REWARD CIRCUITS IN THE BRAIN BECOME TRAINED BY DRUG USE
Addicts eventually lose control over their addiction. A big part of the power that addiction can hold over a person’s life stems from the fact that repeated exposure to addictive substances alters a specific part of the brain. This part of the brain is known as the “reward circuit” or “pleasure system.” Its evolutionary purpose […]
ALCOHOL-RELATED PSYCHOSIS
Alcohol-related psychosis, also known as alcohol hallucinosis, is a mental condition characterized by delusions and/or hallucinations that occur during or immediately after intoxication or are experienced as symptoms of withdrawal. The hallucinations typically end upon the cessation of intoxication or withdrawal. While alcohol-related psychosis is considered a rare condition, believed to affect only about 3% of […]
LIFE AFTER DRUG ADDICTION
Overcoming an addiction to drugs is a long-term process. But many former addicts often find it difficult to maintain their drug-free status without proper post-rehab lifestyle changes. Recovering addicts should be aware of the necessary life changes needed to remain drug-free. LIFESTYLE CHANGES There are several things a former drug user needs to maintain their […]
THE THREE STAGES OF RECOVERY
Recovering from a substance addiction is a lifelong process that can be broken down into three main stages: Early Recovery: While the precise time period may vary, early recovery is generally considered to refer to the first full year of recovery, where an individual faces a higher risk of relapse, especially in the first 90 days. During […]
12-STEP PROGRAMS
While most people are familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its companion groups for those affected by another’s alcohol abuse, Al-Anon and Alateen, there are actually a number of different 12-step programs available for those struggling with a variety of different substance addictions or behavioral addictions. 12-STEP PROGRAMS FOR BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS: Co-Dependence Anonymous – to […]
DRUG REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Drug replacement therapy, also known as replacement therapy, refers to the practice of prescribing one drug to treat an addiction to another substance. The most well-known replacement therapy is the use of methadone to treat opioid or heroin addiction. In fact, decades of research by various organizations like the World Health Organization, the National Institute […]
FUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLICS
Some people can abuse alcohol while still being successful in their personal and professional lives. These people are typically referred to as high-functioning alcoholics or HFAs, but in truth, no one can ignore the effects of alcohol abuse forever. An HFA can (at least for a while) have a good job, a close family, and plenty […]
ALCOHOLIC DEMENTIA
Alcoholic dementia is a major neurocognitive disorder that can result from excessive drinking over many years. Though it may not be as well-known as other cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholic dementia is actually the third most common cause of cognitive degeneration among the elderly. Symptoms of alcoholic dementia include: Short-term memory loss or difficulty […]
AVERSION THERAPY
Aversion therapy, also known as conversion therapy or reparative therapy, is a form of behavioral therapy that relies on the foundational principles of behavioral psychology and cognitive condition to create an association between an unwanted behavior and feelings of discomfort or unpleasantness. Aversion therapy works by repeatedly pairing unwanted behavior, or thoughts of unwanted behaviors, with […]
A CLOSER LOOK AT STATISTICS CONCERNING ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO ADDICTION RATES IN AMERICA
While we are all aware of how dangerous drug addiction and alcoholism truly are, you might not begin to understand how truly severe these problems can be until you take a look at the facts of the matter. For example, did you know that, in 2011 alone, 20.6 million people over 12 years of age […]