Addiction in Pinellas County

The Opiate Crisis

Unfortunately the opiate crisis is hitting St. Pete very hard, and people are dying from overdoses at alarming rates. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Pinellas County Forensic Lab is finding that even “users looking for uppers like cocaine or meth are getting substances mixed with fentanyl, a synthetic, potent opioid similar to heroin”.

This means that even though a person might not have an opiate addiction, they might still run the risk of overdosing on opiates, not knowing what they are really putting into their bodies. Drug dealers are looking to make a quick buck, they are not concerned about the damage they are doing to our community, and Florida is being hit hard. That is why it is so important that St. Petersburg and Pinellas County has access to quality drug rehab programs.

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Alcohol Use in St. Pete

This substance use crisis is affecting the people who you know and love. St. Petersburg, in Pinellas County, Florida an area known for having the most consecutive days with sunshine and beautiful beaches is struggling with alcohol use as well. The Florida Department of Health reports that Pinellas County is experiencing an increase in heavy and binge drinking.

Alcohol use disorders are associated with many things including car crashes, violence, and even chronic diseases such as heart disease. Alcohol use disorders are very difficult to treat, because alcohol is legal, and socially accepted. But there is a difference between having a glass of wine with dinner, and drinking a couple bottles.

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Methamphetamine Use in Pinellas County Florida

Methamphetamines also known as “meth” are a problem in Pinellas County as well. Largo, Florida especially is having issues with this dangerous substance.

ABC Action News reports that a GNC employee was recently arrested for selling meth out of the store he worked at. Police Officers reported that when they walked into the store, they saw drug paraphernalia in plain view, including needles, and a scale.

In Clearwater Florida a man was arrested after investigators caught him with a needle (used to inject meth) at McDonald’s. The man even tried to hide the crystal meth in his belly button. This was at a McDonalds!!

Methamphetamine is very dangerous because it is so easy to make using regular household items, and because it is highly addictive making it even harder for people to quit using it once they start.

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When Someone You Love Needs Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Pinellas County / St. Petersburg Florida

Most people don’t want to be known as having a problem with drugs or alcohol. That’s what makes addiction so scary, because a lot of the time a person hides the disease of substance use from those they love. The person tries to cover up drinking or drug use with excuses. At first family members might believe the lies, trusting that their loved one is working late, or had a hard day. It’s easy for a person to get caught up in a culture of drinking and drugs, and before they realize it are facing severe consequences such us DUI, or overdose. You might not even realize that your loved one is addicted until their problem is very severe. Knowing the different options available for substance use treatment and having a counselor who specializes in addiction treatment is imperative to getting help as fast as possible.

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Helping You When Your Loved One Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem Pinellas County / St. Petersburg Florida and Surrounding Areas

I know how hard it is to have a loved one addicted to drugs and alcohol. I know that it hurts you to see them hurting. Getting them help is important, but I also know you need support as well.

Al-Anon Meetings in Pinellas County or Nar-Anon Meetings in Pinellas County can give you the support you need. I have attended many meetings myself and can personally say how much they helped me. However for me, and probably for you as well, getting one on one help from a counselor that specialized in drug and alcohol counselor helped me the most. Having someone who understands exactly what you and your family are going through is important. If you have any questions, please reach out.

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My top three self-care tips

Three self-care tips if you have a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem

Tampa, Florida is experiencing an overwhelming amount of people with drug and alcohol problems. But behind every person with a substance use issue, is a family member, hoping that their loved one stops using drugs.

It’s very easy for drug and alcohol issues to take over, not just the person addicted, but affect the family as well. If you have a loved one with substance use issues, these are the top three things that I want you to make sure you are doing.

Number one, I want you to make sure you are getting plenty of sleep. Number two, I want you to make sure you are eating healthy and number three, I want to make sure that you are exercising regularly.

These things might seem simple enough but just because something is simple, does not mean that it is easy to do. Let me explain, you know how when you’re riding on and airplane and they always give a safety brief. Every time they say the same exact thing. If an oxygen mask falls down in case of an emergency you are supposed to put it on yourself before you help the person next to you. That means that even if I am traveling with a baby who can’t help themselves I am still supposed to get my oxygen mask on before I help the baby. If your anything like me, that might be hard for you. I naturally want to help others and make sure they are okay. But think about it, if I am getting oxygen for the baby, I might not get my own oxygen in time, where would that leave us and then who will help the baby?

I can’t help anyone else unless I take care of myself first. I am going to say it again, because this is sooo important. Unless you are taking care of yourself, you cannot help anyone else. We naturally love our family members and want to help them any way we can. But sometimes when drugs and alcohol take over our loved one’s life, we really need to stop and think before allowing the cycle of drugs and alcohol to take over our lives as well. It’s very easy to get caught up in helping our loved ones, maybe they are sick from using, or hung over, maybe they lost their driver’s license and need a ride, maybe they were arrested and need to post bail. Unfortunately it can be a spiral sometimes, spinning out of control.

That is the reason it is so important for you to focus on the very basics of taking care of yourself. Starting with getting a good night’s sleep. It sounds so simple but sooo many of my clients have problems sleeping. And I bet if you’re reading this you might have had a sleepless night or two yourself. Some of the problem might be just worrying about your loved one, worrying if they are going to be okay, worrying about the drugs and alcohol taking over. You might be stressed from trying to find a drug rehab and knowing that the drug crisis in Tampa, Florida is very real. But it also might mean more than that. How old is your mattress? You might need to consider getting a new one or might even consider talking to your primary care provider about medical issues for not sleeping well. If you aren’t sleeping well, you are not going to be able to function well.

Eating healthy, it is so easy to go through the fast food drive through, just real quick when you are stressed. Drive times in Tampa are long enough and on top of that you are worried about your loved one who needs drug or alcohol treatment. I get it, I have been there. But it’s not going to make you feel good and it’s not going to help in the long run. Eating healthy and regular meals is so important. Especially when you are stressed, focusing on your nutrition during these tough times is going to help give you the energy to get through the difficulties.

I know I am not the only person who tells you this but exercise also helps with both your physical and your emotional wellbeing. It’s a great stress reliever. I for one feel so much better when I am exercising regularly. Even just walking around the block after dinner can help. Florida weather is normally beautiful, take advantage of it.

When a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol it can affect the whole family. It is important that you do everything you can to take care of yourself. And remember that you are not alone. Drug and alcohol problems are very real in Florida, especially in the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Finding help for your loved one, like a drug treatment program is hard enough. But you need to make sure that you get help as well. Take care of yourself. If you need anything else. Please reach out.