Our Blog

Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Matin Hemmat LPCC, CADC. If you or someone you care about has ever dealt with arthritis, inflammation, or joint pain, there’s a good chance you’ve come across Meloxicam—often sold under the brand name Mobic. It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and it’s genuinely effective at calming swelling and reducing pain. Doctors prescribe it regularly for conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory issues. But how is Meloxicam abused? Understanding Meloxicam Abuse Because Meloxicam doesn’t give you a euphoric “high” like opioids or other addictive substances, it’s easy to assume it’s harmless. But that assumption can lead people down a slippery slope. Just because it’s not a narcotic doesn’t mean it’s not possible to misuse or even develop a dependency on it. In fact, some people start taking higher doses of Meloxicam than prescribed—or continue using it even when they aren’t in pain. Others begin using leftover pills from past prescriptions or borrow from friends or family. Eventually, this kind of behavior can turn into something much more serious: a habit that’s tough to break. What Happens If You Abuse Meloxicam? Misusing Meloxicam or taking more than your prescribed dose can have severe effects, including: How Do I Know if I Am Misusing Meloxicam? There are few things worse than becoming heavily reliant on drugs like Meloxicam or Mobic. What begins as a quick need for pain relief often develops into a powerful and damaging relationship with this drug. To avoid this situation, it is always critical that you recognize the early signs of Meloxicam abuse, including: Here are a few red flags to watch for: What Does Detox and Recovery Look Like? Getting off Meloxicam isn’t always as straightforward as just stopping cold turkey—especially if you’ve been on it for a long time or have been using higher doses than recommended. Like any substance that alters your system’s natural balance, your body may need time to adjust. A Meloxicam detox is often the first step in recovery, and it should be handled with care. Here’s what that process might include: Most importantly, detox should be part of a larger recovery plan that addresses both the physical and emotional sides of dependence. What Should I Do If I Think I’m Abusing Mobic? First, know this: You’re not alone, and you’re not weak for needing help. It’s easy to slip into a pattern of dependence with medications that are meant to help—but the important thing is recognizing it and taking action. At our treatment center, we understand how quickly pain management can turn into something more complicated. Whether you’re trying to help yourself or someone you care about, we offer compassionate, professional support that makes a real difference. Our LA County partial hospitalization programs can be a viable alternative to those who have tried other recovery methods in the past and are struggling with prescription addiction. Let Peninsula Health connect you to flexible outpatient drug treatment in Long Beach that can stop a relapse from getting worse. Call our team today: 866-934-8228. Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Matin Hemmat LPCC, CADC.

Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Matin Hemmat LPCC, CADC. Prozac is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the U.S., with more than 24 million active prescriptions written in 2022 alone. It’s an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), often used to treat depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. And while it can be incredibly effective for stabilizing mood and helping people manage tough symptoms, there’s another side to it—Prozac dependence is real. Also, it can be surprisingly easy to overuse and grow dependent on. Over time, some people start to feel like they need Prozac just to get through the day. That kind of dependence can impact your routines, your sense of control, and even your relationships. The good news? It doesn’t have to stay that way. With the right kind of support, it’s absolutely possible to step away from this dependency and feel like yourself again. The Real Risks of Prozac Dependence A lot of people assume that antidepressants aren’t addictive—but that’s not the full picture. While they’re not in the same category as opioids or benzos, long-term use can still lead to a psychological (and sometimes physical) dependency. Some common signs of Prozac dependence include: What makes this tricky is that SSRIs like Prozac work by raising serotonin levels in your brain. Over time, your brain can get used to that extra boost—and that makes it harder to stop. Eventually, you may feel like you need more just to feel “normal.” But even if you feel stuck, change is possible. With the right help and a safe tapering plan, you can move forward without relying on Prozac. What to Expect with Prozac Withdrawal Because Prozac impacts brain chemistry, stopping it cold turkey can hit hard. You may find yourself reaching for it whenever you’re feeling sad, anxious, or out of sorts. But quitting on your own can bring some uncomfortable symptoms—especially if you’ve been on it for a while. Prozac withdrawal symptoms can include: Withdrawal can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to two months, depending on your dosage and how long you’ve been taking the medication. For many, this is the toughest part of the process—and unfortunately, it’s often what leads to relapse. Getting Help for Antidepressant Dependence Even though Prozac doesn’t have the same reputation for addiction as other substances, quitting isn’t always simple. That’s why we don’t recommend doing it on your own. At our center, we’re here to make this transition safer and smoother. You’ll have a team that truly gets what you’re going through and stays with you through every step. From day one to the milestones that follow, we’ve got your back. Our Prozac dependence programs are tailored to reduce withdrawal symptoms, minimize discomfort, and help you build a healthier, Prozac-free life—on your terms. Prozac Dependence: What You Should Know Prozac is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the U.S., with more than 24 million prescriptions filled in 2022. As an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), Prozac is designed to help regulate mood by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. It’s often used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While Prozac can be incredibly helpful—life-changing, even—it’s not without risks. Over time, some people may begin to feel like they need Prozac to function. This dependency can sneak up on you and slowly start interfering with your daily routines, your relationships, and even your sense of identity. The Tough Part The tricky part? It’s not always easy to spot, because unlike substances like alcohol or opioids, Prozac dependency doesn’t always look “obvious.” But the truth is, you can regain your footing. With the right support and professional guidance, it’s possible to taper off Prozac safely and feel like yourself again—without being tethered to medication. What Is Prozac Detox and How Does It Work? Detoxing from Prozac isn’t about flushing something toxic from your system in one go—it’s about slowly helping your brain and body rebalance themselves without the drug. Because Prozac has a long half-life (it stays in the body longer than many other SSRIs), the withdrawal symptoms might not hit immediately, but when they do, they can be unpredictable and uncomfortable. Symptoms of Prozac withdrawal may include: In a professional detox setting, you’re not expected to power through this alone. A structured Prozac detox program typically includes: Detoxing from Prozac isn’t a quick fix—but it is doable. With consistency, compassion, and the right kind of care, many people are able to come off antidepressants and feel stable and well again fully. Getting Help for Prozac and Antidepressant Dependence Just because the withdrawal symptoms aren’t as intense as detoxing from opioids doesn’t mean it’s easy. Most people who try to come off Prozac without support relapse within weeks or months—not because they’re weak, but because withdrawal can mess with your mood, energy, and sleep in ways that are hard to manage solo. That’s why we don’t recommend doing this alone. Getting Help At our Palos Verdes drug and alcohol rehab center, we are certified to support clients through holistic addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment in Southern California. Our difference is in our staff and our belief in individual achievement. Our person-centered approach helps us provide clients with a specific and detailed treatment that helps them be more successful overall. To learn more about our anti-depressant addiction treatment program in Palos Verdes at Peninsula Health Center, call 1-866-934-8228 today.1 Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Matin Hemmat LPCC, CADC.

Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Matin Hemmat LPCC, CADC. If you love someone and they are in trouble, it is human nature (for good people) to want to help. Actually, you don’t even have to love someone to want to help. If you see someone stuck in quicksand, a reasonable person will try to pull them out. The problem is when addiction is involved. There are so many problems and so many needs it can sometimes be hard to know when you are helping and when you are enabling addiction. The way to look at it is this: addiction has consequences. Those might be legal, financial, professional (or school-related). It’s not hard to list them out. Maybe getting a DUI, fired from a job, or owing everyone money. What Is Enabling Addiction? Put plainly, enabling addiction is any behavior—often driven by kindness and compassion—that helps a loved one escape the consequences of their behavior. And once you do it, like a stray cat that got a leftover can of tuna, your loved one knows just where to go to get the help they need to keep their addiction going strong. Enabling prevents your loved one from encountering the critical consequences needed to recognize harmful behaviors and initiate change. It keeps the fires of addiction stoked and burning strong. Helping vs. Enabling Let’s look again at the quicksand analogy. If you want to help someone stuck in quicksand, give them a rope. You identify tools that can help them find a way out of the dire circumstances they find themselves in. On the other hand, you could jump in with them. Get mired in their issue, and let them grab onto your back as you pull everyone out. And you both go down together. Helping helps … Helping a person with an addiction respects the other’s autonomy. It is anything that offers a clear path toward healthier choices. Real support for a person with a substance use disorder maintains boundaries that protect everyone involved. Enabling soothes … The act of enabling is an act of soothing discomfort. And while it might help a person feel good temporarily, it erodes personal responsibility. This is another crazy vicious cycle for a person with an addiction because now they have something else in their life reinforcing the addiction.  Enabling rewards negative patterns rather than encouraging adaptive changes. What Does Enabling Addiction Look Like? Spotting enabling behaviors isn’t always straightforward. It wears kindness as camouflage, so let’s illuminate it: Why Enabling Causes Issues Enabling addiction builds the addiction. Addiction looks for anything relatively within reach to help it get to its all-consuming goal: getting high. When you give your loved one money to pay off their dealer, when you give them rides after their DUI, when you give them a rent-free place to live after they lose their job, you are inadvertently giving them a bridge back to their fix. It interrupts the natural progression of life where you fall and learn how to walk better because of it. There are even times when a ride in a cop car, even a couple of days in jail, can be the necessary wake-up. Compassion Without the Cushioning If you want to offer support, real support that does not enable addiction, it is important to hold compassion and accountability side by side. It’s like baking bread—you need warmth and softness, yes, but also a sturdy pan for structure. Genuine support can involve listening without rescuing, empathizing without excusing, and reminding them of their strength to seek help themselves. Sometimes, the most loving response is, “I love you deeply, but I won’t protect you from the consequences of your choices.” It comes down to healthy boundaries. Boundaries: The Art of Loving Limits Setting boundaries might feel harsh at first, like refusing to let a toddler touch a hot stove. It’s tough love, grounded deeply in care. Consider boundaries as clear, compassionate lines in the sand. You might say: Healthy boundaries help establish incentives for the brain to adapt to new behaviors. They communicate confidence, clarity, and compassion, providing a stable foundation rather than shifting sand. When It’s Time to Reach Out Enabling addiction might seem like kindness, but kindness without truth is incomplete. If your loved one needs help, guidance is available. Our outpatient services are often the perfect blend of structure and flexibility for individuals to find lasting recovery. Peninsula Health Center in the South Bay area has addiction specialists who understand deeply, scientifically, and compassionately how change unfolds. Reach out and talk with us. It may feel like a small step, but meaningful recovery often starts quietly in moments just like this. Call Peninsula today: 866-934-8228.