Life can be tough. Dysfunctional families, health issues, work problems and relationship difficulties can all impact how you live your life. As a reaction to stress or trauma, psychological disorders can develop, as can a reliance on substances which provide only temporary relief. It’s vital to seek the right treatment and support. It’s also important…
Binge drinking is a dangerous pattern of short-term, excessive alcohol intake linked with a broad range of individual and public health risks. In the U.S., alcohol consumers of all ages are known to engage in this pattern to one degree or another. In a study published in March 2014 in The American Journal of Drug…
Having surgery carries many risks, but one that not all patients consider is the possibility of becoming addicted to post-surgery medications. After surgery, you are likely to be prescribed medication to help you manage the pain that results from the procedure. Prescription painkillers are highly addictive and abuse of these medications has been on the…
Addiction specialists and mental health professionals know that people affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have an unusual tendency to develop problems related to alcohol consumption. Potential explanations for the link between PTSD and these problems include the use of alcohol as a form of self-medication, the presence of personality traits that make drinking more…
The work is punishing, the pressure extreme, and a replacement is always waiting in the wings. Is it any wonder athletes and substance abuse seem to go hand in hand? Drugs and alcohol are often used as a way to ignore pain, increase focus, boost energy, reduce stress, pump up before a game and unwind…
Doctors and public health officials know that alcohol affects women and men in different ways. Specifically, women who drink have higher risks for certain serious health problems than their male counterparts; in addition, women who drink have unique health concerns not found in men. In a study review published in March 2014 in the Journal…
[Read Part 1 here] Uses for CBT For many years, CBT was used primarily to treat anxiety disorders and depression. However, over the years it has gained recognition as an effective therapy for a vast array of other psychiatric disorders. It’s also an effective treatment for emotional, interpersonal, and life challenges that many people encounter…
Many people have the false impression that psychotherapy always involves years of tedious exploration of the subconscious mind in order to get to the root of whatever ails them. In the movie Pretty Woman, Richard Gere’s character somewhat jokingly alludes to this tedious process when he recalls how it took him 10 years of therapy…
Heroin abuse is a problem with potentially fatal consequences. The risk of mortality does not just lie in the many physical problems that can result from abusing heroin over a long period of time. And adding the risk of fatal overdose into the picture doesn’t completely account for the many people who do not survive…
It’s been said that if you practice a behavior for 30 days you can develop a new habit, good or bad. In that case, a habit is an intentionally learned behavior. Is that what happens in drug addiction? Do users intentionally use repeatedly and for long enough to form a bad habit? An animal study…
