network, in which you’re recovering side by side with like-minded people, can also be a hugely valuable force for good.

At a time like this, you need friends who understand what you’re going through and plenty of options for activities to keep you busy. Some of the benefits of attending a treatment program are professional assistance, holistic activities and psychological support.

Professional Care

In residential rehab, you have round-the-clock access to care and support during the time you need it most. Experienced addiction specialists are on hand to offer you guidance, advice and, if necessary, medication. Medication-assisted treatment is often provided when withdrawal symptoms are severe. Non-narcotic doses of medicine are given and gradually tapered off as your body adapts to not having opioids in your system.

Holistic Therapies

There are several alternative therapies and activities you can take part in while you’re going through detoxification, which can promote relaxation and relieve any residual pain. Some of these include:

Group meetings
Meditation
Mindfulness
Breathing exercises
Art therapy
Listening to music
Yoga
Massage
Medication
Mild exercise
Acupuncture
Riding out the crave wave
Cold showers
Healthy fruits and vegetables
Chiropractic treatment
Drinking lots of fluids with electrolytes
Surrounding yourself with kind, supportive people

If you’ve had enough of living your life around your addiction, speak to someone who cares. Contact Valley Recovery Center at 866-986-2486 for advice or more information about opiate detox and rehab.