Hope Reborn on Mother’s Day

Holidays like Mother’s Day can be especially painful for families who have been affected by substance abuse.  The anguish a mother feels on seeing her child spiral down through addiction is almost unbearable.  But at Phoenix House we’re in the business of mending broken family relationships, and Phoenix House Citra Center has come up with a creative way to help families heal.

This Mother’s Day, our clients in residential treatment will be able to offer a very special gift to their moms:  a professional photographer on the Citra staff has taken beautiful photographs of each client, with the lush Citra landscape as background for each one.

These portraits are special in a number of ways:  for families who have not seen their loved one sober for years, they serve as a milepost showing how far they have come in rehab. For the clients themselves they are a reminder of what they have achieved as well as an incentive to remain strong in recovery.

The pictures will also be used in a video presentation at Citra Center’s Celebration of Recovery in July, which will feature the Rascal Flatts song “Changed.”  As our completers celebrate attaining recovery, these reminders of how far they have come will help sustain them.

If someone you love is experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, call 1 800 DRUG HELP (1 800 378 4435) today.  We’re always ready to help individuals and families heal.

Leading the Fight Against Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

The nationwide epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse has been in the news for several years, and the tragedy of babies born already addicted and starting life with withdrawal symptoms is also well known. Now the State of Florida, which has been at the epicenter of the prescription drug abuse epidemic, has taken significant steps to combat this crisis.

The Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse & Newborns, chaired by Attorney General Pam Bondi, examined the extent of prescription drug abuse among expectant mothers, the costs of caring for babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and its long-term effects on their health, and suggested various means of prevention.

The Task Force’s report laid the groundwork for a holistic approach to the problem, with such recommendations as developing a public awareness initiative, encouraging medical professionals to address addiction as a brain disease, providing legal immunity for pregnant women seeking substance abuse treatment, and expanding both residential and intensive outpatient treatment capacity, as well as case management services for women who have completed treatment.

Phoenix House has for years been a leader in addressing the specific needs of women struggling with substance abuse, by providing sensitive, compassionate care in both residential and outpatient settings. In Florida, Phoenix House Citra Center offers gender-specific, trauma-informed residential treatment to help women confront the causes of their addiction and turn to healthier lifestyles. At our Tampa and Brandon Outpatient Centers, we provide evidence-based outpatient services to meet the individual needs of each client. In all of our facilities, we focus on the rehabilitation of both mind and body. Phoenix House has always been on the cutting edge of research involving substance abuse issues and treatment, and will continue to help the people of Florida in striving to prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

If someone you love is struggling with addiction to prescription drugs or other substances, please call Phoenix House today at 1-800- DRUG-HELP.  We’re here to help.

Phoenix Houses of Florida Exhibits at the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit

Several Phoenix Houses of Florida senior staff members joined some of the country’s leading experts on the prescription drug epidemic at the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, which began on April 2, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.  The three-day conference addressed both the strides that have been made to date in the fight against the epidemic and the serious challenges that continue to plague the nation. Phoenix House’s booth at the summit provided information on the wide-ranging rehabilitation services we provide for adults and adolescents struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

Prominent among the national leaders were R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy,  Executive Office of the President; Margaret Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Also attending were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Findings presented at the summit attest to the enormous and devastating proportions of the prescription drug abuse crisis, with more than 125,000 Americans dying of opioid-related overdose in the past decade.  However, some encouraging figures were also discussed: Director Kerlikowske, who has been a staunch supporter of Phoenix House’s role in the fight against substance abuse, stated that the number of individuals abusing prescription drugs had dropped from seven million in 2010 to 6.1 million in 2011.

Phoenix Houses of Florida guarantees the highest quality of substance abuse treatment, delivered with professionalism and respect.  We pride ourselves on providing outstanding and accessible treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.  For more information on our services, please call 1 800 DRUG HELP (1 800 378 4435).

Golf Benefit is a Hole in One for Phoenix House!

The Phoenix House Golf Benefit, held at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs, Florida, on Saturday, March 23, was a tremendous success for Phoenix Houses of Florida!  Seventeen foursomes took the field on this challenging and prestigious golf course, and each foursome was joined by a celebrity golfer representing major league baseball, football, or basketball.  Even former LPGA champion Jan Stephenson joined the fun!

The good-natured competition on the course was complemented by fierce bidding throughout the day for an array of valuable Silent Auction items, including weeklong stays in Buenos Aires and North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, a five-day stay in Hawaii or St. Thomas, summer golf memberships, a top-quality cigar humidor, and many other items. A raffle held during the celebratory Surf ‘n Turf dinner concluding the day provided more excitement and more great prizes, while a moving speech by Citra Center graduate and current Phoenix House employee Davieoyn Hopson reminded everyone of the real purpose of the event.

Critical Support for Phoenix House’s Rehabilitation Services

In addition to the fun and camaraderie it fostered, the Phoenix House Golf Benefit, chaired by Duane VanEtten, Superintendent of Cypress Run, served a very serious purpose:  by raising more than $35,000 in support of Phoenix Houses of Florida’s recovery programs, it will help us provide outpatient substance abuse services for teens at the Derek Jeter Center in Tampa and the Brandon Outpatient Center in Brandon; outpatient treatment for adults in Tampa and Brandon; comprehensive, gender-specific residential rehabilitation for adult men and women at Phoenix House Citra Center; and sober living services in Citra.

Phoenix House Provides Outstanding Substance Abuse Treatment

Each year, Phoenix Houses of Florida helps nearly 1,000 men, women, and teens escape the trap of addiction and begin healthy new lives.  If you or someone you love needs help, call us today at 1 800 DRUG HELP (1 800 378 4435).  You’ve got a friend at Phoenix House!

A New Campus Director at Phoenix House Citra Center

Phoenix Houses of Florida is happy to announce the appointment of Lorraine Franciose as Campus Director at Phoenix House Citra Center.  In this capacity, Lorraineis responsible for all aspects of Citra Center’s substance abuse treatment programs, including office-based detoxification, residential treatment for men, gender-specific residential care for women, specialized treatment for individuals with co-occurring mental health issues, and transitional housing for those in early recovery.

A Lifelong Commitment to Substance Abuse Treatment

With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston College and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor certificate, this Massachusetts native brings a wealth of experience and skills in the substance abuse field to her work at Citra, consistently demonstrating a creative, long-term commitment in the area of addiction treatment and support for individuals and families. Before leaving the rugged New England climate for sunnyFlorida, Lorraine spent more than 20 years as an advocate and clinician in the addiction treatment field, consistently remaining in the forefront of innovation in some of the Commonwealth’s most essential programs.  Through her work, Lorraine has deeply touched and directly influenced the course of thousands of lives, exemplifying the highest level of best practices in clinical guidance, program management, and team building.  In her new role at Citra, Lorraine continues to lead the way in finding and implementing best practices.

Yet despite her many and varied contributions to the drug rehabilitation and human services field, Lorraine has maintained a quiet and self-effacing demeanor, preferring to let her work speak for itself.  Her modesty and lack of self-promotion, combined with her commitment and dedication to serving individuals, families, and communities affected by addiction and mental health disorders, won her the Unsung Hero Award from Massachusetts’ Association for Behavioral Healthcare in 2011.

Phoenix Houses of Florida is fortunate to have such a star on our team!

Each year Phoenix Houses of Florida serves nearly 1,000 men, women, and adolescents with substance use disorders.  For more information on our programs, call 813 881 1000.

Look Who’s Golfing for Phoenix House on March 23! Don’t Miss Out!

The Phoenix House Golf Benefit, to be held at Cypress Run Golf Club on Saturday, March 23, 2013, is shaping up to be a great event!  Celebrity golfers, including Fred McGriff, Anthony Becht, and Jason Romano, will join each foursome, along with other members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning. Located in Tarpon Springs, the heart of the Florida Gulf Coast’s Pinellas County, Cypress Run is one of Florida’s most prestigious private golf courses and offers some of the state’s finest private golf and social amenities.

Golfing to Fight Substance Abuse

The Phoenix House Benefit, which will be preceded by a luncheon and followed by a Surf ‘n Turf dinner, will also feature a raffle and silent auction with incredible prizes. Team prizes will be awarded and each participant will receive a tee gift. A shotgun start with four-person scramble will begin the competition at 1:00 p.m. sharp.  Beverages will be served on the course and the silent auction will be open for bidding throughout the day.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including:  Signature Sponsors ($2,000: four golfers, tee sign and banner), Silver Sponsors ($1,000: four golfers, tee sign), and Tee Sponsors ($100: tee sign).

You won’t want to miss out on this great opportunity to enjoy a thrilling day of golf and support Phoenix House’s vital work!  Click here to sign up as a sponsor or a player!  For additional information about the Tournament, please contact Duane Van Etten, Cypress Run Golf Club, at 727 237 7789.

Phoenix House Provides Outstanding Substance Abuse Rehabilitation

Phoenix Houses of Florida provides substance abuse rehabilitation for adolescents at the Derek Jeter Center in Tampa and at the Brandon Outpatient Treatment Center. Adults also receive outpatient counseling at the Tampa and Brandon facilities. Phoenix House Citra Center provides residential treatment for men and women whose substance abuse is advanced or complicated by mental health issues, and also offers transitional housing to support recovery. Our highly skilled professional staff annually serves more than 1,000 men, women, and teens, safeguarding youth, strengthening families, and helping to build happier, healthier lives.

If you know someone who is struggling with alcohol or drug problems, call Phoenix House today at 1 800 DRUG HELP (1 800 378 4435).  We’re here to help!

Fighting Synthetic Drug Addiction in Florida

Williams Park, in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast city of St. Petersburg, was established more than 125 years ago as an oasis of peace and tranquility in a bustling urban setting.  Or it should be.  The four-acre park, with its lush greenery, benches and footpaths, wilderness area and performance stage, now has gone the way of so many urban parks and become a gathering place for homeless people and drug users.

A recent article in the Tampa Bay Times highlighted the growing problem of Spice addiction among the regulars at Williams Park. During the past few years especially, use of this synthetic drug has become rampant in Williams Park.  Because the ingredients used to manufacture the marijuana-like substance are legal, it is sold in many stores with little restriction.  When an ingredient is outlawed, manufacturers scramble to substitute a legal chemical with similar effects.  In addition, the article pointed out that many users also suffer from mental health issues, such as depression and bipolar disorder.

Phoenix House has responded to this serious threat to the community’s health by becoming one of the first treatment providers in Florida to test for and treat addiction to Spice and other synthetic drugs.  For more than two years, our doctors and therapists have had significant success in treating the abuse of synthetic drugs, as well as the mental health disorders which frequently accompany and complicate it.  Adolescents struggling with synthetic and other drugs receive  expert care at Tampa’s Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House and at our Brandon Outpatient Center.  Adults also receive outpatient treatment at both Tampa and Brandon.  While the epidemic of Spice and other drug use in public areas like St. Petersburg’s Williams Park is going to remain a source of concern to the community, Phoenix House is in the forefront of efforts to combat it.

Do you know someone who needs help for problems with Spice, K-2, or another dangerous drug?  Contact Phoenix House at 1 800 DRUG HELP (1 800 378 4435).  Our skilled and compassionate staff will provide outstanding rehabilitation and behavioral health care, delivered with dignity and respect.

FORE! Cypress Run Golf Club to Host Phoenix House Golf Benefit!

Cypress Run Golf Club, one of Florida’s most prestigious private golf courses, will host a tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2013, to benefit Phoenix Houses of Florida. Located in Tarpon Springs, the heart of the Florida Gulf Coast’s Pinellas County, Cypress Run offers some of the state’s finest private golf and social amenities. The Tournament, which will be preceded by a luncheon and followed by a celebratory Surf and  Turf dinner, will also feature a raffle and silent auction. Team prizes will be awarded and each participant will receive a tee gift. A shotgun start with a four-person scramble will begin the competition at 1:00 p.m. sharp.  Beverages will be served on the course and the silent auction will be open for bidding throughout the day. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including:  Signature Sponsor ($2,000: four golfers, tee sign and banner), Silver Sponsors ($1,000: four golfers, tee sign), and Tee Sponsors ($100: tee sign).

Click here to sign up as a sponsor or a player!  For additional information about the Tournament, please contact Duane Van Etten, Cypress Run Golf Club, at 727 237 7789.

Phoenix Houses of Florida provides substance abuse rehabilitation for adolescents at the Derek Jeter Center in Tampa and at the Brandon Outpatient Treatment Center. Adults also receive outpatient counseling at the Tampa and Brandon facilities. Phoenix House Citra Center provides residential treatment for men and women whose substance abuse is advanced or complicated by mental health issues, and also offers transitional housing to support recovery. Our highly skilled professional staff annually serves more than 1,000 men, women, and teens, safeguarding youth, strengthening families, and helping to build happier, healthier lives.

True Story: Adam

I’ve never seen my mom drink more than two glasses of wine. My dad would only drink on the Fourth of July or St. Patrick’s Day. My parents think that drugs – pot, coke, what have you – are all the same thing: “dope.” Still, growing up in Washington, D.C. I started going to these house parties where we’d drink and smoke pot. That escalated into chronic opiate use, to the point where I was completely dependent.

I’ve been to a lot of treatment centers, and at one point I got sober for three and a half years. But then I was on vacation in Belize and I started using cocaine—I figured it would be fine since I’d never had a problem with that particular drug before. But I was wrong; my world came crashing down. Within a week of getting back to the U.S. from Belize, I was facing 55 years in prison and a $950,000 bond. The charges were grand theft and attempted robbery—all stemming from my drug use.

When I was in jail my family contacted Phoenix House, and after a lot of back-and-forth I finally entered treatment at Phoenix House Citra Center on May 7, 2012. I stayed for eight months. The program provided me with a renewed sense of optimism and restored my confidence that I’d be able to lead a sober and productive life. It gave me a strong foundation in my recovery, and taught me how to connect with people who had goals and objectives similar to mine. I started being proactive in the NA and AA groups on-site, and I worked closely with my counselors.

I had been exposed to recovery before, but Phoenix House really gave me that foundation to step back out into the world and experience life as a sober individual. Getting my successful discharge from Phoenix House was meaningful; I know that I’ve completed something I set out to complete. Today, there’s nothing I’m doing that I can’t disclose to my family, my employer, or even a police officer. It’s rewarding because for a long time, that wasn’t the case.

I’m doing very well now. I’m 37 years old, I have a full-time job in customer service, a new car, and I’m planning to take psychology classes at the University of Florida. I already have a degree from a good university, and I’ve worked in investment banking and made good money, but it just wasn’t rewarding to me. I remember working 80 hours a week and hating it; I would drink and do drugs every day. Now I want to do things that are inherently fulfilling, and the job I’m at right now allows me to explore those options. At this point, if I felt like training dogs or something would be really meaningful to me… I’d do it!

Positive things are happening in my life now. I was never estranged from my family, but I’ve renewed my relationships with them and they trust me again. They were there for me the whole time I was in prison, and it’s through their support that I was able to overcome my addiction. Today they’re really happy to see me in recovery, going to meetings, not giving them a bunch of gratuitous B.S. like in the old days. Now, if I say I’m going to be somewhere, I’ll be there. It’s unfortunate that I had to go through this, but I’ve learned valuable lessons and I have a great deal of optimism with regard to my future.

If you’re in treatment, just know that there is hope and things can get better. People will be there to help you, but you’re responsible for your own recovery—so just try to get engaged in the process. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

 

If you or a loved one needs help for substance abuse, call us today at 1-800-378-4435 or send us an email. 

There’s Still Time to Make Your Resolution!

It’s not too late to make your resolution now!  Look at what determination and moral support can do!

At Phoenix House Citra Center, Steven Myers, counselor and smoking cessation facilitator, holds smoking cessation courses for the clients at the center.  The six week classes meet on a weekly basis.  Enrolled clients join together and set the same “quit date” to provide moral support for one another.  They hold each other accountable for their actions and provide peer support.  “Sixteen clients just completed the course,” Steve recently explained.  “Out of the sixteen participants, ten have quit smoking.  Clients are already on a wait list to enroll in the next class!”

At the end of the program, there are rewards for the individuals who successfully complete the course, the biggest reward being the enormous health benefits associated with living a tobacco-free life.  Major health benefits include:  one year after quitting, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s; five years after quitting, the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat esophagus and bladder are cut in half and cervical cancer risk falls to that of a nonsmoker; ten years after quitting, the risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking; fifteen years after, the risk of coronary heart disease is also that of a nonsmoker’s.

Located in the rolling hills of Marion County, Phoenix House Citra Center provides gender-specific residential substance abuse treatment for adult men and women, including treatment for co-occurring mental health issues.  At Phoenix House, each individual is guaranteed the highest quality of care, delivered with professionalism and respect.  We pride ourselves on providing outstanding and accessible substance abuse treatment.  Phoenix House Citra is accredited by CARF, a nationally recognized standard of excellence.

To learn more about Phoenix House Citra Center, call 1-800-DRUG-HELP.

It’s Time to Make Your New Year’s Resolution!

At Phoenix House, we’re always prepared to help individuals whose lives have been disrupted by substance abuse and behavioral health issues.  Phoenix Houses of Florida can help you make and keep your resolution and take control of your life!

Veterans, in appreciation of your service to our country, Phoenix House is proud to offer you and your loved ones an assessment at no cost through January 15, 2013.

Phoenix Houses of Florida delivers the highest quality of care with professionalism and respect.  We pride ourselves on providing outstanding and accessible treatment to adults and teens dealing with drug and alcohol addictions.  Our facilities offer a continuum of services and treatment, complemented by healthy recreational activities and continuing care services to help clients maintain productive lives in recovery.

Find out more about the programs and services offered at Phoenix Houses of Florida, or call 1 800 DRUG HELP.

Brandon Outpatient Center

Recently opened in response to community need in Brandon, Riverview, and the Greater Tampa region, Phoenix House Brandon Outpatient Center provides customized outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) rehabilitation for adults and adolescents with substance use disorders.  Compassionate care is offered for those struggling with addiction to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, prescription medications including OxyContin, marijuana, synthetic drugs such as K2, Spice, and bath salts, and all other substances.  Our highly credentialed clinicians, including a certified traumatologist, develop individualized treatment plans to address each client’s unique needs and personal strengths.  Services include immediate assessments, drug testing, office-based detoxification, and referrals to residential care as warranted.

To help families deal with teen substance abuse and co-occurring mental health problems, Brandon Center provides adolescent outpatient and intensive outpatient services that help teens attain sobriety, confront the underlying causes of their substance abuse, and regain control of their lives. The program’s emphasis on family involvement helps mend family relationships while healing the wounds inflicted by drugs and alcohol. Building support networks to help sustain recovery is stressed as a key element in building a healthy future.

To serve adults with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues, Brandon Outpatient Center provides evidence-based treatment in both outpatient and intensive outpatient settings to best meet the individual needs of each client. We focus on healthy, positive life choices and encourage clients to identify and maximize their own individual strengths. We are also prepared to help clients with co-occurring mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and bi-polar disorder.  Services include life-skills training, health education, family re-integration assistance, and continuing care services to help ensure sustained recovery.

At Phoenix House, each individual is guaranteed the highest quality of care, delivered with professionalism and respect.  We pride ourselves on providing outstanding and accessible substance abuse treatment.  Convienient hours make treatment accessible to working adults and students.

Medicaid and most major insurance plans are accepted, as well as all major credit cards.

Phoenix House Brandon Outpatient Center is accredited by CARF, a nationally recognized standard of excellence.

 

Pill Mills & The Endless Game of Whac-A-Mole

I was troubled, but not surprised to read that the crackdown on ‘pill mills’ in my state of Florida has set off a boom in Georgia.  Now that Florida has established tougher regulations, ‘pill mill’ operators are simply opening businesses elsewhere—and taking customers with them.  As Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown put it, efforts to shut down sham pain clinics have “become like a game of Whac-A-Mole—as soon as one disappears, another one pops up.”

I couldn’t agree more.  While I’m proud that Florida, once a hotbed of these questionable clinics, has taken proactive steps to reduce prescription drug trafficking, the actions of any one state won’t be enough to solve this national crisis.  We need a set of federal regulations to prevent pill mill operators from moving on to the next state.  Developing a national prescription drug database, setting uniform standards for pain clinics, and investigating sketchy operations—these are efforts that require a coordinated, countrywide initiative.

But these tactics alone won’t provide the ultimate solution.  No doubt, we must attack the supply of prescription drugs in order to curb their abuse.  However, it is just as important, if not more, to address the demand for these drugs. More than 16,500 Americans die annually from opioid painkiller overdose, more than heroin and cocaine combined.  When a problem becomes this serious, we have to look at why so many people are becoming addicted to these painkillers in the first place—and what we can do about it.

One major reason painkiller addiction has soared in recent years is what I call our “culture of comfort.”  Today, many of us want to avoid any discomfort—and we tend to medicate every minor ache and pain.  That’s a heck of a lot of pills, many of which carry the potential for abuse. Of course, this doesn’t mean narcotic painkillers aren’t the right way to go when it comes to treating acute pain caused by severe injury or illness.  But I believe the over-prescription and usage of these drugs needs thorough examination.  If you’re regularly taking a narcotic painkiller like Oxycontin and you forget to bring it with you on a trip, you’ll find yourself in withdrawal. Unfortunately, far too few Americans understand that if they take narcotics over a period of time, they’ll become dependent and likely addicted.

So, what can we do?  For starters, both doctors and patients should be more educated about the risks—and they should consult addiction professionals.  I would even go so far as to suggest that every pain clinic should be required to have an addiction counselor on staff.  These counselors should talk to chronic pain patients before they start a narcotic and explain the dangers.

In addition, doctors should refer patients struggling with dependency or abuse to addiction treatment centers.  Southern Health, the Georgia clinic profiled in the Wall Street Journal, cited the fact that its doctors “tried to wean patients off high-dosage oxycodone” as evidence it was not operating a pill mill.  But the bottom line is that no pain clinic should be tapering down a medication, unless the staff includes someone trained in detoxification.  Detox should be left to addiction professionals who understand the entire realm of dependency.  Substance abuse requires specialized care, just like any other health condition; physicians who attempt to treat addiction without proper training are doing patients—and all of us—a disservice.

At the end of the day, we’ll never be able to conquer our country’s prescription drug abuse epidemic unless we take the wind out of its sails—and that can only happen through prevention, education, and treatment. Addicts will always find another way to get their fix—and dealers will always be ready and waiting to meet their demand.  If we focus solely on the newest ‘pill mill’ capital, this perpetual game of Whac-a-Mole will never end.

Jack Feinberg
VP & Clinical Director
Phoenix Houses of Florida

 

Phoenix Houses of Florida Delivers on the Promise!

You may have seen some scary stories in the news lately about recovery housing in Florida.  The articles shed a dismal light on sober housing, but that’s not the case at Phoenix House!

Phoenix House RISE (Recovery In an Independent, Sober Environment) provides housing in an environment which encourages teamwork, communication, and support-all of which help participants stay on the path to healthy recovery.  RISE is an integral part of our recovery-oriented system of care, and is based on the belief that people who experience a repeated pattern of drug or alcohol abuse need to spend additional time in a stable, supportive environment in order to reinforce sobriety.  RISE residents live and work in a community where spiritual, emotional, and physical healing takes place as residents help each other build trust, dignity and hope.  The community living experience allows clients to practice and reinforce new behaviors learned in substance and alcohol abuse treatment.  RISE includes meals, on-site Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, transportation and 24/7 staff supervision.  Professional counseling is also available.

RISE at Phoenix House Citra Center is located in the rolling hills of Marion County.  Citra Center is a multifaceted facility providing adult residential substance abuse treatment,  including treatment for co-occurring mental health issues.  Designed to support a well-rounded treatment experience, Citra Center features a swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts, a fitness trail and workout equipment.

At Phoenix House, each individual is guaranteed the highest quality of care, delivered with professionalism and respect.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and must complete an applicant screening form.  If deemed appropriate, an Intake Assessment will be scheduled.

Phoenix House RISE accepts most major credit cards and insurance plans.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, Phoenix House is here to help.  Call our toll free number today:  1-800-378-4435.

Find out more about programs and services at Phoenix Houses of Florida.

 

Florida Reports Deaths from Oxycodone Declining

According to a recent article posted by Tampa Bay Online, fewer people died from oxycodone overdoses for the first time in six years, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  Statistics showed that in 2011 there were 1,247 deaths related to overdoses, compared with 1,516 in 2010.  Anti-drug advocates said the findings are an encouraging sign that statewide initiatives such as tougher laws, a prescription pill monitoring program, and police crackdowns are working to eradicate what they call the community’s silent epidemic.

Oxycodone is an analgesic medication synthesized from poppy-derived thebaine.  It is generally prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe, acute, or chronic pain.  There is a high risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms if a patient discontinues its use abruptly.

Over the past few years, Florida has become known as the nation’s main hub for illicit trafficking in prescription painkillers.  The trafficking route, dubbed the “OxyContin Express,” begins on Interstate 75 and extends far north into Canada.

Florida’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi, was quoted as saying:  ”Thanks to our local, state and federal partners, we are saving lives and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to end prescription drug abuse in Florida.”

Phoenix Houses of Florida delivers the highest quality of care with professionalism and respect. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding and accessible  treatment to adults and teens and offering a full continuum of services, including care for co-occurring mental health issues, substance abuse treatment complemented by healthy recreational activities, and continuing care services which help our clients maintain productive lives in recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to Oxycodone, Phoenix House is here to help.  Email or call our toll free number today: 1-800-378-4355.

 

 

 

True Story: Sherry

Growing up, I was the black sheep of my family.  My two sisters had a lot of friends, but I always felt different.  My father was a single dad, and I really could have used the support of an extra parent.  I wound up with emotional problems, but at the time, I thought I was normal.

When I was fifteen, I left home because my father was trying to abuse me sexually.  I met a guy, got pregnant, and then got married.  We struggled because my husband refused to work. I tried to make it on my own with the child, but in the end, I gave him up for adoption.

I never did any drugs till I was 21.  That’s when I decided to move to Georgia and become a dancer.  I was leaving town and my younger sister turned me on to cocaine.  She told me it would help me stay awake. I didn’t like how it made my nose feel, so I didn’t want to try it again.

It wasn’t until I got to Atlanta that I learned there was another way to use the drug.  I got a boyfriend who turned me on to shooting cocaine—and I stayed with him for three years.  Then I wound up with another guy who turned out to be a Hell’s Angel.  He was wanted in Atlanta, so I decided to move back to Tampa and bring him with me.  By then, I was pregnant with his baby.  After I gave birth, he stayed home with our child and started smoking crack.  Pretty soon, I was smoking with him.  That was really my downfall.  I lost my house and my son—and my life just kept getting crazier.

I went in that direction for the next 24 years—dating drug users, having babies, and then getting rid of their daddies before each child was a year old.  I got married over and over, and wound up with five children.  For many years, I lost contact with all of them because of my drug use.

During this time, I was in and out of jail.  At two different points, I was sentenced to three years in prison.  The second time, I was court-ordered to treatment and because of where I was living, Phoenix House’s Adult Outpatient Counseling Center in Tampa decided to take me.  I started with three classes a week, plus AA.  I did all the work on myself and got clean.  Then, when I’d almost finished treatment, my boyfriend disappeared and my son got sentenced to 30 years in the Florida state prison.  By coincidence, my case in drug court was transferred to the same judge who had sentenced my son.  I was doing really well, but when they switched judges on me, I flipped out.  I relapsed and ran from Phoenix House.

By that time, I had reunited with my daughter and I ran away to her house in Daytona.  It didn’t take long before the cops found me and brought me back.  I had been diagnosed as bipolar and I felt like I was fighting against the whole world, but my counselor at Phoenix House, November Church, was adamant about my coming back and getting well.  That girl has a heart; she can see inside you.  She treats you like a person.  She made a big impact on my life, even when I had to sit there and listen to her tell me I was wrong.

I knew I’d ruined my own life, but I didn’t think I was hurting anybody but me. I came to realize that I’d hurt everyone around me, especially my children.  I grew up as a welfare baby, so I didn’t have a chance from the beginning.  But as I got clean, I saw that I had to make that difference. I had to be the one to change.  Nobody could do it for me.  So, I completed my treatment and I’ve been sober for about nineteen months.

Today, I’m not haunted by my past.  I’ve been HIV positive for 13 years, but I’m doing well; my doctors say I’m another Magic Johnson. I’m very close to my daughter and her one-year-old baby.  I also support my son who’s serving 30 years, and his four-year-old son. My children are so proud.  They can tell I’m not going back.  I’m 55, so what do I have left?  I want to spend the rest of my time making a difference for others.  After I left treatment, I bought a trailer and some tools, and started hiring other recovering addicts who had trouble finding work.  We do yard work and other odd jobs.  Even the people who work with me on these little jobs tell me, “You’re a blessing!”  I’m the person I should have been twenty years ago.

Phoenix Houses of Florida Receives Generous Donation from West Pharmaceutical’s West without Borders Campaign

West Pharmaceutical Services, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, annually chooses a nonprofit organization as the beneficiary of their West without Borders (WwoB) Charitable Fund Drive.  This year, the 300 employees at the St. Petersburg plant focused on the issue of adolescent substance abuse as the theme of their fundraising efforts, and Phoenix Houses of Florida was the lucky organization chosen as the recipient of their community spirit and generosity.

Last week, Rick Valentine, Plant Manager, West Pharmaceuticals, presented Phoenix Houses of Florida with a check for $6,792!  Phoenix Houses of Florida will use this generous contribution to further its mission of providing treatment, counseling, and education to teens and adults struggling with substance abuse.

Jack Feinberg, Vice President and Clinical Director, Phoenix Houses of Florida, said “West Pharmaceutical Services’ annual charitable fund drive is an outstanding example of corporate philanthropy.  What a difference a company can make in our community!”

The employees of West Pharmaceutical Services give both time and monetary donations to philanthropic efforts, and their management wholeheartedly embraces the various events that raise these funds.  West Pharmaceutical believes that this kind of involvement reinforces the company’s philosophy of giving back to the community.  Previous recipients of the West without Borders annual campaign include the United Way, Ronald McDonald House, the local Food Bank, Toys for Tots, the annual holiday drive.

Phoenix Houses of Florida salutes all of the employees of West Pharmaceutical Services for their dedication to supporting substance abuse recovery!  Thank you!

Experts Discuss Teen Use of Bath Salts, Synthetic Marijuana

Jack Feinberg, Vice President and Clinical Director of Phoenix Houses of Florida, joined an expert panel to talk about synthetic drugs, where teens find them, how they use the drugs and the risks of taking the drugs. The segment, hosted by Tai Hernandez, aired on Good Day Street Talk on local Fox affiliate WNYW.

Phoenix House Citra Center Celebrates Recovery Month!

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, Phoenix House Citra Center  hosted a day of celebration in honor of National Recovery Month.  The day was filled with food, fun, including a dunk tank!, live music, and fellowship.

Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible.  This annual recovery celebration spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.

Designed to support a well-rounded treatment experience, our Citra campus features a swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts, a fitness trail, and workout equipment.  Office-based detoxification services are available for both men and women, and treatment length is tailored to meet each client’s individual needs.  A separate residential program designed exclusively for women provides trauma-informed, gender-specific treatment services.

At Phoenix House, each individual is guaranteed the highest quality of care, delivered with professionalism and respect. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding and accessible substance abuse treatment. Phoenix House Citra Center is accredited by CARF, a nationally recognized standard of excellence.

 

Hats Off to Derek Jeter as the Yankees Win!

Thanks to the generosity of the Turn 2 Foundation, teens from the Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House in Tampa had the opportunity to enjoy a night of drug- and alcohol-free fun.  On Wednesday, September 5, 2012, sixteen adolescent clients and four staff members from the Derek Jeter Center were in the stands as the New York Yankees played the Tampa Bay Rays.  The group was excited as they watched the Yankees take the lead with help from a Tampa Bay error.  The Yankees regained sole possession of first-place in the division with a 6-4 win over the Rays.

The Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House is named in honor of New York Yankees great Derek Jeter, acknowledging the generous support of his Turn 2 Foundation.  The Center provides comprehensive adolescent outpatient services that help families deal with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues.  Phoenix House seeks to stop drug use and change the behaviors and attitudes that support it by incorporating a strong family element.  Phoenix House Florida also provides adult comprehensive services in Tampa.  Psychiatric services are also available.

Phoenix Houses of Florida gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Turn 2 Foundation for providing this exciting night at the ballgame to the teens at Derek Jeter Center.