Risk of Alcohol-Related Accidents Rises Substantially on Fourth of July WeekendAddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 1, 2014Family picnics, neighborhood barbecues, rousing patriotic concerts, colorful parades and spectacular fireworks displays will bring joy and excitement to the lives of millions of Americans this July 4th weekend. Men, women and children of all ages will gather with loved ones to observe the 238th anniversary of our country’s birth, in appreciation of our freedoms…
New Breathalyzer Detects Marijuana UseAddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 30, 2014Breathalyzers are devices originally developed to detect the concentration of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. Law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. commonly use these devices as part of procedures designed to identify people driving while intoxicated. In a study published in December 2013 in the journal Clinical Chemistry and reported in May 2014 by study…
Bobby Womack 1944-2014: Music Legend Overcame Drug Addiction, Enjoyed Career ResurgenceRecoveryBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 29, 2014Legendary soul singer Bobby Womack, 70, who overcame decades of drug abuse to resume his music career and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has died. The cause of his death hasn’t been determined.
Bipolar Disorder and ADHD: Similarities and Differences in Teens and ChildrenAdolescent IssuesBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 28, 2014When someone tells a parent there’s a possibility their child suffers from a type of mental health concern, it can stir up many feelings. The most common mental health concern in children of late has been attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, diagnoses of ADHD can occur when some teens and children should have been diagnosed…
Even Mice Can Get Addicted to TanningBehavioral AddictionsBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 28, 2014With summer here and the July 4 holiday upon us, millions of people in America and across the world will head to beaches and pools to soak up the sun. Unfortunately, this commonplace activity can drastically increase a person’s odds of developing skin cancer. Public health officials and researchers know that, despite the known risks…
Mental Illness More Dangerous to Health Than SmokingMental HealthBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 28, 2014Smoking is a form of substance use known for its ability to trigger a wide range of serious and potentially fatal health problems. In fact, current figures indicate that roughly 20 percent of all annual deaths in the U.S. stem from smoking-related causes. In a large-scale study review slated for publication in 2014 in the…
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Depression: Is it Right for You?Mood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 28, 2014Scientific research shows that depression, a mental health disorder that affects 5 percent to 8 percent of adults in the U.S., can be effectively treated with an FDA-approved therapy known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
Impulsivity Related to Food AddictionEating DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 27, 2014For some, certain foods like chocolate or chips have a strong attraction. So-called “chocoholics” talk about their affinity for chocolate in ways that incorporate terms usually reserved for addiction to drugs or alcohol. Those that believe that they really cannot eat just one potato chip may feel that this food has a particular hold on…
CDC Reports Explosion in E-Cigarette Child Poisoning CallsSubstance AbuseBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 27, 2014Soaring child poisonings from the fluid used in electronic cigarettes — especially in summer months — has prompted warnings about the risks of liquid nicotine exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that reports of adverse e-cigarette exposure to U.S. poison control centers climbed from one in September 2010 to 1,351 in…
Need a Vacation? How to Maximize the Benefits of a Well-Timed BreakMental HealthBy Promises Behavioral HealthJune 26, 2014When your inbox is overflowing, the boss demands another rush project on top of the 12 you’ve already got going, you can’t think straight and just want to escape — it could very well be time for a vacation. In fact, it’s probably well past the time when you need to get away. What are…
