The Danger of Alcohol-Interactive Prescription Medications
The Danger of Alcohol-Interactive Prescription Medications Alcohol interacts negatively with numerous commonly prescribed medications. Yet, most drinkers do not understood about use of alcohol-interactive (AI) prescription medications. This is concerning since the majority of Americans consume alcoholic beverages, never knowing the potential danger they are in. A new study has found that almost 42 percent […]
Potential of Psilocybin in Mental Health Therapy
Potential of Psilocybin in Mental Health Therapy Over the past 50 years, tens of millions of people have used entheogens, yet there just is not much scientific evidence on either positive or negative long-term effects of these substances. The classical psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, etc.) are not known to cause brain damage and are regarded as […]
Recovery and Resilience Connection
Recovery and Resilience Connection Resilience is defined as the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change, and keep going in the face of adversity. Learning to become more resilient can offer individuals the opportunity to improve their life, maximizing potential and success. As Diane Coutu so eloquently explains in How Resilience Works: “Resilient […]
Preventing a Future Generation of Addicts: Curtail Teen Prescriptions for Sleep Aids and Anti-Anxiety Meds
Preventing a Future Generation of Addicts: Curtail Teen Prescriptions for Sleep Aids and Anti-Anxiety Meds Researchers have completed the first longitudinal study to determine whether teens’ recent medical use of anxiety or sleep medications is associated with later taking somebody else’s prescription medication illegally, either for self-treatment or recreational use. Examples of anti-anxiety medications include […]
Understanding How the Brain Reacts to Addictive Substances: It’s a Dopamine Thing
Understanding How the Brain Reacts to Addictive Substances: It’s a Dopamine Thing Brigham Young University professor Scott Steffensen and his collaborators have published three scientific papers that detail the brain mechanisms involved with addictive substances. One study found that the process of a brain becoming addicted is an overcorrecting reaction to an abused substance. When […]
The Neurological Differences in Men and Women Smokers
The Neurological Differences in Men and Women Smokers Yale researchers have pinpointed a different brain response between male and female smokers by analyzing dynamic brain scans. This study marks the first time that PET (positron emission tomography) scans were used to create “movies” of how smoking affects dopamine, the neurotransmitter that triggers feelings of pleasure […]
The Relationship Between Substance Abuse, Insomnia and Suicidal Thoughts
The Relationship Between Substance Abuse, Insomnia and Suicidal Thoughts Accruing evidence indicates that insomnia is prevalent and persistent in early recovery from substance use disorders and may predict relapse. As such, insomnia treatment after abstinence represents an important area for intervention and treatment. According to Dr. Nicholas Rosenlicht of University of San Francisco: “Treating sleep […]
Addiction and Mental Health Treatment under the Affordable Care Act
Addiction and Mental Health Treatment under the Affordable Care Act Part of addiction recovery is dealing appropriately and concurrently with any co-occurring mental illnesses that may be present. Yet, estimates suggest that more than 23 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but only 10 percent of them are seeking treatment. Why is that? […]
Can You Thrive After Childhood Trauma?
Can You Thrive After Childhood Trauma? Recovery from traumatic events is never easy. However, humans are amazingly adaptable. Unfortunately, survival does not mean thriving. A person can survive traumatic events and be scarred for the rest of their life. Trauma affects children particularly profoundly. Children do not just get over trauma; they live with the […]
Proving the Benefits of Meditation
Proving the Benefits of Meditation Mindful meditation is a type of meditation (which is an exercise of deep, prolonged concentration) during which any feelings, emotions or thoughts are experienced as and when they arise during the exercise, opposed to after the meditation finishes. This practice teaches us about our unresolved issues that prick us when […]