Is it Time For an Intervention?

Family and friends are gathering together this holiday season.  It is a time for great joy and renewal of the spirit.  It may also be a time for coming to terms with the “elephant in the room”.  As you make plans to be with those you care about look inside yourself and ask…is everyone living a healthy lifestyle that can be sustained into 2017 and beyond?

These are tough questions to ask and MUCH tougher to address.  It may be important to touch base with some of the friends and relatives with whom you will be gathering before Christmas to strategize how you wish to handle a holiday intervention.  This may be one of the most important times in the life of your loved one.

The only mistake is ignoring an ongoing problem.  It will probably end in disaster.  Please remember that Blu By The Sea is a rehabilitation center for substance abuse located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  It may be the right place for a loved one with a substance abuse problem.  Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Call today for more information at (850) 424-3252.  

The Times They Are a Changin’.

It is a familiar phrase made famous in a song by Bob Dylan.  Yes, the times they are a changin’ with regard to the legal use of marijuana.  No matter on which side of the argument you may fall you can’t stop a runaway locomotive.  The recent election shows that this plant, which may be medicinal but is definitely mind-altering, is becoming more and more acceptable.

Here is why we wanted to address the issue.  Remember that marijuana has different effects on different people.  It is very much like alcohol in that respect.  While many will argue that it does NOT lead to harsher, more addictive substances it must be recognized that the euphoria it brings could be the catalyst in attempting more harmful drugs.

Even if it is legal in your state that does not make it right for you!  Please remember that Blu By The Sea is a rehabilitation center for substance abuse, located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  It may be the place for you or a loved one if you have a substance abuse problem.  Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Call today for more information at (850) 424-3252.  

How Does Your Brain Respond to Cocaine?

Cocaine is considered a stimulant.  The last time you had a cup of coffee you experienced a legal, low dose of stimulation.  You probably also know that drinking too much caffeine makes you feel jittery, or overly energetic.  When you ingest a stimulant it changes the way your brain works.  This is a tiny example of what cocaine does to the brain.

When one does cocaine they have gone to the “big leagues” of stimulation.  Not only is it illegal…duh, but it is very dangerous as well.  Cocaine comes from the leaf of the coca plant.  It is either inhaled as a white powder through the nose or, in another form it is smoked when it is transformed into another version known as “crack”.

Remember when Jack Nicholson said “you can’t handle the truth”!  Well, you can’t handle this drug even if you think you can.  Blu By The Sea is a cocaine addiction rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  It may be the perfect place to “kick the coke”.  Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Call today for more information at (850) 424-3252.

Why Choose a Private Rehab Facility?

Alcohol and drug abuse does not respect socioeconomic lines.  It strikes every area of our society and is an insidious disease.  The downward spiral of depression from drug abuse will challenge even the strongest among us.  All of a person’s energy needs to be focused on the addiction.  This is why part-time counseling may not be the answer.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has suggested that private structured rehab facilities offer a more structured environment away from the temptation of drug and alcohol use.  Rehabilitation centers with private rooms allow each individual to heal at their own pace.  Do yourself a favor and research the right place for you or your loved one to recover.

On the web your will discover a place called Blu By The Sea.  We are a drug and alcohol personal rehabilitation center located on the breath-taking shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  What a remarkable place to rediscover yourself!  Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Call today for more information at (850) 424-3252.  

Made Your Halloween Weekend Plans Yet?

Pumpkinpalooza at HarborWalk Village

(Follow the link above for more information) 

October 30, 2016 @ 2:00 PM 

Harbor Walk Village

 

The Five Most Addictive Drugs on the Streets.

Knowledge is power.  Knowing the street’s most addictive drugs is important.  If you want to live long and prosper these are good things to avoid.  Earlier this month we discussed the ravages of alcohol abuse.  This time we want you to be aware of some of the most insidious drugs in America.  If any of these or others have become a pervasive part of your life, we may have an answer.

1.  Heroin.  No surprise here, it has found its way into every segment of our society.

2.  Cocaine.  The first reaction is euphoria.  Your brain quickly becomes used to it.

3.  Methamphetamines.  Users are always “chasing” that initial high and never find it.

4.  Prescription drugs.  They may be legal, but they are just as addictive as street drugs.

5.  Alcohol.  Need we say more?  Legal, but lethal if misused.

Here is a suggestion.  Do some research on the web and read about a place called Blu By The Sea.  We are a drug rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  We may have some life-saving answers for you or a loved one.  Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Call today for more information at (850) 424-3252.  

Kidney Failure from Alcohol Abuse.

This forum is not designed for personal reflections.  It is meant to inform and possibly educate.  This time, however the two have melded together.  I hope that you will indulge me for a minute and maybe gain something from this short personal narrative.  Heaven knows, that this summer has been a life-altering time for me and maybe one of you can avoid this fate.

Over the last three months I have lost two very important people in my life in their 50s.  That is simply too soon to depart this life.  In both cases, friends and family looked the other way as these individuals consumed an enormous amount of alcohol.  Neither one of them was an “angry drunk” so their overindulgence was tolerated.  Now it is too late.

Are you making the same mistake that I did?  Please don’t!  May I suggest that you research Blu By The Sea a holistic alcohol and drug rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  They may have some life-saving answers.  Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Give them a call today at (850) 424-3252.  

What is Holistic Treatment?

Holistic medicine is a buzz term we hear about often.  So what is it exactly?  Holistic is defined as focusing on the “whole person” not just the specific malady that troubles them.  This type of treatment goes back to ancient Greece so it is hardly a new and radical concept.  Under the broad heading of holistic are included homeopathy, naturopathy, and hydrotherapy.

Some suggest that a spiritual element should be included in holistic treatment.  How does it differ from alternative medicine?  The main element is that this approach is not NECESSARILY the primary focus.  The signs that any medical treatment is needed are as simple as pain itself.  Holistic does not have to mean an alternative to medicine, but rather a different approach toward the same goal…healing!

The first step is determining if a holistic approach is right for you or a loved one.  We want you to research Blu By The Sea, a holistic rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  We may have the type of treatment that you’re looking for. Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.  

How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?

Earlier we examined the effects of drug abuse on your most important organ.  How does excessive alcohol consumption affect your body’s control center?  Obviously the brain controls all five of your senses in addition to your breathing.  It is all part of the central nervous system comprised of billions of cells and neurons.

Alcohol serves as a depressant for the CNS.  There are several warning factors that the brain is slowing down.  Among them are –

1.  Altered speech patterns

2.  Slower reaction times

3.  Confused thinking and rationalization

4.  Muscles weakening noticeably…not just with age.

5.  Difficulty remembering things and more.

Have you or a loved one reached the point where you feel that alcohol has negatively altered your life?  Step one is recognizing the problem.  Blu By The Sea is an alcohol rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  We may have the answers you’re looking for. Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.  

Make Your Labor Day Plans!

Harborwalk Village Labor Day Celebration

(Follow the link above for more information)

Saturday, Sept 3 - 7:00pm

Sunday, Sept 4th - 7:00pm - followed by fireworks at 9:00pm

 

HarborWalk Village is sending summer off with a bang! Live music all weekend long and fireworks over the Destin Harbor!  

How does Drug Addiction affect the Brain?

Few would disagree that drug addiction over time will have a profound effect on the body.  What about the brain?  It is obviously our body’s most important organ.  Interestingly, in studies it has been shown that our brain’s ability to adapt leads to even more addiction.  It does not shut down like your heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, etc.  It evolves as far as it can to keep the body going.

From what experts know there are at least a few fundamental ways that an addict’s brain changes…

1.  Our brains have natural balance.  That changes for the worse with drug addiction.

2.  The very chemistry in the brain evolves.

3.  Over time, the brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of our body alters.

4.  In short, the very structure of our most important organ is off-course.

Addiction does not have to be the end.  Recognizing addiction may be the beginning.  Properly treating it may be the ticket to a long and healthier life.  Blu By The Sea is an addiction rehabilitation center located on the breath-taking shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  We may have the life-saving answers you seek. Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.

The Disease of Addiction.

Let’s get it straight from the beginning…addiction IS a disease.  Approximately one out of every eight Americans suffer from this insidious disease.  This is more than heart disease or cancer or diabetes.  What this nation spends to treat alcohol and drug addiction horrifyingly pales in comparison to what it spends on treatment of those other three diseases.

Take a guess - how much do you think that America spends treating heart disease annually?  How about well over 100 billion dollars?!  We also spend nearly 100 billion dollars per year in the U.S. fighting cancer.  Diabetes is given about 50 billion dollars a year for treatment.  While less than 30 billion dollars a year is devoted to treating addiction in this country.

None of this is meant to diminish the importance of the other 3 terrible maladies and much more that we endure in this nation.  It is meant to point out where we need to put more emphasis.   Blu By The Sea is an addiction rehabilitation center located on the breath-taking shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.    Visit www.blubythesea.com. and give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.

Prescription Painkillers and Older Americans.

Earlier this month we discussed the growing epidemic of prescription painkillers in the US.  At the time we focused on the younger generation.  What about mom and dad?  They are the growing number of senior citizens who are misusing prescribed pain killing medications.  About 20 years ago doctors started concentrating some of their treatment on the level of pain a patient was experiencing. 

Now, in the middle of the second decade of the 21st century the number of opioid-based pain medication deaths among Americans over 50 has increased over 10 times from what it was at the turn of the century!  There are precautions that you can take when a loved one over 50 is abusing these drugs.  Is he or she using more than one doctor or pharmacy?  Are you seeing signs of addiction?  Ask them about which pills and the amount that they are taking.

These steps and many more help in the fight to keep mom and dad around for many years to come.  Blu By The Sea is a prescription drug rehabilitation center located on the breath-taking shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  See if your beloved senior might benefit from our facility.   Visit www.blubythesea.com.  Give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.

The Dangers of Prescription Painkillers.

The death of music icon Prince has brought this issue to the forefront again.  America has a painkiller misuse epidemic.  According to the most recent available statistics, more than five million Americans abused prescription drugs.  Just take the category of high school seniors.  The most common abused drug after marijuana was some type of medically prescribed prescription painkiller.

What is the target for this type of abuse?  Well, nearly two-thirds of Americans going into treatment for painkiller addiction were between the ages of 12 and 30.  The number may be higher in that these statistics only include publically funded treatment programs.  As you can see our country’s future is at stake here!

We want to be a part of the healing.  The time is now to nip this problem in the bud.  Blu By The Sea is a prescription drug rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle.  Please take some time and browse our website at www.blubythesea.com and make a summer visit to our facility located in Destin Florida.  Give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.

Don't Miss Destin's 4th of July Celebration!

Red, White, and Baytowne - 4th of July Celebration!

Monday, July 4th
Time: 6-9pm
Location: The Events Plaza Lawn
Cost: Free

Celebrate Independence Day at Baytowne! Enjoy a day of fun in the sun, and an evening that lights up the sky! Live music and kid's activities from 6-9pm. Enjoy LIVE music with Soul Track Mind on the Events Plaza Stage starting at 7pm! Our patriotic fireworks light up the sky at 9:15pm.

The Benefits of Giving Up Alcohol.

If you or someone you love has come to terms with a drinking problem this may be the greatest day of the rest of your life.  Becoming aware that you are an alcoholic is step one in the healing process.  Whether you have come to this conclusion on your own or through the help of people in your life who care, be grateful.  What are some of the benefits of giving up heavy alcohol consumption?

1.)        You will start losing weight.  Less alcohol=less carbs and calories.

2.)        You will improve your metabolism.

3.)        Your cholesterol and fatty deposits on your liver will go down.

4.)        Believe it or not you will sleep better…alcohol puts you to sleep, but not for long.

5.)        Your skin will become healthier and more hydrated.

Let us help.  You know it is time to do the right thing for yourself and your loved ones.  We are Blu By The Sea, an alcohol rehabilitation center located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and make plans this summer to visit our facility located in Destin Florida.  Give us a call today at (850) 424-3252.

Treating Alcohol Abuse.

Overcoming the ravages of abusing alcohol is an arduous task.  Consuming alcohol almost always starts out recreationally and grips the individual more and more over time.  Some people can take a few sips and be on their way to full-fledged abuse.  Others have a high tolerance for it and can go years living in denial.  Either way it affects not only the alcoholic, but his or her family and friends as well.

Whether it is you or someone you love the first step is the denial one.  You have to be ready to accept help or else rehabilitation will only be temporary.  It is not necessary to hit rock bottom.  The change can happen at any time when YOU are ready.  Weigh the costs and the benefits of making this life-changing choice and see which column is larger.

On the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico there lies an alcohol treatment facility.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are a certified alcohol addiction treatment center located in Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Give us a call today and begin the road to recovery at (850) 424-3252.

Memorial Day Concert Celebration

Memorial Day Concert Celebration

May 28 - May 29 | Sat, 7 PM - 9 PM; Sun 5 PM - 9 PM 

HarborWalk Village
10 Harbor Blvd Destin, FL 

It’s time for flip flops, sun tans and SUMMER! Kick-off summer with live music all weekend long and FIREWORKS over the Destin Harbor!

What is the NAATP?

The NAATP stands for The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.  Since its inception in 1978 it has become the leading voice of addiction treatment in the USA.  It is proud to have 300 member organizations affiliated with it.  The NAATP speaks loud and clear about the treatment of insidious addictions that grip Americans.

There are 600 treatment facilities around the nation.  They set the standard for quality care.  Men, women, young, old - it doesn’t matter.  If you have an addictive disease know this, a NAATP facility will only help you in your fight to get your life back.  Some of the facilities follow the traditional 12-step program while others modify that traditional model.

Did you know that on the breathtaking shores of the Gulf of Mexico there lies a certified NAATP facility?  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are a certified addiction treatment center located in Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Give us a call today and begin fighting back at (850) 424-3252.

Adults Living with Addiction Denial.

How many people in America are addicted to a prescription drug, alcohol, or something illegal and deny the fact that they have a dependency?  The number must be staggering.  It is likely that you have someone in your life who does too much of a bad thing and then gets very defensive when the subject is broached…sound familiar?

An intervention would be nice.  In an ideal world we would all gather around and sing kumbaya and the victim would immediately seek help.  We all know that more often than not it is a far more complicated process.  It is not, however an insurmountable one.  In the case of addiction love may truly conquer all.  A show of unity and strength is essential to save the life of a loved one.

Before you tackle this green-eyed monster, become familiar with a remarkable place in Florida on the breathtaking Gulf Coast to find help for drug and alcohol addiction.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are an addiction treatment center located in Florida’s panhandle on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Please call us today at (850) 424-3252.

Concerts in the Village are coming back!

Concerts in the Village
<click link above for more information>

21st Annual Concerts in the Village

Voted as one of the top ten things to do in Northwest Florida by the Florida Travel & Tourism Guide, this nine-week outdoor spring/summer concert series features a variety of music for all ages.

May 5th - June 30th
Thursdays, 7-9pm (entrance opens at 6pm)

Teenage Drug Abuse and Addiction.

When a teenager abuses a drug their chance of becoming an addict is much greater than that of an adult.  It is vitally important to differentiate between use and addiction.  Just because a teen has experimented with a drug does not mean they are addicted.  The important part of this equation is that their young brains are still developing leaving them more vulnerable.

Look for the signs that the teenager(s) in your life may be misusing drugs.  Among those signs are simple curiosity for example…I wonder how that will make me feel?  Stress is a motivating factor.  Try to communicate with your kids to see what is bothering them.  Of course, a big one is peer pressure.  Meet and learn about their friends and the people that they hang around.

If you have discovered that your teenager has been abusing drugs, consider treatment.  On the breathtaking Gulf Coast there is help for drug and alcohol addiction.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are a drug rehabilitation center for people of all ages in Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Please call today at (850) 424-3252.

What are Delirium Tremens?

You have probably heard of this disorder.  Delirium tremens are caused from the withdrawal of alcohol from one’s system.  During this 3-4 day period victims may hear and see things that people around them do not.  If you are looking for physical manifestations, pay particular attention to shaking, shivering, sweating, and an irregular heartbeat.  

Alcohol withdrawal is not the only cause of delirium tremens.  They may also be caused from ceasing prolonged use of barbiturates.  When you see these symptoms it is important to rule out such abnormalities as electrolyte abnormalities, pancreatitis, and alcoholic hepatitis.  Aggressive treatment is needed for these withdrawals.

There is a remarkable place in Florida on the breathtaking Gulf Coast to find help for drug and alcohol addiction.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are a delirium tremens treatment center in Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Please call today at (850) 424-3252.

Destin's Annual Easter Egg Hunt!

Destin's Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 26th - 9:15am Start - DON'T BE LATE!

Morgan Sports Center Softball Fields

<Clink on link above for more information.>

The Dangers of Smoking Spice.

People try different drugs for recreational use for a variety of reasons.  One of the newer more popular additions to the list is K2 or “spice”.  This refers to a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana.  If you are not familiar with spice then you may need to become so.  Among high school seniors, smoking spice has become the second most used illicit drug after marijuana itself.

Don’t be deceived!  Labels on Spice products often claim that they contain “natural” psychoactive material taken from a variety of plants.  Poison control centers have reported a variety of after effects from smoking spice.  Among them are rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, raised blood pressure and reduced blood supply to the heart, and, in a few cases, heart attacks.

Addiction comes in many forms.  There is a remarkable place in Florida on the breathtaking Gulf Coast to find help for drug and alcohol addiction.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are a drug rehabilitation center in Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Please call today at (850) 424-3252.

Learning the Signs of Drug Abuse.

Are you abusing alcohol?  An alcoholic is one who typically continues to drink to excess even after they know that they may be in a downward spiral.  Alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are NOT the same.  Alcohol addiction is specific to psychological and physical dependency.  Individuals who may be suffering from alcohol abuse will build a tolerance to the drug even after problems have surfaced.

What about cocaine abuse?  Cocaine is the type of drug that increases dopamine in the brain.  Dopamine typically gives one a sense of euphoria and emboldens the individual for a short period of time making them feel more “in charge”.  There is a considerable potential of abuse however, which may lead to psychiatric disorders, disease, and heart failure.

Do you or someone you know have an addiction to alcohol or cocaine?  There is a remarkable place in Florida on the breathtaking Gulf Coast where you have the opportunity to fight the ravages of drug abuse.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  We are a drug rehabilitation center in Florida’s panhandle.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Please call today at (850) 424-3252.

8th Annual Irish Street Fest & Grogg March - HarborWalk Village

8th Annual Irish Street Fest & Grogg March

"The 8th annual Irish Street Fest & Grogg March takes place at HarborWalk Village on Destin Harbor on Saturday March 12 starting at 1pm.  Don’t forget to wear your GREEN! The whole clan will enjoy an afternoon full of live Irish music and activities! Wee ones will enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, and an interactive treasure hunt through HarborWalk Village, sure to lead to the Pot O’ Gold!"

 

Cheaper Meth and Heroin are Flooding into America.

Did you know that there is a new flood of cheap heroin and Meth coming into the US every day?  With the continued decriminalization of marijuana the drug lords have turned their attention to narcotics as their main profit center.  Marijuana made in the USA is quickly displacing the cheap, seedy, hard-packed version harvested in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains.

US law enforcement agents are now seizing more and more kilograms of heroin.  Methamphetamine has also surged, mocking the Hollywood image of the TV show “Breaking Bad”.  These days the large-scale U.S. meth labs are pretty much gone.  Now the drug suppliers mostly from Mexico have taken over production south of the border and distribution into the United States.

With this startling revelation comes the need for help.  Do you or someone you know have a heroin or meth addiction?  There is a remarkable place in Florida’s panhandle on the breathtaking Gulf Coast, where you have the opportunity to fight the ravages of drug abuse.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin, Florida.  The future is full of hope and promise.

The Facts about Craving Alcohol.

What are the specific factors that affect the brain when alcohol is consumed in high quantities?

We know that excessive consumption of alcohol has damaging long-term effects on the body and mind.  Short term memory loss is something to be aware of in the early stages of brain disturbance due to alcohol consumption. 

There are many reasons why some people are able to consume alcohol in moderate to higher quantities without notable deleterious consequences and others cannot.  Among those are family history, a person’s age, gender, and genetics play a major roll as well.  How long have you been drinking and in what amounts?  Even the fact that a person was exposed to alcohol before they were born is significant.

Getting to the root of the problem and treating it properly is the ticket to long-term survival and better health.  There is a remarkable place in Florida’s panhandle on the breathtaking Gulf Coast where you have the opportunity to rediscover yourself.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and peruse the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  Yes, the New Year holds great promise for you and your family.

SAMHSA

Here is a word about SAMHSA which stands for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  SAMSHA is a branch of the Health and Human Services Department.  Their mission is to improve the quality of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services.  They also strive to make these services more accessible to the average American.

To demonstrate how vital the federal government deems SAMHSA to be, the US Congress has directed SAMHSA to target effectively substance abuse and mental health services to the people most in need and to translate research in these areas more effectively and rapidly into the general health care system.  To discover more about SAMHSA’s mission statement visit their website at www.samhsa.gov.

There is a remarkable place in Florida’s panhandle on the breathtaking Gulf Coast that promotes the SAMSHA mission where you have the opportunity to reinvent yourself.  It is called Blu By The Sea.  Please visit our website at www.blubythesea.com and view the details of our facility located in Destin Florida.  The future holds great promise for you and your family.