Moment of Clarity, Oceanside – A True Place of Healing

★★★★★ Moment of Clarity, Oceanside – A True Place of Healing

If you're reading this, you might be at a breaking point. Perhaps you've just been bailed out of

jail, burned every bridge with your family, or hit an emotional rock bottom so deep that you

barely recognize yourself anymore. You could be searching for a rehabilitation house, a partial hospitalization program, or extended care in addiction recovery, all while wondering if anything can genuinely help.

I understand how you feel, and I want you to know that change is possible. A Moment of Clarity in Oceanside, California, is where that change can become impenetrable.

Moment of Clarity operates several homes, but the Oceanside location truly stands out. It is

conveniently located near the main center where treatment and activities take place, and it is

within walking distance of the breathtaking healing Sunset—ideal for clearing your mind and

heart. This place is not simply a rehab; it is a structured, extended treatment home for individuals ready to heal from genuine mental and emotional challenges and trauma.

You'll quickly learn that addiction doesn't develop overnight; often, it's rooted in deep pain, grief, or trauma. Unless you're willing to face that honestly, you won't get the full benefit of what this place offers.

It's also important to address bad reviews: they often come from people who weren’t truly ready to change. Recovery requires the "gift of desperation." Without it, you'll keep resisting the process. However, for those willing to embrace change, Moment of Clarity becomes sacred ground.

The People:

 Your Housemates become your family. This is the largest group of people you’d never

imagine sharing a table with—at an airport, train station, or hospital waiting room. Yet

here you are, sharing a bathroom, your secrets, your shame, and your guilt. And

somehow, through that vulnerability, you rise. You learn to support one another, and to see

similarities instead of differences. The diversity in this house isn’t just a detail—it’s the

foundation for growth, empathy, and healing.

 Jason and Liz, your house managers, are not here to coddle you. They're not your

buddies—they're your mentors. Their job is to instill structure, accountability, and

boundaries to support your growth. They enforce group respect and personal

responsibility. But don’t let their tough exteriors fool you—these two have strong

shoulders and soft hearts. You may not be braiding each other’s hair by week three, but

when you hit a breaking point (and you will, because this is rehabilitation living), you’ll

find their shoulders are safe to cry on.

 Derek, Oceanside Director, is the steady hand behind it all. He handles dietary needs,

household repairs, conflict mediation—and always shows up. From plunging drains to

resolving roommate drama, Derek does it all with grace and a sense of calm that holds

the house together. He’s also the one who somehow knows everyone’s name, their snack

preferences, and whether they’ve been quiet lately. His leadership is deeply grounded and

quietly powerful—the kind you may not fully appreciate until you're back in the real

world, realizing how much stability he created.

 Shea, Case Manager, is one of the most emotionally intelligent leaders I’ve encountered

in recovery. She helps you navigate every layer of the healing process—from securing

proper identification to matching you with a therapist who understands your specific

background and trauma. Her insights into recovery and nutrition were among my favorite

aspects of treatment.

 Jeff Yoo, my Therapist, guided me through deep PTSD work I never thought I could face

while sober. The therapists here are diverse and highly skilled, and you'll be matched

with someone who resonates with you. Weekly therapy sessions are not just a box to

check—they're where the real work happens. Jeff is so important to me that when I

“graduated,” I made sure we could continue together in his private practice.

 Charlie Groomer and Mercedes Bell, your daily program leads, guide the groups,

introduce life-saving tools, and gently (or not-so-gently) encourage you to face the truth

of who you are and who you can become. And while I thought I was simply showing up

and taking notes, I realize now—they were preparing me for life after rehabilitation all

along. Each day, each group, each nudge forward was part of a larger plan to help me

stand on my own.

Moment of Clarity in Oceanside, California, is not just a place to dry out. This is where I built

the foundation for my life. I didn’t want to simply sit in a room sober; I wanted to rebuild, repair, and become a contributing member of my community. Moment of Clarity provided the structure and support to make that possible.

If you're not willing to put in the work—if you want to stay glued to your phone, avoid your past, and blame others—this isn’t the place for you. But if you're ready to show up, get uncomfortable, and start healing on a cellular, spiritual, and emotional level, this is one of the safest and most supportive environments you could hope for.

I have witnessed relapses; I’ve seen housemates return to substance use and not come back.

That’s the reality of addiction. But I’ve also witnessed miracles. I am one of them, thanks largely to my awareness of how tricky, cunning, baffling, powerful, and patient my disease is—and I work hard for each daily reprieve.

Thanks to Moment of Clarity in Oceanside, I now possess a full toolbox, a strong sober

foundation, and a renewed commitment to a life of meaning and service. If you’re ready to do

the work, this place will meet you there—with grace, grit, and guidance.

Shift Change

Several weeks ago I was a volunteer at the hospital taking temperatures. My job was basic, not surgery, not complicated, no ventilators. The apparatus I used at the hospital is called a temporal thermometer. It takes a quick swipe across the temporal nerve (the middle of the forehead to below the curve of the ear). Like most things that are expensive, use alternative technology and lightening speed: it has drawbacks. The thermometer doesn’t like, sweat, humidity, condensation, glasses, earrings, or hair. It really does not like if you cycled or jogged to work or even if you walked across parking lot B. The infrared technology is fickle. It also does not care for alcohol. I do not mean a nicely salted margarita, bourbon on ice or a chilled chardonnay. I mean the tiny little pads of alcohol used to wipe down stethoscopes, thermometers, and the top of the sanitizer bottle (yes at the hospital we sanitized the sanitizer-which should make us all happy since you don’t really realize how many people touch the pump!).

I showed up to do my first shift a 4:45 am. My name was not on the excel list, but the list hadn’t been updated yet since administration had not arrived. I was dressed, caffeine induced and not leaving. I had my temperature taken, was asked a few pertinent questions and then a kind nurse told me she thought instead of standing at the ED door I would probably be most useful at another entrance to the the hospital where all staff had to be screened. That would be roughly 400 active medical personnel, 200 visiting staff, and 1700 others that include janitors, chefs and administration. Of course they are all not there on one day, but that leaves at least 200 people who must have their temperature taken to remain at work each shift.

This is good news.

Hospitals are not allowing anyone to come to work who has even the slightest hint of an infection. The bad news is temporal artery thermometers are quick but they prefer a faultless environment to be efficient. That perfect atmosphere means it is being operated one time every twenty minutes for a routine doctor visit. It does not mean taking over 200 temperatures between 6:47 and 7:03 am. As I mentioned alcohol also alters the reading. We were wiping, scouring, scrubbing and cleaning as fast as possible between each evaluation. I also live in Bend, Oregon: we can have 5 seasons in one day. It can be as low as 20 degrees before dawn and then 68 during the peak of sunshine: tell your forehand to make sense of that.

Due of the current shortage of bodies the labor pool can get sent down to take temperatures. The egocentric moment of this makes my thousands of dollars spent on medical terminology feel dismissed. However, anyone with a medical history or education must perform the oral temperatures.

On day 1 there were two people from bookkeeping, one from scheduling, an ER nurse who was called away and a phlebotomist (that is a person who draws and prepares blood for all types of testing). In the medical hierarchy the phlebotomist and I were at the top of the food chain. If anyone failed the first thermo scan we were instructed to take an oral temperature. Due to the speed and necessity of rapidly examining everyone for shift change it was too late before I was aware that I had no gloves, nor was I wearing a mask because they were being conserved for floor 2 (and you can imagine what is on floor 2). In less than a quarter of an hour on my first day of work I stuck my hand into over 50 mouths. I tired to make people laugh, tell them when they passed inspection that I was very conflicted because they were not good to go- but good to stay and even one charge nurse who was extremely agitated by my tenacious turtle tactics laughed when she finally passed and I confided I didn’t believe what they said about how cold blooded she was.

And then I was told not to come back. Stunned, I called my supervisor. Was it me? Was it that really grumpy surgeon who didn’t like my jokes? Was it because the organ guy (whose truck is very cold) had to wait until he warmed up while I delayed transplants? No- she assured me. They need to rotate the labor pool (accountants, schedulers, staff and security) to take temperatures. I understood. The frailty of our bodies and bank accounts is humbling.

I quarantined myself because I live with a cancer survivor who is compromised. Today, my 51st birthday (two weeks after my volunteer work) I evolve from the solitude with no fever or side effects. I compliment our local hospital: no one who entered the building, from the person who scrambled eggs to the man who delivered organs was allowed past the sentinels.

The virus reminds me of the world of the Red Queen when she says to Alice in Wonderland, “you have to run as fast as you can just to stay in the same place.”

Flu You! COVID-19

All around us is the fear of flu? How can we stay healthy?

This year there is a tough battle against the flu. Even with a progressive flu shot many have found themselves with unexpected health obstacles and with the invasion of the COVID-19 Virus we are overwhelmed and confused about proper self-care and quarantine management. We now spend a lot of time washing our hands and taking precautions to ward away germs but often we forget to pay attention to what happens from the inside out.

1) Don’t Pick! We touch our face, lips, eyes and nose at least thirty times in less than a minute. The most important thing is to not bring germs from the outside in. Stand at attention or better yet "Jazz Hands!" Pretend you’re a Tyrannosaurus - elbows at your side until you decide what to touch?

2) Drink Me! The easiest way for an infection to travel through your system is on the fast track. Stay hydrated and a cold or flu doesn’t have a chance of sticking with you. Clear tea or broth is your best friend! (The video attached has a wonderful soup recipe!)

3) Boil, boil toil and trouble! Diet becomes essential in helping you achieve a speedy recovery but softer foods are comforting and enhance healing. The heat from the broth helps cure congestion, while the fat in the broth helps cure a sore throat.

4) Sleep! Even if you are not a person who can nap or feels comfortable sleeping the the middle of a day, just allowing yourself to close your eyes for twenty minutes will revive your immune system. If you can get to bed an hour earlier and just huddle in your pillows you are still giving your body a boost. One hour of intended sleep (even before full REM) will create rejuvenation in the immune system.

5) Go for a walk! Moderate exercise repeated on a daily basis enhances immunity. Know yourself. Do not push the limits but do not forgo boosting aspects of exercise. Do not compromise the system but help it reboot and revamp.

There is no guarantee you will avoid the virus but some of these basic principles could help how fiercely you are impacted by complications.