Connections In Recovery

Home
United States
Pacific Palisades, CA
Connections In Recovery

Connections in Recovery - The Advocate for the Family

UCLA and CiR’s 6th Annual Mental Health & Addiction Symposium at UCLA on June 20.

https://UCLA-CiR.eventbrite.com Connections in Recovery is an addiction and mental health consulting company that also provides supportive services. Founded by Lauren Arborio and Patty Baret, Connections in Recovery is renowned for exceptional supportive services, including Consultations, Interventions, Case Management, and Sober Companions (Addiction and Mental Health). We are based in Los Angeles, with offices in New York, Denver, and Paris. We help families all over the United States and Internationally -- call us today or visit our website for more information! http://connectionsinrecovery.com

02/10/2026

CiR Newsletter, give it a read! https://conta.cc/4rfucYA

02/09/2026

As the week begins, staying present helps you ground yourself in what’s right in front of you instead of getting pulled into everything at once. Beginning the week with mindful focus creates clarity, steadies your energy, and sets a calmer, more intentional tone for everything that follows 🧘🧘‍♀️

02/06/2026

Emotional regulation skills are foundational to recovery because intense or unmanageable emotions often drive urges to use substances or engage in other harmful coping behaviors.

Many individuals in recovery are learning to tolerate, name, and respond to emotions without avoidance or escalation, sometimes for the first time. Skills such as emotional awareness, distress tolerance, grounding, and impulse control.

Here are 🔟 practical, evidence-based ways to regulate in the moment:

▪️Pause your body first
Stop moving, sit or stand still, and place your feet on the ground. Physical stillness sends a signal of safety to the nervous system.

▪️Breathe longer on the exhale
Inhale through your nose for 4, exhale through your mouth for 6–8. Longer exhales activate the parasympathetic (calming) response.

▪️Name the emotion out loud or silently
Saying “This is anxiety” or “I’m feeling overwhelmed” reduces intensity by engaging the thinking brain.

▪️Lower sensory input
Dim lights, reduce noise, or step outside. Overstimulation accelerates emotional escalation.

▪️Ground with temperature
Splash cool water on your face, hold something cold, or wrap in a warm blanket—temperature shifts can rapidly reset arousal.

▪️Orient to the present moment
Identify 5 things you can see, 4 you can feel, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste. This anchors you in “now.”

▪️Release muscle tension intentionally
Gently clench and release your hands, shoulders, or jaw. Stored tension keeps emotions activated.

▪️Slow your speech
Speak fewer words, more slowly, or pause before responding. Speech pace directly influences emotional intensity.

▪️Change your environment briefly
Step outside, move rooms, or take a short walk. A physical shift often creates emotional space.

▪️Remind yourself this is temporary
Say: “This feeling will rise and fall.” Emotions peak and pass when not fueled by fear or resistance.

02/04/2026

CiR’s Next Quarterly Educational Series with UCLA 👇
We are thrilled to announce the next installment of our quarterly educational series for professional coaches and companions on February 28, hosted in partnership with UCLA.

This series is designed specifically for those in our field who are committed to ongoing knowledge and clinical excellence. We are honored to showcase 3 incredible experts:

▪️Dr. Timothy Fong – Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship.

▪️Franchesca Gordon, LMFT – Clinical specialist and recovery professional.

▪️Dr. Georgina Smith – Clinical Psychologist and Founder/Owner of Revolve Recovery, a trauma-focused intensive outpatient program.

Professional Standards & Education:
Please note that this is not a networking mixer. This is a focused educational event for coaching professionals who want to deepen their expertise and better serve their clients.

Bring Your Questions!

CiR has immense admiration and respect for the vital work professional coaches do. We highly encourage active participation—your questions are most welcome and appreciated!

📩 Interested in joining us? Please message patty@connectionsinrecovery.com
directly for more information.

02/03/2026

Such a fun night of music and connection at CAB-NYC's Event. Great music from Milton and his band

01/29/2026

👉 ONE R in partnership with Corona Del Mar Pta is honored to have Dr. Timothy W. Fong raise our awareness on Online Gaming and its Impact on Adolescence.

February 9, 2026 Corona Del Mar High School at 6:30PM in the LRC. Students, parents and community welcome.

01/23/2026

Relapse isn’t a failure. It’s information.
Relapse can often follow unmanaged stress or anxiety, isolation, disrupted routines, exposure to high-risk environments, or unaddressed trauma. These are not moral flaws. They’re signals that more support, structure, or care is needed.

Prevention is about preparation, not perfection: Relapse prevention works best when people have coping tools, consistent support, and permission to ask for help early. Identifying triggers, building daily structure, and staying connected to clinicians, peers, or recovery communities can reduce risk and strengthen long-term stability.

Why Language matters in recovery.
Using recovery-oriented language like “return to use,” "Moment of vulnerability," "Slip or slip-up" or “setback” instead of shaming terms reduces stigma and encourages honesty. Person-first language reminds us that people are not defined by a moment, a diagnosis, or a substance.

Compassion, preparation, and the right words can make the difference between silence and support. ✨

01/19/2026

Martin Luther King Jr. transformed moral courage into a movement, reminding us that justice rooted in love has the power to change history.

01/12/2026

☀️ As the new week kicks into gear tomorrow, remember that the most powerful thing you can do is simply pause. Take a breath. Reflect.

Take a moment to really appreciate how far you’ve come—not just in achievements, but in growth, wisdom, and resilience. 🙏

Be grateful for the people who’ve walked beside you, the lessons learned (even the tough ones), and the quiet strength you’ve built along the way.

And most importantly…appreciate you. Just as you are.
You are enough. 💛

01/09/2026

Anxiety disorders often lead people to self-medicate. https://connectionsinrecovery.com/treating-anxiety-disorders-and-the-risks-of-self-medication-patterns/

01/07/2026

Why It Can Turn Into a Tough Cycle:
When anxiety feels heavy or constant, it’s common to look for something that brings fast relief. For many people, that means turning to alcohol or other substances to quiet the discomfort. It might help for a short time, but over time it can actually make anxiety worse and create new challenges around dependence and mental health. Support, therapy, and healthier coping tools can make a real difference. You don’t have to manage anxiety on your own.

01/06/2026

Positive thoughts aren’t about ignoring reality, rather they’re about choosing a mindset that moves you forward. Choose thoughts that support your peace, progress, and purpose. You can start with what you tell yourself today. 🌱
Tip: Positive life begins with positive thoughts; practiced daily, especially on the hard days.

Address

Pacific Palisades, CA
90272

Telephone

+13104886196

Website

http://www.connectionsinrecovery.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Connections In Recovery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Connections In Recovery:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Pacific Palisades?

Our Story

Connections in Recovery is an addiction and mental health consulting company that also provides supportive services. Founded by Lauren Arborio and Patty Baret, Connections in Recovery is renowned for exceptional supportive services, including Consultations, Interventions, Case Management, and Sober Companions (Addiction and Mental Health). We are based in Los Angeles, with offices in New York & Texas. We help families all over the United States and Internationally -- call us today or visit our website for more information! http://connectionsinrecovery.com