Short Definition: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in […]
Motivation to Change
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 […]
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 […]
Exercise May Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol Abuse and Exercise Alcohol abuse is highly disruptive of circadian rhythms, which refers to the timing of daily rhythms. A new animal study has used hamsters to test for the influence of wheel-running on alcohol intake. Results indicate that exercise, perhaps through stimulation of brain reward pathways, may be able to reduce alcohol […]
Screening and Brief Intervention for Alcohol Abuse
On a fairly regular basis doctors fail to identify people with alcohol use disorders. This failure is often due to simply not asking the right questions. The consequences of such failure may be substantial, especially if the person has major surgery or develops a severe illness and then manifests acute alcohol withdrawal. Screening and brief […]
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 […]
Defenses and Denial
Being in recovery means we don’t need or want to lie to ourselves. Denial is our escape from reality, our fantasy. It’s lying to ourselves. All is fine, and we are in control. Denial keeps us from the truth. A spiritual reality is that when we experience faith, we can change and transform. Many of […]
Healing from Co-dependency
The concept of ‘co-dependency’ (also called ‘co-alcoholism’ when alcoholism is involved) refers to an unhealthy pattern of relating to others that results from being closely involved with an alcoholic or addict, whether they are seeking a drug treatment center or not. Co-dependency is a generic term. It has been defined in various ways, but all […]
Characteristics of ACOA by Janet G. Woititz
In 1983 author Janet G. Woititz listed, in her book “Adult Children of Alcoholics”, thirteen characteristics most adult children have in common. This list is also known as the “A.C.O.A. Characteristic List” by many adult children. The 13 Characteristics of A.C.O.A. Adult children of alcoholics guess at what normal behavior is. Adult children of alcoholics […]
Alcoholism And Its Effect on The Family
Alcoholics can be of any age, background, income level, social, or ethnic group. Very often alcoholism affects highly educated people. Several studies even showed that people who lack motivation are less likely to become addicted to alcohol than highly motivated individuals (Silverstein, 1990). Silverstein in his book “Alcoholism” gives three criteria that the American Psychiatric […]
Core Issues For Children of Alcoholics
The phrase Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) refers to those individuals who were adversely impacted by familial alcoholism. An ACOA is an individual who experiences a recognizable, diagnosable reaction to familial alcoholism. These individuals are particularly vulnerable to certain emotional, physical, and spiritual problems. There are identifiable core issues that ACOA’s experience. Control is one […]
The Lois Wilson Story, Co-Founder of Al-Anon
On April 25th, Hallmark Hall of Fame broadcasted the movie “When Love Is Not Enough — The Lois Wilson Story,” starring Winona Ryder and Barry Pepper. The movie, which portrays the life of Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-Anon Family Groups and wife of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, is based on William G. Borchert’s 2005 […]
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 […]