Parental Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Issues Trickle DownDrug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinMarch 17, 2014Problems like substance abuse and mental illness are serious and far-reaching, impacting the lives of all around. The closer a person is to someone struggling with one of these conditions, the more they tend to be affected, with spouses, parents and children bearing the brunt of the fallout. For children, having a caring adult who… Details
An Interview with Ilana Zivkovich, LCSW, LCDC, Executive DirectorStaff StoriesBy Promises AustinMarch 13, 2014Ilana Zivkovich has an inner beauty that radiates through and is visible to everyone around her. Some might say this is because she sees the inner beauty in others. “All people have an inner truth that is beautiful,” says Ilana. “So often we feel we’d be good enough ‘if only’ we could make certain changes.… Details
Prescription Painkillers Linked to Addiction in All AgesPrescription DrugsBy Promises AustinMarch 13, 2014Stereotypes of drug addiction are changing. People may expect that an addiction started due to drugs being passed around at a high school party, or a young adult’s drug-laced family environment drew them in. But today it’s just as likely that a craving began due to surgery experienced by an older person. The Centers for… Details
Regular Cocaine Use Appears to Damage Social SkillsCocaineBy Promises AustinMarch 12, 2014Often, the very problem a person is attempting to escape through substance abuse can become magnified through their habit. In the case of cocaine, a new study indicates that chronic users harm their ability to interact socially. In which case the person seeking to intensify life’s experiences winds up isolating themselves from one of life’s… Details
Meth and Sex Can Become Co-Occurring AddictionsSex AddictionBy Promises AustinMarch 11, 2014Substance use addictions became intricately interwoven with sex at an early age for Lewis, a man who was starved for attention by his parents. Such co-occurring addictions do complicate recovery, but they can be overcome. Lewis grew up in large, spacious homes—his family owned more than one—with hired caregivers and tutors, but without much in… Details
How to Talk to an Alcoholic Spouse or PartnerAlcohol AbuseBy Promises AustinMarch 10, 2014For most married couples communication is a constant work in progress. Add alcoholism to the mix and this delicate dance becomes much more complicated. You may be nervous or simply not know how to talk to your alcoholic spouse about their drinking. It will take work and forethought, but it is possible to have an… Details
An Interview with Elizabeth Wilkinson, LPC, LCDC, Program TherapistStaff StoriesBy Promises AustinMarch 7, 2014One of the first things people notice about Elizabeth Wilkinson – “Izzy” to those who know her – is her clever sense of humor. She’s quirky. She’s passionate. And she makes people laugh – not only in passing moments as she greets her clients or colleagues, but also as part of the therapeutic process. “I… Details
Study Finds Alarming Death Rate for Opioid AddictsPrescription DrugsBy Promises AustinMarch 5, 2014Opioid addiction, known formally in the U.S. as opioid use disorder, is known for its ability to produce seriously negative outcomes for affected individuals. Addiction specialists can help significantly reduce the impact of these outcomes by providing appropriate treatment options. However, the potential for problems does not end when treatment begins. In a study published… Details
How to Recognize and Reduce Your Addiction Risk?Personal ResourcesBy Promises AustinMarch 5, 2014Everyone is predisposed to certain things. For example, some individuals have a melancholy temperament, making them more vulnerable to depression than their more naturally upbeat peers. Another example is those who tend to be “high strung,” making it more difficult to stay calm under stress and keep anxiety at bay. Unfortunately, there are many individuals… Details
Eating Disorders: Spectrum, Stigma and Shared TreatmentEating DisordersBy Promises AustinMarch 4, 2014For the first time, with the release of the DSM V, binge eating disorder has been recognized as a legitimate and diagnosable mental condition. This move to include binge eating disorder is a significant step for helping both the medical profession and the general public to understand that eating disorders fall along a spectrum in… Details
