The Truth About Meth Addiction Recovery

What is the truth about meth addiction recovery

The sad truth about methamphetamine is that it is a highly addictive drug that is difficult to recover from. Meth is so addictive because it produces a euphoric feeling, increased energy, and alertness. However, it also speeds up the body’s systems and changes how the brain functions. Chronic meth use can cause permanent damage to both the body and the brain. It is these changes to the brain that make meth addiction recovery so complex. Complex doesn’t have to mean impossible, though; people do recover from meth addiction.  At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand how hard it is to recover from meth addiction, but we also know how to set you up for success to do just that.  

Steps to Be Taken to Pursue Meth Addiction Recovery

The first step in recovering from any addiction is to admit that you have a problem. If you don’t think you are addicted to meth, it doesn’t matter if your parents, partner, or friends think you are. Accepting that you have an addiction and wanting help are the cornerstones of meth addiction recovery. You have to want it. 

Once you decide to get sober, the next step is finding a treatment center. Do some research and make sure that the facility you choose has expertise with meth addiction. Not all addictions are the same, and you want to know that those helping you are experienced with helping people break free from your drug of choice. Researchers have found that behavioral therapies are the most effective treatments for meth addiction recovery. You’ll want a treatment program that employs experienced, professional staff that relies on evidence-based strategies for treating your addiction. Researchers have also found that a combination of interventions is most effective. Interventions might include behavioral therapy, family education, individual counseling, peer support recovery groups, drug testing, and more. 

Meth addiction recovery isn’t just about taking away the meth; it’s also about adding new activities and new tools. Your life has likely become all about finding and using meth. Once you remove the drug use, you’ll find that you have a great deal of free time. Boredom is the enemy of the addict, especially in early recovery. Therefore, you’ll want to find things to do. Perhaps there is a hobby you had before you found meth or one you’ve always wanted to try. Maybe it’s time to find a part-time or full-time job. It may just be reconnecting with the family and friends that you lost while using. Whatever it is, look for things that keep you engaged with life without meth. 

Treatment for your addiction doesn’t necessarily end when you leave rehab. Attending peer support recovery groups is not only a way to continue doing the work of recovery. It is also another way to help keep yourself occupied. When your rehab treatment is complete, attending aftercare enables you to test out the skills you will have learned in rehab. The early days of recovery can be incredibly challenging, and you may feel more vulnerable when you first leave rehab. Aftercare allows you to have an additional layer of support while you are in the early days.  

Benefits of Going to 10 Acre Ranch for Rehab

At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert addiction treatment for nearly three decades.  Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will meet your needs.  We are experts in helping people safely detox and stop using meth.  We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we integrate the treatment to heal the whole person. We are committed to helping you break free from active addiction and build a life in recovery.  Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!  

How Is Addiction a Disease?

How Is addiction a disease?

Views on drug and alcohol addiction have changed over time. While it was originally thought that addiction was a moral failing, much research has been done to disprove that theory. Later many thought it was purely a biological disease, but that view was also not complete. Today, many addiction experts view addiction through a biopsychosocial model that encompasses the biological, psychological, and social factors that lead to addiction. Using this model has allowed for new approaches for understanding and treating addiction. At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand that addiction cannot be viewed in a tunnel and we are here to help you break free from your addiction in a holistic way. 

The Science Behind Addiction

The biopsychosocial model of addiction recognizes that your addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum.  It takes into account the potential genetic factors behind addiction and adds psychological and social factors. Social factors include things like the environment in which you were raised, the social norms, and your relationships. For example, if you were raised in an environment where using drugs was normalized as a way to cope, you will likely view using drugs in that way. Likewise, if your social circle relies on drug use as a way of socializing, you will see it in that way. Psychological factors include any co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can also include a history of trauma and any resulting PTSD. Biological factors focus on the genetic component of addiction and brain changes that occur from things like trauma. Having relatives with a history of addiction or other mental health disorders increases your risk for the same. It is the coming together of these three areas that create the possibility of addiction.  Understanding these factors helps with the successful treatment of addiction. 

How Does One Become an Addict?

While no one truly knows why one person becomes an addict and another does not, there is enough research available to draw some conclusions. Being genetically predisposed to addiction puts you at a greater risk of becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. However, it’s not a guarantee. Some individuals grow up around addicted family members and never use drugs and alcohol. Others begin using at an early age and never look back. Additionally, a genetic link is not a requirement. There are many who find themselves facing addiction who have no history of addiction within their family tree. The road to addiction can be viewed as a perfect storm between the different risk factors and the use of drugs and alcohol. If you never picked up a drug or a drink, it would not matter if you had all of the risk factors for addiction. 

What Is the Best Way to Get Help With Addiction?

Everyone’s path into addiction is a little bit different and the same is true of the road out. How your road out of addiction is paved will depend on the drugs you’ve used, your patterns of use, any co-occurring disorders, and more. At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert and caring addiction treatment for over 25 years.  We understand addiction and we know how to treat it. Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will meet your needs.  We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we tailor healing to the whole person. We are committed to helping you break free from active addiction.  Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!  

What Type of Drug Is Adderall?

What Type of Drug Is Adderall?

Whether prescribed or not, drugs come in different classes and types. Some examples of drug classes are stimulants, depressants, and opioids. Often, you can determine what class a drug is by what its effects are. So, what type of medication is Adderall? Adderall is a stimulant that is often prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because it improves focus. Because Adderall is prescribed, you might think that it is inherently safer than illicit drugs, but it is a drug that requires caution. At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand how prescription drug use can become problematic, and we are here to help you navigate any prescription drug misuse or addiction.

Is Adderall Addictive?

Adderall is a prescription stimulant that is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is chemically similar to other prescription stimulants such as Dexedrine and Ritalin. Prescription stimulants are considered Schedule II drugs, which means that they have positive effects and have significant potential for abuse. While Adderall is often prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, it is often misused in the name of increased athletic or academic performance. You may hear it referred to as speed or uppers rather than as Adderall. While the research does support the use of Adderall in the treatment of ADHD, many high school and college students misuse the drug believing that it will help them do better academically. Because of the misconceptions around Adderall use, education about this drug is critical. In addition to being addictive, Adderall use can lead to psychosis, heart attack, heart muscle damage, and even death. 

Knowing what type of drug Adderall is can help you understand why it can be addictive. Adderall affects how your brain pays attention by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Norepinephrine affects how the brain pays attention, and then dopamine creates a reward for paying attention. Adderall produces higher levels of dopamine than the body produces naturally and it is this increased reward that can lead to addiction. After long-term use, your brain needs Adderall to stimulate alertness and productivity. Without continuing to take it, you may feel tired, foggy, and unable to focus. 

Whether you were prescribed Adderall or not, it is possible to become addicted to it. If you think you might be addicted, start by examining your use of the drug by asking yourself questions such as the following:

  • Are you unable to complete any tasks without taking Adderall?
  • Are you using it as prescribed, or are you using more than was prescribed to you?
  • Are you using Adderall that was not prescribed to you?
  • Have you tried to stop using it and been unable to do so? 
  • Have you found yourself focused on making sure you have enough Adderall? 
  • Is your use of Adderall affecting your relationships with others or your ability to fulfill your responsibilities? 

If you can answer yes to some or all of these questions, you likely need to look more closely at your Adderall use and consider seeking treatment. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions regarding addiction and how we can help you or your loved one. 

How to Get Help With an Adderall Addiction

At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert and caring addiction treatment for over 25 years.  We understand how both prescription and illicit drugs can lead down the road of addiction. Our mission to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. 

We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will meet your needs.  We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we tailor healing to the whole person. We are committed to helping you break free from active addiction.  Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!  

Why Go To an Inpatient Treatment Facility in Riverside County

inpatient rehab riverside

You’ve decided to get sober, but now you have to choose how and where to go for addiction treatment. Realizing that using drugs and alcohol is no longer working is one of the most challenging places to find yourself. You don’t want to keep using, yet you don’t know how to live without using. Maybe you’ve tried to quit in the past without success, or perhaps you’re coming back after a relapse. It doesn’t matter what brings you to the point of wanting to change your life, what matters is that you’re ready now. We understand how hard it can be to take those first steps and we are here to partner with you on your journey. 

At 10 Acre Ranch, we can help you break free from addiction and guide you to lasting recovery. Our rehab facility in Riverside, CA is ideal for you to take those first steps toward long-term sobriety. 

What Is an Inpatient Rehab Facility? 

Inpatient rehab, or residential rehab, requires you to live at the facility during your initial treatment.  Inpatient treatment typically ranges from 30 to 90 days, depending on your treatment plan. When deciding on your treatment plan, our experienced and caring clinicians will consider the substances you have been using, the specifics of your use, and any co-occurring mental health disorders. Attending rehab at an inpatient facility in Riverside, CA offers you an opportunity to begin your life in sobriety surrounded by the beauty of Southern California. 

During inpatient rehab you will likely start by ridding the body of the drugs during detox. Following that, you will begin the work of therapy, both individually and in groups, to learn how to live a sober life.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Sober in California?

Getting sober is hard. There’s no way around that, but starting surrounded by the beauty of Southern California doesn’t make it worse. After years wrapped up in your addiction, you probably have not taken a lot of time to sit and enjoy the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets of Southern California. Our rehab facility in Riverside, CA sits on an inspiring and serenely beautiful campus. We blend our evidence-based treatment approach with the beauty of California to help you prepare yourself for a sober life. Addiction affects the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Our rehab facility creates an atmosphere that treats all three. You’ll find yourself with much to think about after attending therapy sessions. Our grounds provide you with beautiful surroundings for sitting with those thoughts and pondering what comes next.

Choosing the Best From the List of Inpatient Treatment Center in Riverside County

At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert addiction treatment for nearly three decades. Our mission to rebuild lives is always at the forefront of everything we do. Our experienced and compassionate staff will partner with you to craft a tailored treatment program. We believe in holistic, evidence-based treatment. 

Our therapies address the physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol addiction. We ensure that the care we provide aligns with our mission and our values. We have various programs, including traditional treatment, Christian treatment, couples rehab, women’s rehab, and pet-friendly rehab, just to name a few. We have a wide range of therapies, including interpersonal life skills, relapse prevention, stress management, family therapy, biosound therapy, and more. If you’re looking for the best inpatient rehab facility in Riverside County, look no further than 10 Acre Ranch.

Drug Addiction Withdrawal Signs to Look Out For

Drug Addiction Withdrawal Signs

When you’re worried that someone you love is addicted to drugs, you are often looking for signs of intoxication. And while that is important to look for those signs, you also want to be on the lookout for drug addiction withdrawal signs. Drug withdrawal, particularly alcohol withdrawal, can cause serious health issues and can even be fatal. Knowing what drugs are involved can help you recognize the withdrawal signs. Conversely, if you see the withdrawal signs, you can often figure out what drugs are being used.  At 10 Acre Ranch, we can help you understand the withdrawal symptoms and safely help you or your loved one detox. 

Why Do Drugs Cause Withdrawals?

Drugs usually cause withdrawal symptoms when the body has become accustomed to having the drugs. Drug addiction involves tolerance and dependence.  Tolerance occurs when the body gets used to having a drug regularly and then needs more to feel normal. Dependence, while related to tolerance, is a bit different. When the body gets used to having a substance regularly, it begins to function differently.  When you remove the substance, the body cannot instantly return to how it worked without the drug, and it rebels. Regular drug use rewires the brain’s circuits so that when you remove the drug, the brain does not know how to function in the same way anymore. Many of the drug withdrawal symptoms are the opposite of the effects the drugs used created. For example, many people take benzodiazepines to relax or address anxiety. However, withdrawing from these drugs has the opposite effect and can result in anxiety attacks and insomnia. 

What Are Common Drug Addiction Withdrawal Signs?

Most drug addiction withdrawal signs vary according to the drugs that were used. The one symptom that is common regardless of the drug is irritability, and this makes sense because the body is rebelling against the drugs being withheld. What is interesting is that one of the most dangerous drugs to withdraw from is alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal can be as harmless as irritability, nausea, sweating, trouble sleeping, and anxiety.  However, alcohol withdrawal can also include hallucinations, tremors, seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and even death. Detoxing from alcohol without medical supervision can be quite dangerous and is even more dangerous if the person has been through alcohol withdrawal in the past. 

Withdrawal symptoms for opioids include muscle pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, goosebumps, and restlessness.  Sedatives and tranquilizers such as Xanax or Valium, can be extremely dangerous during withdrawal. If you have been abusing these drugs, you will want to detox under supervision. Withdrawing from sedatives can cause shakiness, seizures, insomnia, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, elevated body temperature, hallucinations, seizures, and overactive reflexes. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include decreased appetite, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Conversely, withdrawing from stimulants has the opposite effect and can cause depression and tiredness. Using drugs messes with the body’s biology, and once you stop using, it takes the body some time to function normally without them.  

Benefits of Going to 10 Acre Ranch for Rehab

At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert addiction treatment for nearly three decades.  Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will meet your needs.  We are experts in helping people safely detox from drugs and do the work to stop using drugs.  We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we integrate the treatment to heal the whole person. We are committed to helping you break free from active addiction.  Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction! 

How to Get My Loved One Help With Drug Addiction and Depression

How to Get My Loved One Help With Drug Addiction and Depression

There are few things worse than watching a loved one suffer and feeling helpless. Seeing someone we love struggle with addiction and depression is heartbreaking, but it can be hard to know how to help someone with drug addiction and depression. The first step is often acknowledging that there is a problem, but that often leads to more questions than answers. At 10 Acre Ranch, we are here to help you and your loved one navigate addiction, depression, treatment, and recovery. 

Can Drug Addiction and Depression Be Addressed at Rehab?

Drug addiction and depression can be addressed at the same time while attending rehab.  Many individuals who struggle with drug addiction have co-occurring mental health disorders.  Because of this, many treatment centers have programs that focus on dual diagnosis, which simply means that the addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder can be treated at the same time. Cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacological interventions, and more can all be a part of rehab.  These components can be added whether treatment is completed on a residential or outpatient basis. Researchers have found that treating addiction and depression simultaneously can lead to a more significant reduction in symptoms. 

How to Help Someone With Drug Addiction and Depression 

Often people with mental health disorders such as depression will turn to drugs as a way to self-medicate. However, some drugs, such as alcohol and benzos, are depressants.  The use of these drugs will not help and will instead increase the symptoms of depression. Most individuals do not realize this while they are caught in the cycle of addiction and continue to use it. Often the first step in helping your loved one is to help them see that they are caught within the cycle of addiction.  This may be done with a simple conversation or by holding an intervention. An intervention is generally a meeting between the individual who is addicted and their loved ones.  Your goal is to lovingly but firmly confront them with their behavior and its impact on the family. There is not a specific number of people who need to attend, but it might be wise to keep the numbers small, or the meeting will be too overwhelming. Interventions generally include the following four stages:

  • Validation
  • Documentation
  • Recommendation
  • Consequences

Your goal is to come from a place of love and compassion while you present your loved one with the facts. While you might be angry, try to remember that while you hate the addiction, you do love this person.  Try to help them understand how their behavior is affecting you and how you are feeling. Once you’ve shared what’s been happening and how you feel, you’ll want to make some suggestions for what steps you’d like to see this person take.  Perhaps you’d like them to go to rehab, see a therapist, or attend a recovery meeting. Whatever action you’d like to see taken, you also need to spell out what consequences will occur if the action is not taken.  Be sure to set consequences that you will stand by and follow through if there is no change.

Before you hold an intervention, you’ll want to do some research about what kinds of programs are available for your loved one to attend. If your loved one suffers from depression and is fighting addiction, research dual diagnosis programs.  See what the options are for treating co-occurring disorders so that you are armed with the information to make recommendations. 

Benefits of Going to 10 Acre Ranch for Rehab

At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert and caring addiction treatment for over 25 years.  Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will help you or your loved one.  We provide a welcoming environment where we tailor healing to the whole person. We are committed to helping you or your loved one break free from active addiction.  Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!