Remaining clean and sober through the holidays in Long Beach and Los Alamitos can be fun and supported by community events. Try some of the following:

North Orange County Central Office AA CENTRAL OFFICE VOLUNTEER

1661 E. Chapman Ave., Ste 1H, Fullerton, CA. 92831, (714) 773-4357 (24 Hours),  http://www.aanoc.com, Office Hours: Monday Thru Saturday: 9AM to 7PM Sunday: 9am – 1pm

Holiday Ice At Battleship Iowa

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 2016 TO SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 2017, $15 (skate rentals included) Hours: 3 Sessions from 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm

LA Kings sponsored outdoor ice rink Long Beach

Whale and Sea life Cruises

(562) 983-6880, Harbor Breeze Cruises – Dock #2, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, California 90802

Holiday Hoedown & Ranch Style Breakfast With Santa

(562) 431-3541, Rancho Los Alamitos, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 2016, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 6400 E. Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach, California 90815

34th Annual Parade Of 1,000 Lights

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 2016, (562) 435-4093, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor and from the Queen Mary

Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade

Saturday, December 17, 2016, Around Naples Island, Admission: Free Start at 6:00 PM and will assemble along Lido Lane and off the sea wall in front of Naples Plaza

Twin Town Treatment Centers is immediately accessible to all Los Angeles and Orange County residents, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is certified by the California DHCS. All network HMO/PPO/EPO insurance plans and Medi-Cal contract with Twin Town Treatment Centers to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Our phone is answered by real people. We can see people on the same day you call. (866) 594-8844

Remaining clean and sober through the holidays in North Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley can be fun and supported by community events. Try some of the following:

NA SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE MARATHON MEETINGS

Meetings: 9:00pm – 4:00am, Reseda United Methodist Church, 18120 Saticoy Methodist Church, Reseda, CA 91335

Travel Town Railroad’s Santa Express begins 5-8 p.m. Nov. 26-27 and other dates in December. Tickets $7 per person; $5 photo with Santa. 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. 323-662-9678. www.griffithparktrainrides.com.

A Snow White Christmas: Lythgoe Family Productions presents a traditional British panto, previews 2 and 6 p.m. Nov. 27; opens 7 p.m. Nov. 30. Check website for other dates through Dec. 18. Tickets $49 previews; $54 and $34 children for other performances. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 818-508-4200. www.elportaltheatre.com.

San Fernando Valley Chorale’s The Joyful Sounds of Christmas: Dec. 17 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 15950 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. Admission $10; $5 children. 818-884-8897.

Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad: A new musical based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” preview 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Opens, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 11. Show runs other dates through Dec. 31. Tickets $20; $15 seniors 62 and older; $12 children 13 and younger. Secret Rose Theatre, 11246 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. 800-838-3600. www.cratchitmusical.com.

California Dance Academy’s The Nutcracker Ballet: 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m. Dec. 11; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17; 2 p.m. Dec. 18. Tickets $18-$24; $14-$20 seniors, students and children. Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. 818-347-9938. www.culturela.org/madridtheatre

Las Posadas at Andres Pico Adobe: The San Fernando Valley Historical Society presents the traditional Mexican Christmas pageant, 5 p.m. Dec. 10. Free. 10940 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills. 818-365-7810. www.sfvhs.com.

Pierce College Choir and Encore Singers and the L.A. Pierce Symphony Winds perform a Holiday Gala: 3 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets $12.50; $10 seniors and students. Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 818-677-3000.

LA Kings sponsored outdoor ice rink Woodland Hills

Twin Town Treatment Centers is immediately accessible to all Los Angeles and Orange County residents, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is certified by the California DHCS. All network HMO/PPO/EPO insurance plans and Medi-Cal contract with Twin Town Treatment Centers to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Our phone is answered by real people. We can see people on the same day you call. (866) 594-8844

Q. What does gratitude have to do with recovery?

A. Addicts and alcoholics who are able to achieve recovery not only experience relief from the traumatic consequences of their substance abuse, they often use gratitude as a means toward maintaining their recovery. Remembering what it was like, what happened and being grateful toward what’s it is like now strengthens commitment and motivation toward recovery.

Q. Why do so many alcoholics and addicts in Los Angeles and Orange County engage in recovery?

A. Recovery has become a “badge of honor” in Los Angeles and Orange County communities. People who need help getting “clean and sober” are easily able to access many varieties and types of treatment and/or support. In Los Angeles and Orange County, there are more twelve step meetings and other mutual support groups for drug and alcohol recovery than perhaps anywhere else on the planet.

Q. What does it feel like to achieve recovery from alcoholism or addiction?

A. Relief that you don’t need to worry about consequences and mounting problems is often the first discovery people in early recovery encounter. Awakening to a fresh new world of color and warmth is different from the days when waking up meant facing the problems and hangovers you created the night before. The need to repetitively seek out chemicals for pleasure or relief is replaced by a larger life and broadened interests and activities.
Q. What are changes caused by recovery from addiction or alcoholism?

A. Relationships with others such as family members and loved ones improve once drugs and/or alcohol are no longer a priority. Work, school and recreational activities become enjoyable and challenging again. Personal effectiveness, self-esteem and performance improve. Emotions and moods slowly become more stable and moderate. Physical and psychological health and wellbeing return.

Q. The term “grateful alcoholic/ addict” is often used in Los Angeles and Orange County recovering communities. How could anyone possibly be grateful for being a recovering alcoholic or addict?

A. Once you have fought a war and survived, you are grateful for your life as never before. When you have finished an intense and frightening learning experience, you find that you have skills built skills and insights that you wouldn’t have otherwise obtained. There exists a great advantage to encounter problems, learn from them, learn the skills to overcome them, and then share them with others who are needing the same type of help you needed. You have something finally to “pass forward”.

Q. How does the gratitude from recovery change your self-esteem and personal effectiveness?

A. In recovery we learn about building personal self-esteem and that of others. What is learned is “to build self-esteem, practice estimable acts”.

Twin Town Treatment Centers is immediately accessible to all Los Angeles and Orange County residents, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is certified by the California DHCS.

All network HMO/PPO/EPO insurance plans and Medi-Cal contract with Twin Town Treatment Centers to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Our phone is answered by real people. We can see people on the same day you call. (866) 594-8844

Q. What are common signs of drug and alcohol problems?

A. People who encounter problems which coincide with their alcohol and/or drug use but continue to drink or use drugs are most likely to have a problem. Usually people stop doing things which create problems. People with drug or alcohol abuse problems have many ways to deny or avoid seeing that alcohol and drugs are connected to their troubles.

Q. If I enjoy drinking or using drugs, why should I worry about abusing or overusing them?

A. People who develop addiction to substances at some point lose their ability to control their use. Relationships, career, self-esteem, health and safety are placed in increasing jeopardy.

Q. How do I know if I’ve lost control?

A. If you use drugs and/or alcohol as your primary way to relax, have fun, socialize or relieve discomfort/ pain, you are getting close to losing control. Replacing activities and skills with chemicals is the basis for addiction.

Q. What are common problems which alcohol and drugs create?

A. Relationships with others such as family members and loved ones suffer when drugs and/or alcohol become priority. Work, school and recreational activities become secondary to alcohol and drugs. Personal effectiveness and performance fall off. Emotions and moods become unstable or extreme; non-prescribed chemical use disrupts physical and psychological wellbeing and development.

Physical symptoms can be detected by your doctor through blood or urine tests, inquiry into your personal history, or from a review of brain, stomach, heart or liver function. Ask your doctor about your alcohol and/or drug use patterns.

Q. Does your personality change from alcohol or drug use problems?

A. When your hobbies, recreational and entertainment interests are replaced by activities which include alcohol and drug use, your interests and priorities change. If personal problems go unresolved for long periods of time, people often avoid facing the problems with increased alcohol and drug use. People with a drug and alcohol problem often lose their sense of purpose and worth and start doing things of which they become ashamed.

Q. What can I do to determine if I have a drug or alcohol problem?

A. If you have friends or family with whom you don’t drink or use drugs, ask them for their observations. Make an appointment with a trustworthy therapist, doctor or program who is aware of or specializes in substance abuse disorder assessment.
If you find that you drink or use more than what you initially intended, or are encountering consequences related to your chemical use, get help. Your life can be freed of the entanglements commonly known as addiction and alcoholism.

Twin Town Treatment Centers is immediately accessible to all Los Angeles and Orange County residents, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is certified by the California DHCS.
All network HMO/PPO/EPO insurance plans and Medi-Cal contract with Twin Town Treatment Centers to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Our phone is answered by real people. We can see people on the same day you call. (866) 594-8844

Q. Does Orange County have affordable, accessible and reputable drug rehab options?

A. It is recommended that you seek a referral from your healthcare provider(s), another professional or your healthcare insurance plan. Many treatment options are available but there exist many seductive sales tactics which mislead people toward high cost and questionable drug and alcohol rehabilitation businesses. Professionals and insurance companies are reliable sources for quality, reputable alcohol and drug rehabilitation providers.

Q. What are some of the problems people encounter if they find themselves at a less-than-reputable Orange County drug and alcohol rehab?

A. Sometimes drug and alcohol rehabilitation businesses will represent that they “accept” or “take” your insurance coverage but later clients and families discover that only a fraction of the cost was actually covered. They subsequently face enormous and avoidable debt. Out of network providers may also recommend tests and services which are not necessary or proven helpful towards achieving recovery.

Q. Why does Orange County, California rank second in the country for disreputable or unethical drug rehab business practices (after South Florida)?

A. Much investor attention was created by the insurance mandates to cover drug and alcohol rehabilitation brought by the affordable care act and “Parity” legislation. The capacity to advertise, optimize and compete on a national level is best made in expensive, residential or “Florida Model” drug rehab settings. Often the highest ranked drug rehabs rely upon high, out-of-insurance-network charges, which help pay for extraordinary marketing campaigns and patient acquisition strategies, including paying for referrals.

Q. Do celebrity endorsement and fantasies of luxury and fame influence people to select expensive, out-of-network drug rehabs?

A. Long-term recovery is usually attained by placing sobriety first, even before looking good or feeling pampered. Feelings of loss and shame from substance abuse and alcoholism are best met with learning new skills and coping strategies rather than covering them over with illusions of grandeur…

Q. Are celebrity testimonials accurate representations of alcohol and drug rehabilitation effectiveness and quality?

A. Endorsements from people successful with their recovery are important, especially when you can respect their sobriety and changes in lifestyle.

Q. Do all drug rehabs place profit above their effectiveness to assist clients achieve recovery?

A. No. Orange County has many reputable, accessible and affordable alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs available. Those which are most accountable and affordable contract with HMO’s and MediCal. Ask your insurance company or a professional for a referral for alcohol and drug rehabilitation.

Twin Town Treatment Centers is immediately accessible to all Los Angeles and Orange County residents, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is certified by the California DHCS.
All network HMO/PPO/EPO insurance plans and Medi-Cal contract with Twin Town Treatment Centers to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Our phone is answered by real people. We can see people on the same day you call. (866) 594-8844