Understanding the Dangers of Isolation in Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” SAMHSA’s guiding principles for recovery emphasize the importance social interaction plays in the recovery process. It’s estimated that the relapse […]
The Risk of Heroin and Synthetic Forms
Heroin is an illegal opioid drug that is highly addictive and widely abused. The drug is made from morphine, which is extracted from specific varieties of the poppy plant. Because heroin is fast acting and delivers an intense sense of euphoria, users can become quickly addicted. Under the Controlled Substances Act, heroin is classified as […]
Homelessness and Substance Use Disorder
On a single night in 2018, approximately 552,830 people were identified as homeless in the United States, according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Report on Hunger and Homelessness. A large percentage of these individuals also struggled with drug or alcohol use. The U.S Conference of Mayors asked 25 mayors to name the main reason […]
Understanding the Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use During Pregnancy
There is no amount or type of alcohol, including beer and wine, that is safe to consume at any time during pregnancy. Drinking during pregnancy can damage the developing fetus, increase the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), and possibly cause a miscarriage or stillbirth. What are FASDs? FASDs refer to a group of […]
Understanding the Risks of Vaping
It’s well known that cigarette smoking causes breathing problems and lung cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic, smoking is also linked to “about one-fifth of all deaths from heart disease in the United States”, which translates to almost 130,000 people per year! In late 2006, vaping was introduced in the U.S., marketed as a healthy […]
How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?
Out of all of our body’s organs, the brain is the most complex and the most active. Without the elasticity and adaptability of our powerful brains, we would not be who we are today. Unfortunately, addiction poses a real threat to the proper functioning of the brain. Here are three ways our brains are affected […]
Getting to Know the Staff at Turning Point Of Tampa: Hans Lutz, Program Director
Hans is an interesting individual because of his time working in the field of addiction and experience working his own 12-Step program. You can catch Hans riding a sweet Harley-Davidson MC into work every day. He considers it an honor and a privilege to help others with their addiction struggles; and has, indeed, carved out […]
Psychological vs. Physical Addiction
In the first part of our series on addiction, we broke down what the definition of addiction really means. The two types of addiction, psychological and physical, carry very different symptoms and effects. Read on to learn about what makes psychological addiction and physical addiction different from one another. Psychological Addictions A psychological addiction stems […]
The Definition of Addiction
The topic of addiction is one that is often misunderstood not only by the general public, but by the addicted person, their family, and even some medical and psychological professionals. Read on to learn what defines an addiction, and ways to find help. Short Definition of Addiction Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain […]
