This is a scenario most recovering alcoholics can envision: you’ve been in recovery perhaps a few months or a few years and you have had the pleasure of seeing your life start to clean up. Your relationships are improving, you experience less stress and angst, and you can be in the presence of alcohol without…
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Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) is a mental health condition that centers on a compulsive desire to pull out the hair that grows in various body areas. Prior to May 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) classified this condition along with a larger group of disorders known as impulse-control disorders. However, with the publication of a latest…
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Getting sober is a multi-step process. For many alcoholics and addicts, it takes years to shift from being abstinent to enjoying a healthy sober lifestyle. Along the way there are many hurdles to overcome, some large and some small. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common issues that come up. Other…
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Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate drug that is prescribed primarily for treating pain. It is most commonly prescribed in the form of OxyContin, a name-brand drug that releases oxycodone in time-release tablet form. Other drugs that contain a relatively small amount of oxycodone include Percocet, Percodan and Tylox. Like all opiate drugs, oxycodone is created…
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On the road to recovery from your addiction, you face an uncertain future. As an addict, your life revolved around one thing. You were consumed by your need to get the next high. Now, without that drive, you may be wondering what to do with yourself. How will you spend your time? How will you…
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Methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone are two of the primary medication options for treatment of people affected by opioid addiction. Both medications belong to a treatment approach called opioid substitution therapy. In a study published in January 2014 in the journal Addiction, researchers from six U.S. institutions compared the effectiveness of methadone to the effectiveness of buprenorphine/naloxone.…
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Personality disorders are entrenched patterns of thought and behavior that damage affected individuals’ ability to do such things as maintain friendships or relationships, maintain a productive daily routine or take advantage of social opportunities. The American Psychiatric Association gives doctors the freedom to diagnose 10 main forms of these disorders. In a study published in…
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Asthma is an incurable, chronic lung condition characterized by inflammation and constriction (narrowing) in the passageways that transport life-giving oxygen into the body. Some people affected by the condition experience only sporadic or minor related health problems, while others experience moderate, severe or even potentially fatal complications. According to the results of a study review…
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So you’re trying out the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) route to sobriety. That’s wonderful, but if might feel a little overwhelming. It may seem like you’re learning a whole new language and culture—so many slogans, acronyms, books to read, meetings to attend, 12 steps to learn and a sponsor to guide you through it all. What’s…
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Alcoholics in recovery are in a vulnerable state and need the love, support and understanding of everyone who cares about them. Family ties and the bonds of friendship are powerful healing tools, and any person going through a life crisis related to substance abuse can be helped tremendously by the loving efforts of the people…
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