Relapse is more the rule than the exception in addiction recovery. In fact, relapse is considered a component of addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which says, “Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” Instead of viewing relapse as…
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Dermatillomania, also known as skin picking disorder (SPD), is a serious problem in which an individual picks at their skin to the extent that it causes wounds. Many people don’t have an awareness of this condition but 2% to 3% of the population actually struggles with it.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, long-lasting chemical substance that affects the central nervous system and creates a feeling of intense euphoria in the user. Meth works by causing the brain to release very high levels of the chemical dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects attention, alertness, motivation and motor function. The harmful effects of…
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Sometimes mental health acronyms can seem like a bowl of alphabet soup. OCD and ADHD. BPD and PTSD. It can be difficult to keep them all straight. Many mental health disorders have long, complicated names that are much easier to refer to once shortened, but this can cause difficulties for those who aren’t sure exactly…
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For those who struggle with a drinking problem, medications for alcoholism are often prescribed in order to allow individuals the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for a path to recovery. Some medications reduce cravings for alcohol while others induce unbearable sickness after drinking alcohol.
Anger disorders can lead to aggressive, angry or violent behavior. While anger is a normal human emotion that happens to everyone sooner or later, it can sometimes get completely out of control. If the frequency and severity of angry episodes you are having make you feel like you have lost control of your life, you…
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Even the smallest childhood traumas can strongly influence our adult lives. We tend to think of early trauma as violence, sexual abuse, neglect and loss, or as something caused by major catastrophes, crimes or accidents. There are many different levels of overt trauma, but there is also a kind of trauma that is so subtle…
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In recent years, anxiety has replaced depression as the No. 1 mental health concern for college students. Anxiety statistics tell a tale of anxiety symptoms run rampant on campus, as students are forced to deal with academic pressures and life challenges that are stretching them to the breaking point.
“Teach your children well,” a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song famously advises. Children are impressionable, like tofu that absorbs the flavor of whatever it’s immersed in. But sadly, many children are immersed in unsavory environments.
When consumed separately, both alcohol and cocaine can have damaging effects on your normal heart function. It turns out that the impact on your heart is even worse when you use these two substances together, or within an overlapping span of time. That’s because the combination of alcohol and cocaine in your body produces a…
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