A new super-potent narcotic painkiller called Zohydro is set to enter the marketplace and critics fear the country will see a spike in opioid addiction and overdose deaths as a result. Zohydro, which was approved by the FDA last year in a controversial decision, is an extended release formula of pure hydrocodone. In spite of the warnings from …
Super Painkiller Zohydro Could Lead to More Overdose Deaths Read More »
U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder this week declared rising heroin and opioid overdose deaths “an urgent and public health crisis” and vowed renewed enforcement and treatment efforts. In a five-minute televised video, the nation’s top cop referred to the 45 percent increase from 2004 to 2010 in the fatal overdoses from heroin and other opiates found …
Holder Vows to Fight Heroin Deaths ‘Crisis,’ Treatment Gets Short Shrift Read More »
Substance use addictions became intricately interwoven with sex at an early age for Lewis, a man who was starved for attention by his parents. Such co-occurring addictions do complicate recovery, but they can be overcome. Lewis grew up in large, spacious homes—his family owned more than one—with hired caregivers and tutors, but without much in …
For most married couples communication is a constant work in progress. Add alcoholism to the mix and this delicate dance becomes much more complicated. You may be nervous or simply not know how to talk to your alcoholic spouse about their drinking. It will take work and forethought, but it is possible to have an …
In the U.S., federal law requires cigarette manufacturers to place warnings on their products that outline the serious health risks associated with cigarette use. These warnings are meant to deter people from smoking and also to encourage current smokers to cut down on their cigarette intake or stop smoking altogether. In a study published in …
Smokers Avert Eyes From Cigarette Pack Warnings, Study Finds Read More »
One of the first things people notice about Elizabeth Wilkinson – “Izzy” to those who know her – is her clever sense of humor. She’s quirky. She’s passionate. And she makes people laugh – not only in passing moments as she greets her clients or colleagues, but also as part of the therapeutic process. “I …
An Interview with Elizabeth Wilkinson, LPC, LCDC, Program Therapist Read More »
A new federal study has found that U.S. doctors are the leading source of prescription painkillers for hardcore addicts — those at highest risk for overdose. Amid epidemic abuse of prescription painkillers, which leads to more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention findings upend notions about where the …
Opioid addiction, known formally in the U.S. as opioid use disorder, is known for its ability to produce seriously negative outcomes for affected individuals. Addiction specialists can help significantly reduce the impact of these outcomes by providing appropriate treatment options. However, the potential for problems does not end when treatment begins. In a study published …
Study Finds Alarming Death Rate for Opioid Addicts Read More »
Everyone is predisposed to certain things. For example, some individuals have a melancholy temperament, making them more vulnerable to depression than their more naturally upbeat peers. Another example is those who tend to be “high strung,” making it more difficult to stay calm under stress and keep anxiety at bay. Unfortunately, there are many individuals …
How to Recognize and Reduce Your Addiction Risk? Read More »
For the first time, with the release of the DSM V, binge eating disorder has been recognized as a legitimate and diagnosable mental condition. This move to include binge eating disorder is a significant step for helping both the medical profession and the general public to understand that eating disorders fall along a spectrum in …
Eating Disorders: Spectrum, Stigma and Shared Treatment Read More »