Alternative Treatments for Depression
The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that approximately 17.3 million adults in the U.S. aged 18 and over had experienced one or more major depressive episodes in the previous year. It is thought that depression impacts the mental health of approximately 10 to 15 percent of the population of the […]
What is the Baker Act Meaning?
The Baker Act is a law in Florida that was created in 1972 to establish legal procedures for the involuntary examination and treatment of individuals with mental illness. This law was put in place to prevent the indiscriminate admission of individuals to mental health institutions and to ensure that people are only admitted to such […]
Managing Depression and Anxiety
Each year, up to 20 percent of the population in the U.S., or more than 115 million people, present to their doctor with symptoms of anxiety disorder, depression, or both. Approximately 45 percent of these (52 million people), also suffer from an additional mental illness or substance use disorder (SUD). While anxiety and depression often […]
What is an Intervention?
An intervention is a pre-planned meeting between concerned individuals, often family members or close friends, and a loved one or friend struggling with addiction. The goal of an intervention is to motivate the loved one to seek help in overcoming addictive behavior. This article will go over what is an intervention and additional aspects around […]
How to Do an Intervention
Addiction to drugs and alcohol affect family members as well as the person afflicted with alcohol or drug addiction. It is usually best to have an outside party do the actual intervention but on rare occasions a family member approaches their loved one’s addiction and the ties of a family first intervention becomes a successful […]
The Positive Effects of Sober Outdoor Activities
If you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, sober outdoor activities can help you stay on track. Connecting with the outdoors helps reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, all of which are known risk factors for relapse. Outdoor activities can increase your sense of well-being as you enjoy nature either on your own or […]
Why Pandemic Stress is Causing an Increase in Eating Disorders
Eating disorders, especially among young people, more than doubled between 2000 and 2018, according to a review of studies published in 2019. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, experts across the globe have reported a sharp increase in the number of people seeking help for eating disorders. In fact, the National Eating Disorders […]
Understanding Body Dysmorphia and Body Image Issues
Understanding Body Dysmorphia and Body Image Issues Body image refers to the way a person perceives his or her appearance and how they believe others see them. How a person thinks and feels about their body directly affects their self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) classifies body dysmorphic […]
How COVID Has Impacted the Mental Health of College Students
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives around the globe in a myriad of ways, ranging from the inconvenient to the devastating. Isolation, job losses, school closures, disrupted routines, family problems, and loss of in-person support systems have all contributed to an increase in mental health issues, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and both domestic and […]
Family Recovery from the Point of View of a Parent in Recovery
As a parent in recovery, you have taken the courageous step to stop using drugs or alcohol and to commit to long-term sobriety. You understand that addiction is a family disease and that your loved ones need support and guidance as they work to recover from the effects of addiction in the family. Why We […]
How Overdose Increases During COVID-19 Are Impacting Local Emergency Rooms
Although emergency room (ER) visits have declined by about 40 percent since the start of the pandemic, visits related to overdose, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health and addiction-related challenges have increased. Tragically, many ER staff do not have the training or the tools necessary to help those with addiction and other mental health problems. […]
Treatment vs. Incarceration
We know that addiction is a disease, so does it make sense to put people with a disease in jail and expect them to get better? Although prison sentences may be appropriate for those trafficking in the sale of illegal drugs, countless studies agree that jail time does not deter drug or alcohol use and […]
What are Personality Disorders?
The Mayo Clinic describes personality as “the combination of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that makes you unique. It’s the way you view, understand, and relate to the outside world, as well as how you see yourself.” Although your personality evolves throughout your life, your core personality forms during childhood, influenced by the environment you grew […]
What are Mood Disorders?
In addition to interacting with our environment, we humans are chemical reactors, as well. The various moods we experience throughout the day are caused by a variety of factors such as the neurotransmitters and hormones circulating in our bodies (chemicals), our nature (genetics) and our nurture (upbringing, our environment and belief systems). It not well […]
What is Driving the Increase in Adolescent Mental Health Issues?
Adolescent suicide, depression, and other mental health disorders were serious issues long before the onset of the global pandemic. Now, a year into the pandemic, experts are releasing statistics showing the drastic rise in mental health issues in all age groups, including adolescents. A pre-publication, peer-reviewed report in the journal Pediatrics found significantly higher increases […]
Celebrating the 34th Anniversary of Turning Point of Tampa
As we celebrate our 34th anniversary, all of us at Turning Point of Tampa proudly continue our mission to provide high-quality, 12-step based recovery programs that are affordable and effective for the treatment of addiction, eating disorders, and dual diagnosis. It is humbling to reflect on the thousands of people who have entrusted us to […]
Florida Legislative Roundup For January 2021
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) 2021 into law. The CAA combines the federal budget for the fiscal year 2021 with a COVID-19 relief package, which includes increased funding for substance abuse and mental health services. The increases are in addition to funding previously approved for the […]
Family Support Through Process Addiction
Process addictions are behavioral addictions rather than drug or alcohol addictions. Individuals who have an overwhelming impulse to engage in a specific behavior even when it results in negative consequences may have a process addiction. Examples of process addictions include compulsive behavior related to gambling, sex, shopping, gaming, pornography, exercise, work, and eating issues. As […]
Update on Overdose Increases During COVID-19
Current data shows that more than 1.9 million people worldwide have died from COVID-19, including almost 370,000 Americans. While these are shocking numbers, they do not include the many people who have died from COVID-related mental health challenges. Experts believe the virus continues to contribute to drug and alcohol overdose deaths, suicide, and the exacerbation […]
What are Employee Assistance Programs?
Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to provide free and confidential counseling services for employees experiencing personal problems. Employee problems may be related to work, relationships, health concerns, financial or legal issues, substance abuse, depression, or other issues. The employer pays for EAP services, often in conjunction with health insurance plan benefits. Even though […]
Unrealistic New Year’s Resolutions in Recovery
If you are in recovery, you have already taken the most important step of your life. Now that 2021 has arrived, you may be making inspirational resolutions concerning your life in the coming year. However, to maintain your sobriety and thrive in recovery, it is more useful to set specific, attainable goals than rely on […]
An Introduction to Behavioral Health Professionals
Behavioral health professionals specialize in treating the emotional, behavioral, and biological aspects of a person’s physical and mental well-being. These professionals include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and other counselors and clinicians. Behavioral health issues may include substance use or eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity […]
Understanding Body Image Issues
Body image refers to how we perceive our physical self, how we think others perceive our appearance, and any negative or positive thoughts that accompany that perception. Beliefs about our appearance may or may not be accurate but nonetheless affect our self-esteem and self-acceptance. A positive body image means you are comfortable with your body […]
Invest in Yourself by Taking Care of Your Mental Health
From time to time, most of us face unusually stressful situations in our lives, whether because of illness, grief, unemployment, financial or legal problems, or another factor. Experts link prolonged or unmanaged stress to a variety of physical and mental illnesses, which can damage health, relationships, and quality of life. Chronic stress can be deadly. […]
