Living in Southern California is generally considered a blessed existence. The perfect climate, an abundance of culture, and a neverending sense of excitement and opportunity all add up to the perception that it’s impossible to have a bad time when you call SoCal home.
Of course, those who actually live here know that perception is pretty far-fetched. All it takes is a walk by the nearest freeway overpass to know life in Southern California isn’t great for everyone.
When it comes to the dark side of living in Southern California, the risk of addiction ranks high. That’s because drug and alcohol addiction can strike anyone, from homeless men and women to privileged teens and pampered housewives.
With so many people calling SoCal home, it’s easy to see how addiction is more common than most people think. With this in mind, we figured it’d be a good idea to provide useful guidance.
Here are seven tips for Southern Californians currently struggling with addiction:
Acknowledge the problem
It’s hard to get the help you need if you fail to see a problem. With this in mind, the first step towards beating addiction is acknowledgment. The longer you continue to tell yourself it’s not as bad as it seems, the harder it will be to beat your addiction when the time finally comes.
See your doctor
Addiction is ultimately a health concern. As a result, those who have reason to believe they’re addicted to drugs or alcohol should schedule an appointment with their primary care physician. Doing so will establish a reliable baseline for going forward; your doctor will make a determination about the extent of your addiction, your current health, and the options available for treatment. With an expert’s advice to back it up, taking action to beat addiction becomes less of an uncertainty and more of an attainable goal.
Speak with a licensed therapist
Many people turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with stress and anxiety. With this in mind, we suggest booking an appointment with a licensed therapist. While it’s unlikely that a single session will result in a dramatic reversal of your current situation, a therapist will help you put trauma and other factors into proper perspective. They’ll also help explain the apparent benefits you get from drugs and alcohol while also outlining how dependence is an unsustainable way to cope.
Go north for rehab
It can be hard to beat addiction when you’re surrounded by people, places, and things that remind you of your desire to use. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to get out of town while you recover. We recommend going to rehab in Northern California as a way to get the help you need without worrying about exposure to the factors that enable and encourage your habit. That way, you have the time and space you need to recover on your terms.
Crunch the numbers
It’s no secret the cost of living in Southern California is exceptionally high. Given the high cost of drugs and alcohol, it’s safe to assume an untreated addiction is taking a significant bite out of your disposable income. Crunch the numbers to see how much your addiction is costing you over the course of the year. The sticker shock could be enough to jumpstart your path to recovery.
Find a hobby you enjoy
Many addicts turn to drugs and alcohol because of boredom. With this in mind, we suggest making an effort to find a hobby or interest for occupying your free time. That way, when you return from rehab, you’re not constantly confronted with the desire to use drugs and alcohol as a way to pass the time. Instead, you can spend that time focusing on a hobby or interest.
Manage stress with mindfulness
Stress is an unfortunate fact of life. Those recovering from addiction will always encounter stress at some point, which may or may not tempt them to relapse. One of the best ways to prevent stress from leading to relapse is to practice mindfulness through meditation and other methods. The more you’re aware of the ways stress affects you, the less likely you’ll be to give in to your desire to use drugs and alcohol as a way to cope.
Living in Southern California isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, the climate is incredible, and the cultural assets are legion, but it can also be a competitive and cutthroat environment. Many folks here turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope, which often leads to addiction. If this describes your current situation, then the only viable step forward is getting the help you need.
Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys writing about business, finance, health, and travel.
