Although definitions of "Addiction" seem to be continuing to evolve, addiction is still "a primary, chronic, progressive, and relapsing disease". The last decade of research has led to a refined definition of addiction as a "brain disease which is
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Role of Nutritional Therapy in Recovery From Alcohol Addiction
Overcoming an alcohol addiction is challenging. At times, even after taking professional care, people tend to relapse due to factors like severity of their addiction, biochemical imbalances and genetic factors that act as an impediment to the
Continue ReadingAddiction and Recovery – A Worksheet to Help Assess Your Relapse When You Have Fallen Off the Wagon
Relapse is a symptom of addiction. Relapse is a symptom of many, if not most, chronic diseases. Addiction should be treated as the chronic disease that it is and relapse should be treated as a symptom of addiction. Relapse is not a character flaw or
Continue ReadingWays to Support Someone With Depression
Depression, an incapacitating and an isolating disorder, can jeopardize relationships, if not handled well. A person living with a depressed individual might feel neglected and deprived and in turn, adopt an indifferent approach. Sometimes, he or she
Continue ReadingDepression and Anxiety Contribute to Opioid Misuse
Advancement in the field of neuroscience has identified how a change in a person's mindset can alter his or her perception of pain. Besides the common risk factors, other elements, such as tissue damage, psychology, and environment, play a
Continue Reading10 Lifestyle Changes to Tame Anxiety
We all struggle with anxiety at some point in our lives. But being constantly worried or fearful about things, events, places or people is a cause of concern and needs to be addressed. Some people can't afford therapy and medications or may not have
Continue ReadingRole of Nutritional Therapy in Recovery From Alcohol Addiction
Overcoming an alcohol addiction is challenging. At times, even after taking professional care, people tend to relapse due to factors like severity of their addiction, biochemical imbalances and genetic factors that act as an impediment to the
Continue ReadingDoctors Receiving Gifts From Pharma Companies Prescribing More Opioids, Says Study
The Hippocratic oath that doctors take before they dedicate their life to the noble profession of saving lives directs them to uphold specific ethical standards. Unfortunately though, many are influenced by the likes of Big Pharma, who could have a
Continue ReadingLegalizing Drugs: A Road to Nowhere
Critics of present drug policy claim prevention programs are not working. Efforts aimed at convincing teenagers not to become addicted have not stopped drug usage. At the same time law enforcement officers, taking a supply-side approach to the
Continue ReadingInside Alcohol Anonymous Meetings
There are so many people who have realized that drinking is wrecking their lives and want to stop but are unable to do so, as they are not quite sure how to go about it. This is where alcohol anonymous meetings, which are convened by people who have
Continue ReadingThe Think and Do Steps to Recovery
When I'm teaching about the steps to recovery to patients and families, I talk about the 'the working steps'. I describe them in pairs, where the even numbered step is the thinking step and the odd numbered one is the action step. So the pattern is:
Continue ReadingPost Acute Withdrawal Syndrome – PAWS
The acute symptoms are what you feel immediately after you stop drinking and/or using drugs, commonly referred to as detox or withdrawal. This is considered to be the first two weeks after someone stops drinking or using drugs. What most people are
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