Florida Addiction & Mental Health Treatment Blog

Traumatic events can change the way an individual views the world and themselves. If someone isn’t sure how to process their trauma, they may use unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drugs or alcohol to self-medicate...

Venting to a friend or family member after a rough day at work is normal and can often make people feel better. Talking through negative situations is a healthy way to process emotions, but when...

Recovering from an addiction to alcohol, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism, is a lifelong journey that takes dedication from the individual and support from those around them. Overcoming any addiction is more...

Abandonment trauma can occur when an individual has been neglected emotionally or physically, resulting in a persistent fear of being abandoned by people they’re close to. Significant abandonment issues can cause severe emotional pain and...

Extreme stress can impact all areas of life. When stressful events undermine someone’s feelings of basic safety and security, a person can experience emotional trauma. The result is a feeling of helplessness, constant danger, unworthiness,...

Childhood trauma stems from a traumatic event that takes place during childhood. However, the adverse effects of that event don’t disappear when the childs grow up — typically, they can linger well into adulthood. Identifying childhood...

Trauma refers to a person’s emotional, mental, or behavioral state after experiencing an event that caused physical or psychological harm. To simplify, trauma is what’s left behind after someone experiences something distressing. Trauma doesn’t just...

Trauma experienced during childhood or even as an adult can linger and may not end with the individual who experienced the trauma. Research has shown that these adverse experiences may pass from generation to generation,...

How Long Is Drug Rehab? A common concern of those going into drug rehab is how long it is. There’s no simple answer because recovery is personal, as unique as the individual experiencing it. Multiple...

Xanax is a medication that falls under a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. “Benzos” are generally prescribed as anti-anxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants to help people recover from certain types of muscle-related injuries.

Heroin is an extremely addictive drug derived from morphine that can be injected, smoked, or snorted. Like opiate addiction, heroin addiction is highly serious and can have negative impacts on a person’s life — and

Alcoholism afflicts more than 14.5 million Americans, meaning they’ve developed a chemical dependency on alcohol. The first step in beating an alcohol addiction is detoxing from the substance, which means allowing all traces of

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) estimates that roughly 7.7 million Americans suffer from PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, which is the most familiar form of trauma. Similarly, depression is one of the

Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that can seriously impact an individual’s ability to function in everyday life. To help themselves cope, people with an anxiety disorder often use drugs and alcohol — a...

Addressing Mental Health During Addiction Recovery Mental issues and substance abuse problems often go hand in hand. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, roughly 7.7 million American adults suffer from co-occurring…

Choosing the Right Program Because substance abuse treatment success varies depending on a number of underlying causes, including the type of substance used and the presence of co-occurring disorders, you’ll want to find a treatment…

Treatment & Dual Diagnosis Dual diagnosis refers to when a person struggling with substance abuse and addiction also suffers from a co-occurring mental disorder, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and clinical

The relationship between depression and addiction can be a vicious cycle. This is because people with depression are more likely to abuse substances to self-medicate, while in turn substance abuse increases a person’s risk of

Trauma often leads to substance abuse and increases the likelihood of individuals using addictive substances. This is because trauma can often lead individuals to develop mental illnesses and disorders and then use substances to alleviate…

Bipolar disorder sufferers are more likely to self-medicate and choose substance abuse, and when this occurs a dual diagnosis is likely. To recover from their addiction, the person will typically need effective treatment for both

Is Addiction a Mental Illness? Is addiction a mental health issue? The answer is “yes.” Addiction can even make a person more likely to develop other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

The Power of Positive Affirmations in Addiction Recovery Recovering from addiction can be difficult, and many people going through it may suffer from self-doubt and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Although

How to Admit You Are Struggling With Alcoholism Admitting that you’re struggling with alcoholism can be a distressing experience. As an alcoholic, you may be dealing with feelings of shame and embarrassment and even

How Can I Help an Alcoholic Loved One in Denial? If a loved one is an alcoholic in denial about the fact of their disorder, it can present unique challenges to getting them help.

Are Anxiety Meds Addictive? Anxiety meds are used for the treatment and alleviation of anxiety. Many anxiety medications present no danger of addiction, but some medications can become habit-forming and addictive, with long-term use creating…

How Codependency and Addiction Work Together When an individual experiences addiction, it often has a negative impact on their interpersonal relationships. As a result, a state of codependency can develop, with the addicted individual and…

Why am I so Impulsive? What Causes Impulsive Behavior? Occasional impulsive behavior is normal, but if it becomes regular or excessive it can signal deeper and untreated mental health issues. Impulsive behavior can take a

Alcohol & Anxiety: How Are They Related? Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Anxiety Disorders are commonly co-occurring disorders that can lead to serious health risks and concerns. When a person is struggling with the various…

One of the biggest challenges that people recovering from substance abuse face during recovery is the high risk of relapse and falling back into the same dangerous cycle they’re trying to get away from. Recovery…

Depression is a serious mental disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 10 Americans. Unfortunately, clinical and severe depression often goes untreated, with less than 50 percent of depression sufferers world-wide receiving the care they…

Dual Diagnosis: The Link Between Narcissism and Addiction A narcissist is a person who struggles with an inflated or heightened sense of self. Someone who is considered to have narcissistic tendencies will often possess an

Roxycodone, also referred to by its street name “Roxy”, is a semi-synthetic opioid medication prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. It has been classified as a Schedule II narcotic due to its

Addiction or abuse of drugs or alcohol can cause the brain to become reliant on the effects of that substance in the body. When that substance is no longer present, a person may experience significant…

How long is ‘long enough’? We understand that this question perhaps raises concerns and worries for some who are considering treatment. In our experience working with substance use disorder and mental health disorders, a long-term

Trauma or adverse life (or childhood) experiences can look like overt and/or covert methods – sometimes without the individual fully comprehending what has happened to them – but that they know something is ‘not quite...

The Dangers of Codependency and Addiction Mental Health America (MHA) defines codependency as “an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship.” Codependency has also been…

Fun Sober Activities for You and Friends Making the decision to go sober can often feel like you’re stepping into a whole new world. When drugs or alcohol have been a part of your daily…

Family Roles & Addiction Addiction is a family disease. We know that is a challenging statement for some to read. Allow us to explain how each person within the family system plays a role

What is Trauma? According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is defined as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are

The Importance of Boundaries in a System Riddled with the Disease of Addiction We often hear, “nothing changes if nothing changes.” Sometimes easier said than done in a system that is being held hostage by

DBT Treatment for Addiction and Mental Health Disorders DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, has been an interesting treatment choice for individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Marsha Linehan developed DBT primarily

Primary Mental Health Treatment Services Beachway Therapy Center is proud to announce that we have been officially licensed, by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), to provide mental health treatment services in the state

Understanding and Overcoming the Barriers to Intimacy in Recovery There are several barriers one may find discover as they try to form healthy connections to others as they move through recovery.

A Growing Threat: Substance Abuse Among Older Adults In the United States, Substance abuse among older adults has been identified as one of the fastest-growing health problems. As the baby boomers – those born

Methamphetamine Abuse in the USA The war on drugs has always been prevalent but the target of this war changes through the decades. In the 1980s crack cocaine surged on the market. Then in the...

How Art Therapy Can Heal Trauma and Contribute to Holistic Well-Being Artistic expression is a key part of humanity. Humans have been expressing themselves in creative ways since the beginning of time throughout every

Dual diagnosis affects millions of people in the U.S. every year. One study found that one in every four individuals with a serious mental illness also suffers from dual diagnosis. What is a dual

There is no definitive rulebook on how best to help someone with an addiction. No matter how obvious the addiction is, committing to get help for an addicted friend or relative you care about is

Understanding how to help someone with PTSD is challenging. Life is unpredictable and full of experiences that shape and define us. Whether positive or negative, most of what we go through in life will build

How to Choose a Rehab Center When the decision is made to send someone struggling with substance abuse to a rehab center, another decision quickly follows. Which rehab center should you choose? There are several

The line between substance abuse and addiction runs a bit thin, but it is there – even though many people use these terms as if they are interchangeable. Although individuals may not be “addicted”

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around 15.1 million adult Americans struggle with alcohol use disorder, but only around 6.7 percent of them seek treatment. Myths about alcohol rehab often

Movies and television might have you believe that it’s easy to commit someone you love involuntarily to an inpatient drug addiction treatment program, but that’s not quite true. Court-ordered rehab is an option, but it

When dealing with addiction, a person should be open to different holistic treatment methods to find what works best to help them individually. One treatment option that may be beneficial to a patient is Neurofeedback...

Neurofeedback Therapy + Addiction When dealing with addiction, a person should be open to different holistic treatment methods to find what works best to help them individually. One treatment option that may

There are various levels of drug and alcohol rehab. When you’re struggling with addiction and deciding about going to rehab, figuring out what care you will get in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term rehab can be

Researching Options It’s probably time. After searching “residential drug rehab center” and coming up with many results, where to start? How to know if the addiction treatment program will work? What makes one residential

If you’re wondering how to commit someone to alcohol rehab, you are not alone. Watching someone struggle with alcohol addiction can be heartbreaking, but many families and friends feel powerless against how alcohol controls their...

It’s more complicated than, “Just say no.” Addiction is not a disease that people choose—but it can happen to anyone, men or women. Addiction to substances like drugs, alcohol, opioids, heroin, and medications rewires

Family therapy is an integral part of many rehab and recovery programs for a reason: The entire family — and close friends — is often impacted by a substance abuse disorder or addiction. That

If drinking is becoming a problem—alcohol use is interfering with work or relationships, you regularly drink more than you plan to, or you drink more than you used to—then treatment for alcohol use disorder is...

How long should drug rehab last so the results are sustainable? If someone begins a long-term program, how might that impact employment, family obligations—like caring for children—and home life after the rehab program is completed?

Do you need to figure out how to quit drinking alcohol or have a loved one with a drinking problem you desperately want to help?

By Elizabeth Ossip, LCSW, CAP, ICADC Co-occurring alcoholism and depression are one of the most common “dual diagnosis.” According to a report by NIAAA, “Alcohol-dependent respondents were 3.9 times more likely to have had

By Elizabeth Ossip, LCSW, CAP, ICADC Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that occurs seasonally, most often during the winter months, and is linked to shortened exposure to daylight, maladaptive circadian

By Elizabeth Ossip, LCSW, CAP, ICADC If you are thinking about going into treatment for alcohol dependence or drug addiction and having a job, you are probably worried about losing it. There may be

During recovery from addiction, many people do not know how to fill the holes in their time that was formerly filled by hours of indulging in their favorite habit. They often feel bored and

Even though it’s widely available and socially acceptable to drink, alcohol is still responsible for thousands of deaths and countless injuries every year. Moreover, although it’s addictive and dangerous, people continue to normalize alcohol consumption

He has begun his rehab treatment, and you haven’t heard from him in weeks. You’re happy that she’s getting help for her addiction, but part of you is worried that she won’t be the

Through the years, so much of what is perceived to be manliness is derived from popular culture. Rugged, stoic, assertive, confident, sometimes even aggressive, and of course hard drinking: these are the attributes of a

When it comes to disease and behavioral patterns in people, the debate between nature vs. nurture has been going on for decades. How much does genetics dictate how likely we are to get a disease

According to nationwide survey findings by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency in 2018, marijuana is the most frequently used drug in the US. The findings report found that 43.5 million admitted to

You may be ready to begin treating your drug addiction; this decision comes in different ways to different people and is often accompanied by a kind of relief: A hope that you will finally be

Pop culture is brimming with references to rehab in films, books, and comedic monologs, and they have influenced our ideas about what rehabilitation really is. And the one thing that all of the versions

Methadone is an opiate, a synthetic narcotic that is most commonly prescribed as a painkiller. In some clinics, it’s prescribed as a medication to relieve pain associated with heroin withdrawal. Due to methadone’s highly addictive

The search for the right drug and alcohol rehab center can be a lot to digest, and there’s no doubt there have been thoughts about the expense associated with the service. Unfortunately, the frustrating

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance abuse in the United States comes with a total cost of around $600 billion every year.

Addiction takes a toll on every aspect of your life, including your health, mental and physical wellbeing, relationships, employment, and even your finances. The economics of addiction aren’t overly complex, and the result of

The roots of alcohol or drug addiction run deep in the psyche and often the causes for the addiction can be attributed to undiagnosed mental health issues that our family and friends are experiencing. At

Alcohol abuse and addiction take a toll on physical health and wellbeing. Most notably, alcohol can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. When individuals are in the active

Addiction problems are often shrouded in secrecy. It’s a common misconception that it’s “easy” to spot those struggling with substance abuse. Most addicts become adept at hiding the side effects of drug or alcohol use

You’ve decided to make the big step from home to inpatient rehab to get help for substance abuse. You may feel nervous or afraid of being away from home and perhaps worried about what

The death of a loved one or other type of personal loss is complicated to deal with at the best of times, but grief can be almost unbearable for people who are also struggling to

Determining whether you have to avoid your old friends after drug rehab can be tough, and unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. In the end, it comes down to you, your ability to manage triggers

An intervention is a way for family and friends to encourage a loved one to seek addiction help: it’s a way of breaking through the walls of denial, showing that you care. An intervention aims

Your sister, brother or another family member has not been themselves lately. You worry that drugs are affecting their behavior, moods, and habits. Many people are afraid of bringing up the subject of drugs

Music festivals and drug use often go hand-in-hand. With the celebratory atmosphere and laid-back vibe of music festivals, many people engage in recreational drug use to enhance the experience. Unfortunately, many overdoses also occur

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that “Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes

Some people may have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with personal problems. As the addiction develops, new problems often crop up, including feelings of shame and embarrassment about rehab and the addiction.

Recovery from alcohol abuse is a personal and highly individualized experience, which means there is no definitive timeline for healing and recovery. Factors that affect an alcohol recovery timeline include the length of time a

Recovery from alcohol abuse is a personal and highly individualized experience, which means there is no definitive timeline for healing and recovery. Factors that affect an alcohol recovery timeline include the length of time a

An effective detox treatment that many people are not aware of is massage therapy for addiction recovery. When the body is withdrawing from drugs or alcohol during detox, most patients experience physical symptoms ranging

If you or a loved one has a drinking problem, you are not alone. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCAD) states that one in every 12 adults in the United States

In substance abuse treatment, as in all therapeutic environments, cultural competency is critical in delivering services for all communities. If a facility or therapist is not competent regarding a specific culture or ethnic group, it

Choosing the right drug rehab center can be critical to the success of a treatment episode. There are countless rehab centers all across the United States, there are many treatment centers in South Florida alone,

Many people would argue that taking drugs at all constitutes a problem, but for those who are truly addicted, there always comes a time when casual use crosses the line into full-blown substance use disorder.

What to Expect During Rehab and Detox Your doctor may recommend detoxification as a necessary first step towards overcoming an alcohol or drug addiction. The main goal of detox is a physical one: to rid

Group counseling is a type of counseling where a small group of clients meet on a regular basis, sometimes weekly, or occasionally a few times a week, to talk and discuss problems with each

Whether it sees it in yourself or a loved one, noticing the signs of alcohol addiction can be tricky. The line between drinking socially and having a drinking problem can be blurred sometimes, but several

If you have been considering drug or alcohol rehab and have spent time researching which one would be the best choice for yourself or a loved one, you likely have been overwhelmed with choices. But

Recognizing there is a drug addiction problem that requires professional help is never an easy admission for anyone. It is, however, the first and very crucial step towards recovery. Choosing the right drug treatment facility

Does health insurance cover rehab costs? That depends, but if you have an active insurance policy, your treatment is most likely covered. Find if you’re insured for rehab costs by clicking here for a no-cost,

Once you have completed your alcohol or substance abuse treatment it is very important to ensure that you continue on that positive path of healing. One of the first key tips to prevent a

Facts About Eating Disorders, Statistics & Treatments Learn About Eating Disorders Eating disorders are more prevalent across our society than most people initially think. Many different factors contribute to this, including our media and culture’s

Sex addiction is a type of behavior commonly referred to as a “process addiction,” similar to gambling or eating disorders. Sex addiction is one of the least understood addictions in our society. Many people believe

Here are some great recovery quotes! -A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow

For many expectant mothers, pregnancy is a beautiful thing. It’s carrying your future child for nine months, nurturing him or her, sharing food, and feeling the baby grow with each passing day. Pregnancy and

For most people, the cost of rehab alone is a barrier to getting help. The high cost is driven by many factors such as; insurance, staffing, regulations, taxes, insurance, property costs, and other operational

Once you have made the decision to stop using drugs and/or alcohol you will invariably be faced with some challenges, which are common to all in early recovery. Once you have decided to put

The more we know about mental illness and diseases like alcoholism, the more we understand how they work. At the same time, the more we understand, the more questions we have, which leads to

Beachway Therapy Center offers specialty groups on grief, loss, and trauma to further enhance the healing process in recovery. We offer these groups a safe, intimate, and confidential place for our patients to work through