Our Blog

Transcend Articles & News

Transcend Recovery’s sober living blog provides information on addiction and recovery. Call us at 800 208-1211 for info on our sober living programs.

Are Sober Living Homes Non-Profit Organizations?

Understanding Sober Living Homes Sober living homes provide a supportive living environment for individuals recovering from substance abuse and even other forms of addiction. Unlike a rehab facility or halfway house, a sober home allows residents more freedom while enforcing house rules, such as paying rent and attending group meetings. Sober living homes operate to help residents sustain […]

Are Sober Living Homes Covered by Most Insurance?

What Is a Sober Living Home? A sober living home provides individuals seeking continuous treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Otherwise known as recovery residences, sober living homes serve as transitional living spaces for people who have undergone treatment for substance use disorder before reintegrating into society. Unlike formal treatment centers, a sober living home offers […]

Are Sober Living Expenses Tax Deductible?

Are Sober Living Expenses Considered Tax-Deductible Medical Expenses? Yes, sober living expenses can be considered tax-deductible medical expenses only if they meet the eligibility criteria of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To qualify sober living costs as such, these expenses must be deemed as necessary for addiction treatment and provide a structured recovery environment similar to drug rehab or alcohol rehab programs. Additionally, […]

Wet Brain Explained: Signs and Seeking Treatment

What Is Wet Brain Syndrome? Otherwise known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) or WK syndrome, wet brain syndrome results from Vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency. This condition is often present in individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder and can cause brain damage if left untreated. Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis are two brain disorders associated with WK […]

Blackout Drunk: Signs, Symptoms, and Safety Tips

Blackout Drunk: What Does It Mean? Blackout drunk refers to a phenomenon in which an individual experiences partial or complete memory loss during a period of heavy drinking. This condition occurs because alcohol interferes with the brain’s ability to form new memories and specifically affects the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory formation. People experiencing blackouts […]

What Is Escapism? Exploring the Impact on Mental Health

What is Escapism? Escapism is a purely imaginative activity that engages in fantasies that help distract a person from the stressors and responsibilities of daily life. It can range from watching movies and playing video games to more purely imaginative activities like daydreaming. Why Some People Engage in Escapism? There are several reasons why people engage in escapism. Here […]

Maladaptive Behaviors: Causes, Examples, and Solutions

What Is Maladaptive Behavior? Maladaptive behavior refers to types of actions that prevent individuals from adapting healthily to everyday challenges. These behaviors are often responses to trauma, stress, negative feelings, or mental health conditions. They can manifest in various ways, and can affect daily life, relationships, and overall functioning. What Are the Common Causes of Maladaptive Behaviors? […]

Ambient Gaslighting: Signs, Examples, and How to Cope

What Is Ambient Gaslighting? Ambient gaslighting is a form of manipulation where the abuser creates an environment that causes the victim to question their personal perceptions and surroundings. Compared to overt gaslighting where the abuser openly lies or deliberately contradicts the victim’s memories to manipulate them, ambient gaslighting is subtler and difficult to detect. Often, ambient abuse involves the gradual […]

Best Books for Addiction Recovery: Empowering Your Journey

15 Books on Drug Abuse, Alcohol Addiction, and Addiction Recovery Here are the best books that can help empower you while navigating the road to addiction recovery: Beautiful Boy — David Sheff This gripping memoir by David Sheff details his son’s battle with meth addiction and its impact on their family. It offers a heartfelt look at […]

What Is Considered an Alcoholic? Signs and Symptoms

Defining Alcoholism: What Is An Alcoholic? An alcoholic is a person who suffers from alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is a chronic disease marked by an inability to control or stop consuming alcohol despite the negative impacts on their health and relationships. This condition involves both physical dependence and psychological cravings for alcoholic drinks. Alcoholism […]

How to Pick the Right Sober Living in Los Angeles

The Sober Living Landscape in Los Angeles Los Angeles offers a diverse landscape of sober living options, ranging from beachfront locations to urban settings, each catering to various preferences and needs. The city provides a range of environments for recovery, as different homes focus on providing specific demographics or recovery approaches that align with the residents’ values and goals. […]

Stages of Addiction

The States of Addiction Addiction is a chronic mental health disorder that affects the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, and the behavior of an individual, which can lead to an inability to control the use of legal or illegal drugs or medication. It’s a complex condition that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful […]

Cost of Sober Living in Los Angeles

Price of Sober Living in Los Angeles On average, the cost of sober living homes in Los Angeles can range from as low as $300 to as high as $10,000 per month. The cost will depend on the facility and its amenities, such as private rooms or additional services like counseling or therapy. You may also […]

What Are Marijuana Dabs?

Marijuana Dabs Explained Also known as cannabis concentrates, a marijuana dab comes from extracting THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. As a result, the dab is considered highly potent compared to the cannabis flower. Dab has the same skunky odor as marijuana, and it refers to the process of smoking dabs, which involves applying or “dabbing” a small […]

Parentification Explained

What is Parentification? Parentification occurs when children are expected to take on the roles and responsibilities that are typically reserved for adults. This can include providing emotional support to parents or siblings, managing household tasks, or even acting as a primary caregiver. This role reversal can be detrimental to a child’s development and mental health, as it […]

Pros and Cons of Helicopter Parenting

What is Helicopter Parenting? Helicopter parenting refers to a style of parenting where parents are highly involved in their child’s life. The term is taken from the idea of a helicopter that is constantly hovering overhead, ready to swoop in at any moment. Helicopter parents are just exactly that. They are always present and always vigilant in their children’s […]

Common Red Flags in Teenage Behavior

What are Red Flags in teenage behavior? Red flags in teenage behavior are patterns of behavior that deviate from what is considered typical teenage behavior. These can include sudden changes in eating habits, extreme mood swings, sudden weight loss, or drastic changes in sleep patterns. These behaviors can raise concerns about a teenager’s mental health and may require […]

Slang Terms and Street Names for Marijuana

Why Are There Several Alternative Names for Marijuana Marijuana has many nicknames due to the fact that different cultures and regions have their own special names for it, influenced by their culture. For example, in India, marijuana was called “ganja,” while “mota” is used in Spanish-speaking countries. The other factors that led to the creation […]

Addiction to Cumming

Do I Have A Masturbation Addiction? Combating masturbation addiction requires you to take a look into your behaviors, thoughts, and feelings around sexual activity, particularly with self-stimulation. When sexual pleasure takes precedence over everything else, preceding daily responsibilities, personal goals, and meaningful relationships, this is a major red flag. More than just seeking sexual satisfaction, […]

Can a Gambling Addiction Be Cured?

About Gambling Addiction Gambling addiction (also known as compulsive gambling), is the relentless urge to keep gambling despite the adverse effect it takes on one’s life. It is rooted in self-centeredness and selfishness that can be tough to untangle. It is a complex condition that blends the inability to resist gambling with the behavioral fallout seen in problem gambling. […]

Is Heroin a Stimulant?

What is Heroin? Heroin is an addictive substance that comes from the opium poppy plant. This plant is the source of many substances that affect the central nervous system. If you’re wondering what heroin looks like, it can range from: fine white powder sticky dark brown tar-like substance or small brown or off-white rocks Heroin works by […]

Shake and Bake Meth Dangers Explained

What is Meth? Methamphetamine, often referred to as meth, is a highly addictive substance and one of the most dangerous drugs available. It’s made from common ingredients, yet its use poses a significant health risk. Meth falls under the category of stimulant drugs, which means it increases activity in the brain and body. Over the past few […]

Can You Shoot Up Adderall? Is Adderall Injection Dangerous?

What is Adderall? Adderall is a medication often prescribed to manage ADHD and narcolepsy. As a stimulant, Adderall works by altering certain chemicals in the brain, helping to improve concentration and control impulses. While Adderall can be a valuable tool for those with ADHD, it’s also found a place beyond its intended use. For instance, college students sometimes turn […]

What Does Klonopin Look Like?

What is Klonopin? Klonopin tablets, also known by its generic name clonazepam, is a prescription medication that belongs to the class of benzodiazepines. It is primarily used to treat seizure disorders, panic attacks, and other mental health disorders. Klonopin tablets were first patented in 1960 in the Roche laboratories by the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. It was part of the […]

Self-Centeredness and Addiction

Self-Centeredness Explained In many cases of substance abuse, there lies a deep-rooted sense of self-centeredness. Often a key characteristic of antisocial personality disorder, this trait manifests in individuals who prioritize their desires over the well-being of others. When someone becomes selfish, they are consumed by their own needs and wants, leading to a ripple effect of emotional […]

Building a Supportive Community: The Power of Sober Networks in Los Angeles

Why Having a Sober Support Network is Crucial Life is better when you have others by your side working towards a common goal of improvement. When it comes to recovering from addiction, it’s not a journey you take alone. It involves different aspects of life and needs various kinds of support. Research consistently shows the positive […]

Drug Smells and Odors

Drug Type and Their Odors Marijuana Often characterized by a skunky, herbal scent, marijuana’s odor is distinctive and can vary based on the strain. It might also have a hint of sweetness or earthiness. Methamphetamine (Meth) Meth typically emits a powerful chemical smell, similar to cleaning products or acetone in nail polish remover. It can also have an ammonia-like […]