Addiction treatment clients that are involved in a traditional program may feel that it is just another form of punishment—not treatment at all. Treatment centers often reinforce that idea through “clinical over-reach,” insisting on highly restrictive care in practically all cases. Clinical over-reach (too intense for too long) damages the therapeutic bond that addiction professionals…
Why Use the 12 Step Approach? It’s indisputable. Addiction recovery experts agree AA and NA meetings are the “go-to” place after rehab. If you were lucky, you were heavily exposed to one or both of these fellowships in treatment. The best addiction centers connect clients to support groups with a formal goal in the first…
Accidental overdoses and suicides among 18 – to 30-year-olds are increasing every year. The number of overdose deaths in 14 to 24-year-olds was over 5,000 in 2017 alone. Young adults are quickly progressing to harder drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine before they have a chance to grow up. Once they become addicted,…
When I first heard the phrase, “Just do the next right thing,” it was in the context of my early days of recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. I was sitting in front of my 12 Steps sponsor, after having jabbered on and on to him about needing to deal with my upcoming DUI court…
The United States is steadily accepting marijuana as a legal recreational drug, but is it the right choice when it comes to vulnerable teens? Marijuana-related psychosis is slowly creeping into emergency rooms and addiction treatment centers. Patients suffering from THC related psychosis are getting younger and younger, too. Older teens are entering alcohol and drug…
Mental health disorders include a wide range of conditions that affect cognitive function, moods, thought patterns, and, ultimately, behavior. There are a wide range of common mental health disorders including anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Common Mental Health Disorders Recognizing common mental health disorders…
“We need discernment in what we see and what we hear and what we believe.” – Charles R. Swindoll, Pastor and Founder of Insight for Living [Note to Reader: Twenty-two years ago, I was “guided” to go straight from jail to a 12 Step meeting in Tampa, Florida. In AA, I learned that over half…
You ask, “What can I lose because of my drug or alcohol use?” More importantly, “What can I gain from drug or alcohol rehab?” When staring into the mirror at “the end of your rope” and on a gut level acknowledging just how much you’ve already lost and how much more can still be lost…
“God helps those who help themselves.” – Algernon Sidney At a recent recovery meeting I attended, the topic of “tips that have helped you get and stay clean/sober” arose. And since we’re in the midst of the holidays with a New Year approaching, I thought it would be a perfect time—especially for those currently…
What is DBT? If you’re looking for help with an addiction, you’ve likely run across something called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). In an evidence-based method of therapy, DBT treats a wide variety of mental health illnesses. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in Tampa, FL is primarily useful for positively impacting behavior patterns. So, exactly what is…