What’s the Link Between Depression and Teen Substance Use? Teen IssuesBy Promises AustinDecember 10, 2014Statistically speaking, teenagers who consume drugs or alcohol have elevated odds of developing symptoms of major depression or some other depressive illness. However, researchers don’t fully understand why the connection between depression and substance use exists among people in this age group. In a study published in September 2014 in the journal Drug and Alcohol… Details
Giving Back in Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinDecember 10, 2014When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, she is struggling with a disease that makes her very selfish. She lives only to feed her need, and others are often shoved aside. Addicts commit crimes to get drugs. They neglect family. Some are even abusive to those they love. At the very least, addicts… Details
Binge Eating Disorder vs. Bulimia Eating DisordersBy Promises AustinDecember 9, 2014The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health is the main tool for mental health professionals when diagnosing and treating patients with mental illness. The latest edition, known as DSM-V, included binge eating as a formal diagnosis, rather than its previous categorization as an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. A recent global study finds that… Details
Prescription Drug Abuse Among the Elderly Senior IssuesBy Promises AustinDecember 8, 2014Americans of all ages have fallen victim to the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and addiction. The consequences are serious, including a tripling in the number of overdose deaths from prescription drugs in the U.S. since 1990. While people of all ages, socioeconomic groups, and races are vulnerable to prescription drug abuse, one group is… Details
Resentments: A Major Threat to Addiction Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinDecember 6, 2014One of the biggest threats to recovery from addiction is getting caught up in negative emotions. Resentments are among the most powerful of these emotions, and for many recovering alcoholics and addicts, resentments can trigger the urge to use and are a threat to addiction recovery. A resentment is defined as a feeling of persistent… Details
Depression Affects More Than Mood DepressionBy Promises AustinDecember 4, 2014Depression is a mood disorder, but it never affects a person’s mood alone. Depression is characterized by chronic sadness, low motivation and energy, trouble sleeping and a distinct loss of enjoyment in life. In some instances, depression becomes so severe that a person despairs of life itself and suicide is considered a viable option. But… Details
Mindfulness Helps Reduce Long-Term Relapse Rates Relapse PreventionBy Promises AustinDecember 4, 2014Mindfulness is a mental state characterized by heightened awareness of changes in your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, as well as in your surroundings. Current evidence indicates the training in basic mindfulness principles can improve substance treatment participants’ ability to establish a pattern of drug or alcohol abstinence. In a study published in August 2014… Details
The Art of Asking for Help in Addiction Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinDecember 2, 2014Recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction is a personal journey. Along the way, people with more experience at addiction recovery than you have will make suggestions to you on how to stay away from a drink or a drug for a day. Most people will not try to dictate to you what you need to… Details
Learning to Trust Your Adult Child in Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinDecember 2, 2014By Heather Rolland, LCSW Can you imagine applying to become a parent as if it were a competitive job? Imagine the job description: physical care, emotional care, financial support … and then all the potential contingencies. Navigating the first 18 or so years is hard enough, but for some parents, the next few steps—the letting… Details
Nasal Spray Helps Prevent Heroin Overdose HeroinBy Promises AustinNovember 29, 2014In the U.S., the rate of death from heroin overdoses has been increasing fairly steadily for a number of years. Health professionals and some private citizens can treat a heroin overdose with a medication called naloxone. However, naloxone typically comes in an injectable form, and circumstances don’t always allow for the easy injection of affected… Details
