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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Dating in Early Recovery
We typically consider early recovery to be the first year of abstinence from addictive behavior. It is exciting as you work to rebuild your life with sobriety at its center. However, to achieve long-term success, your recovery must remain your highest priority. You are most vulnerable to relapse within the first year of abstinence. Because […]
Managing Expectations in Early Recovery
A person is considered to be in the early stages of recovery for the first three to twelve months of sobriety. This time period is a critical stage in the recovery journey, as the highest incidence of relapse happens within the first 90 days of abstinence. Unsuccessfully managing triggers is one of the biggest threats […]
Florida Legislative Roundup: September 2020
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis continue to work to increase treatment resources for residents with substance use or mental disorders, especially in light of the COVID-19 crisis. In August, ABC affiliate WCJB reported the Governor and Mrs. DeSantis held a round table forum in Seminole County to discuss how the current […]
Employment in Early Recovery
Completing an addiction recovery program is a great achievement. However, addiction is a chronic disease and recovery is a lifelong journey. To successfully maintain and thrive while living a sober lifestyle, you must carefully plan your next steps. While finding a job may feel like the most important next step after addiction treatment, it is […]
National Yoga Month 2020
From increased strength, flexibility, and balance to a reduction in stress and anxiety, the physical and mental health benefits of yoga are well documented. In 2008, hoping to inspire the public to embrace a healthier lifestyle through the practice of yoga, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated September as National Yoga Month. […]
Proudly Introducing “The Point is Recovery” Podcast
September is National Recovery Month, dedicated to raising awareness on how treatment can change the lives of those affected by addiction, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges and to honor those in recovery. At Turning Point of Tampa, we strive every day to make recovery a reality for our clients. In recognition of National […]
National Recovery Month 2020
National Recovery Month has been observed every September since 1989. Its purpose is to educate the public on how treatment services can change lives for those with substance use and mental disorders and to recognize and honor those in recovery. The theme for 2020 is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections,” focusing on the […]
The Rise in Overdose Cases Since COVID-19
COVID-19 is not only causing widespread illness and death, but it is also increasing economic distress, social isolation, and anxiety, all risk factors for those actively using drugs or alcohol, and for those in recovery. Although drug overdose deaths in the United States decreased by about 4 percent in 2018, those numbers began to rise […]
How Does Anger Management Work?
Anger management involves learning to recognize the signs you are becoming overly frustrated or angry and how to avoid expressing that anger inappropriately. Counseling or anger management classes can help you learn specific behavioral skills, as well as how to change your thought patterns to constructively cope with anger. Signs You Need Help Controlling Anger […]