How Long Does it Take for Caffeine to Wear Off? Other AddictionsBy Promises AustinMarch 5, 2018Many people don’t consider caffeine a drug, but it is the most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world. While about 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide a day, tea, chocolate, cocoa beverages, soft drinks and energy drinks also contain varying amounts of caffeine. The stimulant effects of caffeine on the central nervous…
Adderall vs. Vyvanse: A Comparison Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinJanuary 18, 2018Adderall (d-amphetamine) is a central nervous system stimulant, comprised of mixed amphetamine salts (75% dextroamphetamine; 25% levoamphetamine). Amphetamines stimulate the brain by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters involved in hyperactivity and impulse control. Adderall was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. It is used for the…
A Legacy of Trauma: How Sexual Abuse Can Impact Future Generations PTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinJanuary 11, 2018The #MeToo movement has gone viral following sexual harassment and sexual misconduct allegations against a growing list of celebrities. It’s a powerful and needed movement that’s only beginning to shed light on the depth and scale of the problem. “I’m glad people are coming forward,” says Sherry Young, PhD, CSAT, a senior clinical outreach director…
Repaired Health and Relationships After Rehab Journey TestimonialsBy Promises AustinJanuary 5, 2018‘White Knuckling’ No Way to Hold on to Sobriety James W. had five months of sobriety, the “white-knuckle version,” he called it, when he decided to have a drink with his friends during a trip to the Ozarks. He had this covered, he thought. He could have just one. So he lied to his friends,…
4 Things Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Your Painkiller Prescription Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinJanuary 3, 2018People receiving the top treatment for pain—prescription painkillers—can rapidly transition from pain relief to painkiller addiction. And yet, your doctor may be the unwitting instigator of this misery, if you don’t ask the right questions from the start. The risk for addiction after receiving an opioid painkiller prescription, including generics of hydrocodone and oxycodone and…
10 Reasons Why Group Therapy Works TherapiesBy Promises AustinJanuary 2, 2018By Karen Williams, MS, LAC Intensive Outpatient Program Clinical Manager at Promises Scottsdale Group therapy works because it creates connection and reduces toxic shame through open, honest communication. Many aspects of the group dynamic contribute to the reasons why group therapy works. Here are 10 of them: 1. Hearing Your Story The first time people…
Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: How It Heals Trauma PTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinDecember 29, 2017By Tiffany Dzioba, PsyD, LMFT, Clinical Program Director, Promises Malibu Vista Addressing spirituality and spiritual issues in psychotherapy can be an integral part of helping clients heal from trauma and achieve post-traumatic growth. Spiritual concepts such as forgiveness, meaning-making, surrender and connectedness can help clients integrate traumatic events and move forward with new narratives and…
New Painkiller Studies: Working Toward Non-Addictive Painkillers Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinDecember 28, 2017A decades-long effort among American healthcare providers to better manage pain for a wider range of patients has led to the overprescribing of addictive opioid painkillers, which has led to a nationwide opioid addiction crisis. It is estimated that 2 million to 3 million Americans now struggle with an opioid or opiate addiction and, with…
What CRISPR Gene Editing Means for Addiction Drug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinDecember 27, 2017There’s no “cure” for drug addiction because it’s a chronic disease and recovery is a lifelong process. But recent research suggests CRISPR gene editing (i.e. clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) could help scientists hone in on the genes behind substance use disorders. The hope is that these insights might spawn future research that could…
What Is Dextromethorphan? Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinDecember 26, 2017If you’ve ever been asked to show your I.D. when purchasing cough medicine for yourself, you’ve likely taken dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan, or DXM, is a drug commonly found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. It’s also gained a reputation for drug misuse, especially in teens and young adults. Why Do People Abuse Dextromethorphan? When taken as…
