All Posts Tagged Tag: ‘los angeles’
Pasadena Recovery Center is a Proud Sponsor of Promises Foundation 7th Annual “Polo In The Palisades”
A beautiful So Cal Sunday afternoon at Will Roger’s Historic State Park in Pacific Palisades.
Pasadena Recovery Center is proud to be a sponsor again this year at Promises Foundation Fundraiser, “Polo in the Palisades“, benefiting Miriam’s House, a recovery home for mothers and a refuge for children to escape chaos and instability.
Space Shuttle Endeavour Soars 1 Last Time Over Pasadena Recovery Center
Clients and Staff got a once (and last) in a life time chance to see this truly amazing sight. The Space Shuttle Endeavour, “Piggy Back” on a Boeing 747 as it flew right over Pasadena Recovery Center Friday morning en route to it’s new home at the California Science Center, where it will be on exhibit right here in Los Angeles. What a day to remember!
Checking In With PRC Alumnus Elias Luna
Elias Luna’s life story is one for the movies and he’s only 43. He says he knew he was “different” or gay when he was five. He met his first boyfriend at 18. The next year his partner told Elias he was infected with HIV. A test later confirmed the same fate for Elias. The year was 1989.
Amazingly, Elias responded by grabbing life by the horns. He led a productive life working for a Fortune 500 company and then, at a young 32, enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. His love of fashion, skill and dedication shined earning him a full scholarship and his own clothing collection.
He was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times Magazine. He was profiled on TV as an up and coming fashion designer.
And then, at 35, Elias tried Crystal Meth. Hooked immediately, he would spend the better part of the next eight years watching his life slip away. Finally, after a bad breakup a friend convinced Elias to get help at the Pasadena Recovery Center.
Elias says today, half jokingly, “HIV won’t kill me but Crystal Meth almost did”.
After 32 days at PRC, Elias was renewed — even drawing for the first time in five years. He’s grateful for PRC, the staff and his fellow residents. “I was here at the right time,” he says.
Elias also had some heartfelt words for PRC Program Assistant Rhonda Silas. “She listened to me. I listened to her. She was a great person to talk to”.
So inspired by his stay at PRC was Elias, that he left a note (see below) under his pillow for the next resident to read.
Elias had one more piece of wisdom he wanted to pass on to addicts considering treatment: “If you’re scared, don’t be, because you are going to find happiness.”
Pasadena Recovery Center July Newsletter
The first ever Pasadena Recovery Center newsletter is out. Read it now! Moving forward the newsletter will come out monthly and contain the latest recovery news and happenings at our Pasadena treatment facility.
Dealing With The Financial Disaster That Often Accompanies Addiction
Dealing with addiction can be very difficult in its own right. But it can be even harder when it is accompanied by financial disaster. Erica Sandberg has a must-read article about dealing with the money woes that often follow substance abuse:
Descent into drug-related debt can be slow or fast, with much depending on the substance. Mike Bloom, owner of Pasadena Recovery Center in Pasadena, Calif., says any drug can lead to financial ruin; however, “methamphetamine, crack cocaine, pain killers, alcohol and heroin are at the top of the list,” he says.
Addicts generally start borrowing money from friends and family in small increments — but it adds up quickly. And as a person’s habit becomes more expensive he will start to exploit opportunities:
Cash sources include home equity loans, advances from credit cards and loans against their car. Bank accounts are overdrawn. They may pawn valuables, both their own and others’. Employed addicts may ask for payroll advances or take out payday loans. Almost all stretch out a hand to friends and family members.
Unfortunately financial obligations often stand in the way of recovery. The more money addicts owe the harder it is to return to normal life:
“Most of the time, an addict has a low credit rating,” says Bloom. “In a tight economy, addicts have a hard time renting an apartment, buying a car or house.”
Declaring bankruptcy might work for some addicts. But many debts – like child support, alimony, and debt the result of fraud – are not dischargeable. Generally, the best way to improve credit is by repaying debts. Making amends can also be an important part of recovery (see Step 9).
For many more tips on dealing with drug-related debt as well as suggestions for providing a support system for addicts, read the entire article.
