The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health is the main tool for mental health professionals when diagnosing and treating patients with mental illness. The latest edition, known as DSM-V, included binge eating as a formal diagnosis, rather than its previous categorization as an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. A recent global study finds that […]
Binge Eating Disorder vs. Bulimia Read More »
Americans of all ages have fallen victim to the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and addiction. The consequences are serious, including a tripling in the number of overdose deaths from prescription drugs in the U.S. since 1990. While people of all ages, socioeconomic groups, and races are vulnerable to prescription drug abuse, one group is
Prescription Drug Abuse Among the Elderly Read More »
One of the biggest threats to recovery from addiction is getting caught up in negative emotions. Resentments are among the most powerful of these emotions, and for many recovering alcoholics and addicts, resentments can trigger the urge to use and are a threat to addiction recovery. A resentment is defined as a feeling of persistent
Resentments: A Major Threat to Addiction Recovery Read More »
Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, national clinical trauma consultant for Promises Treatment Centers and Promises Behavioral Health, releases her latest book titled It’s Not You, It’s What Happened to You: Complex Trauma and Treatment.
Leading Trauma Expert Offers Hope to Survivors of Complex Trauma in New Book Read More »
Mindfulness is a mental state characterized by heightened awareness of changes in your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, as well as in your surroundings. Current evidence indicates the training in basic mindfulness principles can improve substance treatment participants’ ability to establish a pattern of drug or alcohol abstinence. In a study published in August 2014
Mindfulness Helps Reduce Long-Term Relapse Rates Read More »
Depression is a mood disorder, but it never affects a person’s mood alone. Depression is characterized by chronic sadness, low motivation and energy, trouble sleeping and a distinct loss of enjoyment in life. In some instances, depression becomes so severe that a person despairs of life itself and suicide is considered a viable option. But
Depression Affects More Than Mood Read More »
While it’s true that a diagnosis of sexual compulsivity—another term for sex addiction—is generally diagnoses by a trained therapist, it can be important for loved ones to understand the signs. When you find yourself romantically involved with a sex addict, your life can begin to feel unmanageable. There is generally a blissful stage in every
Is My Partner a Sex Addict? Read More »
By Heather Rolland, LCSW Can you imagine applying to become a parent as if it were a competitive job? Imagine the job description: physical care, emotional care, financial support … and then all the potential contingencies. Navigating the first 18 or so years is hard enough, but for some parents, the next few steps—the letting
Learning to Trust Your Adult Child in Recovery Read More »
Recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction is a personal journey. Along the way, people with more experience at addiction recovery than you have will make suggestions to you on how to stay away from a drink or a drug for a day. Most people will not try to dictate to you what you need to
The Art of Asking for Help in Addiction Recovery Read More »
Alcoholism is the well-known term used to describe a physical dependence on the (typically unrestrained) consumption of alcohol. Polysubstance or polydrug addiction is a lesser-known term used to describe a simultaneous addiction to at least two substances, including any combination of alcohol, illicit/illegal drugs and mind-altering medications. In a study published in September 2014 in
Alcoholism, Polydrug Abuse Create Different Brain Abnormalities Read More »