Twelve-step programs are support or mutual-help groups designed, in part, to help people recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol achieve and maintain substance abstinence. For Americans affected by alcoholism and alcohol abuse (alcohol use disorder), participation in these programs is the most common step taken toward outside assistance. Some health professionals worry that […]
12-Step Programs Work for All Ages, Study Finds Read More »
Bipolar disorder is more than just good days and bad days. It’s a mental health disorder that can impair a person’s normal routine. The highs of mania are distressingly high and often include any number of unpleasant repercussions. The lows of depression are crushing, sometimes even life threatening.
What Does Bipolar Look Like? Read More »
Bipolar disorder is most often diagnosed during one’s college years. Dr. Russ Federman and J. Anderson Thomson Jr, both of the University of Virginia (UVA), know the challenges that college students with bipolar must negotiate during their years of intense studying, new social encounters and life away from home structure. In their book, Facing Bipolar:
Bipolar College Students Making the Grade Read More »
So many things begin to slow down as a person ages. Usually, people perceive slowing down as a negative. But when it comes to the thyroid, Dutch investigators say that being too active is what is most likely to lead to depression. The results of an eight year study shows that a busy thyroid in
Thyroid Productivity is Linked to Depression in Older Adults Read More »
It couldn’t come at a better time, a nationwide campaign, “Sleep Well, Be Well,” to get out the facts about the importance of a good night’s sleep. Millions of sleep-deprived Americans can relate to the issue of not getting enough sleep. But many are unaware of just how critically important sleep is to our overall
Sleep Is a Necessity, Not a Luxury Read More »
Schizophrenia can severely affect quality of life for those afflicted, as well as family and friends. Successful treatment relies on a robust support system, but support can often center on around-the-clock care. A study provides insight into additional health problems that can complicate treatment.
Connecting Schizophrenia and Autoimmune Disease Read More »
Forty percent of pilots killed in plane crashes had taken over-the-counter or illegal drugs prior to takeoff in recent years, a marked climb over the last two decades, a new safety report has found. The share of pilots using at least one drug rose from 9.9 percent to 39 percent over the study period, which
More Pilots Using Drugs, NTSB Study Finds Read More »
In many cases, teens try prescription drugs and get hooked on the addictive medication. Soon, however, they are unable to afford the high cost of a drug like OxyContin and begin looking for alternatives to reach a similar high. All too often, that alternative is heroin. Compared to prescription drugs, it is cheap and easy
Prescription Drugs are Gateway to Heroin Read More »
In the U.S. and throughout much of the world, significant numbers of both married and unmarried people consume alcohol regularly. Most of these individuals drink in light or moderate amounts that don’t generally lead to problems; however, some individuals increase their risks for a range of problems by drinking heavily. In a study published in
Wives Have More Influence Over Husbands’ Drinking Than Vice Versa Read More »
Addiction to alcohol usually has one of two starting points. Either the person gets involved with alcohol because he or she thinks it makes life more fun, or the person starts drinking in order to dull unpleasant thoughts and feelings. The person who overdrinks in an effort to intensify life usually won’t benefit from the
No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Overcoming Alcohol Addiction Read More »