Do 12-Step Programs Work for Addiction Recovery?
Content reviewed by Karen Rubenstein, LMFT, Chief Clinical Officer at Cliffside Malibu Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex mental health condition that requires professional treatment to overcome. Furthermore, substance use affects everyone differently. As there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for addiction, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the options to discover the right […]
How Can I Rebuild Relationships After Addiction Treatment?
Updated on 2/1/23 Rebuilding relationships after substance use treatment is crucial to maintain sobriety; however, it takes time and effort to restore communication and trust. It is important to understand that some loved ones are not ready to move forward, but attending support meetings can help to provide valuable reassurance. It is also important to […]
How to Overcome Isolation in Addiction Recovery
Updated on 06/25/24 Content reviewed by Anthony T. Triola Addiction recovery can sometimes feel like a long, lonely endeavor. At times, you might experience feelings similar to what you felt when under the weight of your addiction. Further, when you feel lonely or isolated, you might become tempted to use substances. Recovery is about finding healthier […]
What is Normal Anyway?
The definition of “normal” can be subjective; people constantly adapt and change pieces of themselves and their lives to survive. Finding a sense of normalcy in yourself and your surroundings lends comfort and reassurance to your life direction. However, sometimes normal can be misconstrued and instead turn into negative traits, such as needing to control […]
Can I Get Back What Addiction Has Made Me Lose?
Breaking free from addiction When someone is experiencing active addiction, many casualties come along the way. This can mean severely fractured relationships with loved ones, including: spouses, children, parents and siblings. Careers become less of a priority, so the likelihood that a job has been lost is very high. When someone loses a job, they […]
12 Step Support
What Are The 12 Steps? The 12 Step Support Program is the most widely-used method of support during substance abuse recovery. It began in the mid-1930’s in Akron, Ohio as the guiding principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. The group’s founding members, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, were two alcoholics themselves. They struggled for years with […]
Cliffside Malibu Approach vs AA Approach
Cliffside Malibu Approach vs AA Approach What Is the Cliffside Malibu Approach? Cliffside Malibu has an evidence-based, well-thought-out three-fold approach to addiction treatment that creates the foundation for lasting recovery—different from AA. When all three are used together, the outcomes are more effective than any individual part on its own. Those three approaches are: Intensive […]