An Interview with Elizabeth Wilkinson, LPC, LCDC, Program Therapist Staff 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 Addicts Prescription 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 Treatment Eating 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
EDNOS: Most Misunderstood Eating Disorder Also Kills Eating DisordersBy Promises AustinMarch 1, 2014What is the most prevalent eating disorder that most people have never heard of? Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) is the catchall, eating disorders grab-bag category for those who do not fit the traditional criteria for anorexia or bulimia. What eating disorder research has revealed is that an individual who does not meet the… Details
Niacin Deficiency in Alcoholics Can Cause Dementia Alcohol AbuseBy Promises AustinFebruary 27, 2014Alcoholism produces a range of possible harms in the brains and bodies of affected individuals. One of these potential harms is the onset of a condition called pellagra, which occurs as a result of a deficiency of a B vitamin called niacin (B3). The presence of pellagra can cause changes in several important body systems,… Details
Are Doctors to Blame for the Prescription Drug Addiction Crisis? Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinFebruary 27, 2014Every year, U.S. doctors prescribe more opiate painkillers and other prescription medications than any other country in the world, by far. In fact, eight out of 10 prescription painkillers made worldwide are consumed by Americans. As the prescription drug addiction epidemic has continued to spiral out of control, many are pointing fingers at doctors. A… Details
Preventing Heroin Overdose – Do You Have a Drug Buddy? HeroinBy Promises AustinFebruary 25, 2014The most dangerous drug for relapse is heroin. The greatest risk to a person who is in early treatment and who relapses is the threat of overdose. This is because they have no tolerance but also because they often have poor judgment in how much they should be using. Heroin use and heroin overdoses have… Details
How to Treat PTSD and Alcohol Dependence Together PTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinFebruary 18, 2014Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition involving flashbacks, difficulty sleeping and a variety of emotional responses when faced with subsequent stressful situations. Complicating treatment is PTSD’s tendency to appear in combination with other mental disorders like anxiety, depression or substance abuse. In the case of the latter, experts believe that patients are… Details
Can You Lose Your Job for Smoking Legal Marijuana? MarijuanaBy Promises AustinFebruary 17, 2014All around the United States, policies and public opinion surrounding marijuana are shifting. To date, 22 states allow medical marijuana use, six states have medical marijuana laws pending legislation, and two states, Washington and Colorado, have legalized it outright. However, this substance is still illegal according to federal law, and many employers in these states… Details
