Understanding Sugar Addiction
Many foods and drinks contain sugars, some that are naturally occurring and some that are added. Regular consumption of foods that contain added sugar can lead to cravings similar to those caused by drug addiction, and, according to many health experts, can pose a significant health threat. Manufacturers add sugars to some foods during processing […]
E8: Recovery. So Easy Even a Caveman Can Do It, with comedian John Lehr
DEC 09, 2020 – John Lehr is a comedic actor, writer and producer who works in television, film & theater. In other words, John is a comedian and actor who also has control issues. You will probably know him best from his time as the Geico Caveman. When we first met John about a year […]
Truly Grateful, by Sean L.
I got sober at the tender age of 25. I freely gave a good part of my childhood and all of my adulthood at this point to alcoholism and addiction. At 25 and already having been to very dark places in my life, I thought this was just how I was destined to live and […]
What Are Recovery Schools?
Results of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveal startling statistics related to drug and alcohol use by teens and young adults. The statistics found that among youth between the ages of 12 and 20: 7.3 million use alcohol 4.5 million report recent binge […]
How Do You Get the Treatment You Need?
Whether you have a substance use disorder, a mental health condition, or an eating disorder, finding the most qualified treatment center to address your specific needs is key to a successful outcome. Knowing what questions to ask makes it more likely you will find the best treatment options for your situation. While most treatment facilities […]
Addiction in Sports
Athletes face tremendous pressure to perform and win, sometimes at any cost. Some athletes turn to performance-enhancing drugs like steroids or amphetamines to gain a competitive edge. Others rely on illegal or prescription drugs to manage pain from injuries. Some seek to relieve pressure-induced stress through the use of alcohol, marijuana, or other addictive substances. […]
E7: A Journey from the Gridiron to Recovery w/ retired NFL player, Randy Grimes
NOV 11, 2020 – This week’s guest is former NFL player, Randy Grimes. During a 10 year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Randy began using powerful prescription opioids to manage the pain of chronic injuries. When his time on the gridiron ended, his life spiraled out of control for the next 20+ years. When […]
A Grateful Alcoholic, by Chris N.
I was taught early in my recovery that grateful alcoholics/addicts do not drink or use. With Thanksgiving upon us, the focus this week will be on “gratitude,” which is as important for my spiritual condition 4.5 years into my recovery as it was day 1 when I walked through the doors of Turning Point. I […]
Eating Disorders in Sports
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental illnesses that affect people of all genders, ethnicities, ages, religions, sexual orientation, body shapes, and weight. Approximately 20 million women and 10 million men in the U.S. will suffer from an eating disorder during their lifetime. Studies find eating disorders are more prevalent in athletes than in the […]
Process Addictions: Shopping, Gambling, Internet and More
Process addiction, also called behavioral addiction, is characterized by an overwhelming impulse to engage in a certain behavior despite negative consequences. While involved in the behavior, the individual experiences an elevated mood often followed by a sense of shame or guilt once the behavior ends. Common process addictions include shopping, gambling, sexual activity, pornography, eating […]
Has the PDMP Helped Curb the Opioid Crisis in Florida?
The opioid crisis began in the 1990s and has since reached epidemic proportions. A 2018 U.S. government report found prescription or illegal opioid use contributed to most of the 67,367 drug overdose deaths in the United States in the surveyed period. Drug overdose death is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. One […]
Cultural Differences in Seeking Help for Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health
The culture of a specific group often dictates which beliefs and behaviors they view as acceptable and which they do not. When an individual within that culture behaves in a way that conflicts with the general beliefs of the group, they may face ostracism or scorn. Multiple studies agree cultural beliefs impact a person’s willingness […]
E6: A Life of Service, with Vietnam veteran Eugene Hairston
NOV 11, 2020 – Today is Veterans Day and we would like to recognize all veterans for their service to our country. We deeply appreciate your sacrifice for our freedoms. For this episode we are joined by Eugene Hairston, Vietnam veteran and author of the book, A Quiet Voice. Eugene struggled for years with the […]
Being a Veteran in Recovery
Veterans, especially those who experienced combat, have a higher rate of substance use disorder (SUD) than the general population. A 2013 report by the National Academy of Sciences found 44 percent of veterans returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced SUD, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other challenges. Homelessness, incarceration, and suicide are […]
REEL Recovery Celebrates Sobriety Through Film
Delivering a powerful message that “treatment works,” the annual REEL Recovery Film Festival & Symposium® is a multi-day event that takes place in various cities in North America. The festival was co-founded in 2008 by Leonard Buschel and Robert Downey Sr., seeking to “shine a light” on addiction, treatment, recovery, sobriety, and mental health issues […]
Moving in Recovery, by Julie M.
“The Earth has music for those who care to listen”-Shakespeare I had always wanted to move. It was deep in my soul to get out of the sour town I had most of my bad memories from. I truly just never thought it would be possible for me to chase any sort of dreams. My […]
Preparing for a Sober Holiday Season
Many of us feel our stress levels rise over the holidays, as we struggle with over-commitment, less sleep, unhealthy eating, financial strain, and exhaustion. For those in recovery, navigating the holidays can be especially challenging. Not only do holiday gatherings often center around alcohol, but they may also include people, traditions, locations, or situations that […]
Understanding Caffeine Addiction
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing metabolism, elevating mood, and sharpening focus. Surveys find that over 90 percent of U.S. adults consume caffeine daily, many of whom find it difficult to start their day without a caffeine boost. While many caffeine users state they are “addicted” to caffeine, experts disagree on whether excessive caffeine […]
Understanding Shopping Addiction
Those with a shopping addiction exhibit a pattern of compulsive shopping that consumes much of their time, negatively impacts their personal relationships, and often causes financial problems. They cannot stop the addictive behavior, even when they want to do so. Compulsive shopping may be used to block feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, or other negative […]
Don’t Leave Before the Miracle Happens, by Darienne M.
This is the best piece of advice I could ever give: Don’t leave before the miracle happens and never stop trying. If you would have told me 6 years ago that I would be in recovery now, I would never have believed you. I thought I was a hopeless case that they talk about in […]
How Does Sex and Love Addiction Impact Families?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine states that “people with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.” A person can have an addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, love, or another behavior that is compulsive and harmful. Any form of addictive behavior endangers the individual’s physical […]
E5: The Crossroads of COVID-19, Addiction, Mental Health & Recovery with Hardeep Singh, MD, FASAM
OCT 28, 2020 – Dr. Hardeep Singh joins us for an in depth discussion about the effects of COVID-19 in regards to addiction, recovery and mental health. There have been recent reports of a spike in alcohol sales, drug overdoses and an increase in suicidal ideation since this Coronavirus surfaced. With many people forced into […]
What is a Sex and Love Addiction?
Both sex addiction and love addiction are mental disorders characterized by an impaired ability to engage in healthy emotional intimacy. Men or women suffering from either disorder typically have obsessive thoughts and compulsions leading to unhealthy behaviors. A sex or love addiction may negatively impact a person’s health, personal relationships, job, and ability to function […]
E4: Addiction, Relationships & Tumbleweeds, Oh My! with Ken Donaldson, LMHC, CAP
OCT 14, 2020 – On Episode 4 we are joined by Ken Donaldson, LMHC, CAP, ICADC (also a PhD student) for a conversation about how addiction can affect relationships. Ken is also the author of Marry Yourself First, a book that was born out of his interest in helping couples to have meaningful, healthy relationships […]
