Alcoholism & Nutritional Deficiency Alcoholics suffer from a treatable, chronic disease in which their bodies are dependent on alcohol. Excessive alcohol intake inflames the lining of the stomach and interferes with vitamin absorption. Vitamin and nutritional deficiency can lead to serious problems and should be supplemented in alcoholics to prevent short-term and long-term complications. Individuals […]
Chronic Pain, Drugs & Addiction
Chronic Pain and Drugs Pain is universal and important to all beings—it is a warning that something is wrong and needs attention to prevent further damage to the body. Whereas acute pain protects the body while it heals from trauma or injury, chronic pain is simply ongoing, persisting beyond its usefulness. People commonly react by […]
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome? Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a severe memory disorder usually associated with chronic excessive alcohol consumption, although the direct cause is a deficiency in the B vitamin thiamin. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), the professional handbook that aids clinicians in diagnosing patients’ mental disorders, refers to Korsakoff syndrome as […]
Addiction Treatment
Addiction Treatment Approaches Pharmacotherapies Alcohol Addiction Treatment Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors that are involved in the rewarding effects of drinking and the craving for alcohol. It reduces relapse to heavy drinking, defined as four or more drinks per day for women and five or more for men. Naltrexone cuts relapse risk during the first 3 […]
Addiction Help
Help for Addiction Alcohol and drug abuse problems can be treated. Once someone decides that they need help, help is available. But then, what if the person is unwilling to get help? Addiction thrives in Secrecy We can begin by recognizing that we are not alone, many families are dealing with similar situation. We may […]
Children of Alcoholics/Children of Substance Abusers
Children of Alcoholics and Substance Abusers Children of alcoholics and other substance abusers are a population without a clear definition. Because the concept of COA(Children of Alcoholics)/COSA (Children of Substance Abusers) is focused on the child rather than the parent, the definition of a COA/COSA is any child whose parent (or parental caregiver) uses alcohol […]
Addiction & the Brain’s Reward Pathway
Addiction & the Reward Pathway From the lab to the legislature, the push is on to recognize and treat addiction as a mental illness. Getting hooked on alcohol or drugs is not the result of bad behavior or a weak character, researchers say; rather, it’s caused by genes and by biochemical disruptions in the brain […]
Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction Addictions come in all shapes and forms. Difficult to define exactly, it has become popular to think of almost any behavior that has a compulsive quality as an “addiction.” But for those who have an addiction, or for those affected by the addiction of a loved one or close friend, it’s clear what […]
Denial Ain’t a River in Egypt.
Denial is the PRIMARY psychological symptom of addiction. It is an automatic and unconscious component of addictions. Addicts are often the last to recognize their disease, pursuing their addictions into the gates of insanity, the collapse of health and ultimately death. Sadly, many addicts continue to act out on their addictions while their world collapses […]
When Drug Use Becomes a Problem?
It becomes a problem when a person experiences one or more of these instances: when use of a drug results in negative consequences ( physical, mental, social, emotional, legal, economic or environmental consequences) when a person continues to use a drug despite negative consequences to him or herself or to other people such as family, […]
Signs of Drug Abuse
Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. If you’re worried that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs: Physical warning signs of drug abuse Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual. Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden […]
Drug Abuse vs Dependence
While each drug of abuse produces different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: they hijack the brain’s normal “reward” pathways and alter the areas of the brain responsible for self-control, judgment, memory, motivation, emotional regulation, and learning. Whether a person is addicted to nicotine, alcohol, heroin, Valium or speed, the effect […]
Addiction Myths
MYTH: Overcoming addiction is a matter of willpower. An addict can stop using drugs if they put their mind to it and just stay strong. FACT: Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in powerful cravings and a compulsion to use. These brain changes make it extremely difficult to quit by […]
Process of Addiction
While it has been known to happen immediately, in most cases, addiction to a drug develops over time, and generally follows a specific chain of events. Here is an overview of the process of addiction: No Use —-> Experimentation —-> Use —-> Abuse —-> Dependence. “Experimentation” refers to the first few […]
Relapse Prevention
Becoming aware of addictive behaviors, thoughts, and emotional build-up. Recovery is more than just abstinence; however, abstinence is the first step in recovery. It is stopping drug and alcohol use. The next step is “staying stopped”, a process called: ‘relapse prevention”. But many people struggle to prevent relapse and fall back into substance use and […]
Binge drinking, alcohol abuse, or alcohol dependence ?
Understanding the difference: Binge Drinking – Alcohol Abuse – Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol problems occur at different levels of severity, from mild to life-threatening. Alcohol dependence is considered the most severe alcohol problem, and it can be life –threatening. There is a lot of confusion around alcohol use, progression of dependency and alcoholism. For many people […]
Dealing with family member who’s an addict
Dealing with an addict: If it feels uncomfortable, chances are you’re doing the right thing Helping a loved one battle the disease of addiction is painful and can make for some tough choices. You are not alone. I want to say that right at the start, because if you’re anything like me, finding yourself in […]
Drugs and the Brain
Introducing the Human Brain The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity – you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities. […]