Malibu Recovery Center – Drug and Alcohol Detox and Treatment

Malibu Recovery Center understands of the effects of bipolar disorders. Previously bipolar disorder was known as manic-depressive disorder.

• Bipolar disorder lasts a lifetime
• A supportive living environment is key
• Treatment for bipolar disorder can be implemented and managed
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol is imperative. Illicit drugs and alcohol may be part of what triggers episodes of bipolar disorder

Malibu Recovery Center staff is trained and recognizes that bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes episodes of depression (sadness and hopelessness) and episodes of mania (severely elevated mood). This disorder affects how a person feels and acts. Some people who suffer from bipolar disorder experience difficulty living with others and/or transitioning into society.

People with bipolar disorder experience times when their mood is “normal” and balanced or close to that. But they will also experience times when their mood changes and become extreme. These are called bipolar disorder “mood swings.”

People with bipolar disorder exhibit two different extremes: “depression” and “mania.”

• During an episode of depression, people feel sad, invisible, or empty and lose interest in doing things that they used to enjoy. It is common to be slower in thinking and movements. A person may have less energy and need more sleep. The can literally feel like a “bag of cement.” They also may have difficulty falling or staying asleep
• During a manic episode, people feel unusually great! They can be overly talkative, have lots of energy, and need little sleep
• An episode of depression or mania can last for days, weeks, months, or years. An untreated person with bipolar disorder may experience increasing episodes of depression and mania during his or her lifetime.

While there is no cure for bipolar disorder it is a treatable and manageable illness. After an accurate diagnosis, most people can achieve an optimal level of wellness. It is important to surround a person with a supportive living environment. Malibu Recovery Center staff understands that in order to control symptoms, clients with bipolar disorder often need to take medicine(s). Malibu Recovery Center staff work closely with referring rehabs, doctors and other ancillary staff to be sure that clients with bipolar disorder can maintain a healthy, happy, and abundant lifestyle.

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. These changes may be subtle or dramatic and typically vary greatly over the course of a person’s life as well as among individuals. Over 10 million people in America have bipolar disorder, and the illness affects men and women equally. Bipolar disorder is a chronic and generally life-long condition with recurring episodes of mania and depression that can last from days to months that often begin in adolescence or early adulthood, and occasionally even in children. Most people generally require some sort of lifelong treatment. While medication is one key element in successful treatment of bipolar disorder, psychotherapy, support, and education about the illness are also essential components of the treatment process.

Symptoms of Mania
Mania is the word that describes the activated phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of mania may include:

• either an elated, happy mood or an irritable, angry, unpleasant mood
• increased physical and mental activity and energy
• racing thoughts and flight of ideas
• increased talking, more rapid speech than normal
• ambitious, often grandiose plans
• risk taking
• impulsive activity such as spending sprees, sexual indiscretion, and alcohol abuse
• decreased sleep without experiencing fatigue

Symptoms of Depression
Depression is the other phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of depression may include:

• loss of energy
• prolonged sadness
• decreased activity and energy
• restlessness and irritability
• inability to concentrate or make decisions
• increased feelings of worry and anxiety
• less interest or participation in, and less enjoyment of activities normally enjoyed
• feelings of guilt and hopelessness
• thoughts of suicide
• change in appetite (either eating more or eating less)
• change in sleep patterns (either sleeping more or sleeping less)

“Mixed” state

A mixed state is when symptoms of mania and depression occur at the same time. During a mixed state depressed mood accompanies manic activation.

Rapid cycling

Sometimes individuals may experience an increased frequency of episodes. When four or more episodes of illness occur within a 12-month period, the individual is said to have bipolar disorder with rapid cycling. Rapid cycling is more common in women.
Causes of bipolar disorder

While the exact cause of bipolar disorder is not known, most scientists believe that bipolar disorder is likely caused by multiple factors that interact with each other to produce a chemical imbalance affecting certain parts of the brain. Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and studies suggest a genetic component to the illness. A stressful environment or negative life events may interact with an underlying genetic or biological vulnerability to produce the disorder. There are other possible “triggers” of bipolar episodes: the treatment of depression with an antidepressant medication may trigger a switch into mania, sleep deprivation may trigger mania, or hypothyroidism may produce depression or mood instability. It is important to note that bipolar episodes can and often do occur without any obvious trigger.

Bipolar Treatment

While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it is a treatable and manageable illness. After an accurate diagnosis, most people can achieve an optimal level of wellness. Medication is an essential element of successful treatment for people with bipolar disorder. In addition, psychosocial therapies including cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, family therapy, and psycho-education are important to help people understand the illness and to internalize skills to cope with the stresses that can trigger episodes. Changes in medications or doses may be necessary, as well as changes in treatment plans during different stages of the illness.

It is useful to know whether the “mood stabilizing medication” prescribed has been approved by the FDA for use in bipolar disorder:
Medication specifics and possible side effects:

Lithium has long been used as a first line treatment for acute mania in people with bipolar disorder for more than 50 years. It generally has more positive impact when used earlier, rather than later, in the course of bipolar disorder. Research shows it is most effective in those individuals with a family history of the illness, and in those experiencing the bipolar I sequence of swings between mania and depression with return to normal function between episodes.

Like all medications, lithium treatment produces side effects. The most common ones are dose-related and can be effectively managed, but for about 30 percent of people who try it, lithium is not tolerable. Lithium side effects may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight gain, memory problems, hand tremors, gastrointestinal problems, hair loss, acne, and water retention. There are two important lithium side effects that can be effectively monitored by a simple blood test: 1) hypothyroidism, which mimics depression and can be easily treated, and 2) less commonly, damage to kidney functions.

Anti-convulsants: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved divalproex sodium (Depakote) in 1995 for treating bipolar episodes. Originally approved in 1983 as a drug to treat epilepsy, Depakote was found to be as effective as lithium for treating acute mania, and appears to be better than lithium in treating the more complex bipolar subtypes of rapid cycling and dysphoric mania, as well as co-morbid substance abuse. In addition, Depakote may be safely given in larger doses to treat acute episodes, and works faster in this situation than lithium. The generic version of this drug is valproic acid. Some people find that the generic version produces more gastrointestinal distress than Depakote.

Depakote may also produce sedation and gastrointestinal distress, but these side effects often resolve during the first six months of treatment, or with dose adjustment. Another dose-related side effect is weight gain, and rare liver and pancreatic function problems may develop while taking Depakote. However, Depakote is generally well tolerated and is now prescribed far more often then lithium. Recent controlled trials indicate that the combination of Depakote and lithium is more effective in preventing relapse and recurrence than treatment with lithium alone.

Laical (aborigine), another anti-convulsant, is effective in the treatment of acute depression in bipolar I and II and in promoting remissions between episodes. For most people, Lamictal has a very tolerable side effect profile. Rarely, this medication can cause a rash serious enough to cause a medical emergency. The risk of this one potentially serious side effect can be reduced by starting with a low dose and going slowly in increasing the dose.

Antidepressants

Standard antidepressant medications (those approved for the treatment of unipolar depression) have not yet been proven effective for bipolar depression. Although the evidence supporting their use for bipolar depression is limited to small or less rigorous studies, these medications remain the most commonly used treatment for bipolar depression. The data from larger studies finds neither evidence of benefit nor evidence that these agents cause large numbers of depressed patients to switch into mania.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Recovery (PDF)
Guide to Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Recovery.

Living with Bipolar Disorder
Welcome to the NAMI’s Living with Bipolar Disorder community. Here you will find support, get targeted information and connect with people who understand.

Psychotherapists and psychiatrists have come to understand the crippling effects caused by anxiety disorder. It is a disorder that affects body, mind, emotions, and spirit. A person may appear competent and capable, all the while hiding his / her own inner hell through excessive activity, achievements, or endless chatter.

Other times, it is more visible and severely damages relationships with other people and ourselves. To the person with the anxiety disorder, it may have been there for so many years that it feels “normal”.

For an addict, it may be what drove them into their addiction or it is what haunts them after they are sober.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Is the constant, exaggerated, worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities. Usually anticipating the worst although there is little reason to expect it. For many, the elevated anxiety of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is accompanied by physical symptoms such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, irritability, irritable bowel syndrome, or frequent and severe headaches often leading to attempts of suicide.

Excessive anxiety and worry: Described as “dreadful thoughts about the future or excessive guilt about some past event”, the mind cannot stay in “present time”. It anticipates “worst case scenarios” which are frightening to the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. To defend itself against these dreadful possible outcomes, the mind then begins manufacturing plans and projections. Each anticipated plan and back up plan prompts the next dreaded events and necessary plans. Before long, the mind is producing a pyramid of fear. These thoughts are always negative and pessimistic. The person feels overwhelmed and powerless.

Difficult to control the worry: The thoughts and worries only intensify when we attempt to control them. A vicious cycle ensues, where the original anxiety and worries are compounded by anxiety and worry about not being able to stop it. There is nothing worse than not being able to sleep and staring at the clock, hour after hour, exhausted by the racing mind, worried about the lack of sleep, trying hard to go back to sleep and quiet the mind.

Anxiety and worry are accompanied by 3 or more of the following 6 symptoms:

• muscle tension
• restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
• irritability
• being easily fatigued
• difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep)

Anxiety can become severe that it becomes a full-blown panic attack. In these instances, the anxiety can cause symptoms that feel like a heart attack: Left untreated, anxiety disorders can manifest into attempts to escape. Below are two.

Addictive Disorders: The compulsive/excessive use of alcohol, drugs, spending, gambling, sex, chaotic codependent relationships, controlling, “busyness”, workaholism, perfectionism, sleeping pills, exercise, sugar, nicotine, caffeine are mood altering behaviors with disastrous consequences aimed at escaping anxiety.

Depressive Disorders: The Depressive Disorder is an attempt to “shut down” the body, mind, and emotions so they will not feel the anguish of the anxiety disorder.

For people in recovery: some of the following changes or losses often cause anxiety and relapse:

• divorce, separation, or break up
• death of a loved one
• loss of employment, income, or power
• recent sobriety
• giving up using friends
• being alone
• DUI’s or going to jail
• discharge from treatment programs
• friends relapse
• losing a sponsor
• significant other infidelity

Malibu Recovery Center utilizes the following modalities for stabilizing residents with anxiety disorder who are attempting to transition back into society:

Detox and medication management

Residential treatment

Day Treatment

Parent and Teen Outpatient Services

Adult Outpatient Services

Malibu Recovery Center will support you as you conquer your anxiety disorder and enjoy your life. We are meant to have abundance in every area of our lives.

Alcohol detoxification, or detox, for individuals with alcoholism or alcohol dependence, is the abrupt cessation of alcohol intake coupled with the substitution of alcohol with cross tolerant drugs that have similar effects in order to prevent alcohol withdrawal with it’s associated effect Delirium Tremens or Detoxification may or may not be necessary depending upon an individual’s age, medical status, and history of alcohol intake. For example, a young man who binge drinks and seeks treatment one week after his last use of alcohol may not require detoxification before beginning treatment for alcoholism. Benzodiazepines are the most common family of drugs used for this, followed by barbiturates

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) or oxazepam (Serax) are the most commonly used drugs used to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms. There are several treatment patterns in which it is used.

1. The first option takes into consideration the varying degrees of tolerance. In it, a standard dose of the benzodiazepine is given every half hour until light sedation is reached. Once a baseline dose is determined, the medication is tapered over the ensuing 3–10 days.
2. Another option is to give a standard dose of benzodiazepine based on history and adjust based on withdrawal phenomenon.
3. A third option is to defer treatment until symptoms occur. This method should not be used in patients with prior alcohol related seizures. This has been effective in randomized controlled trials. A non-randomized, before and after, observational study found that symptom-triggered therapy was advantageous.

Dosing of the benzodiazepines can be guided by the CIWA-Ar scale. The scale is available online.
Regarding the choice of benzodiazepine:

• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is the benzodiazepine of choice in uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal.
• Lorazepam or diazepam are available as an injection for patients who cannot safely take medications by mouth.
• Lorazepam and oxazepam may be best in patients with cirrhosis (shorter half life).

Sympatholytics

Randomized controlled trials have found benefit from atenolol and clonidine.

Carbamazepine

A randomized controlled trial has found benefit from carbamazepine.

Other drugs

Some hospitals administer alcohol to prevent alcohol withdrawal although there are potential problems with this practice. Various vitamins, especially from the B group, are often used during withdrawal treatment.

Sodium oxybate is the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). It is used for both acute alcohol withdrawal and medium to long-term detoxification. This drug enhances GABA neurotransmission and reduces glutamate levels. It is used in Italy in small amounts under the trade name Alcover.

Baclofen has been shown in animal studies and in small human studies to enhance detoxification. This drug acts as a GABA B receptor agonist and this may be beneficial.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children and can continue into adulthood. Those with untreated ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings, including home, school, work, and in relationships. If untreated, the disorder can have long-term adverse effects in adults.

Symptoms of ADHD will appear over the course of many months, and include:

• Impulsiveness: acting quickly without thinking first.
• Hyperactivity: can’t sit still when others are seated, talks when others are talking.
• Inattention: daydreaming or seeming to be in another world, is sidetracked by what is going on around him or her.

If ADHD is suspected, a professional should make a diagnosis. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral neurologists, and clinical workers. After ruling out other possible reasons for the behavior, the specialist may review the person’s medical records. A diagnosis is made only after all this information has been considered.
Many treatments — some with good scientific basis, some without — have been recommended for individuals with ADHD. The most proven treatments are medication and behavioral therapy.

Every person reacts to treatment differently, so it is important to work closely and communicate openly with a support system. Some common side effects of stimulant medications include weight loss, decreased appetite, and trouble sleeping; however, these reactions can often be controlled by dosage adjustments. Medication has proven effective in the short-term treatment of more than 76 percent of individuals with ADHD.
There are actually three different types of ADHD, each with different symptoms: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined.

Those with the predominantly inattentive type often:

• Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes
• Have difficulty sustaining attention to tasks or leisure activities
• Do not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Do not follow through on instructions and fail to finish projects, chores, or duties in the workplace
• Have difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Avoid, dislike, or are reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
• Lose things necessary for tasks or activities
• Are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• Are forgetful in daily activities

Those with the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type often:

• Fidget with their hands or feet or squirm in their seat
• Leave their seat in situations in which remaining seated is expected
• Move excessively or feel restless during situations in which such behavior is inappropriate
• Have difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
• Are “on the go” or act as if “driven by a motor”
• Talk excessively
• Blurt out answers before questions have been completed
• Have difficulty awaiting their turn
• Interrupt or intrude on others

Those with the combined type, the most common type of ADHD, have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

As it is not common for people to admit to a treatment facility for ADHD, it may be necessary to stabilize which may require being sequestered from a negative social network or family situation. Malibu Recovery Center offers treatment on several different levels. We offer detox, medication management, residential treatment, day treatment and outpatient services. Malibu Recovery Center is adept at assisting those who are treated by outside physicians. We provide transportation to and from doctor and therapy appointments, healthy diet, and exercise to assist the resident in getting “grounded” and establishing their new routine. Getting Help: Malibu Recovery Center Please call us for further information on our list of services or fill out our inquiry form.

Malibu Recovery Center understands the challenges presented with the depression and lingering anxiety brought about by opioid dependence. Our staff members are trained and available to our residents to address post-detox symptoms of dependence on Oxycodone, Codeine, Propoxyphene, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Meperidine, and Fentanyl.

Malibu Recovery Center introduces compassionate care in a healing environment. Services include:

• Detox and / or medication management
• Residential Treatment
• Day Treatment
• Parent and Teen Outpatient Services
• Adult Outpatient Services
• Alumni / Aftercare

Certain drugs commonly prescribed for pain may lead to physical dependence in some people—even when they have been taken properly. These drugs, along with heroin, are known as opioids.

Examples of Opioid Painkillers That Can Lead to Dependence
• Oxycodone
• Codeine
• Propoxyphene
• Morphine
• Hydrocodone
• Meperidine
• Fentanyl

The condition called “opioid dependence” is more complicated than just being physically dependent. Opioid dependence is actually a disease with physical and behavioral traits.

Opioids are drugs with opium derivitives, which means they reduce pain, cause relaxation or sleepiness, and carry an addictive potential. Opioids can be derived from opiates or can be chemically related to opiates or opium, and include some prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. Buprenorphine, methadone, and heroin are opioids. Opioids include some prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. Buprenorphine, methadone, and heroin are also opioids.

Prescription drugs that contain opioids trigger the brain’s reward system to make people feel good and want to keep taking more of the drug. This occurs even though the person is not even aware of it. Repeated use of prescription painkillers or heroin can cause physical changes in the brain. After long-term use, these changes continue even after a person has stopped using the drug.

The average person doesn’t attempt to become opioid dependent. Sometimes drug dependence can run in families. A person’s genetic makeup can affect how the body processes a drug. It can also determine the drug’s effect. These individual differences can make some people more likely to become opioid dependent.
It can take up to two months for the brain’s opioid receptors to return to their normal efficacy to endogenous opioids, meaning depression and anxiety can linger for this time period. Opioid use usually leaves no permanent damage to the brain or the opioid receptors.

The Malibu Recovery Center sober community is suitable for anyone desiring a change in lifestyle. Consequences of chemical use among students can be devastating. We understand the responsibility for students to continue to function in their academic endeavors. We encourage a safe transitional living while preserving anonymity, respect and dignity throughout our program.

Students enter Malibu Recovery Center in a number of ways. First, they may self-refer. This is often the result of encouragement by concerned school administrators or family members. Students may also be directed to participate by a Board or Panel at their school as part of a disciplinary order. Students may enter Malibu Recovery Center Detox and choose to become a part of one of the Malibu Recovery Center communities so they can continue working toward their education in a safe, sober environment.

Therapy and counseling for the student are facilitated and address living with addiction, gambling addiction, sexual issues, and compulsive behavior. Private rooms, apartments and/or workspaces are available as well as transportation to and from schools and Universities.

This specialized and person-specific approach is open-ended and has proven to be a powerful tool in treating chemical addiction, substance abuse, and relapse. It is critical to the recovery process that the individual gains a complete understanding of the concept that recovering drug addicts and alcoholics may have underlying issues and problems that are a major contribution to why they drink and/or abuse drugs.

Malibu Recovery Center works closely with referring College and University administrators, referring treatment centers, employee assistance programs, and the courts.

The Soba community is suitable for anyone desiring a change in lifestyle. Pets are an important part of the community at Soba. We understand that the recovery journey for people with pets can be made easier and more comfortable by allowing that person to keep their pet with them.

The Malibu Recovery Center community is suitable for anyone desiring a change in lifestyle. Consequences of drug and prescription drug use among professionals can be devastating. We understand the responsibility for working professionals to continue to function to full work capacity. We encourage a safe transitional living while preserving anonymity, respect and dignity throughout our program.

Professionals enter Malibu Recovery Center in a number of ways. First, they may self-refer. This is often the result of encouragement by concerned colleagues or family members. Second, a Bar Association or Medical Board may refer them in lieu of pursuing disciplinary action. Executives may also be directed to participate by a Board or Panel as part of a disciplinary order. Professionals may enter Malibu Recovery Center Detox and choose to become a part of one of the Malibu Recovery Center communities so they can continue working from a safe, sober environment.

Therapy and counseling for the professional are facilitated and address living with drug and alcohol addiction, gambling addiction, sexual issues, and compulsive behavior. Private rooms, apartments, and/or workspace are available as well as transportation to and from the work environment.

This specialized and person-specific approach is open-ended and has proven to be a powerful tool in deterring chemical addiction, substance abuse, and relapse. It is critical to the recovery process that the individual gains a complete understanding of the concept that recovering drug addicts and alcoholics have underlying issues and problems that are a major contribution to why they drink and/or abuse drugs.

Malibu Recovery Center works closely with referring attorneys, referring treatment centers, outside clinical professionals, employee assistance programs, and the courts.

The Malibu Recovery Center community is suitable for anyone desiring a change in lifestyle. Consequences of chemical use among family members can be devastating for the entire family. We understand the responsibility for working with the family as a whole. We provide a safe transitional living while preserving anonymity, respect and dignity throughout your residential status.

Families may become a part of the Malibu Recovery Center Community in a number of ways. First, there may be more than one member of the family that would like to detox from drugs and alcohol . Additionally, parents or guardians of children may need to keep their children with them while they are a part of the Malibu Recovery Center Community: we have a place for them. We also have apartments for families so they can remain together while living in a safe, sober environment. No matter what the family configuration may be, Malibu Recovery Center is here to help not only the person with addiction, but the family members as well.

This specialized and person-specific approach is open-ended and has proven to be a powerful tool in deterring chemical dependency, substance abuse, and relapse. It is critical to the recovery process that the individual gains a complete understanding of the concept that recovering drug addicts and alcoholics may have underlying issues and problems that are a major contribution to why they drink and/or abuse drugs. It is also important that the family members are a part of this recovery process as well.

A testimony from a family who continues to be a part of the community can be read below:

Wow, a year has passed since walking through the doors of Malibu Recovery Center, and what can we say? All the rehabs told us the chances of a married couple who are both alcoholics/addicts making it to a year were slim to none. Was it easy? No. In fact, this is where sober living becomes an essential tool in the recovery process. A support system is needed for helping to clear the wreckage that so many of us create on a relapse. We did our research on sober living facilities and houses while in rehab, and to anybody reading this, we suggest doing the same. Not only did Malibu Recovery Center offer more for the buck (i.e., job placement, cooking classes, court liaisons, etc.) but their success rate of alumni with long term sobriety was better than all the others. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to both Greg and John. Without the love and support that we received, our children, and even our pets received as well, we continue to be amazed. We stayed the time that Soba recommended us, which for us was one year. Now that we are doing well in our own place, we stay very connected to Malibu Recovery Center. We are looking forward to getting to know all the new residents and will be there to support them as we were supported. And again, our thanks go out to all the wonderful and caring staff of Malibu Recovery Center. 

Thank you, 

Lars and Barbara aka Bobbie