Willie Oswald, founder of Summit Malibu, talks about meaning and purpose in recovery. Check out the latest episode of Sobering Up Summit Malibu to watch. Program coordinator, Kristin Robert, interviews Willie at the newest Summit house, Summit Vista. Willie shares his experience, strength, and hope in this chat. He also discusses how he ended up working in the field of recovery. As well as the meaning and purpose that he has found in this field.

Sam Morrow, our Admissions Coordinator, and a musician in recovery shares his story in the second episode of Sobering Up Summit Malibu. Sam talks about what music means to him and how it defines a lot of his life. Sam also talks about his addiction, and how recovery has changed his life. This episode shows how he both music and recovery are paramount aspects of the life he leads today. We are luck to have

Wellbeing in action. Finding a Healthy Lifestyle What happens in a luxury rehab can set the tools for a balanced life. The tools that are learned and the way of life that is set forth in this setting are things that anyone could use to improve their own lifestyle and well-being. These are skills that benefit an entire life. They are for more than the time in treatment. The time that is being focused on beginning recovery and

Enabling a loved one is very easy to do, and often times it happens without even realizing it. This is because the behaviors feel so much like help. Anyone who loves someone with a substance abuse problem does not want to see them suffer. They do not want to see them in pain, or to walk through the perils of addiction and the shattering effects that it has on their livelihood, their family, and their

It is easy to get caught up in the bustle of life and to stop doing the the things needed to maintain healthy balance. Once off kilter it is so easy to fall into the traps of our negative behaviors, and for addicts and alcoholics that often means falling back into the throes of their addiction. Relapse really starts before the actual drink or drugging. It shows its’ glaring face in other aspects of life

Five ways to stay committed to your recovery after you leave a rehabilitation center include: Create a Substance-Free Environment – One of the greatest things you can do for yourself and your peace of mind is to create a living situation that is free from drugs and alcohol. Surrounding yourself in a positive atmosphere will encourage healthy behaviors. If you live in a house that still has drug paraphernalia in it or with people who

There are times when life gets hard, and everything seems to be going wrong. It often makes people feel overwhelmed and hopeless. This is particularly true of those suffering from addiction. But, there are some tools that you can use to make things feel better, and help you to get through the rough times. Summit’s Clinical Director, Kim Chronister, PsyD, was featured in this article for Bustle, higlighting some great tools to use to turn

  The majority of the population has a challenging time understanding the nature of addiction, and what makes someone vulnerable to addiction. Symptoms of addiction may appear baffling to the average temperate drinker, who is able to control and enjoy his or her drinking. Sociability, conviviality, and celebration are typical associations with the moderate drinker’s experience with alcohol and/ or recreational drugs like marijuana, which has now been legalized in several states; however, the alcoholic

If you are transitioning out of rehab, you may be fraught with anxiety. Now that you’re clean, you’re stronger and better equipped to manage life’s challenges. But no matter how solid your commitment to sobriety might be it, it will undoubtedly be tested as you return to “real life.” For many, the world they left behind to seek treatment is filled with the very pressures that fed their addiction in the first place. And if

“Evidence-based model” has become such a popular buzzword in the mental health community that it is often thrown around without any explanation as to what it means. While the name provides a clue, the details get often lost or go unexplained to the general community. Read on to learn about the history and components of common evidence-based treatment models. Overview Evidence-based treatment practices originated long ago in the medical field but did not gain popularity