Alcoholic neuropathy is the name commonly used to describe alcohol-related nerve damage. The condition appears to arise from two partially connected causes: poisoning of nerve tissue caused by excessive alcohol levels and the chronic poor nutrition often found in people affected by alcoholism. Alcohol nerve damage typically occurs gradually over time and presents clear warning…
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors. Many stress management techniques can help reduce anxiety and thus reduce the suffering OCD causes. While medications and psychotherapy also play an important role in managing OCD, stress management techniques can help you get through particularly difficult situations and…
Detox is the process of separating an addict from their substance of choice, during which time withdrawals are generally medically managed. Various medications for drug detox are available but it is interesting to compare methadone vs. Suboxone, which are both used for managing opioid withdrawals. Prescription painkiller abuse rates nationwide are staggering, according to the…
Schizophrenia is a highly disruptive form of mental illness known for its ability to trigger psychosis, a state most commonly marked by delusional thought patterns and sensory hallucinations. Doctors often face tremendous challenges in treating this illness. Part of the problem stems from the fact that many people with schizophrenia don’t really understand their condition…
Polysubstance intake occurs whenever you take more than one mind-altering substance simultaneously, or within the same general span of time. Doctors and public health professionals also refer to this practice as polysubstance abuse or polydrug abuse. It can be hard to accurately diagnose the presence of combined substance problems. Part of this difficulty stems from…
Depression is the general term for a group of separate but related mental illnesses, although most people associate the word with one specific condition: major depressive disorder or major depression. Doctors and researchers continually explore new and improved methods of combating this condition, which affects millions of Americans. One new approach to depression treatment is…
Peripheral nervous system disorder is a term to describe damage to nerves that exists outside the spinal cord and brain, otherwise known as the central nervous system (CNS). There are a vast number of nerves outside the CNS including: The nerves of the head, face, eyes, nose and ears The nerves of muscles and the…
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a brutal and debilitating illness that affects people who have experienced traumas of all types — from combat veterans, and rape survivors, to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence. Overcoming the symptoms of PTSD (anxiety, flashbacks and re-experiencing, among others) is difficult enough, but the social stigma of…
By Jana Albright, MA, CATC-IV Primary Therapist, Promises Malibu Whether a person makes the choice to enter addiction treatment on their own, or the choice has been made for them by loved ones or an employer, the experience can be transformative with the guidance of a trained therapist. There are many therapeutic modalities used in…
When you think about the word “sobriety,” what comes to mind? For many people, the concept of sobriety is firmly planted in visions of a life free from substance abuse. However, this impression only addresses one aspect of sobriety, physical sobriety, where the body is rid of substances and the physiological effects of drugs and…
