The following article presents four developmental stages of family recovery described by Brown and Lewis, and describes for each stage, the possible impact of the family environment—in particular, parenting practices on child development. These different stages of recovery appear to correspond to unique parenting challenges. The following is based on a compilation of knowledge from […]
Manipulation & Other Unhealthy Behaviors
To understand the disease of addiction it is important to understand the underlying causes of it, how it develops, what are the symptoms & the behaviors that accompany it. Many of us feel confused when dealing with substance abuse issues. There are usually more questions than answers, and no matter how long we think about […]
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 […]
Stress Management
Stress Stress is a fact of daily life and is the result of both the good and bad things that happen. Too much stress can cause serious health concerns, but there are many ways of dealing with stress that can reduce your risk. Background Stress can come from major events in life such as getting […]
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. It is estimated that one in 10 Canadians is affected by them. These disorders can be successfully treated so it is important to recognize the difference between being anxious in response to a real event, and an anxiety disorder which produces fear or distress […]
Club Drugs
Club drugs are a group of psychoactive drugs that tend to be abused by teens and young adults at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties, they are: Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Rohypnol Ketamine MDMA (ecstasy) Methamphetamine GHB is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for […]
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 […]
How does addiction affect children ?
When a family member has a problem with drugs or alcohol, the family develops ways of coping with it. Some of these coping strategies are far from ideal: keeping addiction a secret, less communication within the family, not expressing emotions, and taking on some of the responsibilities abandoned by the addict. These coping strategies appear […]
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. […]