Both work, and they differ in philosophy. An even-handed comparison of A.A. and SMART Recovery on structure, evidence, spirituality and cost.
Continue readingSMART Recovery vs. A.A.: Which Approach Fits You?
Signs of Cocaine Addiction: What to Look For and What to Do
Signs of Cocaine Addiction: What to Look For and What to Do
If you’re reading this, something has likely already caught your attention: a change in mood, a missing chunk of the paycheck, or a nosebleed that doesn’t quite add up.
The clearest signs of cocaine addiction typically fall into two categories: physical (dilated pupils, weight loss, a runny or bloody nose, erratic sleep) and behavioral (secrecy, unexplained financial strain, mood swings, withdrawing from people who used to matter). No single sign confirms anything on its own. But when several show up together, those patterns are worth paying attention to.
This guide walks through what these cocaine use signs actually look like day-to-day, why cocaine carries risks it didn’t a decade ago, and what tends to help when bringing up the subject with someone you care about.
In this article:
What Are the First Signs of Cocaine Addiction?
The earliest signs of cocaine addiction are usually behavioral before they become physical. A person becomes harder to reach, more defensive about their time, and less predictable in mood. Family and friends often notice the pattern before they can name it: someone seems “off,” disappears for stretches, or cycles between unusually high energy and flat exhaustion.
As use continues, how to tell if someone is using cocaine comes down to watching for a cluster of changes, not just one:
- Dilated pupils, frequent sniffling, or nosebleeds
- Bursts of energy, talkativeness, or confidence followed by a crash
- Skipping meals and noticeable weight loss over weeks or months
- Borrowing money, missing bills, or unexplained cash shortages
- Canceling plans, becoming secretive about a phone or whereabouts
- Irritability or defensiveness when questions come up
None of these behaviors prove cocaine use by itself. Stress, other health conditions, and other substances can look similar. But a cluster of these signs persisting over weeks is what tends to distinguish substance use from a temporary illness or rough patch. Let’s explore these signs further.
Physical Signs
Cocaine is a stimulant, and the body shows it. The most visible cocaine addiction symptoms include:
- Nose and sinus issues — chronic congestion, sniffling with no cold in sight, nosebleeds, or a whistling sound when breathing through the nose over time, since snorting is still the most common route of use
- A persistent cough — common in people smoking crack cocaine instead of snorting it
- Erratic energy cycles — a fast, intense high followed by a crash, leaving a person unusually alert or talkative for a few hours, then asleep for long stretches or unreachable the next day
- Appetite loss and weight change — appetite often drops during this cycle, leading to noticeable, unexplained weight loss over time
- Disrupted sleep — dark circles or a sunken, tired look
- Dilated pupils — pupils that don’t react normally to light
- Decline in hygiene or appearance — a level of self-care that seems out of character for the person
How long does cocaine stay in your system?
Cocaine itself typically clears the bloodstream within a day, but its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, can be detected in urine for two to four days after use, and longer with heavy or frequent use. Detection windows for cocaine vary by test type and individual metabolism, so this is only a general guide.
Behavioral Signs
Behavioral shifts often show up before, and last longer than, the physical ones. The most telling patterns include:
- Secrecy — becoming protective of their phone, vague about where they’ve been, or irritated by simple questions about their schedule
- Financial strain — missed bills, unexplained withdrawals, or requests to borrow money that don’t match up with a person’s typical spending, since cocaine use is expensive to sustain
- Mood swings — flashes of irritability, defensiveness, or unusual confidence that often follow the same up-and-down pattern as the drug’s physical effects
Can someone be addicted to cocaine and still function at work?
Yes. Many people with a cocaine use disorder continue working, meeting deadlines, and appearing “fine” to colleagues for a long time before problems become visible externally.
High-functioning use is common in the earlier and middle stages, especially in high-pressure jobs where stimulant effects can temporarily look like productivity. Yet over time, performance often becomes inconsistent. There may be strong days followed by missed meetings, uncharacteristic mistakes, or unexplained absences.
Socially, people may pull away from long-standing friendships in favor of a new group tied to using, or become unusually private about evenings and weekends. Taken together, the secrecy, financial strain, and mood swings may prompt a coworker, friend, or family member to start asking questions.
Why Today’s Cocaine Is More Dangerous: Fentanyl
One thing has changed significantly since the last time cocaine was widely discussed in the media: fentanyl contamination.
Illicit fentanyl, a synthetic opioid many times more potent than heroin, has increasingly turned up in cocaine that was never sold or intended as an opioid product. That means someone can be exposed to fentanyl without knowingly using an opioid at all.
The rise in illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been identified as a main driver behind the continued rise in cocaine-involved overdose deaths, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The scale of this shift shows up clearly in federal data. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 30,000 overdose deaths in 2023 involved cocaine, accounting for around 28% of all overdose deaths that year. Across dozens of states and Washington, DC, 47% of drug overdose deaths that same year involved opioids and stimulants together.
Why Naloxone isn’t enough
What makes this especially dangerous is that naloxone (Narcan), the medication that reverses opioid overdoses, only addresses the fentanyl component. It does nothing for the stimulant effects of cocaine itself, which puts significant strain on the heart.
This is part of why medical professionals increasingly treat any cocaine use as a potential opioid exposure, regardless of what the person believed they were using. If you ever suspect an overdose — slowed or stopped breathing, blue lips, unresponsiveness — call 911 immediately.
What NOT to Do When You Suspect It
The instinct to act fast is understandable, but a few common reactions tend to backfire and can push someone further away rather than closer to help.
- Avoid ultimatums delivered in anger. Statements like “stop, or I’m leaving” made in the heat of a difficult moment are rarely followed through consistently, and inconsistency teaches a person that the threat isn’t real.
- Resist the urge to search someone’s phone, room, or belongings before talking with them. Even when the discovery confirms a suspicion, it tends to shift the first real conversation into one about privacy and trust rather than the substance use itself.
- Don’t confront someone while they’re using or immediately after. Judgment and communication are both impaired in that window, and conversations held then are rarely the ones that stick.
- Don’t take on the role of investigator or enforcer for an extended period. Constant monitoring is exhausting for both people involved and rarely changes the underlying pattern on its own. It’s a role better shared with a treatment professional than carried alone.
None of this means staying silent. It just means choosing the right moment. A calm, private conversation, held when everyone’s grounded, tends to do far more than any of the reactions above.
How to Bring It Up
When you’re ready to talk, timing and tone matter more than the exact words. Choose a private, calm moment — not during or right after use, not in front of other people. Lead with what you’ve observed rather than a conclusion: “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed really on edge lately, and I’m worried about you” tends to land better than “I know you’re using cocaine.”
This approach lines up with what’s known as CRAFT-style communication: staying curious instead of accusatory, expressing concern rather than delivering an ultimatum, and reinforcing that you’re on their team, not opposed to them. It won’t guarantee a particular response, but it keeps the door open for another conversation if this one doesn’t go anywhere.
What Treatment Can Look Like for Cocaine Use Disorder
If someone is ready for support, treatment can take a range of forms depending on how cocaine use is affecting their life. For people who are still working or managing family responsibilities, structured outpatient options like an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or partial hospitalization program (PHP) allow treatment during the day or evening while maintaining day-to-day life. For others, a more immersive level of care may be a better fit, at least to start.
For people experiencing more severe withdrawal or safety concerns, medically supervised detox often comes first, followed by residential or inpatient care where clinical support is available around the clock. From there, many people step down gradually through PHP, IOP, and sober living, with aftercare planning built in to support the transition back to daily life.
Does insurance cover cocaine addiction treatment?
Many insurance plans do cover substance use treatment, since the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act generally requires that mental health and substance use benefits be covered comparably to medical and surgical care.
Exact coverage — including which levels of care, providers, and lengths of stay are included — varies significantly by plan, so it’s worth verifying benefits directly with your insurer or with the admissions team at Inneractions.
Worried about someone’s cocaine use — or your own? Our admissions team can answer your questions confidentially, verify your insurance, and help you find the right level of care, from IOP to more structured support.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 5 warning signs of addiction?
Five of the most consistent warning signs across substances: escalating secrecy about time and whereabouts, unexplained financial strain, mood or energy swings that follow a use-and-crash cycle, withdrawal from long-standing relationships and activities, and continued use despite mounting consequences at work or home. With cocaine, add the physical tells — dilated pupils, nose and sinus issues, and appetite loss.
What are the 7 signs of addiction?
Clinicians look for a cluster like this: needing more for the same effect (tolerance), using more or longer than intended, failed attempts to cut back, spending significant time obtaining or recovering from use, craving, neglecting responsibilities, and continuing despite harm. Meeting several of these within a year is how professionals distinguish a substance use disorder from casual use.
Can you recover from cocaine addiction without inpatient rehab?
Many people do. For those still working and managing family life, structured outpatient care — IOP or PHP — provides real treatment (individual therapy, group work, drug screening, relapse-prevention skills) without stepping away from daily life. The right level depends on use severity, home environment, and any co-occurring conditions, which an admissions assessment sorts out.
What should I do first if I recognize these signs in someone?
Don’t confront in the heat of the moment. Pick a calm, private time, describe specific things you’ve noticed without accusing, and listen. Then get support for yourself — a treatment program’s admissions line can coach you on the conversation, even before your loved one is willing to call.
Virtual IOP vs In-Person Treatment: Which Is Right for You?
Virtual IOP vs In-Person Treatment: Which Is Right for You?
If you’re weighing virtual IOP against in-person treatment, you’re already past the hardest part — deciding to get help. The next decision is about fit: which format works with your life, your schedule, and what you actually need clinically.
In this article, we break down what virtual and in-person IOP actually look like, what the research says about outcomes, and how to figure out which option makes sense for where you are right now.
In this article:
What Is Virtual IOP?
It’s not always possible to step away from work, family, or daily obligations to attend outpatient addiction treatment in person. Virtual intensive outpatient treatment was developed to remove these barriers, without reducing the clinical quality of care.
A virtual intensive outpatient program is a structured, clinician-led program delivered using secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth accessed from home or wherever you have a private space and a reliable internet connection. Accessibility, convenience, and flexibility are among the key benefits of virtual IOP.
How many hours a week is virtual IOP?
Virtual IOP typically runs nine to fifteen hours per week, spread across three to five days. A standard schedule might include a two- to three-hour morning or evening session. This structure is designed to accommodate work, family, and other daily responsibilities.
The clinical content mirrors what you would receive in an in-person program: therapy groups, individual sessions, and a curriculum focused on the skills and insight that support lasting recovery.
The telehealth platform is critical to success. A well-run virtual IOP is not a series of passive video calls. It is an active clinical environment with real group dynamics, scheduled check-ins, and clinical oversight. It requires the same accountability framework as in-person treatment, just delivered differently.
What Is In-Person IOP?
In-person IOP follows the same general structure: nine to fifteen hours of programming per week, although you physically attend at a treatment facility. Sessions happen in a dedicated clinical space with your treatment team and peer group present in the room.
Some people find that the physical environment is part of what makes in-person treatment work. Commuting to a facility creates a clear separation between treatment time and everyday life. Sitting in a room with other people in recovery builds a kind of connection that some find harder to replicate on a screen.
What is the difference between IOP and PHP?
IOP typically involves nine to fifteen hours of programming per week and allows you to live at home throughout treatment. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) runs five to six hours per day, five days a week, and is generally recommended for people who need more support than IOP provides but do not require residential care.
The biggest difference between PHP and IOP is clinical intensity, and the right choice comes down to where you are in recovery. PHP provides more intensive daily support, while IOP is built for people who are more stable and ready for a lighter structure.
Virtual IOP vs In-Person: Key Differences
Neither format is better. The right fit depends on your circumstances, your clinical needs, and what kind of environment helps you do your best work in treatment.
Virtual IOP vs In-Person IOP: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Virtual IOP | In-Person IOP | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule Flexibility | Morning, afternoon, and evening options fit around work, family, and daily obligations. | Session times may be more limited, depending on the facility’s schedule. |
| Commute & Geography | No commute required: accessible from anywhere in California or Oklahoma with an internet connection. | Requires travel to a treatment facility; may be a barrier for those in rural areas or without transportation. |
| Peer Connection | Real-time group sessions with a peer cohort; connection is genuine, though screen-based. | Face-to-face peer interaction in a shared physical space; some find this more grounding in early recovery. |
| Home Environment | Requires a private, stable home setting for sessions. Not recommended if the home environment is chaotic or unsupportive. | Provides a clear separation from home; attending a facility creates structure and accountability outside the home. |
| Technology Requirements | Device with camera, reliable internet, and a private space required. May be a barrier for some. | No technology required beyond a phone to confirm attendance. Accessibility depends on location and transportation. |
| Insurance Coverage | Most PPO plans and Medi-Cal cover virtual IOP. Coverage has expanded significantly since 2020. Verify with admissions. | Most PPO plans and Medi-Cal cover in-person IOP. Coverage varies by plan. Verify directly with admissions. |
Coverage and program details vary. Contact the Inneractions admissions team to verify insurance benefits before starting.
Is Virtual IOP Effective Compared to In-Person Treatment?
If effectiveness is your main concern, the research is reassuring — with one important qualifier. For appropriate candidates, virtual IOP produces outcomes comparable to in-person treatment.
A 2022 study followed 3,642 patients across in-person, hybrid, and virtual IOP programs and found no significant differences in abstinence rates, quality of life, or psychological well-being by delivery format.
A review published in the NIH’s National Library of Medicine found strong evidence supporting the feasibility and effectiveness of technology-based treatment for substance use disorders, particularly when it preserves the core components of evidence-based care: structured sessions, clinician oversight, and consistent peer engagement.
SAMHSA’s evidence-based resource guide on telehealth for substance use disorders reinforces this, noting that telehealth services can potentially improve health outcomes and reduce the hurdles that keep people from accessing care in the first place.
However, research does not confirm that virtual IOP is appropriate for everyone. The key phrase is appropriate candidates. People in acute crisis, those with significant co-occurring psychiatric conditions requiring close monitoring, or those without a safe and private home environment, are likely better served by in-person or higher-level care.
Who Is Virtual IOP Right For?
Virtual IOP for substance abuse tends to work best for people who are in a stable place in their lives, not necessarily recovered, but not in acute crisis either.
It’s a strong fit for those who have completed a higher level of care, like residential treatment or PHP, and are ready to step down while maintaining structure. It also works well for people entering treatment for the first time whose clinical needs don’t require round-the-clock supervision.
If you’re managing work, caregiving responsibilities, or live in a rural area where commuting to a facility isn’t practical, virtual IOP was built with you in mind.
What are the requirements for virtual IOP?
The practical requirements for virtual IOP are:
- a private space
- a stable internet connection
- a device with audio and video capability
An admissions assessment helps determine whether virtual IOP is the right fit or whether a different level of care would better serve your recovery.
Can I work while doing virtual IOP?
Yes. Flexible scheduling is one of the primary reasons people choose virtual IOP. Morning and evening session options make it possible to maintain employment while completing a full nine-to-fifteen-hour weekly program.
Many people find that being able to stay in their job, maintain their routine, and apply what they are learning in treatment to their daily life in real time actually strengthens the treatment experience. It also removes one of the most common reasons people delay getting help: the belief that treatment requires stepping away from everything.
Virtual IOP is also a strong option for parents with caregiving responsibilities, people in remote communities, and anyone for whom commuting to a facility creates a meaningful barrier to getting started.
Who Should Choose In-Person IOP?
In-person IOP is often the better fit for people who benefit from external structure, where the act of showing up somewhere, physically and on schedule, creates a layer of accountability that is hard to replicate from home.
It is also more appropriate for people whose home environment is not conducive to treatment, whether because of instability, lack of privacy, or the presence of people or situations that make staying focused on recovery difficult.
If the environment that contributed to problematic patterns is also the environment where you would be attending virtual sessions, in-person treatment offers an important and often necessary separation.
People who strongly value face-to-face connection, who find video-based group dynamics harder to engage with, or who are earlier in recovery and benefit from a higher level of accountability often do better with in-person programming.
If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness, support is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.
Virtual IOP at Inneractions — California and Oklahoma
Inneractions, with locations in California and Oklahoma, delivers virtual and in-person intensive outpatient treatment. The virtual IOP program runs on a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform with morning and evening scheduling options designed to accommodate work and family commitments.
The program treats both substance use disorders and co-occurring anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, a combination known as dual diagnosis. Inneractions’ integrated model addresses both within the same treatment plan, rather than treating one and leaving the other unaddressed.
For those in the Los Angeles area who prefer in-person treatment, Inneractions also offers programming at its Encino location. Most major PPO insurance plans are accepted for both virtual and in-person formats. Our admissions team can verify your specific benefits before you commit to anything.
Wondering whether your insurance covers virtual IOP? Let the Inneractions admissions team verify your benefits — confidential, free, and with no obligation to move forward.
Getting Started
Starting is more straightforward than you might expect. An initial admissions call takes about twenty to thirty minutes — it’s a conversation, not a commitment. From there, we handle insurance verification, clinical assessment, and scheduling.
Does insurance cover virtual IOP in California?
Most major PPO insurance plans cover online IOP in California, and Medi-Cal covers telehealth-delivered substance use disorder treatment for eligible members.
Coverage for virtual IOP has expanded significantly since 2020, and many plans now cover telehealth at the same level as in-person treatment. The most reliable way to confirm your benefits is to contact the Inneractions admissions team. Insurance verification is part of the intake process and costs nothing.
Is virtual IOP covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers virtual IOP for mental health and substance use disorder services for eligible beneficiaries. Coverage terms and prior authorization requirements vary by plan, so verifying your specific virtual IOP Medicare benefits with the admissions team before starting is the right step.
Ready to take the next step toward virtual or in-person IOP in California or Oklahoma? Our admissions team is here to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you find the right fit.
Sources
- Telehealth Services for Substance Use Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Assessment of Intensive Outpatient Programming | JMIR Mental Health (NIH/PMC)
- Telemedicine-Delivered Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review | National Library of Medicine
- Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders | SAMHSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is virtual IOP worth it?
For the right person, yes. Research comparing virtual and in-person IOP has found comparable outcomes in abstinence, quality of life, and psychological well-being, so you are not sacrificing clinical quality by choosing the online format. Virtual IOP is worth it when you have a private, stable space for sessions and a schedule that benefits from the flexibility. If your home environment is chaotic or you need more external accountability, in-person treatment may serve you better.
What is the success rate of IOP?
There is no single success rate, because outcomes depend on the person, the program, and how well the level of care matches clinical needs. Peer-reviewed research has found that more than two-thirds of IOP patients report continuous abstinence at follow-up, with virtual and in-person formats performing comparably. Outcomes tend to improve when treatment is completed in full, when co-occurring mental health conditions are addressed, and when aftercare continues beyond discharge.
What are the downsides of virtual therapy?
The main downsides of virtual therapy are the need for a private space and reliable technology, the potential for distraction at home, and the loss of physical separation between treatment and everyday life. Some people also find screen-based group dynamics harder to engage with. For people in acute crisis or without a safe home environment, virtual care is not appropriate, and an in-person or higher level of care is the safer choice.
What does IOP stand for in substance abuse?
IOP stands for intensive outpatient program. In substance abuse treatment, an IOP provides structured, clinician-led care — typically nine to fifteen hours per week of group therapy, individual sessions, and skills work — while you continue living at home. It sits between standard outpatient care and a partial hospitalization program in intensity, and it can be delivered in person at a facility or virtually through secure telehealth.
How can you quit drugs without going to rehab?
Quitting without residential rehab is possible for some people, but quitting without professional support is risky — withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids can be dangerous and sometimes requires medical supervision. Outpatient options like IOP provide evidence-based treatment while you continue living at home, which is often what people mean when they say they want to avoid “rehab.” A clinical assessment can determine whether outpatient care is a safe and realistic starting point for you.
How to Quit Fentanyl Safely: fentanyl withdrawal procedures and expectations
Fentanyl is a potent prescription drug that is part of the opioid family. Fentanyl is used to treat chronic pain, and comes in a patch form that is absorbed through the patient’s skin. Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain and creates a euphoric feeling, which masks pain symptoms for the duration of the patch. Fentanyl is incredibly addictive, and many patients find themselves trying to overcome their tolerance. If you are struggling with an addiction to Fentanyl, it is important to seek professional help. In this blog post, we will discuss Fentanyl detox and withdrawal procedures and expectations.
Fentanyl Detox: What to expect
Most Fentanyl detox programs will last for a period of five to seven days. During this time, patients will be monitored closely by medical staff and will gradually have the drug tapered off. The first few days of Fentanyl withdrawal can be difficult, as patients may experience flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Patients may also experience anxiety, depression, and irritability. It is important to remember that these symptoms are temporary and will eventually subside.
After the initial withdrawal period, patients will begin to feel better and will have more energy. They may still experience some mood swings and cravings for Fentanyl, but these should gradually lessen over time. Most Fentanyl detox programs will provide counseling and support during this time to help patients through the process.
How To Quit Using Fentanyl Without Withdrawals
Need help quitting Fentanyl? Our professional and compassionate staff can help you through Fentanyl detox and withdrawal. We offer a variety of services to help you on your road to recovery, including counseling and support. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get through Fentanyl detox and withdrawal. We’re here for you every step of the way. Call us now at (818) 571-9841
(Please note: our phone number is confidential and only for use by people seeking addiction treatment.)
Find the Best Group Therapy for Drug Addiction Today
When you picture what rehab is like in your mind, what do you see?
Maybe an addict lying on a couch with a therapist listening and asking questions? Perhaps a group of people sitting in a small circle of chairs together and talking?
Pretty stereotypical scenes and also not far off.
Individual and group therapy for drug addiction are both hallmarks of the process for a reason. In a moment we’ll get into why group therapy, in particular, is so important.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
But first, what does addiction look like?
A substance use disorder isn’t something that manifests and takes hold overnight. There are common signs and symptoms along the way that begin to paint the picture early.
Generally speaking, here’s what you should be looking out for:
- Using more than prescribed or intended or taking drugs longer
- Can’t stop or cut back even though an effort is being made
- Spending considerable time getting, using, and recovering from drugs
- Intense cravings
- Work, school, and family obligations aren’t being met
- Using despite the obvious problems it’s causing to personal relationships
- Finding yourself in increasingly more dangerous situations
- Developing a tolerance and needing to take larger doses for the same effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Mood swings and irritability
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Shift in weight
Of course, different drugs have differing signs of addiction but the above can usually be seen across the board.
How Group Therapy for Drug Addiction Will Help You Recover
Now that you know what addiction can look like, what’s the added benefit of group therapy to your recovery journey.
Knowing you aren’t alone
Drug use and addiction are incredibly isolating. You might use in a group but once you stop, those people disappear and your addiction may have alienated your close family and friends. Loneliness and depression can set in. Group therapy shows you that you’re not alone and that others have gone through the same.
Support system
Because you’re in the company of people who’ve been there, you have a unique support system of people who really can support you from a place of genuine understanding. It’s easy for anyone to say “I get it” but those words mean a lot more when they come from someone who’s walked in your shoes.
Develop skills learned in counseling
In individual therapy, you work on several things en route to a sober life. One of those is coping mechanisms. In group therapy, you can talk those through and sharpen your understanding. Also, addiction isn’t known for working wonders on your communications skills, being in group setting forces you to hone those people skills.
Build community
Naturally, once you finish your rehab program, you shouldn’t go directly back to the same group of friends you hung out with before who continue to do drugs. You don’t want to let temptation get the best of you or find yourself in a triggering situation that leads to a relapse. In group therapy, you can build a new community of friends and acquaintances that you can stay connected with long after the therapy ends. Having those types of people in your life helps with accountability too.
Inspirational environment
Among the best aspects of group therapy is that you’ll likely find yourself in a group where people are at different points of their recovery. Those that are farther along than you can serve as an inspiration for you to strive towards. Likewise, you can be that for someone else.
There are plenty of other reasons why group therapy is often considered an integral part of the recovery process, we surely think so here at Inneractions. If you’d like to learn more about our group session, give us a shout.
What Is Codependency in a Relationship With an Addict?
Relationships can be tough to begin with and tossing addiction into the mix certainly doesn’t make things any easier. Particularly if there’s a codependent dynamic at work in the relationship already.
But exactly is codependency?
James Madison University describes it as “becoming so invested with each other that you can’t function independently. It typically plays out as one person being more passive, lacking confidence, depending on being taken care of, and often having difficulties making decisions. The other person in the relationship is more dominant, controlling, takes charge, and gets some satisfaction from making decisions and taking care of the other person.”
To put it more simply, it’s an imbalanced relationship where one person gives more than they get so to speak and the other is left feeling vulnerable or helpless without their partner.
That’s what a codependent relationship might look like, what is it in terms of someone with a substance use disorder though.
What Is Codependency in a Relationship With an Addict?
The big takeaway word for what codependency is in a relationship with an addict is “enabling”.
It’s not something that’s necessarily intentionally done either. If your partner is a drug addict or alcoholic you may begin to feel like you can save them through your care. What that looks like in practice is different for everyone but can be as basic as:
- Making excuses for their behavior
- Lending money
- Rationalizing their overuse and justifying their behavior
- Feeling responsible for their issues
- Taking on their responsibilities
- Lying to protect them from consequences
All of these enabling behaviors and actions may come from a place of love but are incredibly damaging in the long run in a couple of meaningful ways.
First, if you obfuscate the addiction of your significant other and essentially continue to remain in denial about it, it only cements their substance use disorder further which makes subsequent treatment more arduous and puts additional strain on the relationship.
Secondly, it’s damaging to you as well in a number of ways. Carrying the burden of trying to “save” someone is exhausting and unhealthy. Being overly invested in their issues leaves less time for your own life, which only gets worse with time.
Codependency and addiction are among the worst bedfellows. One is fuel for the other in a sense and as a person falls further into addiction, the partner essentially becomes addicted to the relationship and taking care of the other.
How to End a Codependent Relationship While Still Supporting Your Loved One
Codependency isn’t being supportive. Codependency is unhealthy. Of course, this is unsustainable and something eventually has to give.
That said, ending a codependent relationship doesn’t mean giving up on your loved one. In fact, it can be a way of supporting them more fully and for real.
The main thing is to recognize the situation for what is. Be honest with yourself and them and work to understand the true nature of the relationship.
Have a genuinely honest conversation about the negative and painful aspects of this codependency and stop the enabling behavior.
Allow yourself the space to heal. Work on changing how you think and not wrapping up how you feel about their addiction.
Create boundaries and stick to them.
This doesn’t mean you don’t care about your loved one, it means you want the best for both of you and to get that requires changing the nature of the relationship.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, consider the benefits of counseling. At Inneractions, we have bi-weekly group meetings focused fully on codependency where you can learn how to build a healthier relationship. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Why You Should Go To Intensive Outpatient in Los Angeles
We all have different experiences in life that lead us to where we are, and that is also true for the road to addiction. Although many of the behaviors and symptoms overlap, addiction is very individual to each person. One person’s journey may be completely different from someone else’s, and it is no different when it comes to rehab. Depending on your level of addiction, the substance you are addicted to, and your support system at home, the rehab you require will be different.
What Is Intensive Outpatient Rehab?
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are treatment programs used to address addictions, depression, eating disorders, and any dependency that does not require detoxification or 24-hour medical supervision. Outpatient care consists of different types of programs where the patient visits a treatment center or counselor on certain days of the week. Intensive outpatient rehab still involves daily treatment, however those opting for outpatient rehabilitation do not live in the facility throughout the course of the treatment. People who choose outpatient rehab are able to live at home and continue their schooling or professions, and the level of support may be a little less intensive as compared to an inpatient treatment program.
Intensive outpatient treatment is typically recommended to patients who are experiencing less severe addictions, have strong support systems at home, or for those who cannot leave their obligations to work or school behind. It is also used as complementary treatment for after inpatient rehab. Sometimes, students or professionals might feel more stressed out from getting left behind from their work, and outpatient rehab will serve as a less stress inducing option.
Outpatient rehab allows patients to stay at home and receive treatment during the day, there is more flexibility and it may be more affordable, however there is a lower rate of success for recovery when struggling with a more serious addiction. When deciding between inpatient treatment and outpatient rehab one must truly evaluate how serious their addiction is and choose the option that makes most sense for them and their livelihood moving forward. If the addiction is less severe and the outside factors of everyday life are not causing stress, it may make sense to opt for outpatient rehab.
The Benefits of Going To Intensive Outpatient in Los Angeles
Intensive outpatient treatment is ideal for candidates who prefer to stay home throughout treatment or those who have already completed inpatient treatment. Sometimes, being surrounded by loved ones offers a level of comfort that an intensive inpatient program cannot offer. Those with solid support systems at home may opt for outpatient rehab to stay close to their loved ones throughout treatment.
Additionally, IOPs are great for people who do not have the ability to leave all of their responsibilities behind. Whether it be school or work, taking care of children, or household obligations, intensive outpatient is the more flexible option.
Lastly, intensive outpatient care tends to be less expensive than inpatient treatment programs. Inpatient rehab requires overnight stay and 24-hour medical supervision, and as a result, it tends to be more expensive.
Attending outpatient care in Los Angeles, California is an incredible way to recover from an addiction. Los Angeles is home to beautiful weather, beaches, and relaxing activities that can serve as a contributing factor to your recovery. If you live in Los Angeles, there are many facilities that offer intensive outpatient programs that will guide you on your road to recovery.
Everyone deserves the best opportunity to recover from their addictions, and through intensive outpatient care in Los Angeles, you will receive quality treatment from expert therapists, psychologists, and clinicians who will provide you with the best quality care.
Through intensive outpatient care, you can discover and understand the underlying causes of your addiction, and use the tools and resources needed to live a sober, fulfilled and addiction-free life. Contact the team today at Inneractions to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one recover from addiction.
Tips on Getting a Job After Rehab
Part of the rehabilitation process after undergoing recovery is transitioning back into your everyday life. Rehab programs typically last for a couple of months. Once you are reaching the end of your stay, you should start preparing to re-enter the real world, and thus begin preparing to re-enter the workforce. Getting a job is an essential next step following rehab, and there are plenty of aftercare programs that help with the process.
Why It’s Important To Get a Job After Rehab
Before entering rehab, it is typically a time where you are struggling with an addiction that prevents you from earning a living or carrying out tasks that are essential to work. Whether or not you had a job before rehab is not important. What is important is that following rehab, it is important to occupy your time with things that allow you to make positive contributions to society.
One of the best ways to keep yourself occupied, out of trouble, and away from temptation is by going to work. Some of the main reasons why it is important to find a job after rehab are as follows.
Sense of Purpose
Most people, whether struggling from addiction or not, seek purpose and meaning out of life. Having a job allows you to feel like you have a sense of purpose and feel like you are making an impact and accomplishing tasks. Work can be difficult, but it can also be extremely fulfilling.
Routine
Along with keeping you busy, jobs also offer you a daily routine. Whether it be getting up at a certain time in the morning, taking a mode of transportation, or getting lunch at a certain time, having a schedule and a routine can provide you with a healthy sense of structure for you day-to-day life.
Connect with People
Although your coworkers may not be your best friends, interacting with people everyday is an added layer of support that you might need throughout your day.
Financial Benefits
There is a sense of responsibility that comes with a job, and that responsibility comes with an income. Making your own money can allow for you to live your life more freely and not have to rely on anyone else for you to be able to buy groceries or enjoy yourself. Having a set of finances that are your own is an incredibly freeing feeling.
Tips on Getting a Job After Rehab
Many people who exit rehab have the same task of going out and finding work. Diving into the job market can feel intimidating at first, however there are many tips and programs that help with advising people on getting work post-rehab.
Getting a job after rehab requires having clear and reasonable expectations, along with patience and drive. There are millions of Americans who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, attend rehab, and go into the workforce. So many people have gone on to lead successful lives and prosperous careers after rehab. It is important to not let recovery get in the way of your professional goals and aspirations in life.
Another tip would be to turn to resources. This can be anything to self-help books, YouTube videos, reading articles, reaching out to your peers to seek advice for someone in your position, and working with recruiters to help you find jobs that you are interested in.
Chances are, recruiters or people you know either know of resources to share with you that might help, or have been in a similar position and can offer their guidance as you start on your job search.
Another helpful tip is to not get scared off by rejection. Rejection is extremely common when applying to jobs, and it is important to not take it personally if you don’t get the job you wanted. If you don’t get the job, simply pick your head up, and try again elsewhere. Always ask for feedback as to why you weren’t chosen for the position, and use that feedback for your next interview.
How Inneractions Helps You Get a Job After Rehab
Inneractions is an intensive outpatient rehab facility located in Woodland Hills, CA. As one of our aftercare programs, we offer our patients career counseling as they prepare to re-enter their everyday lives. We find that work is an essential element of living your life more freely and purposefully, and we therefore place a heavy emphasis on getting our patients back into the workforce. Please visit Inneractions today for more information on our amazing career counseling program.
The Benefits of Going to a 90 Day Rehab
The first step to overcoming a drug addiction is admitting that you have a problem, and from there, rehab is available for you. Although all forms and durations of drug abuse treatment have been proven to be highly beneficial, 90-day rehab is the recommended minimum duration from which to attend rehab to achieve a meaningful, long-lasting recovery.
What Is 90-Day Rehab?
A 90-day drug rehab is a substance abuse rehabilitation program that lasts for the duration of 90 days, or three months. Substance use disorder is a disease characterized by the consumption of harmful substances, despite the negative implications it has on your health, and it causes a chemical alteration in the composition of your brain. Addiction to harmful substances will cause you to have no control over your actions, making recovery difficult, but possible.
During a 90-day treatment program, it is likely that you may need to undergo a medically assisted detox that requires you to stop taking the drug that you are addicted to under the watchful eye of a medical professional. After you no longer have a physical dependence to the drug, there are many different therapies and programs that you can undergo to help change your mindset, and offer you insight into the ‘why’ behind your addiction.
Some of the therapies offered at 90-day rehabilitation programs offer education, insight, compassion, and everyday tools to help you process your disorder, and establish healthy, sober lifestyles free from the destruction of addictive behavior.
What Are the Benefits of Going to a 90-Day Rehab?
The idea that 90 days should be the minimum required duration of time for one seeking recovery from an addiction is due to the time both your body and brain need to heal, and to run a lesser risk of relapse. They say that it takes at least 30 days to form a habit, and that goes for habits that do not have life-threatening implications on the functionality of your brain.
With 90-day rehab, drug centers are able to take the time to personalize your treatment so that it is effective for you. Undergoing evaluations and seeing a therapist will allow the 90-day center to have insight into your condition and how you heal. Addiction recovery should be individualized based on each client’s specific needs because no two addiction experiences are the same, therefore no two rehabilitation programs should be the same.
90-day outpatient rehab programs will allow for you to live at home, or in sober living, while you attend treatment during the day. This offers clients more flexibility and an easier transition back into normal life upon the completion of rehab.
Who Should Go to a 90-Day Rehab?
In choosing to attend a 90-day rehabilitation program, you are choosing to help yourself recover from substance use disorder, mental health disorders, or both. If you are someone who is struggling from a serious addiction or mental disorder that is interfering with you going out and living your life, it is encouraged that you look into a 90-day rehab to reset your mind and change the way you live your life.
Some of the signs that you are experiencing an addiction or mental health problem include not being able to cut down on drinking or using drugs, continuing to drink or do drugs even though it is causing health problems, skipping out on your favorite activities to engage in drinking or drugs, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using, not attending work or school, then you should consider attending a 90-day rehab.
Reach Out to the Team at Inneractions Today
90-day rehabs offer you the ability to focus solely on your recovery without much distraction from the outside world. The 90 days will also offer you the time you require to master some of the skills of recovery that you can take with you for the remainder of your life. A 90-day rehab program also offers you the chance to recognize and change poor habits. Inneractions is a 90-day intensive outpatient rehab for those suffering from addiction and their families to recover in a discreet and professional setting. Come visit our facility in Woodland Hills, CA to recover today.
Why You Should Go to Sober Living in Encino
Recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) doesn’t stop when rehab ends.
Whether you’re coming from an inpatient setting or outpatient care, there’s going to come a point at which you’ll have to meld back into your daily life.
Understandably, an abrupt shift from the 24/7 care of inpatient rehab to the regular hustle and bustle of life outside can be incredibly difficult to manage.
In inpatient rehab, for example, you had a regimented schedule and very much had triggers and distractions removed so you could truly put all your energy into recovery.
Even with outpatient care, even though you didn’t live in a facility 24/7, you had regular touchpoints with addiction specialists in both group and individual therapy sessions. Something of a safe space to shelter from the difficulties you might’ve found in your regular days.
There has to be a way to transition, no?
That’s where sober living comes in.
What Is Sober Living?
A sober living home functions more or less as a bridge between your dedicated treatment program and the “real world”.
You’ll sometimes even see them referred to as “transitional housing” or “halfway homes” for that very reason.
The basics of taking up residence at a sober living home are that you’re in a place that’s free of drugs and alcohol where you’ll be able to put into practice and further develop the coping mechanisms you learned while in rehab.
You’ll also generally be required to participate in some type of support group.
Why Is Sober Living an Important Part of Addiction Recovery?
Recovery is all about small wins that turn into larger ones over time. It’s about cementing positive habits and routines that make maintaining your hard-fought sobriety more manageable.
Look at it this way, it’s much more difficult to get used to a sudden change than it is to slowly adjust and then reinforce those adjustments through guidance and repetition. Sober living gives you a comfortable place to do that.
Some other key reasons sober living is an important part of the process are these:
Sober Connections
Loneliness is part of addiction and it can linger after you’ve stopped using as well. Living in a home with others who have gone through the same thing allows you to build meaningful friendships and a whole sober network.
There’s tremendous value in being surrounded by people who understand you on a deep level and those relationships help immeasurably.
Supportive Environment
Being surrounded by sober people and those working towards the same overarching goal naturally creates a supportive environment. That’s further bolstered by the fact that you’ll be participating in some type of support group, often a 12-step program.
This introduces accountability and even more camaraderie with like-minded people.
Restoring Independence
A critical component of sober living is getting your independence back.
While there are rules at sober living homes, you’re largely free to do as you please. You can go to and from work and do all the things that come with day-to-day life while having the safety net of a supportive home which helps in re-establishing your independence.
Lower the Risk of Relapse
Taken together, all these things are meant to lower the risk of a return to drugs and/or alcohol. If you’re surrounded by people who care about their sobriety journey, it’ll help you with yours, and the support you give one another coupled with group work means the risk of relapse diminishes greatly.
Why You Should Go to Sober Living in Encino
Sober living in Encino at Inneractions in the San Fernando Valley offers all of the above and more in a luxurious Southern California setting.
To learn more about The ISLE, or the Inneractions Sober Living Environment, you can read here.