Niacin Deficiency in Alcoholics Can Cause DementiaAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesFebruary 27, 2014Alcoholism produces a range of possible harms in the brains and bodies of affected individuals. One of these potential harms is the onset of a condition called pellagra, which occurs as a result of a deficiency of a B vitamin called niacin (B3). The presence of pellagra can cause changes in several important body systems,…
Are Doctors to Blame for the Prescription Drug Addiction Crisis?Prescription DrugsBy PromisesFebruary 27, 2014Every year, U.S. doctors prescribe more opiate painkillers and other prescription medications than any other country in the world, by far. In fact, eight out of 10 prescription painkillers made worldwide are consumed by Americans. As the prescription drug addiction epidemic has continued to spiral out of control, many are pointing fingers at doctors. A…
Preventing Heroin Overdose – Do You Have a Drug Buddy?HeroinBy PromisesFebruary 25, 2014The most dangerous drug for relapse is heroin. The greatest risk to a person who is in early treatment and who relapses is the threat of overdose. This is because they have no tolerance but also because they often have poor judgment in how much they should be using. Heroin use and heroin overdoses have…
Can You Lose Your Job for Smoking Legal Marijuana?MarijuanaBy PromisesFebruary 17, 2014All around the United States, policies and public opinion surrounding marijuana are shifting. To date, 22 states allow medical marijuana use, six states have medical marijuana laws pending legislation, and two states, Washington and Colorado, have legalized it outright. However, this substance is still illegal according to federal law, and many employers in these states…
Is Alcohol to Blame for High Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels?Alcohol AbuseBy PromisesFebruary 14, 2014Cholesterol and triglycerides are two forms of blood-borne fat that appear in the human circulatory system. People with too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or triglycerides in their bloodstreams can develop substantially increased risks for serious forms of heart disease. In a study published in December 2013 in the journal Alcohol, a team of Japanese researchers…
How to Explain Depression to Your KidsDepressionBy PromisesFebruary 13, 2014Depression affects a significant number of Americans, occurring in as many as one in 10 homes. It may be tempting for a parent to hide their depression from young children, but the fact is kids know something is not quite right whether you choose to explain it or not. One expert has seven suggested comments…
Could Eating Tomatoes Help Ward Off Depression?DepressionBy PromisesFebruary 7, 2014For sufferers of depression and similar mood disorders, there’s a good reason to take a closer look at the humble tomato. A recent study led by researcher Kaijun Niu of China’s Tianjin Medical University in 2012 found that eating tomatoes a few times per week can go a long way in warding off depression. Researchers…
Drinking and Depression in Pregnant WomenDepressionBy PromisesFebruary 7, 2014While most expectant mothers in the U.S. are aware of the risks drinking and drug use pose for their unborn babies, drinking during pregnancy continues—and not always light drinking. What causes expectant mothers to consume alcohol and even binge drink during pregnancy? What motivates the behavior and what can be done to help women abstain…
Don’t Miss the Warning Signs of Drug Addiction in Your Loved OneFamily ResourcesBy PromisesFebruary 6, 2014Despite the fact that many high profile people and celebrities struggle with drug addiction, there remains a stigma attached to the problem. The addict usually tries to keep the problem hidden, and when a loved one does reach out they’re met with anger. Often this is because of shame. Someone near you could be struggling…
Will The Urge To Relapse Ever Go Away?Relapse PreventionBy PromisesFebruary 4, 2014Watch Out for These Signs of Relapse Going through rehab and getting clean from drugs or alcohol, or both, is a remarkable achievement. Unfortunately, doing so is just the first step in a long journey. You will be in recovery for the rest of your life, and you will always fight the urge to use…
