What is Couples Rehab?

What is Couples Rehab?

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In recent times, the number of couples struggling with drug or alcohol addiction has been on the increase. Married partners and cohabiting couples who share drug addiction often quarrel. They generally experience emotional distance and are emotionally disturbed in most instances.

Usually, members of such intimate relationships spend a lot of time influencing one another by taking drugs and alcohol. This results in a cycle of continuous substance use for stress relief and getting away from problems. Unfortunately, in worse instances, a couple’s drug addiction problems may go on to impact other members of the family.

The implication of being addicted to a substance and being around a partner who does the same is that dropping off the addiction can be more difficult. In addition, when couples influence their drug addictions in this manner, it becomes challenging for any of the partners to seek therapy as an individual.

Couples rehab has the means of breaking drug misuse cycles and helping struggling couples 

Contact The Last House today to learn more about our Los Angles sober living for men.

 

Can Couples Go to Rehab Together?

Therapists in couples drug rehab centers understand that couples with addictions sometimes fear not seeing their partners when treatment begins. As a result, most rehabs for couples are planned in a way that caters to the treatment of both partners simultaneously.

When rehab centers cater to the uniqueness of a couple and accommodate the needs of a relationship, partners have a feeling of not being alone. This improves the results of the recovery process as couples share more enthusiasm. Additionally, couples get to support one another and are dedicated to the recovery of their partners.

A couple’s rehab becomes the best option when both partners are committed to recovery. In addition, rehab for couples can extend into family therapy when couples have children who are impacted by drug misuse.

 

Is Couples Rehab Beneficial in Treatment?

Rehab for couples is beneficial because couples follow an addiction recovery program while strengthening their relationship. Drug recovery treatment for couples includes therapy like behavioral couple’s therapy and family therapy. These programs are geared towards abstinence as well as rebuilding relationships.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of rehab for couples:

  • Couples get to understand themselves better through the course of rehab programs
  • Couples navigate their recovery plans together while clearing assumptions and misconceptions
  • Rehab programs help couples to a sense of responsibility in maintaining their partner’s sobriety
  • When drug recovery is made with a loved one, the process becomes very stress-free
  • Recovery programs allow couples to discuss their addiction problems with other couples
  • Rehab centers usually have couples doing well in their recovery plans. This encourages newer couples
  • Couples get to improve their decision-making concerning finances, parenting, and other necessities.

When couples share recovery programs, they celebrate their successes with each sober milestone reached. Seeing progress in a partner strengthens the resolve to see through the recovery program. What better way to recover from drug addiction than to do so in the arms of a loved one who understands one best?

Couples attending rehab together must put in a great deal of work, commitment, and accountability to their partners. Yet, regardless of the couples rehab center, the goal is to ensure that couples become drug-free and return to safe and healthy lifestyles.

 

How to Find Couples Rehab Centers in Los Angeles

Having more awareness of having couples attend couples’ drug rehab centers, accessing rehab for couples is easy. Take the first step by informing your partner and planning to attend a competent rehab center for couples.

At Last House, we have an ideal setting for couples seeking therapy for drug misuse disorders. Since relationships differ, our structured sober living for men caters to the uniqueness of relationships by focusing on the underlying causes of addiction and structuring peculiar recovery plans.

Here in Los Angeles, we have two sober living homes open to help you and your partner recover. Our friendly staff teams are happy to welcome you into our couple-specific program. If you are struggling with addiction alone or with a loved one, call us. Recovery is only a step ahead. So reach out to us today for help with your addiction.

What Are the Types of Group Therapy?

What Are the Types of Group Therapy?

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Several patients get psychotherapy from one or more mental health professionals during each session in group therapy. Group therapy can shorten wait times and provide access to mental healthcare for more individuals. While some people primarily use group therapy, others also participate in individual treatment sessions. 

Group therapy is one of the most acceptable methods to maintain your ongoing rehabilitation since long-lasting healing occurs in a community. Group therapy aids in practicing the fundamental life skills needed for persons in recovery to care for themselves daily correctly. 

Additionally, they support our comprehension of the constructive communication techniques we need to build new connections and mend any relationships we may have harmed by our destructive conduct. In this article, we’ll discuss types of group therapy, why it is essential, and how to find group therapy programs in Los Angeles. 

The Last House Sober Living is a network of transitional living homes providing structured sober living for men in Los Angeles. Long-term recovery is encouraged by the atmosphere our sober homes foster. This program lays the groundwork for a new life filled with excitement and joy while remaining sober.

 

What Are the Types of Group Therapy?

Group therapy comes in various forms, and each group’s treatment plan is unique. We will discuss five of the most general categories in the following sections.

Psychoeducational Groups

The main goals of psychoeducational group therapy are to inform participants of their problems and give them new coping mechanisms. These teams typically concentrate on a particular illness, including drug use disorder, anxiety, or phobias.

Skill Development Groups

Groups that specialize in skills development introduce and enhance the abilities individuals need to deal with certain mental health disorders. Aspects of psychoeducational groups may be included in these groups. The members’ behavioral and cognitive resources must be strengthened to support their ability to make wise decisions and stay out of dangerous circumstances.

Groups for Relapse Prevention

After successfully completing a drug treatment program, a person could believe that their road to recovery is done. In reality, once a person returns to their regular daily activities, the true job of rehabilitation starts. Drug users are most vulnerable in the early stages of recovery. Therefore, newly sober individuals must receive the extra assistance they need to make this transition as painless as possible.

Relapse prevention support groups are a mainstay of aftercare programs and are created to assist clients in identifying the environmental triggers that may cause them to relapse. Clients in these groups concentrate on improving their coping mechanisms and heavily rely on peer support, ongoing participation in 12-step groups, and educational programs to help them comprehend the chronic addiction condition.

Interpersonal Groups

Social connections, including how much support you receive from others and how these interactions affect your mental health, are the subject of interpersonal groups.

Behavioral and Cognitive Groups

The goal of cognitive behavioral group therapy is to remodel the ideas that underlie harmful behaviors in an individual. For instance, cognitive behavioral treatment programs for drug use disorders start by recognizing the circumstances and surroundings that serve as catalysts for addictive behavior. Members can create management measures to promote lower use once they have this information.

 

Why Is Group Therapy Important?

Researchers evaluated and studied the efficacy of a 7-week group therapy approach for treating depression that was web- and mobile-based. Participants reported considerable improvements in their general health and depression symptoms. Over the three-month follow-up period, these improvements stayed steady.

According to a piece in the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology, group therapy is effective for the following issues according to standards set by the Society of Clinical Psychology (APA Division 12):

  • Bipolar illness
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Panic attack
  • Social anxiety
  • Substance use disorder

There are several benefits of group therapy. Some of these benefits are listed below:

  • Encouragement, Safety, and Support

People who participate in group therapy might benefit from the encouragement and support of their fellow group members. Participants can see that others in the group are experiencing the same thing, which might make them feel less alone.

  • Understanding Social Skills

Working with a group allows the therapist to see each person’s reactions to others and social behavior up close. The therapist may provide each client with helpful comments based on this data.

  • Positive Support System

Groups can provide a sounding board and a network of support. Other group members frequently assist you in developing specific ideas for addressing a challenging circumstance or life problem and hold you accountable along the process. Listening and talking to others regularly also aids in putting your issues in perspective.

At The Last House, we aim to offer residents a secure, enjoyable, program-focused environment where people with substance abuse may find meaning in their lives. This will ensure they make progress and lay the groundwork for a life that is not just drug- and alcohol-free but also prosperous in all other respects. 

 

How to Find Group Therapy Programs in Los Angeles

Our staff members have a wealth of information with years of experience, educational backgrounds, counseling certifications, and a variety of specializations in health, wellness, and employment services. You can contact us today to learn more about how to find the best Los Angeles sober living for men.

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What are the Benefits of Gender-Specific Addiction Treatment?

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Men and women, while both humans, are incredibly different creatures with different habits, behaviors, needs, wants, features, and experiences. Some of those differences are obvious, while others are hidden or unseen. Of course, this is nothing new in society today. What most people don’t consider about gender is its impact on drug addiction and substance abuse – both in the general use and overall treatment. For example, men generally abuse drugs for different reasons than women. Men also have unique needs during the treatment process. That’s where a gender-specific treatment program can do a lot of good for the right person. The benefits of gender-specific addiction treatment considers the unique needs of each gender and surrounds them with like-minded individuals who have similar experiences, goals, and desires. 

 

How Does Gender Affect Addiction?

Gender has always played a vital role in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of addiction or substance use disorders. Throughout history, certain trends and patterns have given us a glimpse into some of the unique risks or dangers that men and women face individually. 

 

For example, women usually become addicted faster than men and do so while using smaller amounts of the same drug. Women also have more cravings for drugs, have more co-occurring mental or physical conditions, and are more likely to relapse than their male counterparts. 

 

On the other hand, men are more likely to abuse illegal drugs (especially alcohol and marijuana) and are more prone to peer pressure – whereas women generally use drugs in response to a traumatic event or experience. The male and female brains also respond to drugs differently. 

 

What is a Gender-Specific Treatment Program?

Gender-specific treatment has become a popular option for many patients trying to kick their addictions to the curb. A gender-specific treatment program is designed to take into account all the cultural, behavioral, hormonal, and biological differences between men and women today. 

 

From the types of drugs, they use to how they respond to those drugs, how they respond to treatment, why they started using drugs, and the symptoms they experience when recovering from addiction – a gender-specific program ensures a proper environment for each gender. 

 

Although not necessary in every case, gender-specific treatment programs can make the addiction recovery process much simpler for some patients. Anything that might increase a patient’s chance of overcoming their addiction and avoiding relapse must be considered. 

 

What are the Benefits of Gender-Specific Addiction Treatment?

Men and women start using drugs for different reasons, continue to use drugs for different reasons, have different reactions to drug use, respond differently to certain treatments, and have unique wants and needs in general. With that said, gender-specific treatment makes sense. 

 

Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent benefits of gender-specific addiction treatment:

  • Specialized, tailored, and personalized treatment programs for each gender
  • Less distractions, especially if you’re attracted to the opposite gender
  • Being around other people that have similar experiences and needs as you
  • Some people are more active and present in group therapy with the same gender
  • Focused and relatable discussions about gender-specific topics 
  • Patients feel more comfortable and more open when discussing their addiction
  • Build valuable, long-term friendships that aren’t built on a physical attraction
  • Higher success rate among those that don’t respond well to a co-ed rehab

 

It doesn’t matter what type of rehab facility you go to or what type of treatment you accept; the end goal is always the same – overcome addiction, avoid relapse, and improve quality of life. When put in the right environment, anyone can recover from drug addiction or substance abuse.

 

How to Find a Gender-Specific Addiction Center

Now that you have a better understanding of the purpose and benefits of gender-specific addiction treatment, you can start to see why it’s a no-brainer for some people. When you’re serious about overcoming your addiction, you’ll do whatever it takes to fully recover. 

 

At The Last House, we’ve created the perfect environment for men to overcome their drug addiction or substance use disorder. We provide quality sober living in Los Angeles for those that are looking to make a smooth transition back into normal society following the addiction recovery process. 

We currently have two sober living homes in Los Angeles and are excited to welcome you or your loved one into our male-specific program. Contact us today to learn more about the program and how we can help you live a normal, happy, healthy, safe, and rewarding life!

Are There Addiction Treatment Programs for Teens?

Are There Addiction Treatment Programs for Teens?

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According to recent surveys by the National Institute on Drug Use, the United States saw its most significant one-year decrease in reported drug use (marijuana, LSD, crack, cocaine, heroin, narcotics, prescription drugs, etc.) among teenagers and adolescents between 2020 and 2021. 

Those numbers include a nearly 5% decrease among senior students, an about 12% decrease among sophomores, and more than a 5% decrease among eighth-grade students. While this is good news, it doesn’t include alcohol addiction, and there are millions of others left struggling.

And while most people think rehab and addiction treatment programs are reserved for adults, that’s simply not true. There are a wide range of treatment facilities and programs catered to promote recovery and health in the teenage population – and they’re ready and willing to help!

How is Teen Addiction Different?

Teen drug users often face similar consequences as adult drug users – including crime, injury, violence, and death. With that said, the reasons why teenagers abuse drugs often differ from that of an adult. The treatment plan will also differ since teens have different needs than adults.

For example, some of the most common reasons teenagers use or abuse drugs include:

  • To fit in with their peers, giving in to peer pressure
  • In seek of a thrill, euphoria, that ‘high’ feeling
  • To experiment, either alone or with friends
  • In hopes of hiding pain or to cope with emotions
  • The need to improve athletic or academic performance
  • Lack of education about how dangerous drugs are
  • Lack of guidance or direction from parents or guardians

Another thing that makes teenage drug addiction different is the fact that a teenager’s mind, body, and soul are still growing and developing. Addiction impacts a teen’s health, wellness, and behavior, but it impacts their growth and development – which is devastating.

How Does Teen Rehab Differ from Other Programs?

Helping a teenager overcome their drug addiction often requires a unique, custom, tailored, and particular treatment plan when compared to an adult. If not done correctly, the teenager can continue to suffer, and the addiction will only lead to other problems as they enter adulthood.

Substance abuse treatment for teens must take this into account, but it also must factor in the teenager’s studies and academics. That’s why a lot of teenage rehab centers either offer on-site schooling or operate on an outpatient basis to allow the teenager to continue attending school. 

Another way teen rehab differs from adult rehab is family involvement. While it’s important in adult rehab for family members to show support, they’re often more involved in a teenager’s rehab and play a much more crucial role in the overall success of addiction rehab for teens. 

Are There Addiction Treatment Programs for Teens?

Believe it or not, there are a wide range of options when interested in substance abuse treatment for teens. These programs take into account the unique needs of a teenager and the many different factors that play a role in helping a teen successfully overcome drug addiction. 

Some of the significant benefits of addiction treatment programs for teens include: 

  • Access to the right therapy, medication, and professional help
  • Undergo a controlled detoxification process
  • Understand how to cope with withdrawal symptoms
  • Decrease dependence on drugs and other substances
  • Outpatient programs allow for the teen to continue education
  • Improve overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health
  • Learn about the dangers and risks of drug and substance use
  • Be around other teenagers going through the same thing

Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent warning signs that your child might need teen rehab:

  • Secretive or suspicious behavior
  • Constantly stealing or asking for money
  • Sudden drop in academic performance and/or grades
  • Physical changes (bloodshot eyes, constant sniffling, wounds, weight changes)
  • Mood swings, irritability, and agitation
  • Stress, depression, and anxiety
  • Lack of interest in things they used to love
  • Tried to stop doing drugs, but relapsed

Teen addiction treatment programs often combine therapy with medication and lifestyle changes to curb addiction and promote a healthier lifestyle that reduces the chances of relapse in the future. By the time treatment is over, your teen will be well on their way to a quality life.

How to Find Teen Addiction Treatment Programs

Is your son or daughter suffering from a drug or substance addiction? Are you worried they’re going to hurt themselves? Do you want them to get the help they so desperately need? Don’t worry; you’re not alone, and there are a wide range of ways you can help them recover. 

Addiction treatment programs for teens can be found all across the nation. At The Last House, we believe in providing teens with the necessary guidance, direction, advice, support, help, and resources when overcoming addiction. Our human-centric, custom approach is one-of-a-kind. 
If you want your teenage son or daughter to make real, lasting change in their lives, you’ve come to the right place. Our program is tailored to meet the needs of each unique individual. Contact us today to learn more about our Los Angeles addiction program and how it can help your teenage child!

What is Family Therapy and How Does it Help in the Recovery Process?

What is Family Therapy and How Does it Help in the Recovery Process?

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Millions of people all around the world are struggling with addiction every single day. It threatens their way of life, their integrity, and their health – physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Without the right help, an addict may never truly get over their addiction.

With that said, addiction is a family disease, meaning it has an impact on more than just the addict. It affects the addict’s parents, their siblings, grandparents, and any other family members that play a significant role in the addict’s life. Everyone needs to be a part of the recovery process. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, help is available. And while no two people are the same and no two treatments are the same, you and your family could benefit from family therapy – a unique form of therapy designed to help the family grow stronger. 

What is family therapy?

Most of us know what psychotherapy is. It’s a form of therapy designed to change an individual’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions for the better. The same is true with family group therapy – the only difference being that the whole family is involved, not just the individual.

Family therapy generally isn’t a long-term treatment option and doesn’t always include all family members. Instead, it’s usually utilized on a short-term basis, and only those closest to the situation or willing to undergo family support therapy will join. Those that join will heal together. 

The main goal of family therapy is to help family members resolve conflicts, understand how certain behaviors affect other family members, learn how to communicate with family members, and how to relate with one another. It’s where family members grow closer. 

How Does Addiction Impact Families?

Addiction can impact a family in a variety of ways. For example, it often results in conflict, a lack of trust, arguments, abuse, violence, isolation, and a lack of communication. As the addict continues their behavior, the family grows more distant and may even grow to detest them. 

With that said, it can also cause a great deal of worry, sadness, disappointment, and paranoia over what might happen next. Continued drug and substance use can result in legal trouble, injury, or even death – all things that can weigh on the conscience of each family member. 

Families are supposed to love each other. They’re supposed to support each other, be there for one another, and help each other thrive in life. All these things start to deteriorate when a family member is addicted to drugs. At the end of the day, all they want is their family member back. 

Why is Family Group Therapy Important in Recovery?

While addiction can tear a family apart from the bottom to the top, family group therapy can help piece that family back together. Addiction impacts everyone in the family, and that means everyone needs to learn how to overcome these difficult moments – and family therapy helps. 

Let’s take a look at four major elements of family support therapy for addiction:

  • Engagement – this usually involves getting the family members involved in the therapy, but most importantly, getting everyone invested in the overall goals of the treatment. 
  • Reframing – this usually involves analyzing and reframing the relationships between family members. It’s designed to help families understand the motives behind behaviors.
  • Behavioral Change – once the motives are understood by each family member, the therapy shifts toward changing those behaviors and introducing healthier habits. 
  • Restructuring – the final major element involves restructuring the family’s beliefs, premises, rules, standards, and expectations for long-term, sustained success.

Some of the major benefits of family therapy for addiction are the engagement, understanding, education, communication, and support gained on all fronts. Family members learn how to manage emotions or feelings and express those emotions practically and productively. 

How to Find Family Support Therapy Programs Near Me

Family support therapy goes a long way in helping a family overcome, recover, and heal from the many downfalls of addiction. It truly impacts each family member differently, and this generally requires a unique and personalized human approach to drug addiction treatment. 

At The Last House, we believe in allowing every family member to thrive in life. We provide sober living in Los Angeles and ensure each of our residents has access to the proper therapy, medication, support, resources, and tools to succeed. We also make sure the family has what they need to recover together. 
Addiction is a family disease, but family therapy could be the key to a new life for everyone involved – one that’s filled with love, joy, health, happiness, and support for one another. Contact us today to learn more about how The Last House can help you and your family succeed!

How to Learn Relapse Prevention Coping Skills

How to Learn Relapse Prevention Coping Skills

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Originally, relapse prevention was a separate aspect of addiction treatment, not combined with the standard treatment, but something reserved for after… later. This practice was in place for many years, before relapse prevention was integrated into addiction treatment, giving addicts the opportunity to practice these prevention measures in a controlled environment like rehab.

Relapse prevention coping skills are the skills necessary for individuals to learn to maintain sobriety after leaving addiction treatment. Through this process individuals are able to learn and practice these relapse prevention coping skills to make them habits prior to their return or next real world trigger. 

The Last House integrates relapse prevention coping skills into their addiction treatment programs by providing real world experiences for practice and supportive community. To see how we utilize these coping skills and to see how we can support your sustainable recovery, contact us today at The Last House.

What Are Relapse Prevention Coping Skills?

Relapse prevention skills are a combination of mental and physically habitual practices you can put into place to monitor your personal mental health. This can be done by addressing the following things: fear, redefining fun, learning from setbacks, and becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. These mental tasks can help prevent individuals from falling into one of these three forms of relapse- emotional, mental, or physical.

Physically, there are several relapse prevention techniques that you can put into place in your daily life that will help you maintain long-term sobriety and mental strength. Being aware of your surroundings, maintaining a healthy diet and rest habits, participating in self-care activities, and accessing your support system are physical things you can do to keep your mind and body strong. 

How Do You Learn Relapse Prevention Coping Skills?

In addiction treatment you will be taught many helpful relapse prevention tools and develop a relapse prevention plan. For example, one of the tools you may be taught in treatment is “HALT: Ask yourself if you are Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Or Tired? Oftentimes being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired can trigger a desire to use, and therefore it is important to identify [and] address the underlying need instead of using a substance.” Or even “SOBER: Use the SOBER brief meditation when feeling a desire to use: Stop, Observe, Breathe, Expand, Respond.” 

While these tools may be specifically taught in addiction treatment, it is also important to remember that through your relapse prevention plan, you may have a recovery wallet card, a support network, or self-help groups that you can attend to support you through this time.

How Can the Last House Help Me With Relapse Prevention?

Our addiction treatment program can support you at any point in the addiction treatment process. Our clients learn to manage their addiction in a safe, fun, and program-oriented setting where they can learn to focus on their purpose, progress, and building the foundation for their future.

At The Last House we offer addiction treatment through sober living communities and our clinical campus where men are building a sober community through shared experiences and connections. And we don’t just focus on addiction. We work with our clients to help them manage all their mental health needs through a holistic approach to developing a stable base of development and lifelong achievement.

Through our sober programs, clients are taught relapse prevention skills and are given the opportunity to use them in real-life situations and group sober outings. Through this process clients can experience the triggers and struggles of addiction while surrounded by a support system of men working together towards sustainable recovery.

Contact The Last House today to see how we can support your recovery.

Different Mental Health Resources for Men

Mental Health Resources for Men | The Last House

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Your mental health can be impacted by a great number of things within and outside of your control. Asking for help is something within your control.

The Last House provides mental health treatment and sober living in Los Angeles, California. Our mission is focused on providing a safe, fun, and program-oriented setting that helps our clients achieve their mental health and life foals. Contact us if you are ready to make a change for the betterment of your future, today.

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and just like physical health, many illnesses and physical situations can impact our mental health.

For a long time, there has been a stigma about mental illness and getting therapeutic treatment or counseling has been judged or mocked. But now, mental health initiatives are working to combat the stigma around mental health. 

Mental Health America released a 5-minute Guide to Men’s Mental Health, citing 6 million men struggling with depression in the United States. It also indicates that 1 in 5 men will struggle alcohol dependency in their lifetime and that the suicide rates for men are far higher than those of women. These mental illnesses are just that, illnesses that require medical treatment. 

If you are unsure if you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health disorder, the National Institute of Mental Health indicates the following warning signs: 

  • Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
  • Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
  • Increased worry or feeling stressed
  • Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
  • Sadness or hopelessness
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
  • Engaging in high-risk activities
  • Aches, headaches, digestive problems without a clear cause
  • Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
  • Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
  • Unusual thinking or behaviors that concern other people

If you are experiencing these behavior changes or have noticed these warning signs in a loved one, contact The Last House today for an evaluation. Our experienced and compassionate team are ready to support individuals on a safe path of recovery.

What Are the Different Mental Health Resources for Men?

Men are less likely to get mental health support than women due to social norms, a reluctance to talk, and because of downplaying symptoms. Knowing this, rehabilitation and mental health facilities have worked to develop interactive opportunities for men to access mental health resources.

In TIP56, a treatment improvement protocol from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a 200+ page document on improving mental health practices for men, multiple mental health professionals pooled their knowledge to create and improve mental health treatment for men. Mental health resources like therapy, according to TIP56, are best provided in group therapy, single-gender groups for men, group activities that promote community building, individual therapy, and family and couples therapy are recommended.

How Can The Last House Help?

The Last House provides a continuum of support through multiple male mental-health focused programs. Through sober living, activity based therapeutic outings, and our clinical campus, our clients have the opportunity to develop a positive mental health structure focused on achieving their goals and sobriety.

Our 2020 Outcomes Study showed that of the respondents we supported over the last several years, 87% had maintained sobriety and 80% of those individuals had been sober for over a year at the time of survey. Our former clients indicated greatly improved family relationships, employment statuses, satisfaction with life, educational goals, and emotional wellbeing. 

Contact us today to see how The Last House can be your first step on the journey of recovery.

What Are the Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous?

What Are the Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous?

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Among the many resources, you will find in trying to get sober, Alcoholics Anonymous is one that you will likely hear mentioned repeatedly. Founded more than eighty years ago, Alcoholics Anonymous has been instrumental for millions getting sober. A quick look at the program helps us to understand the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous. In addition to it being a free and accessible program, Alcoholics Anonymous has meetings worldwide multiple times per day. In fact, meetings may be found every hour of the day in some major metropolitan areas. Finding the right Alcoholics Anonymous group for yourself is a little bit like trying on clothes. You will want to try out multiple groups until you find one that suits you. Each group has its own personality.  At The Last House, we know the importance that twelve-step groups can play in long-term recovery. We are happy to help you explore the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the area and help you find the right one for you. 

What Are the Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous?

One of the reasons you will hear so much about Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve-step recovery programs is their availability and accessibility.  In 2012, Alcoholics Anonymous estimated nearly 64,000 groups with almost 1.5 million members in the United States and Canada. But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the program. Alcoholics Anonymous has its foundation in service. One of the basic tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous is that you have to “give it away to keep it.” This means that to keep your own sobriety, you have to help someone else get or keep theirs.  By attending meetings regularly, you will build a support network and become a part of the recovery community. In a survey of its members, Alcoholics Anonymous found that roughly one-third of its members have one to five years of continuous sobriety and attend two to four meetings per week. It is this regular attendance at meetings that seems to unlock the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

What Are Other Ways to Ensure Long-Term Recovery?

Ensuring long-term recovery involves more than just applying the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous teachings. Long-term recovery requires change at all levels. Many who find their way to recovery see that they must change the people they interact with, the job at which they work, and/or the home they live in. While not all must change everything, the point is to change those things that may trigger you into a relapse. If you associate your friends with using drugs and alcohol, you may need to stop spending time with those friends. Likewise, if you’re living in a home where drug and alcohol use is the norm, you may need to find a place to live that better supports your sobriety. And if your place of employment also happens to employ your dealer, you’ll want to move onto a new job opportunity. The goal is to structure your life and your surroundings in a way that supports long-term recovery. While you can go to several Alcoholics Anonymous meetings each day, you also have to learn how to live outside of the meetings. 

Why You Should Live in a Sober Living House

The Last House is a network of structured sober living homes in the heart of West Los Angeles. We believe in providing our clients with the tools to have a meaningful life and participate in their sobriety.  Activities such as service commitments, sober parties, conventions, dances, and house outings are all a part of helping you learn how to have fun in sobriety.  Composed of active members of the Los Angeles Sober Living community, our staff is familiar with many recovery support groups in the area. So if you’re wondering how to create your sober life, The Last House is here to help. 

The Negative Effects of Long-Term Alcohol Use

The Negative Effects of Long-Term Alcohol Use

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Whether you’re actively drinking or are sober, you may wonder about the effects of alcohol on your body. The ads for alcohol suggest that those drinking alcohol are in the best shape of their lives. However, those who have consumed alcohol for an extended time know that the effects of long-term alcohol use are anything but healthy. Alcohol affects every part of your body. 

Long-term alcohol use leads to chronic diseases, injuries, and even death. It impacts more than your physical health too and can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. The Last House is here to help you learn more about how to help your mind and your body heal from the effects of long-term alcohol use. 

Is Alcohol Addictive?

While many debate whether alcohol is addictive, the facts are that the body does become dependent on it with regular use. Your body strives to keep itself in balance. When you drink alcohol regularly, the balance is shifted, and your body changes things to adapt. You don’t realize it as it’s happening, but if you stop drinking alcohol, your body will let you know. If you drink alcohol daily and stop, you will feel like your body is punishing you for stopping. Your symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headache, sweating, anxiety, and even seizures. Your body is not punishing you, but it is trying to learn how to function without alcohol. In addition to the physical effects of long-term alcohol use, the pathways in your brain are also impacted. It can take months for your brain to return to its pre-alcohol functioning. Knowing this can help you understand why the first several months of sobriety can feel like an emotional roller coaster. 

What Are the Effects of Long-Term Alcohol Use on the Body?

Alcohol is the bad party gift that just keeps on giving. Short-term alcohol use increases the risk for motor vehicle accidents, violence, risky sexual behaviors, and more.  Excessive alcohol use led to about ninety-five thousand deaths and nearly three million years of potential life lost from 2011-2015. Almost everyone knows that regular alcohol use can damage your liver, leading to cirrhosis or other chronic illness. But it doesn’t stop at your liver; the effects of long-term alcohol use may be seen in nearly every part of your body. Your pancreas and alcohol are not friends. 

Regular alcohol use impacts how your pancreas functions and can lead to chronic pancreatitis and diabetes. It can also damage your stomach leading to ulcers, colitis, and other gastrointestinal chronic diseases. Alcohol can damage your heart and increases your risk for chronic heart disease, heart failure, and heart attack. It can also lead to cancer, especially cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and breast. When you drink alcohol regularly, your immune system cannot work correctly, and you are at a greater risk for infection and general fatigue. The frightening fact is that these are just a few of the effects of long-term alcohol use. Your body and alcohol are not friends. 

Sober Living at The Last House

The Last House Sober Living is a network of structured sober living homes in southern California. We believe in providing our clients with the tools to have a meaningful life and participate in their own sobriety.  We’ll help you learn how to live and have fun in sobriety through service commitments, sober parties, conventions, dances, and house outings.  Our experienced staff is composed of active members of the Los Angeles Sober Living community. If you’re wondering where to start to create your sober life, The Last House is here to help you build a life in recovery.

Long-Term Recovery: AA and 12 Step Programs

Long-Term Recovery: AA and 12 Step Programs

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In early recovery, you will focus on how to get sober and get through early sobriety. As you continue, your attention will shift to creating a life in long-term recovery. If you got sober in rehab or resided in a sober living facility, you may have already begun to develop a circle of friends who are also in recovery. Whether you have or have not, you may also want to explore attending AA 12 step program meetings to enhance your recovery program and extend your support network. 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12 step program meetings can be an essential part of your recovery. Attending AA meetings regularly is a vital part of a solid relapse prevention plan.  At The Last House, we understand the critical nature of finding the right mix of recovery-related activities to sustain your long-term recovery. We are happy to help you explore attending peer support recovery meetings such as AA. 

What Is AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is a peer support recovery group based on recovery from alcoholism by completing AA’s twelve steps. AA was established in 1935, and its basic principles have remained constant since that time. The only requirement for membership is “a desire to stop drinking.” 

The AA 12 step program encourages reliance on a Higher Power, referred to as God in AA literature. The success of AA is in the concept of mutual aid, with alcoholics and addicts supporting each other in getting and staying sober. Meetings are held in multiple countries and, in many cities, are held twenty-four hours a day. Over time, other 12-step groups that focus on other substances have emerged. These groups are patterned after AA and include Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous, Heroin Anonymous, and more. Additionally, groups such as Al-Anon, Alateen, and Adult Children of Alcoholics were created. While these groups focus on the loved ones of the alcoholic, they are also patterned after the AA design. 

How Does AA 12 Step Program Promote Long-Term Addiction Recovery? 

Alcoholics Anonymous is rooted in fellowship. The AA 12 step program is made up of people from different walks of life who might not typically meet but all share a common problem with alcohol. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. Many who attend AA will explore different meetings until they find one or two that suit them best. Each AA group has its own personality, and you may participate in several before you find the ones that fit your best. As you explore different meetings, you will find that you are greeted warmly and begin making friends at the meetings. As you build your circle of support and attend meetings more regularly, you will find yourself connecting with others at the meeting. Rather than sitting in a room full of strangers, you will begin to make friends. These connections will help you to realize that you are not alone. You will collect phone numbers and find yourself going for coffee and meals with people you meet at meetings. All of these connections will begin to weave themselves into a recovery safety net that will help you keep your recovery on track. When you feel the urge to drink, you will have friends to call, meetings to attend, or places to go. You will only be alone in your recovery if you choose to be alone in your recovery. 

Sober Living at The Last House

The Last House is a network of structured sober living homes in the heart of West Los Angeles. We strive to provide our clients with the tools needed for a meaningful life. We encourage our clients to take ownership of and participate in their sobriety.  Activities such as service commitments, sober parties, conventions, dances, and house outings are all a part of helping you learn how to have fun in sobriety. Our staff is made up of active members of the Los Angeles Sober Living Community and is familiar with many AA meetings in the area.  If you’re wondering how to create your sober life, The Last House is here to help.