Learning to Live Sober with Transformations

If you are in the early stages of recovery or contemplating it, you may be curious about how to lead a satisfying life post-addiction. It's understandable given your long reliance on substances. For some, addiction becomes so ingrained that they struggle to imagine functioning without it. Despite your history with addiction, know that a fulfilling life without substance abuse is achievable. Though it may not be clear to you at the moment, embarking on recovery is a positive step towards a rewarding life. Allow us to demonstrate the possibilities of life after addiction.

How Addiction Starts

Living a sober life is a challenging yet valuable choice. Overcoming addiction isn't as simple as it may seem. Once addiction takes hold, the desire for the substance becomes constant. Addiction is a serious mental health issue that distorts the brain's reward system. Dopamine, the happiness-inducing chemical, is released when addictive substances are abused, creating intense euphoria. This cycle reinforces addictive behavior, making recovery a daunting task due to the altered reward system in the brain.

Recovery Process

Recognizing the dependence formed by addictive behaviors allows individuals to choose between maintaining the status quo or seeking change. Opting to cease addictive behaviors is consistently the wisest course of action. Upon committing to change, individuals can initiate the recovery journey. What many fail to comprehend is the formidable nature of this process, largely due to the challenges of withdrawal and temptation. Withdrawal signifies the body's reaction to the absence of the numbing substance, leading to distressing symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sweating, and irritability. These discomforts can trigger a relapse as the body craves the euphoria induced by substance abuse. Nevertheless, numerous individuals conquer these obstacles through recovery programs, detoxification, counseling, and group therapy. While the initial 30 days may be arduous, subsequent phases typically improve. However, the battle against temptation continues post-recovery and may persist indefinitely. One might question the endeavor, pondering if the struggle is truly worthwhile. Undeniably challenging, the journey is not without merit. Rest assured, life can drastically enhance once addiction is overcome.

Free From Dependency: One of the biggest pros of living a sober life is the fact that you are free from dependency. If you’ve lived a life in addiction, you’ve lived a life that is centered around substances. Addicts become dependent on a particular substance in order to function normally or comfortably in life. Once a person is able to kick substance abuse, they can start to learn to be more independent. Becoming independent is a key aspect of growing up and becoming an adult. Once you learn how to be independent from something, you can start to get in touch with your true self.
Get Back In Touch With Yourself: If you have faced addiction previously or are currently battling with it, chances are you have been told, "You've changed." This can be a difficult statement to hear from a close friend or loved one, but it is likely true. Addiction can transform individuals into someone they never expected to be. Substance abuse and dependencies can lead a person to become more self-absorbed, illogical, and unkind. Regardless of your pre-addiction self, your chemically reliant self does not reflect the authentic you. Upon breaking free from substance abuse, you can reconnect with your former self before these destructive behaviors took hold. Sobriety enables individuals to recognize the path to becoming a better, happier, and more balanced individual.
Repair Broken Relationships: If addiction is a challenge for you, it is probable that your actions have caused distress to those in your life. Addiction frequently results in strained relationships with loved ones, including friends, family, and partners. It is typical for those close to you to experience pain when someone they care for is struggling with addiction. Individuals battling addiction may employ manipulation, deceit, or even harm against their loved ones as a result of their dependence on substances. It is crucial to understand that these behaviors are influenced by the addiction and not representative of the person's true character. Conquering addiction enables clearer thinking and reflection on past actions. This newfound clarity can facilitate the acknowledgment of past mistakes and the initiation of efforts to repair damaged relationships.
Financial Stability: If addiction is a challenge for you, it is probable that your actions have caused distress to those in your life. Addiction frequently results in strained relationships with loved ones, including friends, family, and partners. It is typical for those close to you to experience pain when someone they care for is struggling with addiction. Individuals battling addiction may employ manipulation, deceit, or even harm against their loved ones as a result of their dependence on substances. It is crucial to understand that these behaviors are influenced by the addiction and not representative of the person's true character. Conquering addiction enables clearer thinking and reflection on past actions. This newfound clarity can facilitate the acknowledgment of past mistakes and the initiation of efforts to repair damaged relationships.

There are far more reasons to start living sober than the ones we’ve listed, but as you can see, sobriety can bring some incredible changes in life. As we’ve said before, going through recovery isn’t easy, but you can see just how fulfilling life can be once you decide to kick an addiction.

Do You Need Drug or Alcohol Rehab in Florida?

Addiction can have a stronghold on your life. The right rehab program can be your saving grace. At Transformations by the Gulf, we aim to make treatment as easy, comfortable and effective as possible. Through a holistic approach, we help you regain your life.

Our facilities are situated near St. Pete Beach, which means your recovery takes place in a serene location that fosters a natural sense of well-being. To learn more about cannabis treatment for yourself or a loved one, reach out today.

Seeking Treatment with Transformations by the Gulf?

If you or a loved one needs treatment and rehabilitation for substance use, Transformations by the Gulf can help.
Transformations by the Gulf offers individualistic and holistic recovery services. We designed our inpatient and outpatient programs to treat individuals based on biological, psychological, familial and social needs.

Our residential homes and treatment facilities are near the beach and offer a comfortable setting for rehabilitation. If you or a loved one needs help, contact Transformations By The Gulf to learn more about our recovery services.

If you are ready to start planning your treatment process, give us a call. (727)498-6498

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What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

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Why Transformations by the Gulf?

by Tammy Cate

Substance Use Reaching Historic Highs

Marijuana and hallucinogen consumption, as well as binge drinking, have reached record levels among adults aged 35 to 50.

In 2022, adults aged 35 to 50 saw record highs in their past-year marijuana and hallucinogen use, continuing the upward trend observed in recent years. Meanwhile, individuals aged 19 to 30 experienced significant increases in marijuana and hallucinogen use, as well as marijuana and nicotine vaping, reaching historic levels for this age group. The annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study, which surveys substance use behaviors and attitudes of adults between 19 and 60, revealed these findings. The study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research in Ann Arbor.

Binge drinking among younger adults has decreased over the last decade. However, adults aged 35 to 50 in 2022 showed the highest levels of binge drinking ever recorded for this age group, indicating a notable increase over the past year, five years, and ten years.

“Substance use is not limited to teens and young adults, and these data help us understand how people use drugs across the lifespan,” said NIDA director, Nora Volkow, M.D. “Understanding these trends is a first step, and it is crucial that research continues to illuminate how substance use, and related health impacts may change over time. We want to ensure that people from the earliest to the latest stages in adulthood are equipped with up-to-date knowledge to help inform decisions related to substance use.”

The MTF study has been surveying substance use behaviors and attitudes among a nationally representative group of eighth, 10th, and 12th graders every year since 1975. Additionally, a subset of participants is part of a longitudinal panel study that includes follow-up surveys after 12th grade to monitor their drug use into adulthood. These participants are tracked every two years until they reach the age of 30, and then every five years thereafter, with some of the oldest participants now in their 60s.

The 2022 survey of adults gathered data through online and paper surveys between April and October 2022. The researchers categorized the data into two age brackets for trend analysis: 19-30 years old and 35-50 years old. Important discoveries comprise:

Marijuana Use: Among adults aged 19 to 30, the rates of past-year marijuana usage and daily marijuana consumption hit record highs in the recent study. Approximately 44% of participants surveyed in 2022 reported past-year usage, marking an increase from 35% in 2017 and 28% in 2012. Daily marijuana consumption also peaked in 2022 at 11%, surpassing the rates from 2017 (8%) and 2012 (6%).

Reports of past-year marijuana use among adults aged 35 to 50 also reached an all-time high in 2022 (28%). This had increased from the previous year (25% in 2021) and five years ago (17% in 2017), and more than doubled compared to 10 years ago (13% in 2012).

Hallucinogen Use: In the 19 to 30 age group, 8% of adults reported using hallucinogens in the past year, which is notably higher than the rates from five years ago (5% in 2017) and ten years ago (3% in 2012). Common hallucinogens mentioned by participants were LSD, MDMA, mescaline, peyote, shrooms or psilocybin, and PCP. The majority of recent hallucinogen use in 2022 among adults in this age category involved substances other than LSD (7% in 2022).

Past-year hallucinogen use reached historically high prevalence among adults 35 to 50 years old, reported by 4% in 2022. The prevalence reported in 2022 was also a substantial increase compared to the year before (2% in 2021) and five and 10 years ago (no greater than 1% in both 2017 and 2012).

Alcohol Use: In the last ten years, alcohol consumption among adults aged 19 to 30 has decreased, including past-month use, daily drinking, and binge drinking. However, there was a slight increase in past-year drinking for this age group in 2022 (84%) compared to 2017 (82%).

Alcohol use among adults aged 35 to 50 has shown a gradual increase over the past 10 years, with past-year drinking increasing from 83% in 2012 to 85% in 2022. Binge drinking in this older group reached its highest levels (29% in 2022), and increased over the past year, five years, and 10 years (26% in 2021; 25% in 2017; 23% in 2012).

The research indicated a 10-year decrease in the past-year consumption of cigarettes, sedatives, and non-medical use of opioid medications for both adult age brackets. Past-year usage of amphetamines demonstrated a 10-year decline among 19- to 30-year-olds and a 10-year rise among 35- to 50-year-olds. The report also covers drug use patterns among college and non-college young adults, demographic subgroups, and other relevant data.

“The value of surveys such as MTF is to show us how drug use trends evolve over decades and across development – from adolescence through adulthood,” said Megan Patrick, Ph.D., a research professor at the University of Michigan and principal investigator of the MTF panel study. “Behaviors and public perception of drug use can shift rapidly, based on drug availability and other factors. It’s important to track this so that public health professionals and communities can be prepared to respond.”

Results from the related 2022 MTF study of substance use behaviors and related attitudes among teens in the United States was released in December 2022, and 2023 results are upcoming in December 2023.

Do You Need Drug or Alcohol Rehab in Florida?

Seeking Treatment with Transformations by the Gulf?

If you are ready to start planning your treatment process, give us a call. (727)498-6498

Admissions

See Our Facility!

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

by Tammy Cate

First Time Seeking Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

Enrolling in a residential or inpatient addiction treatment program may cause some anxiety when unsure of what to anticipate. These programs offer around-the-clock care and assistance. They entail residing at the facility, necessitating a break from daily commitments to concentrate on addressing substance use disorder. The length of treatment and stay duration are determined by factors such as the seriousness of the disorder, medical requirements, and insurance provisions.

Preparing for Alcohol Rehab

There are things you should pack and have during your stay at an inpatient or residential treatment program and items you should leave at home. You want to make sure to bring your wallet with a picture ID, insurance card, and some money for spending. What sets us apart from other rehabs is that we allow cell phone use, electronic devices, vapes, and cigarettes.

We do provide breakfast, lunch. dinner and snacks but we are an executive style rehab, which means you have full access to a kitchen in your client room. This is a luxury that over 90% of rehabs in the United States cannot provide or do not. We will take you to the grocery store while you are here so you can purchase food items you would like to be able to make in your room. We also do not restrict food portions in our dining room.

When you are ready to start packing its recommended you bring comfortable close. Bring 4-7 days' worth of close. They cannot have offensive names, drug content, or alcohol content on them. We have laundry machines on site so you will be able to wash your clothes as often as you need. You can also bring laptops, mp3 players, cell phones, as well.

Self-Care items that you should bring or considering bringing:

Toothbrush and toothpaste.
Supplements will be checked by the nurse or clinical director upon admission.
Mouthwash (alcohol free).
Deodorant.
Soap/body wash.
Shampoo and conditioner.
Brush/comb.
Hair dryer/curling iron.
NO bottled or aerosol hairspray.

When you arrive at rehab, your recovery journey commences. As part of intake, you will undergo an interview or fill out a questionnaire to help the facility understand your situation and design a personalized treatment plan based on your alcohol or drug use and any concurrent health issues. If necessary, you may proceed to detox, where a treatment team will oversee you, provide necessary interventions for your safety, and assist in managing withdrawal symptoms. Following detox, you will engage in behavioral therapy, one-on-one counseling, educational sessions, and additional activities.

Arriving at the Facility

Upon your arrival at the rehabilitation center, you will have a one-hour meeting with a member of the admissions team. This individual may have a medical background, such as a nurse or therapist, or they could be the intake director or another team member. The purpose of this initial meeting is to familiarize the staff with your situation in order to develop a personalized care plan for your rehabilitation stay. You will also complete necessary paperwork, confirm your insurance coverage, and provide detailed information about your medical history and that of your family. Additionally, a staff member will assist you in checking your belongings to ensure compliance with the facility's guidelines. Following the admissions meeting, you will undergo a medical and psychiatric assessment to further tailor your treatment plan. During this evaluation, a nursing staff member will assess your vital signs, perform an initial drug screening, and gather more details about your history and past treatment experiences.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Behavioral Therapy

Beyond detox, treatment involves individual and group therapies. Individual therapy focuses on setting recovery goals and addressing co-occurring disorders. In group therapy, individuals are encouraged to share their feelings and experiences with peers facing similar situations. Common rehab treatment methods include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help patients recognize how their thoughts and beliefs contribute to addiction, and motivational interviewing (MI) to support motivation for change and address resistance. Facilities may also offer dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to help manage emotions and improve relationships through mindfulness, distress acceptance, emotional regulation, and communication. Family therapy may also be used in some rehab facilities to mend relationships impacted by addiction.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

An aftercare program, also known as continuing care, assists in transitioning from completing a treatment program to returning to your home environment, responsibilities, and support system. It also aids in maintaining the skills acquired during rehabilitation and applying them to daily life. Aftercare varies for each individual and may involve residing in a sober living environment, participating in group therapy, support groups, or a 12-Step program, and continuing individual or family therapy. The ideal combination of aftercare measures offers numerous advantages for individuals in early recovery, such as sustaining treatment progress, preventing relapse, fostering self-confidence in recovery, connecting individuals with community resources, and repairing or strengthening relationships with others.

Do You Need Drug or Alcohol Rehab in Florida?

Seeking Treatment with Transformations by the Gulf?

If you are ready to start planning your treatment process, give us a call. (727)498-6498

Admissions

See Our Facility!

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

by Tammy Cate

Cannabis Use Disorder in Florida

According to the CDC some people who use cannabis will develop a cannabis use disorder or marijuana use disorder, meaning that they are not able to stop using despite it causing health and social problems in their lives. One study has estimated that approximately 3 out of 10 people who use cannabis have developed a cannabis use disorder. The risk of developing a cannabis use disorder is greater in people who start using cannabis during youth or adolescence and who use cannabis more frequently. Cannabis Use Disorder in Florida is a growing concern.

Signs of Cannabis Use Disorder:

Using more cannabis than intended.
Trying to quit but not being able too.
Spending a lot of time using cannabis
Craving cannabis
Using cannabis even though it causes problems at home, school, or work.
Continuing to use cannabis despite social or relationship problems.
Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using cannabis.
Using cannabis in high-risk situations, like driving a car.
Continuing to use cannabis despite physical or psychological problems.
Needing to use more cannabis to get the same high.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping cannabis use.

People with a cannabis use disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with memory, attention, and learning.

Some people who have cannabis use disorder may need to use more and more cannabis or greater concentrations of cannabis over time to experience a "high." The greater the amount of THC or "tetrahydrocannabinol" in cannabis, the stronger the effects the cannabis may have on the brain. Over the past few years, the amount of THC in cannabis products has increased heavily.

Do You Need Cannabis Rehab in Florida?

Cannabis addiction can have a stronghold on your life. The right Cannabis rehab program can be your saving grace. At Transformations by the Gulf, we aim to make treatment as easy, comfortable and effective as possible. Through a holistic approach, we help you regain your life.

Seeking Treatment with Transformations by the Gulf?

If you are ready to start planning your treatment process, give us a call. (727)498-6498

Admissions

See Our Facility!

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

by Tammy Cate

How Do You Know if You’re Addicted to THC?

How Do You Know if You’re Addicted to THC? Smoking or consuming THC has evolved into a socially accepted activity across the US despite it still being Federally Illegal. THC itself has proven medical benefits in particular formulations however it is becoming more commonly abused and people are seeking for medicinal purposes. It was reported in a study performed by Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston that 17.1% of people who received medical marijuana developed Cannabis use disorders.

Like other addictions There are different types of addiction. Unfortunately, many people do believe that because a substance does not have physical addictive properties that with increased usage can lead to painful or life threating withdrawals that a substance is not addictive.

Addiction can be either physical or behavioral, and often they go hand in hand. Though alcohol and tobacco are commonly recognized types of addiction, there are actually hundreds of types of medically and scientifically recognized addictions.

Cravings, compulsions, inability to stop, and lifestyle dysfunction all point to the existence of some type of addiction. A person can be addicted to behaviors just as seriously as one can be addicted to substances such as THC.

The addictive behaviors that result from both types of addiction can have serious negative consequences though, from all that comes with a substance use disorder. Addiction is a complex disease. Some people try to justify their THC use comparing it to drugs that are more addictive. At the end of the day in most cases there are underlying issues that cause the individual to chase that feeling which can lead to long term issues and psychological dependence.

These adverse effects with the development of addiction can include financial issues, destructive behavior, relationship issues, family conflict, and the negative feelings that come up as a result of these things.

Behavioral Addictions

Behavioral addiction is classified as any time that one loses control of their actions in order to engage in behaviors that result in brief feelings of happiness. That person becomes dependent on the pleasurable feelings that come as a result of certain behaviors and begins to compulsively act on that behavior.

Physical Addictions

Physical addictions are the ones that are generally better known. These are addictions to substances that are ingested or otherwise put into a person’s body.

Is THC Addictive?

Despite the common misconception, people can become addicted to THC. How Do You Know if You’re Addicted to THC? As more states either decriminalize or legalize cannabis, more people are using it than ever before. Like other addictions There are different types of addiction. Unfortunately, many people to believe that because a substance does not have physical addictive properties that with increased usage can lead to painful or life threating withdrawals that a substance is not addictive. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2021, approximately 19 percent of Americans 12 and older used cannabis, and nearly 6 percent of teens and adults qualified as having cannabis use disorder — the clinical name for addiction. (For comparison, close to 11 percent of Americans over the age of 11 have alcohol use disorder.)

A more recent study conducted in Washington State, where recreational cannabis use is legal, found that 21 percent of people who had used cannabis in the past 30 days qualified as having the disorder.

“Most people who use cannabis do not have problems related to their use and are not going to develop a cannabis use disorder,” said Dr. Ayana Jordan, an associate professor of psychiatry at N.Y.U. Langone Health. But, she added, “just because cannabis is being legalized — and I actually think it should be legalized — it doesn’t mean that there is not any harm associated.”

The potential consequences of cannabis use disorder are not as severe as with other drugs like opiates, where overdose deaths are a dire concern. But cannabis addiction can cause “a dramatic decrease in quality of life,” said Dr. Christina Brezing, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University. Here’s what to know.

Signs of addiction

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, defines cannabis use disorder using 11 criteria that loosely fall into four symptom buckets (the same diagnostic criteria apply for all substance use disorders). If you meet at least two of the below criteria, you qualify as having a use disorder:

Loss of control

Taking more of the drug or using it more frequently than you intend to
Spending a great deal of time obtaining or using cannabis
Having an uncontrollable urge, or craving, to use it
Trying to stop or cut back and not being able to

Interpersonal consequences

Foregoing other social or recreational activities in order to use cannabis.
Experiencing interpersonal conflicts as a result of your cannabis use
Failing to fulfill obligations at work or at home as a result of use.

Risky use

Putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations as a result of obtaining or using cannabis
Continued use despite negative physical and psychological effects.

Physical dependence

Developing tolerance — having to use more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using cannabis, such as insomnia, irritability, anxiety, depressed mood and decreased appetite.

Is it time to seek treatment? Would you like to know more about our Marijuana Addiction Treatment Program?

Marijuana Addiction Treatment Program

If you or someone you know would like to know more about Transformations by the Gulf Substance Abuse Treatment Center Give us a Call 24/7 (727)498-6498

The success of a person’s recovery depends on the level of personalized treatment provided. It is important to find an addiction treatment program that works. When we say our treatment is individualized, we mean that we craft a program that is tailored to address the client’s unique physical, mental and emotional needs. If you are wondering, How Do You Know if You’re Addicted to THC?, you should consider reaching out.

In the client’s first 24 hours with us, we’ll evaluate their current state and work to understand what challenges they need to overcome. They’ll also have an initial session with our doctor and meet with one of our licensed mental health professionals.

After the initial evaluations, we’ll design a treatment plan with the sole mission of helping the client overcome and heal from addiction. Their program will focus on things such as: