Addictive Behaviors Don’t Get the Same Spotlight as Substance Abuse

The Substance won an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Nonetheless, it could have racked up more awards if the titular black market medication had been psychoactive and addictive. The Academy Awards tend to be more receptive to films about substance abuse. In 2019, for example, Uncut Gems, a film that bluntly portrays gambling addiction, didn’t get any Oscar nominations. In 1986, Paul Newman won Best Actor for The Color of Money, a film that danced around the same topic. Substance abuse disorders are more universally and historically recognized. Plus, they have liquor and drugs as the “bad guys” that follow established Hollywood formulas.

Modern “Substance-Less” Addictions

Moore’s character in The Substance wrestles with various addictions and comorbidities. Body dysmorphic disorder is at the center of the film, but she also struggles with anorexia nervosa, exercise addiction, and narcissistic personality disorder. These conditions have been exacerbated by the explosion of social media in popular culture. Interestingly, other addictions that don’t involve substance abuse are also being fueled by the digital revolution in the 21st century.

Gaming Addiction

Gaming disorder was added to the International Classification of Diseases 11 (ICD-11) in 2019. It’s in the same ICD-11 group as gambling disorder, and it’s described as an impulse control disorder worsened by the widespread access to smartphones. The microtransactions and “loot box” mechanisms of many casual video games often blur the lines between gaming and gambling disorder.

Shopping Addiction

Compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) isn’t classified as an addictive disorder in the ICD-11, despite sharing many characteristics with gaming and gambling addictions. It’s easy to understand how technology is fueling this condition, which for many patients feels like a terrible addiction. The rise of e-commerce and business models like Amazon’s same-day delivery is a significant driver of modern CBSD.

Sexual Addiction

Hypersexual disorders aren’t classified as addictions by the ICD-11, but they’re often treated as such. Sexual addiction is a behavioral compulsion compounded by the easy availability of pornography, exhibitionism, and sex work on internet platforms. Large-scale epidemiological research is difficult to conduct on these disorders because of societal stigma. However, many psychologists think the hypersexualization of pop culture through media and advertising during the first decade of the 21st century has largely moved online.

If someone you know is facing the challenge of addiction, consider reaching out for professional support from an interventionist. Encinitas addicts who receive this guidance often find it’s a crucial element in beginning a successful and sustained recovery journey. Carlsbad residents can trust the expertise and experience of the compassionate team at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. We know precisely what it takes to get sober, stay sober, and live the healthy lifestyle you deserve. We specialize in working with clients with active addictions as well as clients already in recovery. Our sober coaches provide encouragement, accountability, insight, and understanding through our own recovery experiences. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.

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Sleep Is the Ultimate Tool in Addiction Recovery

Drunk tanks, also known as sobering-up stations or detoxification centers, have a long history in the U.S. They date back to European law enforcement practices from the 18th century, and they’re based on the common-sense recommendation of “sleeping it off.” 

Although drunk tanks are part of traditional “scared straight” strategies of community policing, they reinforce the effectiveness of sleep as a healing biological process. All mental health professionals and sober lifestyle coaches agree that developing good sleep habits is one of the best things anyone can do while recovering from addictions. This is because neurons and brain circuits are reconditioned during sleep.

ecision-Making Processes Are Improved through Sleeping

Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function. People who endure sleepless nights because of excessive drinking or stimulant abuse are more susceptible to poor decision-making, impulsivity, and weakened self-control. These are all impairments that will never be conducive to addiction recovery in Carlsbad, CA. 

On the other hand, adequate sleep helps in terms of improving cognitive function, strengthening self-control, and promoting clear thoughts. Recovery is all about making sound decisions, resisting impulsive thoughts, and learning about sobriety through self-control. If you’re not sleeping well during your journey to recovery, sobriety will be more difficult to achieve.

You Can Boost Your Immune System with Proper Sleep

Substance abuse and going through withdrawal weaken the immune system, thus leaving you more prone to getting sick. Sleep plays a vital role in strengthening your immune system, helping your body fight off infections, and staying healthy as you work through recovery. You don’t want to face a nasty viral or bacterial infection during detoxification because this is when your immune system is weak. It’s important to remember a sober lifestyle is essentially a holistic lifestyle that starts with getting good sleep.

The Magic of Rapid-Eye Movement (REM) Makes a Difference

A good night’s sleep isn’t complete without a period of REM sleep lasting a few minutes. You know you’re getting adequate REM sleep when you can remember at least one dream that was positive, funny, or puzzling. This is when the brain processes emotional experiences such as guilt, shame, and anxiety. REM sleep allows you to process these emotions in a safe dream space, thus promoting emotional healing and reducing the risk of relapse triggers. Getting the full REM benefit requires you to develop healthy sleep habits without taking substances or medications that interfere with your dreams.

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s level of drinking or drug use but don’t know where to turn, a good place to start is with an interventionist. Carlsbad residents can trust the expertise and experience of the compassionate team at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. Our interventions are guided by love and compassion for the addict to ensure he or she doesn’t feel attacked or judged. In addition, our interventions are well structured and appropriate for coaxing a willingness to change in your loved one who may resist accepting help such as treatment, detox, or rehab. As part of our comprehensive intervention services, we also offer the support of a dedicated Sober Companion to accompany your loved one on the journey to recovery, providing the care and guidance he or she needs in daily life. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.

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If you’re in the beginning stages of recovery from addiction, the prospect of returning to “normal” life can be frightening. It’s a big adjustment, so you should consider looking for a sober living home that can help you transition from a residential treatment program to your home environment.

A sober living home San Diego is similar to a residential program in that you’ll be living among other people who are recovering from addiction, but you’ll have greater freedom and independence. However, there will be rules you must follow in order to keep your behaviour aligned with the goal of recovery.

If you think a sober living home might be the right choice for you, it’s essential to make sure the home you choose has qualities and features that will most effectively support your successful recovery. As you explore your options for a sober living home, keep the following important considerations in mind.

How Far Is the Sober Living Home from Your Hometown?

It may be crucial for you to choose a home where you’ll be close to your support network. This could include friends, family, the locations of your 12-step meetings and therapy sessions, and other resources you’ll need to maintain a strong foundation while you’re in recovery.

How Many Residents Live in the Sober Living House?

High-quality sober living homes usually have a low ratio of residents to staff members. This supports a safer, more comfortable, and better organized living environment for residents.

What Is the Average Sober Time of the Current Residents?

This is an important consideration because ideally, the residents of a sober living home have similar expectations and goals for recovery. All residents who live in sober living homes should be in active recovery from substance use disorders, and being drug- and alcohol-free is one of the primary requirements.

Are the Residents Drug Tested, and if So, How Often?

The primary purpose of a sober living in San Diego is to help residents prevent relapse and learn how to live their everyday lives without alcohol or drugs, so any home you’re considering needs to support this purpose by requiring total abstinence. If you’re looking for a sober

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