Going to addiction treatment at a drug rehab facility is difficult for everyone, but teens trying to overcome addiction face a unique set of challenges. While addiction treatment programs and sustaining a life in recovery are large enough obstacles, those who struggle with substance abuse in their teen years also juggle the added tension of […]
“If you knew how excruciatingly uncomfortable it is to live in my own skin, you would understand why I do not want to be present in my body and in this world.” Anonymous Some version of this statement is, unfortunately, a heartbreakingly common thought often expressed by someone coping with addiction. It is also heartbreakingly […]
Dogs are man’s best friend, the old saying goes. But now there is scientific evidence that dogs – and cats, birds and even Guinea pigs – not only serve as a best friend to many people with bipolar or schizophrenia, but may also be a critical component to their recovery and mental stability. Research published […]
Addiction is a disease that disturbs all walks of life. No matter your age, financial status or occupation, addiction affects millions of people. The National Institute of Drug Abuse states that close to 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older have used an illicit drug in the past month.[1] In addition to drug addiction issues, […]
Addiction is an affliction that only some people develop in particular circumstances due to certain stimuli. However, the disease of addiction isn’t treated quite the same as diseases like diabetes or cancer. Rather than giving an addict a treatment or medication that essentially alleviates the effects of addiction, he or she can hope only to […]
In the early days of substance abuse treatment, the focus was on detox and “getting clean,” to the exclusion of almost everything else. As the field of addiction treatment has grown, professionals have come to understand that substance abuse is about much more than a chemical addiction. For lasting success, you need to treat the […]
Following the reported suicide death of actor and comedian Robin Williams, the topics of depression, mental illness and the possible link between these issues and creativity were once again catapulted to the forefront of our cultural communication. The Web and social media sites were abuzz with speculation and opinions. While frank, honest discussion is always […]
Adderall use isn’t just skyrocketing among kids, a growing number of adults are using the ADHD drug for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. While children still make up the biggest group taking Adderall, the number of kids on Adderall rose 18 percent between 2008 and 2012, compared to a 53 percent jump among adults, according to Express Scripts’ […]
Is there a link between marijuana use and mental illness? Parents, teachers and other authority figures are quick to warn teens of the dangers of marijuana use, but of all the side effects cited, mental illness rarely gets a mention. Should it? Research conducted in the past decade has looked at just that, focusing on […]
The news reports of PTSD on the rise often cite instances of veterans who develop the disorder after being deployed overseas. But a new study shows that even a stressful life-changing event can precipitate a mental disorder. You don’t even need to leave the country. A cross-country move, job change, hospital stay or new baby […]