Articles
Staff Spotlight – Dr. Michael Anthony Hernandez M.D. – Medical Director and Psychiatrist
Dr. Hernandez is from Corpus Christi, Texas. He began overseeing South Padre Island’s medical operations in late November 2020. He earned his bachelor’s in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University and his doctorate in medicine from Indiana University. Dr....
How Do I Know If I’m an Alcoholic?
You’ve likely read thousands of facts about alcohol and problem drinking so let’s shift the focus a bit for today’s topic. Statistics provide some information about how alcohol affects users, but these are often “scare tactics” used to inspire someone to quit...
Health Benefits of Quitting Drinking
Health benefits are one kind of reward of recovery, but not everyone knows how the body responds positively after you quit drinking and stay sober. The experience of withdrawal may be overshadowing any thoughts of how long-term sobriety can help. But there are several...
Picking a Good Sponsor
Joe Hartwell - Alumni Relations Liaison Something I have observed over the years is a misunderstanding of what a sponsor is and what a sponsor is not. Ironically, the Big Book never uses the word sponsor. The closest thing you will read in the Big Book that would...
Risk Factors for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose
Unlike some substances that take time to create addiction, opioids can speed up the process. First-time opioid users may not be aware of how quickly the drug can impact their body and brain. Patients with a prescription and recreational users both face the same kinds...
A Message of Hope
Joe Hartwell, Alumni Relations Liaison As I’m reflecting over this past year, 2020 has been an unprecedented year, unlike anything I have seen in my 57 years. We have overcome tremendous obstacles at a social, political, cultural, and spiritual level. “The spiritual...
Your Sobriety Is Not For You
Newell Bentley Alumni Care Coordinator As I reflected on this past year, I have come to believe that we can still have hope in this year of overall craziness and unknown. The first holidays with family and friends out of treatment was an immense fear I had. I still...
Creating a New Normal
Scott Vandenburg MA, LPC, LCDC, CART | Executive Director Most people would agree that 2020 has been filled with unique challenges and situations many of us have never experienced in our lifetimes. There have been a variety of events this year that range from mildly...
Choosing the Best Men’s Residential Rehab and Treatment Center in Texas
The best way to evaluate residential programs for men who are seeking recovery from substance use disorders is by looking at what each one offers based on exactly what you need. The ones equipped to meet your physical, mental, psychological, and emotional needs during...
Co-occurring Disorders in Men: What are they and how do they relate to substance abuse?
Men who drink or use drugs frequently may be unaware of what’s quietly making that behavior worse. If they’re not in denial about their drinking or drug problem, they may have tried an inpatient or outpatient treatment and found it didn’t work for them. The solution...
Overcoming Addiction at Origins Recovery Center
Joe Hartwell, Alumni Relations Liaison Greetings, I’m a recovered alcoholic and drug addict. I took my first drink when I was 14 years old, and although I got very drunk that evening, becoming violently ill, not remembering anything that happened that night, and...
Treating Men for Alcohol, Cocaine and Narcotics Addiction at Origins Recovery Center
Treating Substance Abuse at a Men’s Addiction and Recovery Center in South Texas Men who are addicted to alcohol, cocaine, or narcotics can benefit from treatment made specifically for them. Origins Recovery Center on South Padre Island in Texas provides proven...
The Crisis of Alcohol Use in the Covid Era
In the COVID era, you may have noticed your drinking habits have changed as a shutdown of the economy occurred, and working from home became more common. Access to alcohol certainly increased for many people, and anxiety over the uncertainty of the pandemic's impact...
Organizational Culture
Scott Vandenburg, MA, LPC, LCDC, CART | Senior Program Director Organizational culture may be defined as behaviors, expectations, and practices, all guided by an overarching set of values that collectively shape and inform all team members' actions within an...
Caring for Others Includes Caring for Ourselves
By Joshua Love, MDiv, LCDC-I This work challenges us to be creative, intuitive, resourceful, hopeful, accountable, and mindful. It also calls us to be restful, setting aside the business of the day while working against the odds to support the healing of those whose...
The Magnificent Force of Family
David Tejeda, LPC - Family Services Director When a person first hears the phrase “addiction is a family illness,” it may rouse several innate objections and skepticism. This is the challenge that every non-addicted family member must confront. The therapist holds up...
Making More Effective Treatment Choices
As the goal of any treatment program for substance use should be sustainable recovery, it’s essential to be aware of all of your options for treatment programs. As you become aware of what each one offers and how it compares to the others, you can get a sense of...
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Health Insurance Coverage at Origins Recovery Center
Co-occurring disorders are common among individuals with substance use disorders. Many people with symptoms of a particular addiction, such as alcohol or heroin, also have an underlying mental health concern or disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic...
9 Reasons to Not Delay Treatment during the Covid Era
The coronavirus pandemic and concerns over the spread of the virus have prompted some people to question whether seeking treatment for substance use disorders right now is a sensible choice. It’s a reasonable concern given the numbers of people infected nationwide,...
Overcoming Withdrawal Symptoms
Individuals with a substance use disorder who eliminate addictive substances from their lives will often feel the physical effects of what’s known as “withdrawal symptoms.” According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, withdrawal is the onset of predictable...
Origins Texas: Most Insurance Accepted
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