Gooden Center
A residential drug treatment center for men located in Pasadena, CA. The Gooden Center is a proud member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP).

(626) 356-0078
191 North El Molino Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101 US

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Archive for the ‘Addiction Treatment’ Category

Money Doesn’t Equal Happiness or Depression?

Posted on: January 29th, 2019 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Money Doesn’t Equal Happiness or Depression?

A traditional saying tells us as that money can’t buy happiness and most people agree that having everything doesn’t make you happy. But in many cases, a person’s income can determine how and when they are able to heal. People with depression or anxiety are not always able to afford treatment, especially some of the more costly options available to those with a higher income.

People with more money are not necessarily happier, but they do have more opportunities to pay for mental health recovery. When a person is simply struggling to survive and is worried about their financial situation, they may not have the luxury of working on their mental health. For people with severe depression and other mental health issues, money can be an obstacle that prevents them from getting the treatment that they need.

When someone has a higher income they will find it easier to pay for a highly qualified therapist without worrying about their insurance or being put on a waiting list. They can also afford more alternative kinds of treatment that insurance may not cover such as acupuncture, energy healing and other methods. They aren’t necessarily less likely to be depressed, but they do have a wider range of options to help them recover.

Recognizing financial obstacles in getting help is important in improving the overall state of mental health for people in the U.S. Providing more affordable options for treatment is crucial so that everyone can have equal access to recovery from mental illness. For many people, mental health is a luxury that they cannot afford to focus their energy or finances on.

Mental health should not be a privilege but unfortunately that is the case for many people. More mental health programs for low income individuals may be able to help improve the situation and make it possible for people to get the help they need.

 

My Loved One Avoids Me if I Bring Up Treatment

Posted on: September 24th, 2018 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Loved One Avoids Treatment

When you know someone needs help for an addiction but you find it hard to discuss it with them it can become a problem. Sometimes addicts are still deep in denial even when everyone around them can see that they are going down a dangerous path. If your loved one avoids you when you discuss their addiction with them, it could be that they refuse to recognize that they have a problem.

The important thing to understand about a person’s addiction is that it is an illness that can control how they think and behave. Their decision to avoid you has nothing to do with you but is a reflection of how their substance abuse has taken over their mind. Although it may be difficult to witness they are now wired to do everything they can to keep using drugs.

A good strategy to take is to avoid enabling this person and set limits on your relationship with them. If they ask for money, comfort or a place to stay following a binge then you should keep boundaries with them so you aren’t helping them continue their behavior. Telling someone they need treatment and then doing something to enable them is a way of sending mixed signals.

If you have tried speaking to someone one on one about their addiction they are not responsive then might be time to stage an intervention. Try to gather as many friends, family and loved ones who are concerned about the addict and organize a time and place when you can discuss the problem with them. An intervention is often the most effective way to reach someone with an addiction because they see that everyone is in agreement that they have a problem and are more likely to choose to get help.

Dealing with the Side Effects of Addiction Medication

Posted on: July 23rd, 2018 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Side Effects of Addiction Medication

People with very severe addictions often benefit from having substitute medications which can help them to immediately get off a harmful drug. Medications like methadone and suboxone can be useful tools to allow someone with a very serious dependency on opioids to start working on recovery without many of the intense withdrawal symptoms initially. Although these medications can save lives, they have a few side effects that patients will need to adjust to until they eventually wean themselves off of any substances.

Each person will react differently to a certain medication and if a particular option has too many side effects they can try something else instead. Methadone can have short term side effects when someone first begins using it such as drowsiness, light-headedness, or gastrointestinal problems. While the side effects may be unpleasant they can be dealt with through other types of over the counter or prescription medications.

In some cases methadone can also cause psychological side effects such as hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety or paranoia. If these side effects become severe the patient may need to try a different medication that may have less of an effect on them. Suboxone is an alternative to methadone but it can have its own side effects as well.

Suboxone can have short term side effects such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, insomnia and irregular heartbeat. One of the most serious side effects that can sometimes occur with suboxone is respiratory depression which leads to shallow breathing and a lack of oxygen in the body. If this occurs the patient should seek medical help immediately and cease their use of the medication.

Addiction medication can be a useful way to help patients transition off of a chemical dependency. When side effects occur their doctor can recommend supplementary medications or switch them to an alternative that may have a more mild effect.

Is There Affordable Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles?

Posted on: June 11th, 2018 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Affordable Addiction Treatment

Attending a rehab center can be a life changing and healing experience for people that have struggled with an addiction for many years. Financial issues should never be a hindrance to someone who truly needs recovery especially if their life depends on getting sober. Fortunately there are many affordable treatment options in Los Angeles for people that need help with their addiction.

There are many treatment centers that accept insurance or even non profit options that can provide some free services to people in need. Community counseling centers, outpatient services, or government-provided care are all options for people in need of affordable treatment for their addiction. There are many organizations such as the Salvation Army that dedicate their work to helping people recover from substance abuse.

Addiction treatment can come in many different forms and while some may want to pay more for extra amenities and comforts, others may simply be in great need of treatment. Recovery can still be equally effective if you are taking advantage of free or very affordable services. Although some people may feel that they need to recover in luxury, others may just need access to a therapist and medical care.

Local rehab directories can help provide a list of treatment centers in Los Angeles that cater to those with a lower income. There are many resources that are provided on a sliding scale based on a individual person’s income and what they are able to afford for their treatment. These services are created to help others while also providing staff members with experience and training in addiction treatment.

If you need help from an addiction treatment center, contact local free and affordable options to find the one that best suits you both personally and financially so that you can begin your recovery.

5 Ways to Break Free From Addiction

Posted on: May 14th, 2018 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Ways to Break From Addiction

Addiction doesn’t have to be a life-long battle. You have the means and the tools to change that. You just have to know where to start. It’s important to note recovery cannot be forced upon, a person needs to choose recovery for themselves.

Reaching Out:

The best place to start is with professional help. Get yourself into an addiction treatment facility as soon as you are open to recovery. Addiction treatment facilities help people from all walks of life get to the root of their issues and provide them with the tools on how to break the cycle of addiction.

Finding Help:

Admitting that you are struggling and that you want to get well is the first step. Denial can be a detriment to breaking the cycle of addiction.

Detox:

This part of recovery should never be overlooked and can propel someone to fully recover. When you cut out the actions that are contributing to the deterioration of your health your body starts to heal itself. Detox and rest is needed  for one to rid the toxins from their system and be fully present in recovery.

Participation:

By staying active in the treatment and recovery process you will give yourself a better chance to achieve long-term recovery. By participating in groups and activities in treatment you are able to build a common bond with those around you to start to build the foundation of support that is necessary for long-term recovery.

Healthy Coping Mechanisms:

Learning new ways to cope with the problems that life presents is all part of the process of recovery. Without these healthy ways of coping with issues like triggers you will be less likely to maintain long-term recovery.

Recovery is attainable for everyone so long as you’re willing to put everything you’ve got into getting better.