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Drug and Substance Abuse Articles
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- Marijuana Addiction Symptoms and Signs - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2009 from Crystal SmithPerhaps no drug has invited as much heated debate and ferocious argument as marijuana. Marijuana has been a source of fierce pro and against positions mainly because it is considered by many to be the least harmful of drugs; and whether or not marijuana addiction is an actual threat is debated ...
Views: 2928(2 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: "Treatment" and "Recovery" Are Not The Same Thing. - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Peggy Ferguson"My spouse went to recovery. Now they tell me that he needs to go on to additional counseling. What is that all about?" "Recovery" and "treatment" are not the same thing. Inpatient treatment, detox, or outpatient treatment, in and of itself, is not "recovery". Recovery is generally a return ...
Views: 2909(2 votes) - Siblings - The Forgotten Ones - How Siblings Get Hurt - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2010 from Judy HerzanekThe Parable of the Prodigal Son While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with compassion the father ran to the son, threw his arms around him and said, "Welcome home." His son had come to his senses. "Let's have a party!" His brother refused to come ...
Views: 2903(5 votes) - A Few Alcohol Awareness Tips - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2011 from Mike MillerAs a counselor for both in class and online alcohol awareness classes my students and I often discuss the possible ways a person can drink socially without becoming intoxicated. Of course the answer is simple, have one drink and make sure you are well hydrated, well rested and well fed. But ...
Views: 2887(3 votes) - Marijuana, Motivation, and Legalization - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from William BerryThere is a lot of discussion these days about the legalization of substances, especially marijuana. These discussions and articles focus on how it might improve the economy, to decriminalization resulting in fewer deaths and a drop in the growth of HIV cases, to medical benefits of marijuana. ...
Views: 2880(1 vote) - Staying Sober After In-Patient Treatment: Ten Reasons To Follow Through With Continuing Care Even If You Don't Want To - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2010 from Peggy FergusonThe majority of patients who successfully complete inpatient and have the desire to stay clean and sober relapse in the first year after acute care treatment. Anyone who has been to inpatient treatment has noticed that the among the other patients around them, that there is a large percentage ...
Views: 2874(2 votes) - 10 Common Dangers in Recovery - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2010 from Tim GrayHere are ten common situations that are very dangerous to a person in recovery. Recognizing these dangers will help you avoid a possible problem in the future. 1. Believing you are finally cured of your addiction. This is a dangerous form of denial. The lie is that you either are finally ...
Views: 2855(3 votes) - Opiate Addiction Symptoms and Signs - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2009 from Crystal SmithOpiate addiction is an insidious problem that has plagued society for centuries, but perhaps never more so than today. A two-edged sword, opiates can heal or destroy. An opiate is any drug derived from the opium poppy plant. The main opiates are morphine, heroin, and codeine. Thebaine and ...
Views: 2836(1 vote) - Increasing Self-Esteem in Recovery - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2014 from Todd BranstonIf I spend time thinking about the various issues specific to addicted clients I come up with a few central themes. Many people need to find a sense of purpose, some need to find a sober place to live, and others need to find a way to earn income or repair family relationships. However, what is ...
Views: 2789 - Take a Drug Class before Considering Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2012 from Mike MillerWhy do so few people receive driving under the influence violations (DUIs) for marijuana? Statistics show how many people are smoking and using marijuana these days. In 14 states, including the District of Columbia, weed is legal for "medical" purposes. The entire idea of marijuana's medicinal ...
Views: 2777(1 vote) - Addiction and Recovery: Understanding The Nature of Addiction to Understand Cross Addiction - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2009 from Peggy FergusonEarly addiction recovery is a fragile thing. One of the most frequent contributing factors in relapse is something we call "cross-addiction". Essentially what cross-addiction means, is that if you are alcoholic or addicted to other mood altering drugs, you a potentially addicted to all mood ...
Views: 2754(1 vote) - The Importance of Family Involvement in Substance Abuse Treatment and Addiction Therapy - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Steven GiffordFor family and friends of drug and/or alcohol addicted individuals, addressing addiction is one of the most difficult aspects of seeking substance abuse treatment. Often, drug and alcohol addiction has built a destructive cycle over a time to the point where daily family involvement actually ...
Views: 2717(1 vote) - Bipolar Disorder - Good News - by Submitted on Nov 22, 2010 from Robert And Shelley JakobsenBipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of Bipolar are severe. They can result in damaged ...
Views: 2703(2 votes) - ***Holistic Addiction Recovery from a Higher Perspective - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2016 from Dean TaraborelliHeal the Underlying Trauma for Full Recovery The Sanctuary at Sedona began with a vision of helping others achieve a full and sustainable recovery from addiction. That continues to be our mission. We have been fortunate enough to witness full recovery in the lives of many throughout the ...
Views: 2688 - Identification, Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse In Teens - by Submitted on May 14, 2012 from Ronald ParkerIdentifying Teen Drug Abuse Parental and peer drug abuse are regarded as as among the more common variables influencing a teen's decision concerning substance use. The age at which teenagers start to consume alcohol is lowering, with 25% of adolescents beginning to drink prior to 13 years of ...
Views: 2682(2 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: Do You Really Have to Hit Bottom to Recover? - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2009 from Peggy FergusonThere is a generally misguided notion that you have to "hit bottom" to be able to get sober and stay sober. "Hitting bottom" is usually seen as the loss of the things that you value in your life. It is an individually defined event and the concept has probably hindered the recovery efforts of a ...
Views: 2675(1 vote) - What Is the Best Neurofeedback Protocol for Addiction Recovery? - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2011 from William ScottThe answer: "It depends on the person's brain." However, almost for certain at some point in a complete series of neurofeedback sessions a person who is recovering from addiction will benefit from receiving the alpha-theta protocol. The evidenced-based symptom-oriented evaluation will suggest ...
Views: 2668(4 votes) - Alcohol Awareness Classes Could Help With Peer Pressure - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2011 from Mike MillerHave you ever felt the effects of peer pressure? If you answered no to this question you obviously have lived on an island your entire life without ever having had human interaction! As a counselor for both in class and online drug awareness classes, I often discuss the nature and power of ...
Views: 2663(3 votes) - *** Amity Foundation’s Annual Acknowledgement Ceremony - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Debra NortonWe need to send a message to the world. Let it be known that the people in our penal institutions are not invisible; they are not to be thrown away. There is redemption that can be had in the lives of every human being. We stand here in solidarity today with Amity Foundation to say that we ...
Views: 2653(1 vote) - Troubled Teenagers – Identifying and Dealing With Tough Issues - by Submitted on Apr 10, 2011 from Christina BottoTeenagers need help and guidance, but it can sometimes be difficult for parents to recognize when to intervene in their teen’s life. Today’s teenagers face different problems and challenges than those you experienced as a teen. Emotional pain and distress can be expressed in many different ...
Views: 2629(3 votes) - What are the intrapsychic mechanisms of a drug-dependent individual? What are addicted people thinking? - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiInitially the attraction is euphoria taking a mini vacation. Someone once told me getting high is like God putting a warm blanket around you and rubbing your temples telling you everything will be alright. This is a powerful draw. The mini vacation to escape life’s hardships becomes more ...
Views: 2617(2 votes) - Selecting A Good Rehab Center - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2012 from Brian WalkerThe vice of drug abuse has always impacted negatively on the friends and families of the addicts. These substances transform the victims into different creatures. Subsequently, these drugs interfere with their metabolism thereby; they experience physiological problems. In this regard, substances ...
Views: 2605(1 vote) - ***Giving Up The Ghost A Physician In Recovery - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2008 from Scott DavisThe pills- he had to find the pills. Running from his house to his leased car, he yanked open the front door and reached for the fuse box. The stash he kept there was gone. Frantically pusing his hands under the front seat, he poured through the car before ripping off the dashboard. Unable ...
Views: 2588(1 vote) - Family Dynamics of Addiction and Recovery - How Can I Tell If My Partner Is Serious About Recovery? - by Submitted on May 24, 2009 from Peggy FergusonMost spouses of alcoholics or addicts have been down this road before. Something has happened. Some crisis has gotten the attention of the alcoholic/addict and now he is motivated to get clean and sober. This time he is going to AA/NA and going to counseling. Promises made by the addict to stop ...
Views: 2586(3 votes) - 4 Serious Tips for Overcoming Substance Abuse - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2015 from Anica OaksSubstance abusers and their families often do not understand the complexity of the issue and what it requires to overcome addiction. As a result, repeated attempts to stop using substances usually ends in frustration on the part of family members, and the downward spiral into deeper distress on ...
Views: 2583 - The Most Important Relationship Is With Yourself - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2010 from Dr. Mark AgrestiI want to share two stories to help those with drug problems -- or those with loved ones who have drug problems -- see how addiction works and how it can be overcome. My clients, Belle and Bob, were both addicts. Belle managed to dig herself out. Bob did not. At the most basic level, these ...
Views: 2576(2 votes) - 5 Myths About Alcoholism and Drinking - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Mike MillerFiguring out the truth of your justifications for your drinking is crucial to eliminating your denial. These are often asked by my alcohol class students when they take my alcohol awareness classes. Myth #1: I can cease drinking anytime I want to. Maybe you can; unfortunately it's more ...
Views: 2567(2 votes) - Addiction and Recovery: How to Catapult Your Recovery to the Next Level by Using A Problems Checklist to Drive Skill Developmen - by Submitted on Sep 20, 2009 from Peggy FergusonEarly recovery is a time of self-assessment and problem identification. You have to know what is not working in order to begin to fix it. One of the first tasks, right after learning basic craving management techniques is spending the time and energy to identify the roles that chemicals have ...
Views: 2550(1 vote) - The Danger of Doing Well - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2012 from Tim GrayDid you know there is danger in doing well in recovery? This comes as a surprise to many people in recovery. So, you are probably wondering how doing well in recovery could possibly lead to problems. Here are some situations for you to consider: Many people stop doing everything the program ...
Views: 2527(2 votes) - The Importance of Addiction Assessment - How, When and Why it is Valuable for Drug and Alcohol Treatment - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2011 from Steven GiffordWhen you or your loved one decide to make the important step toward seeking drug or alcohol treatment, the next critical step in the recovery process is determining the level of appropriate care by receiving a professional addiction assessment. This is the first intake procedure to evaluate the ...
Views: 2478(2 votes) - Dealing With "Emotional Eating" - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2012 from Joan JacobsFor people dealing with excess weight issues, the connection between food and emotions is very familiar. The thin and good looking woman sitting in her room consoling herself with ice-cream after having gone through significant emotional upset has become a symbol that demonstrates how we ...
Views: 2450(4 votes) - *** A Story of Hope - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Debra Norton“Before I came to Amistad, nobody ever took time to teach me how to do something. I just had to figure it out on my own. Now I have mentors who are like me. They have been drug addicts and they have been incarcerated but they are doing something different with their life today. I could ...
Views: 2442(1 vote) - Introduction to Chemical Dependency - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2012 from Todd BranstonNot everyone who drinks regularly is an alcoholic or has a drinking problem. But substance abuse is a major problem within the older population. It is not always obvious, because many older adults drink in private rather than in bars. Because our culture generally identifies problems with ...
Views: 2430(1 vote) - The Top 10 Signs Of Drug Addiction - by Submitted on Nov 27, 2012 from Narconon InternationalDrug Addiction can slither in unexpectedly, starting as social or recreational use and turning even the mildest users into people willing to go to desperate measures for their next fix. Drug use becomes more and more frequent, and then the same amount doesn’t produce the same effects so dosages ...
Views: 2418(1 vote) - Alcohol Awareness Classes Can Help You Face the Facts - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2011 from Mike MillerOne of the most famous phrases surrounding alcoholism is that “denial is the first sign.” Of course that is absolute hooey because there are millions of people who abstain completely from alcohol who would deny being an alcoholic. But the facts are the facts. First fact, life-long teetotalers ...
Views: 2415(2 votes) - How to Rebuild Relationships after Alcohol Treatment - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2013 from Gareth CarterWhen a loved one is addicted to alcohol, it puts massive strain on the people that love them the most. Family members will often feel angry and resentful towards the individual for what they have done during the time they were addicted, which is understandable. However, once their loved ...
Views: 2415(3 votes) - Talking About Drugs - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2012 from Christopher LowryFor many people, bringing up the subject of drugs is difficult. Your teens may try to dodge the discussion, and you yourself may feel unsure about how to proceed. To boost your chances for a productive conversation, take some time to think through the issues you want to discuss before you talk ...
Views: 2403(4 votes) - SMART DRUGS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS - WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2018 from Mathew ThompsonYou may be familiar with the legend behind Mozart and Salieri , two rival composers in the 18th Century . Salieri in his time was by far the more popular and successful composer and yet he was crippled by his jealously of Mozart . Although a master of his craft Salieri output was derivative ...
Views: 2387 - Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: A Disease or Not? - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2010 from Carl-Peter LehmannAlcoholism and drug addiction are two maladies that have severely afflicted scores of people across the globe. Now, whether these two should be categorized under diseases like cancer or heart disease is a debate that seems to rage on and create great controversy. The medical community today ...
Views: 2385(1 vote) - My experience with tennis, Italy and Anti Anxiety Medications - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2013 from Dennis SimsekI had to do something right away so that I could get a good night's sleep before the important tennis practice that I had the next day. After the practice would be a match in the afternoon, another typical day I had while training and playing professional tennis in Milan, Italy. Since I had my ...
Views: 2374 - 2012-Self-esteem - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2012 from Keith Bray2012-Mission to Improve Self-esteem To be of service to others, I do a lot of reading and research. Original thinking is fine but what I know and coach originated from others. The biggest issues I help others to come to grips with are related to self-esteem. Today I share writing from ...
Views: 2372(1 vote) - Know Your Teens Friends - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2012 from Christopher LowryGet to know as many of your teen's friends as you can. Knowing his friends will help you tabs on his life and may help keep him out of trouble. If he and his friends hangs out at your house, introduce yourself and ask a question or two. If they don't hang out there, find ways to meet them, offer ...
Views: 2344(2 votes) - Alcohol Addiction Treatment Tips - by Submitted on Feb 12, 2013 from Gareth CarterIf you are about to be admitted into alcohol addiction treatment, then it’s important to know how to get the most out of your stay in rehab. This article will provide you with the best alcohol addiction treatment tips, which can help you make it a success. Go Small, Not Big Ever hear ...
Views: 2332(2 votes) - Book Review: Living Jonathans Life: A Doctors Descent Into Darkness & Addiction - by Submitted on Apr 25, 2008 from Shelly WalkerThis book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Substance Abuse. Substance Abuse is a long-term, pathological use of alcohol or drugs, characterized by daily intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and impairment in social or occupational functioning. Scott M. Davis is ...
Views: 2304 - Meth Lab Child Dangers - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2012 from Christopher LowryA child living at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory is exposed to immediate dangers and to the ongoing effects of chemical contamination. In addition, the child may be subjected to fires and explosions, abuse and neglect, a hazardous lifestyle (including the presence of firearms), social ...
Views: 2265(1 vote) - How is Suboxone Treatment Different than Drug Abuse? - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2011 from Jeffrey StuckertPhysicians who treat opioid addiction also have the option of utilizing 'medication-assisted treatment', and the most common medications used in the treatment of opioid dependence today are methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine (Suboxone). Most people cannot just walk away from opioid ...
Views: 2260(2 votes) - Standing At The Crossroads: Trying to Quit Using Drugs - by Submitted on Nov 19, 2010 from Peggy FergusonPeople do not easily come to the conclusion that they have an alcohol or other drug problem. The telltale signs have been there quite some time. Addiction carries with it its own camouflage devices. It can look like a lot of other illnesses from the perspective of an outsider looking in. ...
Views: 2245(2 votes) - Anxiety Disorders - Drug and Alcohol Abuse - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2010 from Robert And Shelley JakobsenAnxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. These disorders fill people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, ...
Views: 2243(1 vote) - Are You a High Functioning Drug Addict or Alcoholic? - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2013 from Gareth CarterIf you think that addiction only happens to teenagers, the unemployed or simply to people different from yourself, perhaps people that are less intelligent, less fortunate or less wealthy - think again. What if I told you that addiction can and does happen to top business executives, doctors, ...
Views: 2239(2 votes) - Help with Addiction | Faster EFT Tapping - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2011 from Alan CombiesAddiction is a word that we throw around all of the time but what does it actually mean to be addicted to something? And how does one become addicted to anything in the first place? Like all other behavior, the answers to these questions lies in thought and emotion. To be addicted to ...
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