New Beginnings of Tampa Review
New Beginnings of Tampa was founded 16 years ago by Tom Atchison, a Floridian pastor with a passion for helping individuals facing hardships in their lives. NBT offers inpatient substance abuse care as well as transitional living.
Clients seeking care at NBT are highly vulnerable to substance abuse, with a large percentage being homeless or veterans. Clients must be 18 years of age or older and participate in traditional therapy. Additionally, clients are given the opportunity for practical application of newly developed life skills through employment—both on-site and in the community at large.
Accommodations and Food
There is one residence for men, at the Chilkoot Avenue address, and two accommodations for women: one is transitional housing, and the other is located at their emergency shelter location.
While smoking is discouraged, it is allowed. An incoming client is requested to surrender their cell phone for 30 days. Upon the success of that probationary period their property is returned.
Soda and snacks are available for the clients on property.
Food at NBT is basic American-fare and served three times a day. The kitchen staff is adaptable and works with clients with heart disease, diabetes, and those with special requirements. Clients are expected to start their day at 7 am with breakfast followed by a meeting or group.
Treatment and Staff
Enrollment into NBT’s residential program depends on availability. Clients who require detox are referred to a nearby trusted facility. Clients who are accepted into the program are given an individualized treatment plan that includes a combination of individual and group therapy and the 12 steps. Dual diagnosis clients are handled on a case-by-case basis with referrals given as required.
A unique aspect of recovery at NBT is a multi-level program referred to as “work therapy”. This unusual form of treatment aims to help clients become re-involved in the community through learning to live up to the expectations of employers and to earn a living as contributing members of society.
The first level of employment takes place on site, as clients are not permitted to leave campus. Responsibilities include basic chores such as raking leaves and cleaning the facility. The second phase of this program expects clients to participate in supervised off-site volunteer work. This includes working at the food bank and with the homeless in an effort to be of service to the community. The next phase has residents working small jobs like parking lot attendants or concessions at sporting events. Clients learn the ins-and-outs of meeting responsibilities and demonstrating professional behaviors that typical employers expect. Once this level is successfully completed, clients can then apply for work in the community (on average, clients work 10 hours per week), though they maintain close contact with staff as they progress. Once clients begin earning paychecks, staff work with them to help budget and to set and meet long-term financial goals.
The staff is composed of a visiting physician, LADC therapists and volunteers.
Extras
New Beginnings of Tampa also offers emergency housing for up to 50 men and women 18 years old and older. Clients at risk of relapse are welcome and help is also given in the form of professional counseling with suit fittings, job training and employment seminars.
In Summary
New Beginnings of Tampa offers individualized and gender-specific substance abuse programs that rely on both traditional therapy and a comprehensive employment program. Working towards the goal of financial stability and independence, clients develop self-reliance and learn to be responsible, contributing members of the community. This residential program is ideal for adult men and women comfortable living in dormitory-style housing which ultimately creates a sober community.
New Beginnings of Tampa Location
1402 East Chilkoot Ave
Tampa, FL 33612
New Beginnings of Tampa Cost
$600 monthly. Reach New Beginnings of Tampa by phone at (813) 971-6961 or info@newbeginningsoftampa.org.
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Photo courtesy of LoneStarMike (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
