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Behavioral Health Newsletter

November 2014

In This Issue

5 Excuses for Staying Addicted - Is One of Them Yours?

Overcoming Common Rehab Fears

Love, Sex Addiction at Root of Many Substance Use Disorders

Study Reveals Prescription Stimulant Abuse Habits

Horses Helping Addicts Heal

Even Superheroes Shouldn't Fly Drunk

5 Excuses for Staying Addicted - Is One of Them Yours?

If you’re struggling with addiction, you’re not alone. More than 23 million people need treatment for a drug or alcohol problem, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, but less than 11 percent are getting it. Are you part of the 89 percent? If so, what’s your story? Have you made legitimate efforts to seek help, or are you making excuses to avoid dealing with the elephant in the room?

Overcoming Common Rehab Fears

No one, it seems, wants to go to rehab. It is a necessity for many addicts, but not a choice that is easy to make. And it isn’t easy to follow through with that choice and go. One of the most important factors holding many people back from going to rehab is fear. Not all addicts will admit to it, but many of the worries, concerns, excuses and reasons for putting off rehab can be blamed on fear. Here are some of the most common fears about going to rehab and how to overcome them.

Love, Sex Addiction at Root of Many Substance Use Disorders

Those people who suffer from love, relationship and/or sex addiction (these addictions are often intertwined), tend to suffer from at least one other addiction, such as disordered eating, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, shopping addiction, debt addiction or gambling addiction. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) shares many similarities with addictive thinking and behavior, and may be another co-occurring issue alongside love or sex addiction.

Study Reveals Prescription Stimulant Abuse Habits

Prescription stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta are key tools in treating the symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. When taken as prescribed, the drugs help to organize thinking, regulate behavior and make distractions less disruptive. For those with the conditions mentioned, prescription stimulants provide a way to successfully manage everyday tasks.

Horses Helping Addicts Heal

The therapeutic benefit of being around animals has long been known to anyone who has cared for and loved a pet. Whether that animal is a dog or a cat, or even a horse, the unconditional love and the selflessness they exhibit can be immensely healing. For drug addicts, the presence of animals during therapy is a growing trend. Another growing trend, especially for helping young addicts, is equine therapy. When addicts learn to care for and be responsible for horses, the results can be astounding.

Even Superheroes Shouldn't Fly Drunk

Of all the superheroes out there, Iron Man has taken on the worst of the bad guys. But only the most dedicated "Iron Man" aficionados, the ones who shelled out their hard-earned allowance on colorful stories splashed across newsprint pages, know that Tony Stark had to defeat his own personal arch villain in order to continue taking down the likes of the Mandarin and Titanium Man: He had to defeat the bottle.

We hope you find the articles and tips helpful. We are always open to your suggestions. If you have a topic you would like to learn more about, please let us know!

Upcoming Events

Technology, Addiction and the Modern Family

Where: Malibu, California
When: 11/21/14

This conference will focus on promoting best clinical practices and increasing the awareness of clinical providers around issues related to advances in technology. Presentations by four renowned experts including, Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S; Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP; Jaana Juvonen, PhD; and Kenneth Woog, PsyD.

Visit ebhevents.com for more information and to register.

Sex Addiction in Church and Society: Challenges for Clinicians and Ministry Leaders

Where: Williamsburg, VA
When: 12/9/14

Dr. Ryan, SEd, MDiv, DMin, will present five aspects of insight and strategy which will assist every clinician and spiritual leader with confronting the challenges of compulsive sexual behaviors in today’s church and society.

Visit ebhevents.com for more information and to register.

Contact Us

Elements Behavioral Health • 5000 E. Spring Street, Ste 650 • Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 741-6470 • Email Us

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