North Tampa Behavioral Health

With chronic daily migraine, a sudden change in migraine preventatives, and a high-​stress job. I had an anxiety attack in the middle of a major business project. Neurologists and psychiatrists who know SNRI medications were fully booked, so USF suggested North Tampa Behavioral Clinic.
I made an appointment for Friday afternoon, and agreed to stay overnight to see an expert physician in the morning. Dr. Rogers was excellent. He explained the (very bad) effects of changing from Effexor to Wellbutrin overnight, the specific timing of taking the meds, and how Wellbutrin creates anxiety. Job done.
However, I was now «an inmate.» The friendly salesman who checked me in (& declined to describe his qualifications) had promised music therapy, exercise therapy, group discussions, great doctors and a day of rest. I was assured and given a doctor-​guaranteed promise of access to my migraine meds (imitrex, excedrine migraine). What could go wrong?
The music, exercise and talk therapy did not exist, despite a laminated chart giving times for these. There is a holding area where inmates sit hopelessly around a television waiting for smoke breaks. Alternatively, one may retreat to a shared cell-​like bed-​room. Once, a staff member yelled at everyone to state a daily goal. «Have a nap» was sufficient.
Some day-​staff were nice, some not, but the night staff should be running a concentration camp. Those people can invent more, different, nonsensical and conflicting reasons for why you can’t do something than one can imagine. You can’t eat an apple here, or drink something there (one meter away).
You can’t have excedrine migraine because it has ibruprofen (They can’t read labels ???) and you can’t even wear a breathe-​right strip across your nose. I had to explain the difference between fioricet (which helps my migraines) and percocet (which gives me migraines), or they would have given me the wrong medication. Within a day, I had the worst migraine of my entire life, and no access to help, despite knowing that there were doctor’s orders, in writing, giving me the right to take my medication.
The food would suit a dumpster-​diving freegan. I have never seen such low-​quality, unhealthy stodge, When a small salad appeared, and I thought I might get something to eat, a nazi called Reuben limited me to a lettuce leaf or two. Happily, I lost 5 pounds in the two days I was incarcerated. There were apples. I finally stopped going near the sticky-​floored dining room, where the patients cleaned the dirty tables.
My heart goes out to the disempowered people caught in this place. The staff (especially the night staff) has a culture of blowing off requests with outright lies, and disempowering people with conflicting instructions, accusations and double binds. This is a good place to lose one’s mental and physical health.

Dont bring anyone here for help. The customer service here is absolutely horrible. Nobody knows what they’re doing and its nearly impossible to get in contact with a Dr. or case worker.

The facility itself is new, clean, and well maintained. Those are the only positives. I called the number on the website and asked to be transferred to someone that I could talk to in intake. I was transferred to «L.» His voice was very short and stated he was with a client and would call me back. I gave him my number. I waited two days. No call. I called back again. Spoke to «L» again and he stated he was busy but would call me back. I stated that I had spoken to him before, but he never called me back, so I asked him when I could expect a call back. He stated, Within the hour.” Two days later still no call back.
So I drive to the facility and spoke to the greeter (female at front desk). I tell her I want to speak to someone about admitting. She was friendly and went into the back area. When she returned, she stated that they were very busy, but someone would be able to speak with me shortly. I waited for 1.5 hours. Not one person acknowledged me. I walked out. This was on a Tuesday and there were approx. 15 cars in the parking lot. I must also mention that no other patrons were in the lobby in the 1.5 hours that I was there. I explained my situation to the young lady at the desk and about the unreturned phone calls. She reluctantly stated that she hears it all the time– but once she sends the calls to the back, it is out of her hands.
After checking out some other facilities which were not up to my standards– I tried one more call to NTBH. I spoke to W**ren who was helpful, took my insurance info, verified it, and told me I had a $ 1700.00 co-​pay. Excellent! Plus there were beds available. I showed up to NTBH around 3pm on 06−04−14. I filled out paperwork, gave my ID and insurance card, provided a urine sample, then was sent to the lobby to wait for 30 minutes. I was called back and vital signs were taken. All along NTBH knew that I was there for alcohol detox and rehab. The tech says «your blood pressure is too high., go to Florida Hosp Wesley Chapel, get a Dr.‘s clearance and then come back.
The case manager at Wesley Chapel Florida Hospital spent two hours on the phone with someone at NTBH on 06−06−14. I arrived to NTBH to admit. I had my Doctors orders which specifically stated I was clear to go there and a list of my current medications.
I had an intake consultation with W**ren who was polite. He asked questions about my addiction to alcohol and other questions which took about 30 minutes. He said to sit in the lobby, and Dr. B***oddi, the Psychiatrist would review my paperwork. W**ren came to the lobby a few minutes later and states that The Dr. Stated I could only complete outpatient meetings for 7 weeks. I asked to speak to Dr. B***oddi. Warren stated he was not there, but could send out a nurse. «Deb***h P**e*» came to the lobby. She talked in circles but when I asked her what the center’s census was, she stated-«I have no idea.» I told her it was 30. (another associate had told me) and that clearly there were beds available. I asked her when the Director would be in. She stated that she had no idea… Clueless, untrained associates! Deb***h P**e stated she would call me with an update after talking to her boss. She stated on my voicemail, «We do not treat people with alcohol addictions! Crazy Close this place down.