Whittier, named for the Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier, is a city in Southern California. It is part of Los Angeles County. It is also part of the Gateway Cities Region, the area where Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Pacific Ocean meet. The city of Whittier is well-regarded as a place to raise a family for its welcoming neighborhoods, idyllic tree-lined lanes, and quality education system. The city is also known for its attractions to people who live outside of its boundaries. These hidden gems range from arts-related events, natural terrain, and historic landmarks. Uptown Whittier, which is sometimes known as the heart of Whittier, features a historic shopping district. There, visitors and residents alike can explore various boutiques, enjoy fine dining, and take part in events ranging from fairs to vintage car shows. Whittier offers 19 unique parks as well as natural terrain. Adjacent to Whittier are the Whittier hills, where 1,700 acres of hiking paths are available to anyone with a love for the outdoors. This quaint city in Los Angeles County appears in many ways to be a paradise for families as well as young people, given its easy access to the rest of the county.
Unfortunately, among Whittier’s population of 85,098, there are vast numbers of people who suffer from debilitating substance use disorders. Part of this is surely due to the fact that 1 in every 8 residents of Whittier lives below the poverty line. However, the skyrocketing rates of addiction in Whittier are also driven by drug traffickers and distributors that operate in the area. As one of the Gateway Cities, Whittier is a convenient point for drug smugglers transporting substances between Orange County and Los Angeles County. It is also located close to Los Angeles’ Skid Row, where addiction is rampant. Despite Whittier’s family-friendly qualities, young people and older people alike are likely to be exposed to drug and alcohol abuse at some point. Individuals who develop addictive relationships with drugs or alcohol may struggle visibly, but their suffering can also sometimes be hidden. It is important for individuals who are struggling with addictions not to try to manage their substance use disorders on their own. Treating the devastating consequences of addiction generally requires professional help, and staying sober necessitates enrollment in a quality addiction treatment program.
Fortunately for individuals living in Whittier, the city contains a number of excellent addiction treatment programs and resource centers. Individuals enrolled in these programs can benefit from evidence-based treatment methods that aid them in the process of withdrawing from addictive drugs. These programs also provide long-term benefits by providing individuals with the tools and support systems they need to prevent relapse over the long term. Maintaining sobriety involves more than just withdrawing from drugs and alcohol. Rather, it necessitates a complete change in a person’s approach to living. While physical abstinence is a good start, taking full advantage of a treatment program allows a person to fix their damaged life and begin again. By engaging in a treatment program, even the most hopeless person can begin to live a life of freedom, happiness, and prosperity. However, before enrolling in an addiction treatment program in Whittier, it is helpful to come to a solid understanding of the differences among Whittier’s disparate treatment programs.
Many people struggle alone with addiction. This is partly due to shame arising from the social stigmas surrounding substance use disorders. Others are reluctant to speak about their problems because they are under the mistaken belief that an addiction can be handled by exerting more personal willpower. While it is tempting for people to try to manage their addictions on their own, it is important to understand that doing so is rarely successful. Addictions are not caused by personal weaknesses or lack of willpower, and there is no shame in suffering from this very legitimate medical condition. The sooner a person recognizes their problem and their need for treatment, the sooner they can recover and begin living a sober life.
Outpatient treatment centers help people manage their substance use disorders and develop a program for long-term sobriety. These programs are about more than just quitting drugs and alcohol — they help people whose lives have been devastated by addiction rebuild their lives from the ground up. Outpatient centers are flexible, allowing individuals to engage in treatment programs for a sizable portion of the day while continuing to reside at home. While enrolled in a quality addiction treatment program, people work to develop the skills and coping strategies they need to maintain their sobriety and avoid relapse. They also develop a strong sober social support system, one of the most important factors associated with long-term sobriety. Outpatient treatment centers also help people make positive changes in their lives going forward, allowing them to heal the wreckage of their past and make headway toward new life goals in sobriety.
Not all outpatient treatment centers are the same, however. Whittier is home to a variety of distinct types of outpatient treatment center. Each type is designed to meet the needs of different populations. Substance use disorders exist on a wide spectrum, and individuals suffering from addiction experience it to varying degrees of severity. Individuals with more severely developed addictions often struggle to function normally in their everyday lives and require a great deal of support, while those who are more functional may benefit from a more flexible program. As such, each type of treatment center offers a unique combination of services, resources, and treatment modalities to reflect the needs of people at different stages of the addiction recovery process. Many individuals move on from a more rigorous style of treatment program to a more flexible one as they develop surer footing in sobriety. In fact, doing so is often the best guarantee that a person will remain sober. Research shows that individuals who remain engaged in treatment programs for longer periods of time have the lowest rates of relapse. However, when choosing an initial outpatient treatment program, it is best to do so with an understanding of what each type of program has to offer. After reflecting on ones personal situation and needs and coming to an educated decision on which type of treatment program is most suitable, one can begin taking steps to sobriety.
Aftercare programs in Whittier are an essential component of a successful addiction treatment program. Aftercare, essentially, is a long-term treatment plan for graduates of formal treatment programs. While individuals are enrolled in outpatient treatment programs, case workers and addiction specialists will help design an appropriate aftercare plan that meets the unique needs of each individual. Common elements of aftercare plans include support groups, talk therapy, and 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Fortunately, Whittier’s thriving sober community makes it the ideal place to pursue any of these aftercare programs.
Deciding whether or not to attend an outpatient treatment program can be a difficult decision, especially given the strong social stigmas surrounding substance use disorders. Some people are reluctant to talk to others or reach out at all because they believe that there is something shameful about their situations, or that addictions stem from personal failings. It is common for people to waste years trying and failing to control their substance abuse by exerting personal will power. It is crucial to recognize, however, that substance use disorders are legitimate medical conditions. They are also, by definition, medical conditions that prevent a person from simply stopping their behavior. Trying to cure an addiction using ones own brain is like trying to fix a broken leg by running a marathon. Seeking outside help is essential.
Create Recovery Center, located near Whittier in nearby West Los Angeles, is an outpatient treatment program that offers outpatient programs at all levels of care. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of individuals at all levels of addiction severity. Our programs include partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient programs, and aftercare planning. Many people graduate from one program and move to a more flexible, less intensive one as they develop surer footing in sobriety. This allows individuals in recovery to pursue a seamless path toward long term sobriety.
It is our philosophy that every person suffering from addiction requires individualized care. Upon entering Create Recovery Center, individuals discuss the details of their unique situation with our case workers and addiction experts. After an evaluation, our program managers design an individualized treatment program that meets the specific needs of each person. Create Recovery Center utilizes a combination of 12-step philosophies and evidence-based treatment modalities. Therapeutic modalities we use include medication-assisted treatment, psychotherapy, support groups, behavioral health interventions, and skills training. By engaging in a comprehensive array of treatment modalities that address the neurological, interpersonal, and psychological causes of addiction, individuals suffering from substance use disorders can get sober and stay sober.
Ultimately, recovering from a substance use disorder is about far more than physical abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Most people choose to get sober because they have experienced the devastating effects of their addictions in their own lives. Our treatment programs emphasize preparing past damage and developing a sustainable new approach to living in sobriety. Individuals graduate from our programs with a strong sober social support system and a set of skills that they can take with them in the years to come. At Create Recovery Center, we believe that recovering from addiction is about rediscovering joy and freedom. Sobriety is possible for those who are willing to reach out for help.