What About Motivation? You cannot motivate anyone else. Attempting to do so only annoys them, frustrates you, and wastes your time. There is no one on this planet who has not, at some point in their life, wanted someone else to do something—or even many things. You and I want the other person to do […]
Vaccines to Treat Addictions ?
Researchers from The Scripps Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Cornell University have produced a long-lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice by giving them a unique vaccine that combines bits of the common cold virus with a particle that mimics cocaine. In their study, published January 4, 2011, in the advanced online edition of Molecular […]
Relapse Prevention
A Relapse: Why Falling Off the Wagon Isn’t Fatal ? A great relapse story: The cover of the January issue of O magazine says it all: “How Did I Let This Happen Again?” A photo of Oprah Winfrey at her current weight of 200 lb. is juxtaposed with an image of her formerly slender self. […]
Alcoholism & Health Problems
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 […]
Problems Relating to Drinking
Excessive Drinking Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may be stimulation. But as you continue to drink, you become sedated. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and affects your thoughts, emotions and judgment. Too much alcohol affects your speech and muscle coordination and affects vital centers of your brain. A heavy […]
Acute Alcohol Withdrawal
Acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms Symptoms may vary depending on the individual. There may be mild or severe symptoms, and some may need close inpatient, or medical supervision. Serious withdrawal symptoms include: Delirium tremens The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Seizures Depression Electrolyte disturbances Complications due to associated liver disease Presentation: A person may present in acute alcohol withdrawal, or may be […]
Marijuana-Induced Psychotic Episodes
Mikkel Arendt, Ph.D., a fellow at the Center for Basic Psychiatric Research at the University of Aarhus in Denmark, and coworkers used the Danish Psychiatric Central Register to identify patients treated for a first marijuana-induced psychotic episode between 1994 and 1999. There were 535 such patients. The researchers then followed those patients for at least […]
Shame
Shame Shame, as the conductor of the affective orchestra in humans, is a powerful, elusive and tricky emotion that can protect or destroy the organism – depending on the circumstances. Often referred to as the pathological affect of abandonment, indignity, alienation and failure, the healthy function of shame, which is to protect and motivate the […]
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 […]
Depression- causes and symptoms
About 11% of men and 16% of women in Canada will experience major depression in the course of their lives. Depression can limit your quality of life, affect relationships, lead to lost time from work or school and contribute to other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases. Sometimes it leads to suicide. Fortunately, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Treatment and Recovery
Can addiction be treated successfully? Yes. Addiction is a treatable disease. Discoveries in the science of addiction have led to advances in drug abuse treatment that help people stop abusing drugs and resume their productive lives. Can addiction be cured? Addiction need not be a life sentence. Like other chronic diseases, addiction can be managed […]
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. […]
Helping your Teenager
Parents and families face some of their most difficult battles which are raising their teenagers drug free. Most of us know that anti-drug efforts alone are not enough. Learning what works in preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs will help, but do not guarantee that our teen stays drug free. When concerned, […]