Listen to this episode of Success is Subjective hosted and created by Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC from Lilley Consulting. This episode focuses on the real-life experience of The Grounds alumni, Evan, who provides his perspective on his treatment journey as an adolescent into early adulthood. This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

The term California sober has been getting a lot of attention these days in the news and on social media, but what is it, and should you try it?

Here are some ways that mentorship can help individuals be successful in recovery. You don’t have to walk the path alone.

At The Grounds, we believe that there is more to recovery than abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Recovery is also a matter of discovering one’s purpose.

When it comes to transitional living programs for young adults, location matters. Access to opportunity, nature, employment and support are vital.

Whether it’s exploring San Diego’s trail systems or taking a weekend trip into the Sierras, California trails never disappoint and always provide an opportunity to connect with nature. Find out how hiking fits into The Grounds program.

The development of healthy habits in recovery is key to long term success. Find out how San Diego’s food scene can help our residents improve their nutrition and support an active and fulfilling sober lifestyle.

If you had asked me 10 years ago what my biggest concern for young people was, I would probably have said something along the lines of driving dangerously under the influence, getting caught up in unhealthy drug-related peer groups, and other high-risk reckless behaviors. I would not have said…

Though more research is needed, existing research into the effects of using marijuana while taking Prozac indicates that the combination can decrease the efficacy of the anti-depressant by interfering with its metabolization.

Recovery requires change – big change. Change in thinking, attitude, and worldview, but also change in environment, people and lifestyle. That is why sober transitional living homes can be a good next step for many people on the path to recovery – they provide a safe, supportive space where individuals can rebuild their lives upon a foundation of new, healthy habits, people and routines.

Dual diagnosis, or co-occurrence, is when an individual has both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about half of all people with mental illness also have a SUD, while one-third of all people with a SUD also have a mental health diagnosis…

More research is needed to really understand the relationship between art therapy and the ways it may help heal the brain systems that control craving and addiction; but anecdotal evidence, along with the proliferation of art and music therapy programs in recovery indicates that these programs are indeed helpful…

Comprised of people including friends, family, 12-step groups, sponsors, therapists, mentors, counselors, and others, a recovery support system is a network of people that can help guide your journey and build the framework that aids your progress.

Relapse is generally not something that happens overnight. Rather, it is a process that happens in stages. An individual in danger of relapse will pass through an emotional, mental and finally a physical stage which involves the seeking out and using of the substance.

Through our years of work with young people in recovery, we have found meditation to be a helpful part of the healing process. Yoga and mindfulness-based meditation are types of meditation practice we offer to our residents.

Whatever kind of insights you are looking for, there is likely a podcast on the topic ready for download. To get you started, here is a list of some of the best addiction, recovery and sobriety podcasts, we’ve found so far.

In order for transitional living to be an effective step on the path to long-term recovery, it needs to provide comprehensive nutrition education, hands-on instruction on how to maintain a healthy diet, and counseling where necessary. This is because people who struggle with addiction also often battle one form or another of disordered eating, and those that don’t are frequently malnourished and suffering from biochemical, nutritional and metabolic disorders caused by their addiction.

12 Steps and 12 Traditions is the book outlining the 24 basic principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. The book was written in 1953 by AA co-founder, William Griffith Wilson, or, as he is more commonly known within the AA community, Bill W. Today’s Anonymous programs address many forms addiction beyond alcohol – from narcotics to gambling to food to the Internet and technology, but all of them follow the basic tenets that can be found in this book and have been guiding addicts through recovery since the program was first developed in the 1930’s.

At The Grounds, we believe that a quality transitional living program should provide more than a place to work on recovery. We believe that transitional living should also be a space for cultivating personal development. One of the ways we encourage our members’ personal development is through mandatory employment

Making the commitment to stay sober is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and to your loved ones. When you decide each day to walk a bit further down the road of recovery you are deciding that your health and well-being matter. You are deciding that YOU matter, and that you deserve a life free from the shackles of addiction.

What makes The Grounds truly unique among transitional living houses is our use of surf therapy. More than just exercise, surf therapy can help foster the personal development and life skills required for a fulfilling sober life.

Surfing, hiking, biking, skating…when it comes to building a healthy lifestyle, San Diego can’t be beat, an there is opportunity almost every day to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. At The Grounds Recovery, we believe that living each day filled with physical activity, plenty of sunshine, healthy food, and recreation with like-minded friends is critical to walking the path of long-term recovery.

This past May, Alex Zemeckis and Scott DeLeau joined host Steve Levenson on the SD Local podcast to discuss The Grounds program and recovery. During the show, Alex and Scott covered a range of topics including transitional living program structure, realistic expectations for parents, and the reasons why long-term recovery requires at least one full year of treatment.

Pierce came to The Grounds from Virginia after completing substance abuse treatment. He chose The Grounds because it gave him the structure and momentum he needed to motivate, set goals and live a satisfying, sober life. Pierce is moving up the ranks at his place of employment, he is continuing to work with his therapist, and as of this recording, he is eleven months sober.  For more information on The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

Young men from across the country come to The Grounds transitional living program with the intent of building the life skills necessary to maintain a sober life. One of the more unique aspects of The Grounds program is its use of surfing throughout the recovery process. Many of The Grounds’ residents have never been on a board when they arrive, and surfing is by no means a requirement, but for most, it becomes an integral part of their recovery – as a form of therapy, and as an introduction to a supportive community and healthy lifestyle.  For more information on The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

For young men in need of additional support, as they transition from rehabilitation to independent sober living, The Grounds provides structure and helps residents build life skills through manageable steps. Located in San Diego, California, The Grounds features the main house and a step-down house. Over the course of the program, residents work with sponsors, attend 12-step programs, attain employment, and learn to manage their finances. Throughout their time at The Grounds, residents gain the skills they need to maintain a sober life, while also enjoying their free time in a healthy manner – pursuing hobbies such as surfing, hiking, biking, and other activities.  For more information on The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

Patrick is one of those guys where you hear the slogan…”What a miracle”. It’s often used when referring to people who have recovered from a state of hopelessness and are now “killing-it.” Patrick’s addiction kept him from pursuing his culinary dreams. A year later & sober, he’s working in a 5 Star restaurant! He wasn’t given this job on a silver platter (pun intended). He had to earn it, just like everything at The Grounds, just like life. Early in his recovery, Patrick started working in a dirty kitchen at a breakfast place. It was a hard go but he stuck with it and kept his dream alive. After a few months, he landed a job at an upscale Pizza/American Fusion restaurant where he quickly became an instrumental leader. Patrick took risks by providing new menu items and learning new management skills. As a token of gratitude, he prepared a delicious meal for all of the members and staff at The Grounds. It was a great night! Recently, Patrick was hired at a very upscale restaurant (5 Stars!) in the “foodie” part of downtown San Diego. With some help from his family; he purchased a vehicle and started paying his own car & insurance payments. True independence is taking shape in strong and tangible ways and running parallel to Patrick’s increased strength within his sobriety. The metaphors are endless. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for his commitment to his recovery- FIRST. It opened the doors to long-dormant dreams and goals. At The Grounds, we are so grateful for guys like Patrick who prove that young adults can recover with the help of a safe, structured & supportive environment. It reminds each of us how awesome life can be. Independence worth celebrating!

Case management at The Grounds involves preparing residents for success over the long term. Case managers assist residents with financial planning and accountability development. They also help with job skills including resume building, interviewing, workplace behavior, and career selection. Case managers make sure their clients are attending their meetings, communicating with their sponsors and therapists and are generally thriving within the program. They build reports for weekly communication with family members, and provide status updates to insure their clients are meeting their goals and addressing any issues along the way.  For more information on The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

Employment, school, continued therapy, ample amounts of free time and a plenty of fun activities make San Diego’s The Grounds’ transitional living program one of the best in the country for young men in need of assistance as they move from rehabilitation to independent living.  For more information, about The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

Located a few blocks from the main house, The Grounds step down house is the final transition to independent living. Members spend approximately 90 days here, where they manage their own schedules, maintain employment, pay for the majority of their living expenses and learn how to budget their money for when the transition to fully independent living. For more information on the step-down house and The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

Young men who have completed detox and primary rehabilitation treatment, wilderness therapy, boarding school or other intervention programs are eligible for The Grounds’ transitional living – a program that teaches structured, progressive independence. Developing the life skills necessary for independent living begins at the main house, where members spend an average of 90 days in a structured environment that helps them progress toward independence in manageable steps.  For more information on the Main House and The Grounds program, visit The Grounds Program page.

Are you smarter than an 8th grader? Definitely not! Before school ended, I had the opportunity to speak with the 8th & 9th-grade classes at Santa Barbara Middle School. “My talk”, is my story growing up with drugs & alcohol combined with an interactive discussion regarding all types of addictions & addictive behavior. I let the students facilitate the group; engaging each other in a safe, supportive manner. I’m always amazed at how knowledgeable on this subject they are. Year after year, I’m reminded that these kids know so much more than me. Time & time again I’ve heard parents, teachers, clinicians, “adults” in general talk about how kids “know everything”. That’s nothing new, we’ve all had that discussion and we’ve all been that adolescent that knows way more than our parents- right? It’s the natural cycle. But, it scares us that on this subject, maybe they do know it all. In my opinion, we often discuss this topic from a place of FEAR. Why are we so terrified that kids know more than we do about tough issues & how can we keep up??? OMG! That’s just it. We will never keep up. We need to try to say educated yet surrender to the fact that we may never get ahead. How could we keep up with new synthetic drugs on the market, Craigslist code names/aliases to score drugs, etc.? We can’t. What we can do is share our experience, stay aware and take action when necessary. Most of all, we need to keep talking about it so they know it’s safe and ok to not have all of the answers. Every year going into my presentation I think to myself, “What are these kids going to learn from me? How is a 31-year-old relatable to a 13 & 14-year-old? They’re not going to take me seriously!” But then 2 weeks later, I start getting these amazing handwritten letters from students. Not only thanking me but sharing their personal experiences with an older brother, a cousin, mom or dad, etc. Often, seeking guidance, suggestions & advice. Showing clearly that they are in the thick of it and that this problem is definitely not going away. That’s when I know I’ve connected.

The Grounds members celebrated Earth Day this year by joining over 100 local citizens in cleaning up trash-ridden homeless camps along several of San Diego’s arroyos & riverbeds. Offering the important parallel messages of the importance of keeping our water sources clean and gratitude, it was a clear reminder of the often results of untreated mental illness and heavily progressed substance abuse. It was humbling and eye-opening for all. The Grounds requires all members gain employment and work 30+ hours per week along with their multiple clinical commitments and programmatic responsibilities. Even still, service is a foundational value and significant priority. We believe that there is no better feeling than getting outside of oneself- not a typical default behavior for most of us.  We hope you were able to participate in giving back to our planet in your own way within your community.

When you’re living in San Diego, it’s easy to find fun, healthy activities every day! This video is a recent Grounds Recovery activity, highlighting the fact that you can have this much fun and be sober.

Featured Speaker- Cannon Kristofferson- The Grounds Recovery The San Diego DEA headquarters hosted an essential event focusing on the nation’s opioid epidemic . The featured speaker was Cannon Kristofferson, Program Director at The Grounds Recovery . Cannon shared his experience of treating addicts in recovery and the importance of addressing opioid addiction on a grand scale. Along with an esteemed panel of Special Agents, Medical Examiners and other officials, the opioid addiction problem being faced by every community in the United States was discussed. The Feds are acknowledging this problem as a National State of Emergency. People from all walks of life are dying and we all need to be educated about the relation and progression from pharmaceutical opioids to IV heroin usage. The Grounds Recovery is honored the DEA invited us to be part of such an important discussion. We continue to focus our contribution on recovering young adult males in need of transitional living, vocational experience and clinical supports.