PREDICTORS OF RELAPSE
According to the view of addiction as a disease, it is not something that can be fully cured. Like other chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or asthma, it can only be managed. Sometimes you can go for years in remission, only to relapse somewhere down the line. 40 to 60 percent of people with […]
AVOIDANCE
Many people with alcohol or drug use disorders started using in reaction to some stimulus – depression, anxiety, trauma – and will relapse for the same reason. This is one of the reasons that it’s so important to incorporate mental health care with addiction treatment. Unfortunately, some people simply don’t want to face their demons, […]
CRACK ABUSE: SYMPTOMS AND HEALTH EFFECTS
Crack is an inexpensive form of cocaine that provides a fast acting high to users. This power stimulant can rapidly induce a euphoric high that affects the body by altering both the physical and mental state of users. Individuals that use this drug often experience: A sudden burst of energy with intent focus Insomnia Suppressed appetite Muscle […]
ANGER MANAGEMENT IN RECOVERY
No matter what substance you’re addicted to or what led you to it, odds are that anger played some role. Maybe you were fighting constantly with your spouse, and you sought solace in drugs or alcohol. Maybe you were angry at your boss for cutting your hours or passing you over for a promotion, or […]
ALCOHOLIC KETOACIDOSIS
Among the many dangerous side effects of heavy alcohol use, one that you may not be familiar with is a condition called alcoholic ketoacidosis. This is an acute form of metabolic acidosis, which is when the chemical balance in your blood is disrupted, leading to an accumulation of too much acid in the body. Alcoholic ketoacidosis is the […]
DANGERS OF CRYSTAL METH
Crystal meth is a dangerous drug. It can rob you of both your physical and mental health and your ability to enjoy life. Two areas at particular risk from sustained meth use are the brain and the lungs. Crystal meth increases dopamine and norepinephrine production in the brain initially. However, after a while it actually destroys the dopamine receptors, […]
STEM CELL THERAPY FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Stem cells are cells that have the capability of being transformed into other types of cells. There are two main types – embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, as the name implies, come from embryos, specifically embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro and then donated. These cells […]
ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR TREATING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Although it might sound at first like something out of a horror movie, using electrical currents to stimulate the brain can treat a variety of mental health disorders, including substance abuse. Cranioelectrotherapy stimulation (CES), also called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or microcurrent electrical stimulation, uses very weak electrical currents delivered through two electrodes to […]
PROPOFOL
Although legally only available to doctors, the anesthetic propofol has been used recreationally and as a sleeping aid, to dangerous effects. Pop singer Michael Jackson died from an overdose of propofol, and his personal doctor was put on trial (and convicted of involuntary manslaughter) for giving him access to the drug to help him sleep and […]
ALCOHOL AND OSTEOPOROSIS
Most of us are aware that alcohol use can lead to a variety of health issues, including heart, liver, and pancreas problems, and various types of cancer, but did you know that heavy drinking can increase your risk for osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition in which the body loses too much bone, makes too little […]
