Mental Health

Strong clinical leadership in treating eating disorders and substance use emphasizes that effective leadership helps ensure high-quality, patient-centered care. It focuses on Bonnie Watson, Director of Clinical Services at Focus Treatment Centers, whose extensive experience across multiple roles has shaped her ability to guide treatment decisions and maintain clinical excellence. Under her leadership, care is based on a whole-person, individualized approach that combines evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT with experiential treatments. The article stresses that recovery is most effective when treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, especially for those facing co-occurring disorders. Overall, Bonnie’s leadership fosters a consistent, research-driven, and compassionate environment that supports meaningful, long-term recovery.

The passage highlights the critical role of dedicated medical professionals in eating disorder recovery, emphasizing that true healing addresses physical, mental, and emotional needs. It focuses on registered dietitian Courtney Stoddard, who uses an “all-foods-fit” approach to help patients develop healthier, more neutral relationships with food. Through patient-centered counseling, education, and consistent support, Courtney has positively impacted many lives. The piece also discusses common warning signs of eating disorders, their prevalence, and their serious risks, underscoring the importance of early recognition and professional support for recovery.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) can play a critical role in relapse prevention after residential substance use disorder treatment. As a step-down level of care, MAT helps individuals recovering from opioid use disorder manage cravings, stabilize brain function, and stay engaged in recovery. When combined with evidence-based therapy, MAT supports long-term sobriety and successful reintegration into daily life. Focus Treatment Centers offers individualized MAT for opioid use disorder to help patients continue their recovery journey with confidence.

Early intervention in mental health produces the best treatment outcomes, including reducing the risk of developing addictions, lowering suicide risk, and more.

The article lists 10 key questions to ask before choosing a rehab, covering what programs a center offers, how long they last, what daily life is like, and whether they treat co-occurring mental health issues. It emphasizes checking staff qualifications, insurance coverage, types of therapy provided, and what aftercare support looks like. Focus Treatment Centers highlights its small, personalized dual-diagnosis programs, experienced staff, and strong family involvement. Asking these questions helps people find a treatment program that truly fits their needs.

Recovery is possible, no matter how long you’ve been struggling with an eating disorder or substance use. These challenges can make it feel like change is out of reach, but your past does not define you. With support, effort, and a willingness to take the first step, healing is possible. At Focus Treatment Centers, we understand how overwhelming these cycles can feel. But you are not alone, and you are not stuck. Thousands of people begin their recovery journey every day, and you can too. This Recovery Month is a reminder that hope is real, change is possible, and you are capable of building a healthier, more fulfilling life. If you or someone you love is struggling, contact Focus Treatment Centers at 423-308-2560. We’re here to help you take the first step toward lasting recovery.

There are many myths surrounding dual diagnosis and the treatment needed to recover. Learn what those myths are and get the truth about these conditions—particularly as they relate to substance use and eating disorders.

SkinnyTok and Y2KSkinny are two social media trends that contribute to eating disorders by glamorizing thinness and vilifying weight gain. Learn more here.

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Here, we discuss why men struggle to admit they are battling addiction and mental health issues and recovery.

Why do people get addicted to drugs and alcohol? Learn about the causes of addiction, how it impacts the brain and behavior, risk factors, and more.

It's Alcohol Awareness Month, it may surprise you to know some of your most beloved celebrities face alcohol addiction. As we celebrate Alcohol Awareness Month this April, let’s take this opportunity to highlight some of their success stories. 

Recent studies have shown that a balanced nutritional plan should start with a mindset of ‘food as medicine’. This means choosing foods that will fuel and strengthen your body rather than adding to any illnesses you face. In the United States, March is designated as National Nutrition Month and is focused on educating the public on the best choices for nutrition and physical activity.

Focus Treatment Centers proudly celebrated its 20-year anniversary last month. With the commitment to the belief that recovery is possible, the Chattanooga-based company has become a true small business success story that started with a simple vision of helping others recover from drug and alcohol addiction.

Medication assisted treatment - or MAT - is a form of treatment for those who have an addiction to alcohol or opioids. The MAT program at Focus goes beyond the basics of traditional programs by combining both medical and clinical components with ongoing structured oversight. The ultimate goal is to prevent future relapses and build a strong foundation for sustainable recovery.

For the hundreds of thousands of people recovering from situations of addiction, every opportunity for hope to grow should be encouraged. This repeated positivity helps promote the overall health and mental well-being of those taking steps toward healing.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are an essential part of the drug and alcohol addiction recovery process. Unfortunately, many individuals attend inpatient rehab and then do not take a “step-down” approach to their treatment. As a result, they increase their risk of relapsing because they do not have the support they need to remain in recovery. Let’s discuss IOPs in more detail. 

Are you okay? If you answered no to that question, here's your reminder: it's okay, not to be okay. In fact, you're not alone. Millions of people around the world experience various mental health issues. To better shine a spotlight on the help available for people dealing with these types of conditions, May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Over the last several years, body positivity and acceptance have been promoted all over social media. This movement is the polar opposite of the ultra-thin bodies women thought they had to live up to, which is a step in the right direction. However, it seems that some of the most “influential” people still value a thinner body, and many well-known names in Hollywood have been taking the injection Ozempic for weight loss.

Everyone’s struggle with addiction is different, but hearing about someone else’s experience can offer hope when everything else seems hopeless.

You may know that as humans our brains are literally wired with neural connections that drive our thought processes, our emotional reactions, and our behaviors.

This has been an especially busy summer for me. I’ve been traveling a lot, sleeping a little, and working more than usual – and, as evident by the fog in my head and the DayQuil by my side, the effects of this fast pace are finally catching up with me.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Diet culture is everywhere you look. We live in a social media obsessed world that shines the spotlight on living “healthy lifestyles.”

We are born into the world knowing that we eat when we are hungry and we stop when we’re full. We quickly learn what foods we enjoy and what foods we don’t.

Alcohol addiction is challenging to overcome, but it is possible to recover and go on to live a healthy, substance-free life.

September is National Recovery Month. The 2023 message centers around every person, family, and community affected by addiction

Your company most likely has a drug and alcohol abuse policy in effect, but that typically doesn’t put a stop to someone’s addiction.

Continual, chronic stress can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health. This impact is often referred to as allostatic load.

Kratom is often viewed by people who use it as a safer alternative to prescription opioids and antidepressants, and some even promote using it as a detoxing agent for drug and alcohol addiction.

You’ve acknowledged you need help with a drug addiction or drinking problem, and you’re considering entering a residential treatment program.

The term “superfood” is thrown around a lot these days. So what does it even mean?

A new phrase was recently introduced into my vocabulary, and as a therapist, the fact that I was not familiar with it was a bit of a surprise.

In today’s society, we are blessed to have amazing technology at our fingertips that allows us to do incredible things.