A New Definition of "Recovery" to Build Awareness and Support

Promises | January 10, 2012

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently came forward with a new definition for "recovery" when referring to overcoming mental and substance abuse disorders. This definition is a result of a year's worth of effort by the organization and various partners and is integral with its Recovery Support Strategic Initiative.

This new definition for drug addiction treatment programs and recovery reads as follows: A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

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An Interview with Sharon O'Hara, Clinical Director at The Sexual Recovery Institute

Elements | January 16, 2012

Sex addiction treatment is in its relative infancy, having only been recognized since the late 1970s. Few professionals have been around long enough to see its progression from a little known problem to a more widely recognized condition that affects millions of people. Sharon O'Hara has witnessed this evolution firsthand.

Sharon didn't set out to specialize in sex addiction. Longing to travel abroad and immerse herself in the language, she majored in French at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Upon graduating, she did what any good French major would do - she became a high school French teacher. Despite being something of a Francophile, Sharon now jokes that her college degree is most useful for finding mistakes on restaurant menus.

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From K2 to K3: New Form of Synthetic Marijuana Popular with Teens

Teen Drug Abuse | January 13, 2012

When the Drug Enforcement Administration outlawed five chemicals commonly found in synthetic marijuana products like Spice and K2 last March, it was no surprise that replacements were already on the way. All it took was a minor change in chemical make-up to get around the ban, and thus emerged K3.

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Substance Abuse Among Anesthesiologists

Elements | January 6, 2012

Although it can be difficult to accept, physicians are at risk for the same challenges and illnesses as other people, including drug addiction. Anesthesiologists, in particular, have consistently been shown to have an unusually high rate of drug abuse compared to other physicians. A survey of 260 anesthesiologists from the Medical College of Wisconsin graduating between 1958 and 1988 reported that 32 percent used drugs to "get high" and 15.8 percent had been drug dependent.

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Drug And Alcohol Intervention For College Students

Addiction Intervention | January 4, 2012

By the time our sons and daughters have gone off to college, we may think that they've entered an exciting new chapter of their lives. While it is true that the college years can be full of discovery, meeting new people, learning new things, and broadening perspective on life and living, college also brings with it many temptations and opportunities to go overboard with alcohol and drugs.

In fact, binge drinking is a serious problem on college campuses across America. It's also something that your own son or daughter may be involved in, whether you want to admit it or not.

What can you do about binge drinking and drug use in your college-age child?