It is often said that alcoholism is a family disease. Maybe only one family member is drinking, but the whole family reels. Figuring out how to help an alcoholic family member can be confusing and frustrating, but there are a few guidelines that can help you, as a brother or sister of an active alcoholic,…
By Courtney Cosby Alcohol often gives a temporary boost of confidence and numbs a person to the realities and burdens of his (or her) life. It also can make an ordinary person seem like a supermodel — at least for a time. But these feelings are only short-term. The long-term effects of alcohol on the…
By Rai Cornell There are several negative effects of adrenaline, which include both physical and emotional symptoms. Adrenaline is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands in response to fear, anxiety, anger and excitement. Adrenaline may also be released in response to certain drugs or mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.…
Chances are you have heard the term “caregiver burnout,” which is defined as “a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude — from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to…
Cocaine may not immediately strike anyone as a popular drug with teens, but it is more common than you might think. It is the fourth most abused substance among young people, after alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs. If you have a teen, know that cocaine can lead to brain damage, drug addiction and other serious…
If you have friends who abuse drugs or alcohol, you could be in danger of falling victim to the same self-destructive pattern of behavior. You may feel this is not the case, or that the risk is exaggerated. As a believer in self-control and personal responsibility, you may be convinced you have the willpower and…
It’s hard to know what came first for Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) in the mystery thriller “The Girl on the Train” — alcoholism or depression. What is apparent is that these two issues were inextricably linked and compounded by one another, and helped fuel her downward spiral. Depression or Alcoholism: The Chicken-Before-the-Egg Phenomenon Viewers don’t…
The holidays can be a difficult time for people who struggle with the impact of childhood traumatic experiences and PTSD. Trauma therapist Laurie Kahn, MA, MFA, LCPC, is the founder and director of Womencare Counseling Center, co-creator of the Trauma Consultation Program, and author of the forthcoming Baffled By Love: Stories of the Lasting Impact…
By Matthew Goldenberg, D.O. If you are a professional whose alcohol or drug use has gotten out of control, you may be telling yourself that when the New Year comes, you will reach out for the help that you need. Your addiction is likely telling you that you can make it through one more holiday.…
The holiday season is a time to reunite with those we care about. But togetherness doesn’t necessarily translate into those heartwarming scenes we’re taught to expect by songs, movies and advertisers. Instead, we may end up stressed, frustrated and resentful as old patterns repeat themselves, priorities clash and memories resurface. That family baggage you’ve accumulated…
