Frequently Asked Questions About Treatment for Alcoholism or Addiction

How do I know if we need inpatient (residential) treatment or outpatient treatment?

We offer free, confidential consulations to help you understand the best road to recovery for you or a loved one. The treatment plan will take many factors into consideration, such as the type of drug that is being abused. We provide treatment for alcoholism and drug abuse, including heroin, precription pain pills, alcohol, benzodiazepines, weed, meth and more. Please call us at (916) 990-0190 to talk with our staff about the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.

What is the typical day at the Clean & Sober residential treatment center?

7:00am – 7:45am: Wake up and meditation
7:45am – 8:15am: Breakfast
8:15am – 9:15am: Morning chores
9:15am – 9:45am: Morning exercise
9:45am – 11:00am: Group educational meetings
11:00am – 11:45pm: Lunch
11:45am – 1:15pm: Outside AA meeting
1:30pm – 2:15pm: Book Study, 12 Step Work
2:15pm – 2:45pm: Quiet time
2:45pm – 4:00pm: Group educational meetings
4:00pm – 4:45pm: Group activity/exercise
5:15pm – 6:00pm: Dinner
6:00pm – 10:00pm: Outside AA or NA meeting (actual times vary)
10:00pm – 11:00 pm: Relaxation time
11:00pm: Bedtime

• Sessions to educate and support the family about addiction and alcoholism are Tuesday evenings and Sunday at noon.
• Wednesday afternoons we have a fun group outing, such as going to a movie.
• Saturday afternoon we take residents to local stores for personal shopping needs
• Sunday afternoon is free time with family and friends. We STRONGLY encourage family members to addend our confidential family support meetings beforehand.
• One-on-one meetings will be scheduled and conducted consistently throughout the week.
• We provide 40 hours a week of individual/group/education sessions, recovery, or treatment planning

What is addiction or alcoholism?

Addiction/alcoholism (often referred to as "Substance Use Disorder) is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. It is considered a brain disease, which can be treated. Through treatment at CSRS, people learn to live healthy lives free of alcohol and other drugs.

Substance Use Disorder is characterized by the inability to stop drinking or using drugs in spite of negative consequences like job loss, DUIs and family issues. Without treatment or involvement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can lead to disability, premature death or involvement in illegal activities that result in incarceration.

Addiction/alcoholism is a disease that cannot simply be “loved away.” It is a physical disease, NOT a disease of character or willpower. Call us to find out how treatment works.

Will treatment work if someone is “forced” to get help?

In most cases, treatment or “rehab” IS forced because, initially, no one wants to go to treatment. They are forced by the courts, by their families, or by mandates at their jobs. Or their hands are forced by the fear of living on the streets, especially when it is cold and wet outside.

Once the brain begins to heal in treatment, a light bulb often goes on. The addict/alcoholic realizes he or she does want to get better and begins to embrace the community of recovery and the education of treatment. All of this happens because the brain is allowed to start the healing process. As the brain begins to heal, treatment often inspires people to change because they realize their jobs, marriages, friends, families and health are at stake.

Drug and alcohol treatment gives addicts/alcoholics the choice to walk away from their disease. Once their brains have begun to heal, they can choose to live their lives without drugs or alcohol. Sadly, because substance use disorder is a chronic disease, that choice may be tested over time, and relapse may be a part of recovery. But treatment offers hope, a gift that everyone can claim.

Isn’t teenage “experimentation” simply a rite of passage?

“Experimentation” is a one or two-time event; if it lasts longer than that, there is a real risk of developing addiction to alcohol or other drugs. The developing teenage brain is particularly vulnerable to becoming dependent on drugs or alcohol, so the teen years represent a window of great risk and vulnerability. Teens who “experiment” frequently with alcohol, weed or pain pills may be heading into dangerous territory. On top of that, remember that underage drinking is illegal and has serious legal raminfications.

How can our family heal from the trauma of our loved one’s addiction?

The disease of addiction touches everyone in the family. While your loved one seeks treatment, the entire family must seek family recovery by learning about the disease of addiction, figuring out how to set healthy boundaries, and more. This strange new world calls for professional support. Attend the CSRS Sunday and Tuesday night family support and education meetings. Find support at a local or on-line Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meeting. Work with an addiction counselor or therapist. The staff at CSRS can give your further guidance on getting better….together. (Note that our Sunday meetings are FREE, confidential, and open to anyone who is concerned about drug or alcohol abuse....call for details)

What are the warning signs that a college student may be involved with drugs or alcohol?

A student’s academic accomplishments may muddy the water and make it hard to spot issues with drugs or alcohol. DUIs, binge drinking accidents, sexual assault and failing classes are all red flags of trouble with drugs or alcohol. And a parent’s gut instinct is a good barometer of a child’s mental and physical health.

Young adults have their whole lives ahead of them, and many people have gone back to school after treatment and found great success. Most importantly, taking a critical year off to get healthy will not derail academic success, but addiction or alcoholism will. Call us to find out how we can help.