Gas station heroin

‘Gas-station Heroin’ Sold as Dietary Supplement

‘Gas-station heroin’ sold as dietary supplement; The young father headed across the parking lot to join the other parents meeting their children’s new preschool teachers. After a few steps, he began sweating and twitching. As the sky reeled, he staggered back to the car, desperate to lie down in the back seat and breathe, hidden by tinted windows.

“Did you take something?” his wife, Anne, shouted at him while dialing 911. Eric, 26, had completed rehab earlier in the summer.

“The shot! The shot!” he groaned, just before he hit the ground and blacked out.

In the emergency room of a nearby hospital in southern New Jersey, doctors tried to revive him with a defibrillator.

“What’s he on?” they yelled at Anne.

She showed them a shot-size bottle of the cherry-flavored elixir she had fished out of the car. It was labeled Neptune’s Fix. Eric had bought it at a local smoke shop.

“What the hell is that?” a doctor asked.

Neptune’s Fix features an ingredient called tianeptine — popularly known as gas-station heroin.

Often sold as a dietary supplement and promoted by retailers as a mood booster and focus aid, tianeptine is among a growing, unregulated class of potentially addictive products available in gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops and across the internet. They typically include synthetic pharmaceuticals and plant-derived substances.

Some, such as kratom and phenibut, can be addictive and, in rare cases, fatal. They often originate in other countries, including Indonesia and Russia, where they are commonly used, even prescribed, for mood management. But the Food and Drug Administration has not approved them as medicines in the United States.

“Tianeptine is an emerging threat,” said Kaitlyn Brown, clinical managing director of America’s Poison Centers, which represents and collects data from 55 centers nationwide. “We have people who are able to get a substance that’s not well regulated, that has abuse potential and that, in high doses, can cause similar effects to opioids, leading to really harmful outcomes.”

At least nine states have banned or severely restricted tianeptine, including Florida, Michigan and Ohio. In late November, the FDA issued a nationwide alert about Neptune’s Fix specifically and tianeptine in general, telling people not to take it and warning that it had been associated with overdoses and deaths.

Tianeptine, which also appears as a concentrated powder or an ingredient in products such as Tianaa, Zaza and Pegasus, “is illegally sold with claims to improve brain function and treat anxiety, depression, pain, opioid use disorder and other conditions,” the agency’s warning said.

There are now at least a dozen different products that are foreign drugs being openly marketed as dietary supplements right under the FDA’s eyes, without them being able to stop the sales.”
– Dr. Pieter Cohen, associate professor
at Harvard Medical School

The FDA loosely oversees dietary supplements, an expanding universe of some 50,000 products that includes minerals, vitamins and compounds like melatonin. But the agency does not evaluate supplements for safety or effectiveness; it can only forbid manufacturers to market them as medical treatments. It requires product labels making health claims to list ingredients and include boilerplate disclaimers, such as noting that the product has not been reviewed by the FDA. The agency does not review those labels before a product is released.

Because the FDA’s enforcement powers are limited by law, many products with tianeptine have long skirted labeling requirements. Although the FDA has explicitly said, for example, that tianeptine does not qualify as a dietary supplement, the labels of some brands, like Tianaa, still make that claim.

“There are now at least a dozen different products that are foreign drugs being openly marketed as dietary supplements right under the FDA’s eyes, without them being able to stop the sales,” said Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School who studies the regulation of supplements.

Tianeptine is a drug developed by French researchers in the 1960s as an antidepressant. It is approved in low doses for that use in many European, Asian and Latin American countries.

But at higher doses, it also works much as an opioid does, delivering short-lived euphoria. In the United States, many people take tianeptine under the widespread, mistaken belief that it is a safe alternative to street opioids like fentanyl or heroin, or even a way to taper off using them. On social media sites such as Reddit, its merits are hotly debated, with more than 5,000 people subscribing to a “Quitting Tianeptine” forum.

“People develop a tolerance very quickly, and so they rapidly start advancing the dosing,” said Dawn Sollee, a clinical toxicologist and director of the Poison Control Center in Jacksonville, Florida. “They will set alarms to wake themselves every two hours to take tianeptine pills so they do not go into withdrawal. And then they have to keep taking more and more just to stay functional.”

Expenses can mount swiftly, along with dangers. At a convenience store in Montclair, New Jersey, recently, 15 capsules of Tianaa Red cost $34. A bottle of Neptune’s Fix, which comes in lemon, tropical, cherry or chocolate-vanilla flavor, runs about $16. A salesperson at a roadside smoke shop farther west said customers typically purchased 12-bottle boxes. A salesperson at another roadside shop said that one customer bought 10 boxes each week — whether for resale or personal use, he did not know.

Determining the number of cases of tianeptine abuse is challenging, because hospitals do not test for it. Reports to poison-control centers are voluntary, typically made by a worried relative, so officials say the numbers represent a drastic undercount.

But case reports are increasing. In 2013, only four cases of tianeptine exposure were reported nationwide. In 2023, 391 cases were reported, according to America’s Poison Centers. New Jersey, which typically has one report a year, received 27 in 2023, with patients ranging in age from 20 to 69.

“Some people apparently think it can help with chronic pain instead of having to use an opioid, which might explain the older demographic,” said Dr. Diane Calello, medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

Similarly to many illicit drugs, tianeptine is often sloppily mixed with unlabeled ingredients, such as potent synthetic cannabis compounds. That is one reason overdose symptoms appear to range widely, poison-control medical directors said, including clamminess, nausea, low blood pressure and unconsciousness as well as seizures and severe stomach cramps.

Sometimes naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses, can be effective in reviving patients, they said — and sometimes not. At least four deaths have been associated with tianeptine.

The FDA sent warnings in 2021 and 2022 to two companies that it said were “illegally marketing tianeptine products as dietary supplements and unapproved drugs.”

But enforcement requires huge resources, in part because manufacturers and purveyors can be difficult to track down. An inquiry from The New York Times to the makers of Neptune’s Fix submitted through its website received no response. The Sheridan, Wyoming, location listed on the company’s bottles is an address for a registration agent for numerous companies.

Regulatory experts disagree about how the FDA should grapple effectively with tianeptine and other supplements. Some say the agency should establish a strict registry of approved supplements.

In interviews, some poison-center directors did not endorse a full ban of tianeptine, saying that could lead to dangerous underground trafficking. Educating emergency responders and consumers about inherent risks in such products would be a more effective course, they said.

Getting tianeptine off store shelves, they added, would be not only a staggering task but also of limited utility because customers could simply buy it from the most convenient store of all — the internet.

While Eric was recovering from tianeptine poisoning, Anne stormed over to the local smoke shop where he had bought it.

“My husband’s in the hospital because of this product and you’re still going to keep it on the shelves?” she yelled.

“Yes,” she said the owner replied, “because people want it, and we need to make money.” ‘Gas-station heroin’ sold as dietary supplement.

This story was originally published at nytimes.com. Read it here.

To learn more about addiction treatments available at Transformations by the Gulf please click here.


Cell Phones in Rehab

Cell Phones at Rehab

Most rehabs do not allow cellphones, computers, tablets or any electronic device other than a mp3 player. Transformations by the Gulf Treatment Center does however allow cell phones. Most rehabs will limit contact to 10-20 minutes total a week. While is approach can be affected in some cases, we find that sheltering you from the outside world is counterintuitive. When you leave treatment if you have not developed coping skills and practiced them the odds of a relapse are significantly higher. With that being said we allow cell phones during treatment but not during therapy hours.

Laptops in Rehab

Every rehab center sets its own policy on cellphones and electronic devices, so be sure to call ahead for a list of approved and prohibited items. We do also allow laptops in rehab because we do feel that during your own time of relaxation you should be able to completely unwind, and we understand there are a lot of resources on the web.

Electronics in rehab

Electronic devices are another hot topic for rehabs. Transformations allows electronic devices if you would like to bring them like laptops, tablets, games, mp3 players, and other approved devices you can, as long as they don't affect your ability to go to therapy and scheduled recovery meetings. The primary focus on treatment is getting better and recovering.

Get Fast Answers to Your Questions.

Cell Phone Use at Rehab

Because going to rehab and receiving treatment is a critical time that will require focus and perseverance, a call home or to a loved one may be able to help someone through rehab. Despite the seemingly positive influence of being in touch with a loved one, it may also become a distraction from the treatment program. The impact, either positive or negative, will of course depend on the individual.

Cellphone Friendly Rehab

People find themselves asking themself do rehabs in Florida allow cellphones. Are there any rehabs that allow cellphones in Florida?  Each facility has their own rules for electronic use and cellphone use so call ahead to confirm the rules. Explore our rehab facilities and amenities further below. Great News Transformations by the Gulf allow cellphones in rehab.

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

 


Alcohol Addiction Treatment in St. Pete Beach

5 Signs of Codependency

What is Codependency?

According to Psych Central, codependency is a relationship in which one partner has extreme emotion and physical needs and the other partner meets those needs most of the time. The person becomes so dependent upon that person to always meet those needs that they feel they can't function without the other individual. What can happen with Codependency is it can spiral out of control in which the codependent partner enables the loved one's challenges, making it easy for the loved one to maintain the destructive behaviors.

5 Signs of Codependency

Symptoms of codependency include:

  • Low self-esteem: The codependent person may feel they are unlovable outside of the relationship role and depends on the opinions of other people to feel valued or self-worth.
  • People-pleasing: The opinions of other people may have a great deal of weight for the codependent person. This person will do anything to make sure others have a positive opinion about them. The person may feel intense shame, guilt or an inability to say “no” to other people.
  • Caretaking: The person feels a primary need to care for other people, often at the expense of themselves; in some extreme situations, the person doesn’t feel secure or comfortable unless needed.
  • Unhealthy or absence of boundaries: The codependent person may not have a understanding or sense of boundaries, either for themself or others. These individuals may offer unwanted or unneeded advice, feel responsible for other people’s feelings, or want to control or manipulate others in order to feel safe and secure.
  • Obsession over relationships: Because the codependent person feels completely defined by relationships, they may become the main priority or an obsessive focus for the individual.

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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

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Transformations Treatment Center, Transformations by the Gulf, Substance Abuse Treatment St Pete, Holiday Aclohol Treatment

Creating a Sober Christmas in Florida

Creating a Sober Christmas in Florida

Creating a Sober Christmas in Florida; Is it possible to enjoy Christmas without Alcohol or Drugs?

Some people associate alcohol and drugs with the holidays as a way to have fun while others look to it as a way to cope with depression or loneliness during the holidays. Being connected to a recovery program during the holidays especially if you are new to recovery is very important. The holidays can bring up a range of emotions that are difficult to handle on your own. Often we feel a need to cope with these feelings, so we turn to what our mind perceive as the easy way to cope. Relapsing during the holidays can be common but does not have to be a part of your journey. The good news is that we can create new traditions that don’t involve intoxication. It is these new traditions that you will associate with Christmas in the future. This is how you reclaim your Christmas and holiday season. Creating a Sober Christmas in Florida check out these tips to create one.

  • Go to some local holiday activities or shows.
  • Volunteer your time to help those less fortunate.
  • Go to a Christmas market and enjoy the atmosphere.
  • Spend time with your family in a sober environment, so they can get you into the Christmas spirit.
  • Go to a sober Christmas party (recovery groups in large cities will usually arrange these in December).
  • Spend a bit of time in nature.
  • Cook Christmas dinner and invite some friends around.
  • Decorate your Christmas tree with some friends in recovery.

The holidays can be difficult but going into the holidays knowing you're not alone and staying connected can prevent relapse from occurring.  Creating a Sober Christmas in Florida is possible.


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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

Subscribe

Cell Phones in Treatment

Cell Phones at Rehab

Cell Phones in Rehab

Most rehabs do not allow cellphones, computers, tablets or any electronic device other than a mp3 player. Transformations by the Gulf Treatment Center does however allow cell phones. Most rehabs will limit contact to 10-20 minutes total a week. While is approach can be affected in some cases, we find that sheltering you from the outside world is counterintuitive. When you leave treatment if you have not developed coping skills and practiced them the odds of a relapse are significantly higher. With that being said we allow cell phones during treatment but not during therapy hours.

Laptops at Rehab

Every rehab center sets its own policy on cellphones and electronic devices, so be sure to call ahead for a list of approved and prohibited items. We do also allow laptops in rehab because we do feel that during your own time of relaxation you should be able to completely unwind, and we understand there are a lot of resources on the web.

Electronics at rehab

Electronics are another hot button topic for being allowed in rehabs. Transformations allows electronics if you would like to bring them like laptops, tablets, game consoles, mp3 players, and more as long as they don't affect your ability to go to therapy and scheduled recovery meetings. The primary focus on treatment is getting better and recovering.

Get Fast Answers to Your Questions.

Cell Phone Use in Rehab

Because going to rehab and receiving treatment is a critical time that will require focus and perseverance, a call home or to a loved one may be able to help someone through rehab. Despite the seemingly positive influence of being in touch with a loved one, it may also become a distraction from the treatment program. The impact, either positive or negative, will of course depend on the individual.

Cell Phone Friendly Rehab

People find themselves asking themself do rehabs in Florida allow cellphones. Are there any rehabs that allow cellphones in Florida?  Each rehab facility sets their own rules for electronics and cell phone use so call ahead to confirm the rules. Explore our rehab facilities and amenities further below. Good News Transformations by the Gulf allow cell phones in rehab.

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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?


A group of three men and two women sitting in a circle of chairs. The man with glasses is speaking and everyone else is listening.

IOP in Saint Petersburg, FL

IOP in Saint Petersburg, FL or Intensive Outpatient Program in St Pete Beach, Florida

Our Intensive Outpatient Program in Florida offers a safe environment for substance abuse treatment. Clients spend the duration of their addiction treatment program in a safe environment as they bridge that gap between Treatment and returning to normal everyday life.

What is Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Florida?

An intensive outpatient program offers the same level of treatment as a residential program without the need to stay at the treatment facility. These clients can go to their job or handle other responsibilities before and after participating in treatment. Since intensive outpatient programs use similar levels of care as residential programs, they’re very effective at treating addiction. You can find relief from your addiction without taking a break from what matters in your life.

A combination of medically supported treatments and various types of therapy make up the approach most likely to result in the outcome and long-term maintenance of recovery. The components of these treatments as used in an intensive outpatient treatment setting are outlined below to help individuals who are seeking help with their addictions, or their loved ones, to find the residential treatment program most likely to support them in their journey.

What Should I expect at Transformations by the Gulf Intensive Outpatient Program?

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 tailored to address the client’s unique physical, mental and emotional needs.

We will 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:

Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
Creating a support system.
Developing healthy stress management techniques.
Eliminating Substance use.
Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
Repairing damaged relationships.
Our Program is based on individual treatment needs and typically ranges from 8-16 weeks.

What is a Typical Day of Treatment?

A typical day of treatment will look a little different for each person and the severity of the addiction. During an intensive outpatient program, you typically spend a few days each week attending therapy, often toward the end of the day. You’ll meet with your provider or a group to participate in different therapies after you finish your workday or handle your outside responsibilities.

An intensive outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program may have more of a time commitment than other types of addiction treatment. These intensive programs are for people who need serious intervention but have other responsibilities to take care of, making them unable to stay at a rehab facility for an inpatient program.

As you meet your goals, the time you need to commit to your outpatient program may decrease as you work through underlying conditions or triggers and readjust to daily life.

Why is Transformations by the Gulf the Right Choice?

We are aware that everyone’s experience with addiction is a unique one, and our program is designed around gender-specific, psychological, biological, social and familial needs. Recovery help at Transformations by the Gulf’s Substance Abuse and Wellness Center can be the beginning of a beautifully productive, exciting sober life! Ready for the next step involving Intensive Outpatient Treatment?

If you’re ready, Start the Admissions Process.

For additional resources: Samhsa Hotline

  • Accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO)
  • Gender-specific with mixed gender interaction
  • 3:1 client-to-counselor ratio for more individualized treatment
  • Holistic practices woven into traditional therapies to enrich the experience of recovery in treating the mind, body and soul.
  • High standard of compassionate care in a small boutique-style facility
  • Family therapy
  • Comprehensive continuing care
  • Well-appointed gender specific residences

Thinking about entering IOP in Saint Petersburg, FL? 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. IOP in Saint Petersburg, FL is available even if you don’t live in Florida. 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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

Subscribe

iop

What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies for the treatment of substance use disorders. For those with an opioid use disorder (OUD), medication addresses the physical difficulties that one experiences when they stop taking opioids. MAT can help to reestablish normal brain function, reduce substance cravings and prevent relapse. The longer in treatment, the more the individual will be able to manage their dependency and move toward recovery.

Treatment, not Substitution

Because methadone and buprenorphine are opioids, some people believe that treating addiction with these drugs simply substitutes one substance for another. Evidence-based treatment has proven that when patients take these medications as prescribed, they are more likely to maintain employment, avoid criminal behavior, and reduce their exposure to HIV by injection or substance-related high-risk sexual behaviors. They are also more likely to engage in counseling and other behavioral interventions that improve their recovery.

Behavioral Health Services

An important piece that is not widely understood is that medications are only part of a MAT approach. In true medication assisted treatment, the medications are “assisting” other components of treatment. To increase the benefit that individuals receive from psychosocial intervention, services should be best practice, which refers to a practice that has been heavily studied by researchers in well-designed scientific and clinical studies.

Examples Include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Moral Re-conation Therapy, Peer and Recovery Support Services, Twelve Step Facilitation and Contingency Management.

Opioid Use Disorder

Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid agonist medication that can prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce craving in individuals with opioid-dependence. It can also block the euphoric effects of illicit opioids. It has a long history of use in treatment of opioid dependence and is taken orally.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid medication that acts as a partial agonist at opioid receptors but does not produce the euphoria and sedation caused by heroin or other opioids. Buprenorphine is able to reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid dependence and carries a low risk of overdose. Buprenorphine is currently available in two forms that are taken sublingually (dissolves under the tongue) and subcutaneous (injection): (1) a pure form of the substance and (2) a more commonly prescribed formulation called Suboxone, which combines buprenorphine with the substance naloxone, an antagonist (or blocker) at opioid receptors.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a synthetic opioid antagonist that blocks opioids from binding to the receptors and prevents the euphoric and sedating effects. Naltrexone itself has no subjective effects following detoxification and has no potential for abuse. Individuals should not use naltrexone if they are taking an opiate as they could experience sudden withdrawal symptoms. Those with low liver functioning and a history of depression should be carefully considered prior to induction.

Opioid Receptor

Information for this article was provided by azahcccs.gov

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) at Transformations by the Gulf

Transformations by the Gulf does offer the MAT program or Medication Assisted Treatment Program in St Pete Beach, Floida

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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

Subscribe

beach location rehab center for addiction ‌

The Benefits of Going to Rehab in Florida

Why rehab in Florida?

It can become overwhelming trying to find rehab programs that meet all your needs. Here in Florida, choosing the perfect rehab center for you can be easy because of its benefits. From the warm weather, beaches, trained professionals, and growing opportunities, picking a rehab in Florida doesn't have to be complicated. Receiving treatment through an addiction recovery program here will leave you feeling energized and ready to reach the next part of your journey of recovery.

Outdoor activity all year round.

Various treatment methods are used to help you with substance abuse and mental health issues. Engaging in exercise and physical movement increases the chances of having long-term recovery. Who wouldn’t want to be active, receive its benefits, all while enjoying good weather outside? Having all four seasons can make outdoor activities less appealing and more difficult to do. Here in Florida, you can be active outside all year round.

Being active and getting regular exercise can help you restore endorphins in a healthy way without the use of drugs. Endorphins are often lacking after alcohol and drug abuse and need to be replenished. Exercise can help you improve your confidence, emotional stability, and help support the overall functioning of the body. Physical body functions become stronger, such as blood circulation and heart rate.

Many treatment facilities in Florida offer activities such as yoga, outdoor walks, and meditation to help you treat addiction. Other treatment options include therapy such as group or one-on-one therapy and pharmacological care. These activities and therapies help you work on yourself to restore mental and physical behaviors. It is especially nice when they can be done outdoors!

Warm weather helps improve recovery.

Warm weather ultimately boosts recovery in countless ways. We now know that warm weather can encourage people to be active and engage in physical activity. It is commonly mistaken that only the people who already enjoy exercise, will like having the advantage of warm weather. Even if you find yourself not to be an active person, you can still benefit from warm weather and sunshine.

The power of sunshine can strike in many ways, like a boost in your mood. Vitamin D plays a vital role in reducing occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, both anxiety and depression are issues that you can face during your journey to recovery. That is why warm weather and sunshine is so important. Even a small amount of sunshine can help overcome these problems.

Vitamin D is responsible for bone growth as well as stabilizing moods. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), getting about 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face two or three times a week is enough to reap the vitamin D-boosting benefits of the sun. Also, various studies have also proven that sunshine provides higher levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that controls stress, anxiety, and sleep, for example. High levels of serotonin can make your recovery process more efficient and have a positive impact. Altogether, sunshine and beaches are just more benefits of choosing a rehab in Florida.

Your family and friends will find choosing a rehab in Florida more attractive since it is the warm sunshine state. Most people enjoy warm weather, beaches, and theme parks. These factors can help inspire recovery and make it fun for along the way.

In order to achieve recovery, it is important to be open to changing and growing in a positive way. Receiving increased levels of serotonin can help you significantly along the way. Choosing a treatment center in the best environment and where you will feel comfortable is crucial in order to get well. But don’t worry, because this can all be accomplished by undergoing treatment at rehab in Florida.

An entertaining environment

Getting help is more enjoyable in the sunshine state being near the happiest place on earth. Florida is home to many beautiful beaches, one of the largest, most iconic theme parks in the country. Just up the road from Disneyworld is another iconic theme park, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, which features the famous Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is important to remember to reward yourself when you are making progress. Celebrating your progress through the recovery process can be a lot more fun with fun activities and great entertainment.

Transformations by the Gulf is located in St. Pete Beach, Florida, nested right on the Gulf Coast. It's amazing to be near such beautiful places when you are recovering to begin your new life to sobriety.

A whole lot of opportunities

Some might know Florida as the recovery capital of the world. This is because individuals typically want to seek positive change and know the many benefits Florida can provide. After finishing a recovery treatment program, many people remain in touch and continue to be connected through wellness and support groups.

Florida continues to be a growing state in the United States. Economic opportunities and careers proceed to grow year after year. The tourism industry in the sunshine state can help you find a job after treatment much easier compared to other states. This is why many people choose to enter a rehab facility in Florida and then continue to live their new life thereafter.

Considering the opportunities Florida offers after rehab is important. The growing economic and career possibilities can help inspire you to move forward in a positive direction. If you or a loved one is interested in entering a rehab in Florida, contact Transformations by the Gulf. We are here to help you make the first steps to take back control of your life and start your journey to recovery.

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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

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What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

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Sober Halloween

How to stay sober during the holidays

Some of the greatest joy has come from staying clean and sober. It is important to protect your sobriety or clean time. It's important remember that relapse can happen, but it doesn't have to happen. The holiday season brings a lot of excitement and emotions. It's important to be aware of those emotions and to not act on impulse.

If you are new to being clean and sober, we are proud of you and want to offer you some hope. Feel confident that the best years of your life lie ahead of you. The 12-step programs (Alcoholics AnonymousNarcotics Anonymous) offer many promises. Life will take on a new meaning, and you will know happiness like you have never known before.

You may want to know...

What are some tips for staying clean and sober during the holidays?

Why stay clean and sober? Everyone else is having a good time with alcohol and party drugs why can't you?

What can I do to protect myself from relapse?

How do I remain clean and sober?

To help support your sobriety over the next few months, we feel it’s important to share with you our “How to stay sober during the holidays”.

Use these strategic tips to support your sobriety over the next few months:

  • Plan Ahead. Always take your own vehicle to holiday parties so YOU can control your destiny. Also, take a sober companion with you for support and pay close attention to relapse triggers: H.A.L.T: Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired. Arrive early and leave early.
  • Make Self Care a Priority. Celebrate the holiday season by taking care of your body, mind, and soul. We cannot be our very best if we are depleted. Give yourself the gift of time for yourself: a meeting, a prayer, continue working your program of recovery, a massage, a meditation or even some yoga. Proper nutrition and plenty of healthy physical movement will make you feel stronger, both physically and emotionally. Make plans for some time to reflect after a long day.
  • Increase Support. We can get overwhelmed with the erratic nature of the season, so as you plan each day in November and December, start with 12-step support as your first priority. This could mean bookending a holiday event with phone calls to someone in recovery before and after the event. Commit to attend a 12-step meeting (or two) each day and inviting a friend to attend with you. Also, if you’re traveling to another city, plan ahead and make sure you attend meetings there as well or pick up a phone meeting.
  • Be mindful of time spent around your relatives – know your limits. We all have our own version of crazy Aunt Mildred who is going to criticize your career choice and make you feel “less than” or Uncle Harry who will insist on you are having his famous holiday drink. And even worse, we most likely have strained family relationships that have been simmering for years. This type of stress can lead us to rationalize and convince ourselves we are entitled to a drink. Instead, surround yourself with supportive loved ones that will help you follow the steps to staying clean and sober.
  • Have your props ready. When you arrive at a party, immediately get a non-alcoholic beverage and keep it in your hand. Whether it’s sparkling water or soda, others won’t be inclined to push drinks on you constantly. And, the truth of the matter is, people never really notice or pay attention to what’s in your glass.
  • Celebrate relationships. As you consider holiday occasions, think about them as a way to make new friendships and perhaps rekindle old relationships with friends. Instead of making the event about drinking and eating as a priority, intentionally make it about “people” and building relationships; go into each party looking forward to establishing real connections.
  • Eat well. The holidays don’t give us a green light to overindulge. There’s nothing worse that stuffing ourselves with too much sugar, carbs, and fat-laden foods that make us feel bad. So be proactive and choose healthy foods that will make you want to celebrate, not feel guilty.
  • Service, not self. When we can focus on others, we find more joy and gratitude. So look for ways to think about and serve others. Make a special family recipe and deliver to friends. Donate your time at a homeless shelter, food pantry, or soup kitchen. Spend time with a neighbor who is confined. These spiritual opportunities allow us to spread happiness and cheer to others. Treat it as one of the benefits of staying clean and sober; being able to have a clear mind and body to help others.
  • Create new traditions. Celebrate the fact you are reestablishing your own life. As you affirm your new self on these festive days, you are choosing to celebrate the new, better, clean and sober life that you have created. This might mean hosting a sober, festive gathering with friends in recovery. It may mean volunteering to serve at local 12-Step support groups. Remember, giving is one of the best things you can do during the holidays.
  • Avoid relapse triggers. Of all triggers, the most significant can be emotional triggers. No matter if you are in recovery or not, the holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year. With so many activities squeezed into one month, our normal routines get disrupted, and people get frustrated and anxious. Also, there’s increased demands from your spouse, partner or other family members, and this can put serious stress on your sobriety. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, humiliation, embarrassment, anger and depression. The holidays don’t have to be “perfect” and just like previous years. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Saying “no” is perfectly acceptable and it will protect you.
  • Make sobriety your top priority. If you think about it, all holiday parties are optional. If you don’t think the activity is going to be good for your recovery, it’s okay not to go. You can politely decline the party invite, especially if it's one that is going to jeopardize your recovery.
  • Maintain your spirituality. Our commercial world wants us to believe that joy can come from Alcohol and shopping. It creates a false ideal that happiness can be found in these. Instead, focus on the true spirit of the season. Regardless of your faith or spiritual beliefs, the holidays are really about two things: giving and gratitude. When we focus on these, the other things such as resentment, disappointment, anger, worry, self-loathing show up far less often and cannot find a foothold in our hearts.

Staying clean and sober is possible during the holiday season. It can be quite fun if we direct our attention towards people and activities that can help strengthen us on our road to recovery. Go, have fun, and enjoy your sobriety with those that matter: your loved ones.


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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

Subscribe

mental struggle with addiction

Recognizing Relapse Warning Signs

Recognizing Relapse Warning Signs

Just as an individual’s specific addiction relapse triggers are unique to them and their experiences, warning signs that your loved one has relapsed depend on a number of unique personal factors. However, noting one or more of the following common warning signs can be a strong indicator that a stage of relapse has occurred or is imminent:

  1. Dishonesty. Little white lies are one thing, but if your loved one seems to continually be lying to you about things like whether or not they went to therapy, where they are spending all their time (or money), or why they never seem to come to the weekly family dinner anymore, this can be a sign that they are trying to hide a relapse.
  2. Overconfidence. While it’s important for your loved one to feel confident in their own ability to recover from addiction, overconfidence can be dangerous and a common sign of relapse. This supposed period of improvement could be them trying to overcompensate for something. If they start talking about quitting treatment or giving up on certain parts of their aftercare plan because they “just feel better” or don’t feel like they need to anymore, this can indicate that they are no longer actively pursuing their long-term recovery goals and may be at risk for relapse.
  3. Neglecting personal hygiene. Poor self-care practices, such as forgetting to wash their hair, refusing to take a shower, not brushing their teeth, or wearing the same clothes for days is nearly always a sign that something is wrong and that they are potentially in the middle of a mental relapse—if not relapse, then perhaps some other negative experience that may trigger a relapse.
  4. Reviving old (negative) connections. If your loved one is spending time with the people they used to use with or hanging out in the same places in which they used to use, this can be a strong indicator that they are in a stage of relapse, or the mental relapse has already occurred—especially if they try to hide that they are spending their time thus.
  5. Self-imposed isolation. Social withdrawal from positive relationships and neglecting or avoiding social connections, in general, isn’t merely a relapse warning sign—it can also occur as a result of the guilt and shame your loved one may feel if they’ve already had an emotional relapse.
  6. Significant change in attitude. Bad days are a natural part of the process of recovery. But if your loved one seems to be experiencing distinct stages of negative feelings, like feelings of anxiety or sadness, and other possible signs of decreasing mental health, over an extended period of time, they may be at risk for a relapse. Similarly, mood swings, increased irritability, and other sudden marked changes in attitude can indicate either a risk of relapse or that they’ve already been in the throes of mental relapse. Even strong positive feelings, if it’s extreme or seems to come out of the blue, can be a sign that they are experiencing the highs of using again. It’s important to keep an eye on their emotional health, alongside their mental and physical health, as any changes to them can be indicative of something bigger going on.
  7. Significant change in behavior. If your loved one starts repeatedly skipping school, “forgetting” appointments, acting out, or simply acting contrarily to their usual character, a significant change in behavior is often one of the most pronounced warning signs of relapse. This is especially true if there is a marked change in eating or sleeping habits.

The best way to recognize a potential sign of relapse is to listen to your sober support system and loved ones. It's all too easy to write off red flags as something temporary or innocuous, but ignoring a potential relapse will only make recovery harder in the long run. If it feels like something is wrong, then something probably is wrong.

Don't panic if the warning signs above sound all familiar. Even if your loved one is already on the cusp of relapse, there is still hope for recovery, both in the short and long term.


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.

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:

  • Addressing and Identifying root causes of addiction.
  • Creating a support system.
  • Developing healthy stress management techniques.
  • Eliminating Substance use.
  • Learning how to communicate emotions effectively.
  • Maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
  • Repairing damaged relationships.

Our Facility is near the beach and offers a comfortable setting for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Admissions

What a Day is Like in Our Treatment Facility.

What Should I Bring?

What to Expect?

Why Transformations by the Gulf?

Subscribe