South Miami Recovery, Inc.
7520 SW 57th Ave Suite K 33143 South Miami, FL, US

"Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you." Misty Copeland

If you're anxious about the future or worried about the past, take some deep breaths and focus on the here and now.

A healthy diet is an important cornerstone of recovery. When you're in the grocery store, check the nutrition facts on the food and drinks you purchase. Be aware of items containing excess sugar, fat, and calories.

History of Addiction Treatment in South Miami As they say, if you remember the 70’s and 80’s in South Florida then you weren’t there. Well, that’s a little exaggerated.I’m sure not everyone was partying but it sure seemed like it. Miami Vice on TV and Scareface in the movies, it was a time of disco clubs, cocaine and and everything was in excess. That’s when I hit my bottom. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was 31 years old and needed to start my life over agai...n and had no idea how to do that. I guess I was not alone, there were a lot of burned out boomers ready to find a new way to live and put down the drugs and alcohol. The only problem was I didn’t know how to live without them. AS I woke up from my self induced blackout and began to look around I found a community of young adults who just like me wanted and needed to change their self destructive lifestyles. That’s when I heard about South Miami Hospital’s Addiction Treatment Program. I never knew there was a place to go to get help, get clean and learn what it takes to live a happy, productive life without a chemical to get me through the day. I was soon introduced to dozens of recovering addicts, most of which were alumni from South Miami Hospital’s ATP. Well it’s been 38 years since then, a lifetime for me. My new clean life gave me a purposeful career, a grateful family, close meaningful friendships and most importantly a feeling of serenity,self worth and a spiritual connection. I didn’t know what path my new clean life would take back in 1981, but eventually it led me to work at South Miami Hospital and the Addiction Treatment Program. For 23 years I counseled addicts and eventually directed the program. Through all those years we would celebrate each year with our Annual Alumni Home Coming. Each year hundreds would attend and many would come up on stage to share their own journey in recovery. Those were great times and as much like life things change. South Miami Hospital no longer has the famous 2 Tower where patients detoxed and spent 28 days and no longer celebrates an alumni homecoming. I’ve included a copy of the original invitation held in November 1978. I don’t know if anyone cares or is interested but if you do, you can contact me and maybe we can plan a reunion to celebrate recovery in our South Miami Community. Sincerely, Howard Lerner

Recovery takes support and accountability no one does it alone.

When in doubt, write it out. Journaling can help you to process stressful events or difficult days.

This December, it is particularly important to be aware of these Florida DUI facts and to take the time to understand more about the effects of impaired driving. https://www.southmiamirecovery.com/blog/florida-dui-facts/

Happy Veterans Day from South Miami Recovery!

My Recovery Weather Vane For many years I’ve shared with clients and patients that to clearly monitor your progress in recovery depends on having a plan. My experience has taught me it’s not ideas, opinions or intellectual pursuit that paves the way for a sustained recovery, but that it’s the simple practice of a daily routine. That routine depends on what your specific health challenge is. In my case it was substance abuse and what went along with it. Besides the dail...y use of mood altering substances, my dependency drove me to isolation and the inability to properly function day to day. I needed direction from someone I trusted and a safe-supportive recovery environment. With a little clean time came the need to re-enter the world by taking responsibility for my own care and becoming self-supporting. What helped me was to make a simple list of daily tasks that I could follow from the moment I woke up to the time I went to bed at night. These behaviors were specific to my personal recovery. Each day that passed I checked off if I completed my tasks. No one but me was watching over my list. This list of behaviors became My Recovery Weather Vane The question I ask my clients is; do you know which way your recovery wind is blowing?

Addiction will not win. We can and do recover... one step at a time.

Sometimes, what we think is the end is just the beginning. Better things are ahead.

What’s Normal? Woke up this morning, same routine, got my coffee and stepped outside. Ahhh, what’s that refreshing wisp of wind, the rustle of leaves and most noticeable the lack of soul deadening humidity. Thank God, it’s the sweet relief of fall and the blissful possibility of a gorgeous Miami winter. If you don’t remember, because it’s been a long brutal summer; winter is the absolute best time to be living here in Miami. Under normal circumstances this would be the... time of the year I enjoy the most. The only problem is this is not exactly normal times and one must consider how to navigate life while we are still dealing with the virus. It almost sounds like one of those cheaply made disaster movies. But, it’s real and for those with acute emotional sensitivity, stress and anxiety are also very real and dangerous life challenges. My experience has taught me in the substance abuse and mental health field, is that emotional sensitivity and substance abuse have usually gone hand in hand. In fact, some of the biggest and toughest clients I’ve seen struggle the most due to their poor self-image and the stereotypes our culture uses to label what is strong or weak. It’s a sign of our times; between the virus, politics and questionable finances, we are all more emotionally vulnerable. Not surprising it wouldn’t take much for any of us to seek relief in something unhealthy and potentially self-destructive. In the last 3 months I’ve received more calls for help and I’m seeing more clients in treatment than the previous period last year. And by far the biggest issues are stress and isolation. If you’re struggling or you know someone that is, the bravest act of self -awareness and love you can do is to reach out and ask for help. Please give me a call at South Miami Recovery for a free consultation. Whether its substance related, emotional issues or you just don’t know, our staff and I will offer our expertise and guidance for placement and referral to the appropriate and best professionals in health related field. See more

Sometimes in the waves of change, we find our true direction. If you need help, South Miami Recovery is here for you. We provide comprehensive addiction treatment services in Florida. For more information, contact our admissions team or visit our website.

When your family member has a substance use disorder, you may be concerned about how to help them. Family involvement is important as is an understanding of how to support a loved one in addiction recovery. https://www.southmiamirecovery.com//support-loved-one-add/

If you're feeling stressed and afraid, try looking around for answers. These explanations can broaden your empathy for others, enhance your understanding of the world around you, and dispel your anxieties about the future.

Addiction affects the whole family be sure that everyone is involved in treatment for best results.

Don't be upset when things get difficult. The toughest days can result in the most personal growth.

"Great work is done by people who are not afraid to be great." Fernando Flores

To quote Robert Frost, the best way out is always through.

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." John Kabat-Zinn

Instead of running from your fears, focus on the wonderful life you want to build for yourself.