It’s a question many people have asked, and most don’t understand: Are drug and alcohol addictions a mental illness? In some cases, addiction can be considered a mental illness. However, because of the physical components of addiction, it can never just be called a mental health disorder. Nevertheless, it’s a disorder ... Read More
Search Results for: anxiety
Seizures: Mitigating a Serious Alcohol Withdrawal Risk
If you've abused alcohol for a number of consecutive days, months, or years, the cumulative impact all that alcohol has on your body can dramatically increase the levels of dopamine within your brain — that's the neurotransmitter associated with pleasurable feelings like euphoria, relaxation, and satisfaction. Given ... Read More
Lay Your Burden Down: On Getting Free From Shame and Seeking Help
Substance abuse disorder, or SUD, is a complex issue that impacts more than 20 million American adults each year and about 1 in 10 at some point in their lives. Close to half of those with a drug or alcohol addiction also have what's known as a co-occurring mental health issue like depression, anxiety, personality ... Read More
Genetics and Alcoholism: Is Your Body Predisposed?
The question of whether genes or environment are responsible for alcoholism has long been debated, but the answers aren't as clear-cut as popular media often makes it seem. While alcohol abuse does often run in families, specific genes for alcoholism haven't been identified, and the link between biology and alcohol ... Read More
5 Coping Strategies When Friends and Family Let You Down
Drug and alcohol treatment is physically and emotionally demanding. Detox takes a physical toll on your body, often creating pain and life-threatening complications. Yet, the emotional struggle and lack of support from family and friends can be even more crushing. Individuals who are in recovery may feel as though ... Read More
Stranger in the Mirror: An Introduction to Dissociative Identity Disorder
We've all seen a movie or read a book where the villain is portrayed as having more than one personality — they can be sweet as pie one moment and turn around and murder their entire family the next, only to deny any knowledge of the crime. This type of inaccurate and sensationalized portrayal of dissociative identity ... Read More
Xanax: A Drug Profile
Xanax is a type of benzodiazepine drug commonly prescribed for a variety of conditions such as anxiety and convulsions, but it can also be abused. Xanax, known generically as alprazolam, is a dangerous drug and must be taken under the care of a licensed doctor. Over 30 percent of people who overdose are ... Read More
Self-Pay Rehab
Self-Pay Options Once you've made the decision to take control of your life and enter a rehab program, the next thing you need to think about is how you'll cover the cost of treatment. In many cases, your existing health insurance will take care of either the entire payment or a significant portion of the fees. At ... Read More
