After prolonged alcohol use, anxiety can exacerbate unpleasant alcohol detoxification symptoms. While some people turn to alcohol for help with pre-existing anxiety problems, other people develop anxiety disorders due to alcohol use and abuse. Learn how to recognize anxiety, identify anxiety triggers and manage anxiety during the difficult detox period. Recognizing Anxiety Anxiety presents differently…
Details
An alcohol overdose (i.e., alcohol poisoning) occurs when you consume alcohol at a rate fast enough to severely suppress normal activity in the body’s central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Every year, tens of thousands of teenagers throughout America expose themselves to an overdose risk by participating in a dangerous practice called binge drinking.…
Details
When you have had one too many disastrous experiences under the influence of alcohol, you realize that it’s time to stop drinking. You may talk to people who are in recovery and realize that the cornerstone of Alcoholics Anonymous is abstinence. You panic. You probably don’t want to stop drinking permanently. You just want to…
Details
Recent reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) show that there has been an increase in Xanax abuse in recent years. There are a number of reasons this is happening. Here’s what to look out for. Xanax Abuse From 2005 to 2011, the number of emergency…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details