Trauma Therapy for Addiction
Trauma results from events or situations an individual perceives as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. A traumatic event may include child or domestic abuse, child abandonment or neglect, combat, sexual or physical assault, natural disasters, serious accidents, or another source. When adverse symptoms linked to the traumatic event persist or worsen over time, […]
Art Therapy for Addiction
Art therapy encourages the use of expressive tools and activities to facilitate recovery from substance use and other mental disorders. This therapy allows clients to process negative emotions or traumatic events in a relaxed, less direct manner. Clients may choose to express their creativity through art forms like painting, sculpting, drawing, writing stories or poems, […]
What You Need to Know About Smoking Risks
Statistics regarding the risks of smoking are grim. Close to a half million people in the U.S. die each year from tobacco-related causes. Half of those who fail to kick the habit will die from tobacco use. More Americans die from cigarette smoking than alcohol, car accidents, HIV, guns, and illegal drugs combined. Whether it’s […]
Why Healing the Spirit is Important to Recovery
When we are spiritually healthy, we are also living in harmony with our value system. If our behavior is in line with our personal ethics and morals, we are more likely to experience inner peace. Anyone can be spiritually healthy, whether or not they believe in a particular religion or spiritual tradition. In order to […]
Why Healing the Body is Important to Recovery
Eating disorders or misuse of drugs or alcohol can dangerously impact physical health. Eating disorders can lead to severe digestive issues, including malnutrition and starvation. Drugs and alcohol bombard the body with toxins, damaging organs, and weakening the immune system. Both substance use disorder (SUD) and eating disorder (ED) cause nutritional deficiencies which can compromise […]
Why Healing the Mind is Important to Recovery
Successful recovery comes from the harmonious balance of mind, body, and spirit. Because every aspect of our physical being is interconnected, all aspects must be healthy in order to achieve a healthy whole. Multiple studies support the relationship between addiction and a struggling mind. Emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, the mental damage from social […]
Introduction to the Mind, Body, Spirit Approach to Wellness
Optimum health is most attainable when your mind, body, and spirit are in alignment. This balance is more readily achieved through a holistic approach, which is healing that addresses the whole person, in conjunction with traditional medicine. Traditional medicine often focuses on treating an illness, including substance use or mental disorders, solely from a physical […]
Understanding Social Media Addiction
If you constantly check your social media, even when driving, eating out with friends, or watching a movie, this behavior may be impairing or endangering your life. Although social media addiction is not currently a diagnosable disorder according to medical literature, many users describe themselves as “addicted” to social media. Social media addiction is defined […]
What is Gambling Addiction?
A gambling addiction, also called gambling disorder, is the compulsive need to gamble despite negative consequences. Characterized by a lack of impulse control, the disorder drives a person to continue the gambling behavior even when it damages relationships, finances, and work or school performance. Warning Signs of a Gambling Addiction The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual […]
What is Gaming Addiction?
Gaming addiction, also called gaming disorder, refers to the compulsive need to play video games even in the face of negative consequences. The addiction goes well beyond a hobby, causing serious problems with the gamer’s health, relationships, social life, and work or school. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) included gaming disorder in their […]
Substance Use Disorder and Eating Disorder as a Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis, also called a co-occurring disorder, means a person suffers from both a substance use disorder (SUD) and mental disorder simultaneously. Although one or the other may have developed first, both disorders are now present. Either disorder can mask or worsen the symptoms of the other disorder. Eating disorders (ED) are one form of […]
Grief and Resiliency During COVID-19
The coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, continues to cause loss around the world. Whether it is a loss of life, a job, financial or emotional security, freedom, physical closeness to loved ones, or the comfort of our daily routines, losses like these cause feelings of grief. We may think that because […]
Working in Substance Use Disorder Treatment During COVID-19
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) warns the current COVID-19 crisis presents special challenges for those with a substance use disorder (SUD). Increased anxiety coupled with social isolation increases risks for relapse. For treatment providers, maintaining both inpatient and outpatient treatment services, as well as support services, is critical for their clients and communities. […]
News from NAATP
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is a professional society whose members advocate for excellence in addiction treatment and better access to those services. Since 1978, the NAATP has sought to “provide values-based vision, leadership, services, and advocacy for a professional field that is evolving in terms of clinical method and business structure.” […]
Florida Legislative Roundup for April 2020
In January of this year, many Floridians watched their legislature closely to see if they would tackle two pressing issues in the state: mental health and domestic violence. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission has consistently urged state legislators to increase funding for the Florida mental health system. A 2019 article published […]
Dealing with Stress During Recovery
It’s impossible to live a completely stress-free life. Whether it’s due to anxiety over an upcoming event or related to moments of fear or worry, stress affects us mentally and physically. At some point in our lives, most of us have experienced stressful situations stemming from relationship conflicts, financial insecurity, health challenges, school or job […]
How is the Coronavirus Affecting People in Recovery?
These are uncertain times as people around the world seek to protect themselves and loved ones from the coronavirus, named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. The current health crisis can be especially challenging for those in recovery from an alcohol or substance use disorder. COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for those over 65 and those […]
Turning Point of Tampa’s Response to Covid-19
As concern grows over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak all over the United States and the world, we are acutely aware of the need for increased universal precautions. The health and safety of our clients and staff are of the highest priority for us. Our services are considered “essential” and we will continue to make our […]
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy is an experiential treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance physical or emotional healing. Different forms of equine therapy may be used depending on client needs. There are several different forms of equine-related therapy and treatment. These include: Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) Hippotherapy Therapeutic Riding Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) focuses […]
How Does Sober Living Work?
Returning to daily life after completing intensive addiction treatment can be a challenging prospect and may be difficult to accomplish successfully without support. It is well known that going back to an environment filled with the same addictive triggers is a recipe for failure. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), between 40 […]
Understanding Aftercare
What is Aftercare? Aftercare programs help people recovering from addiction issues transition from a structured inpatient or outpatient treatment program to a less structured environment. People in recovery who continue with individual, group, and family therapy and regularly participate in 12-step or other support groups have the greatest likelihood of successful long-term recovery. Completing a […]
