Balboa Horizons Expands Leadership Team with New Hire

Deb Hughes, CAS

Newport Beach, CA - Balboa Horizons Addiction Recovery Services for Men and Women announced today that they have expanded their leadership team with the addition of Executive Director Deb Hughes, CAS.  Balboa Horizons is proud to welcome this dynamic professional to help guide the company's continued growth. 

"We are honored to have someone with her experience, integrity and vision join our team," says Balboa Horizons CEO Paul Moen.  "As we embark on future growth, her tremendous leadership ability will enable us to continue to provide comprehensive care to the growing population of individuals struggling with addiction."

As Executive Director, Deb will be involved with all facets of business development, administration and overall strategy.  She will oversee existing as well as new programming.  She brings 27 years of experience to Balboa Horizons, having worked in the areas of business development, program development, management and administration in the recovery field.

"What attracted me to Balboa Horizons was its leadership and positive outlook towards innovation in the field of addictions," Hughes says.  "Balboa Horizons offers truly comprehensive, holistic and gender-specific treatment programs for individuals and their families in breathtaking locations throughout Newport Beach and the surrounding beach cities."

Most recently, Deb worked as Program Administrator at Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders in Arizona.  Her creative talents and administrative knowledge helped Rosewood to effectively achieve their vision for growth, earning them well-deserved recognition as a leader in Eating Disorders Treatment. 

Prior to her time at Rosewood, she worked as the Assistant Administrator at the Rader Program for Eating Disorders in California, where she implemented the facility's PHP and extended care programs.  She also held positions as Intake Director at both Anacapa by the Sea and the Steps treatment programs, where she was responsible for large intake departments that helped countless individuals find their way through the doors of recovery.  In addition, Deb designed and developed Kids in Sobriety, an intensive outpatient program for adolescents in Ventura, CA.

About Balboa Horizons

Balboa Horizons offers a full continuum of addiction recovery services for men and women 18 years of age and older.  We provide individualized treatment and allow our clients to focus exclusively on recovery by keeping our programs entirely gender-specific.  For over eight years, we have specialized in the treatment of drug and alcohol addictions, self-defeating behaviors and co-occurring mental health diagnoses including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Our serene recovery centers, located in Newport Beach and the surrounding beach cities, help to inspire change and growth.  Our expert multidisciplinary staff provides clients the tools they need to transform their lives.  If you or a loved one needs help, please call us today at (866) 316-4012 or visit www.balboahorizons.com.

Balboa Horizons, we have treated many women addicted to ecstasy

Ecstacy Treatment Program for Women at Balboa Horizons

Ecstasy is the common street name for a synthetic, psychoactive drug called MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). MDMA has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects and produces feelings of euphoria, increased energy and altered reality. Ecstasy is one of many dangerous and habit-forming substances known as “club drugs.” It has long been associated with the nightclub and rave scenes and users claim to enjoy the drug for its ability to diminish social anxiety and create a sense of belonging. They experience emotional warmth and increased empathy with others and these emotional and social qualities make ecstasy extremely attractive to female users.

Although ecstasy use has diminished since its peak in 2000, the drug is still a widespread problem and studies show that it remains highly popular. Perhaps one of the most dangerous misconceptions concerning ecstasy is the belief that it is a harmless party drug with little potential for abuse or addiction. Nothing could be further from the truth. The consequences experienced as a result of ecstasy abuse are severe and treatment is highly recommended. At Balboa Horizons, we have treated many women addicted to ecstasy and other “club drugs,” with whom ecstasy was their primary drug of choice. We understand the multitude of reasons why women are attracted to this class of drug and have experience in successfully dealing with the aftermath of an ecstasy addiction.

Ecstasy is most commonly ingested in tablet or capsule form. Although all ecstasy is known to contain MDMA, street ecstasy is typically a cocktail of drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, ephedrine or any number of toxic substances. These are dangerous recipes and users rarely know what combination of drugs they are actually ingesting. Furthermore, many ecstasy users commonly take ecstasy along with alcohol or marijuana, greatly compounding the risk of adverse health effects and neurotoxicity. One-time use can cause severe dehydration, hypothermia, liver, kidney or cardiovascular system failure and death. 

Ecstasy is known to produce confusion, depression, insomnia, severe anxiety and drug dependency. A survey of young adult ecstasy users found that 43% of those who reported ecstasy use met the diagnostic criteria for dependence. Those addicted to ecstasy will experience increased tolerance along with the presence of serious withdrawal symptoms should they discontinue their use, making ecstasy a highly dangerous and addictive drug. Aside from these physical implications, perhaps the most severe risks are due to the distorted reality created by ecstasy. Users experience seriously impaired judgment, heightened levels of trust or bouts of extreme paranoia, which can lead to a multitude of traumatic events including rape, injury, car accidents, assault and criminal charges.

Ecstasy has the ability to dramatically alter brain chemistry. MDMA works on the neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and pain. It binds to the serotonin transmitter, increasing and prolonging the serotonin signal to the brain. It also causes an excessive release of serotonin from the neurons, increasing feelings of euphoria. After any period of use, ecstasy can permanently damage serotonin nerve terminals. Due to these serotonin deficiencies, many women recovering from ecstasy addiction will struggle with depression. Our clinical staff is highly trained to treat depression associated with addiction and we employ a variety of treatment modalities that have been proven effective. In addition, there are a multitude of psychiatric medications known as SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, that may be helpful if necessary.