Co-Occurring Addictions

Sleep Deprivation May Reduce Risk of PTSD

Sleep deprivation is a general term used to describe a lack of adequate restful sleep. When it occurs consistently or repeatedly, this lack of sleep can have a number of harmful health consequences, including mental confusion, the onset of hallucinations and disruptions in normal memory function. While sleep-related memory loss has detrimental effects in most circumstances, it may prove to be beneficial as a preventive treatment for the anxiety disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the results of a study published in 2012 in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. Full Story

To Endure Burning: The Cult of Celebrity and the Pressures of Recovery in the Public Eye

 “What is to give light must endure burning.” – Victor Frankl

A celebrity heiress is charged with driving while intoxicated and spends time under house arrest. When caught violating the terms of her probation, she is not arrested, but is sent to treatment in the California hills. She isn’t seen for three months. A Fortune 500 CEO pleads no contest to similar charges which are summarily dropped. He takes a 90-day leave of absence from his firm and catches a private flight to Malibu. Shareholders go into cloak-and-dagger mode and begin to watch the market without blinking. A two-time Oscar-nominated actor is walked off the set of his latest top-ranked network series. The director sweeps the contents of his desk onto the trailer floor in one angry stroke. He paces a while, then gathers himself. He calls a three-month break in filming, and sends his lead actor to rehab. Full Story

Seniors With Chronic Illness Cling to Smoking and Drinking

Old habits die hard. Smoking and drinking are difficult habits to break for anyone, but research shows that quitting is especially difficult for older individuals diagnosed with major health issues. Full Story

Nicotine as a Gateway Drug for Cocaine

Have you ever thought that the nicotine in cigarettes could lead to addiction to another drug? According to recent studies, nicotine is actually boosting the chances of becoming addicted to cocaine. Full Story

Say No to Bailing Out Your Problem Gambler Spouse

What do you do when the problem gambler is your spouse? Do you bail him or her out time after time, all the while anguishing over whether this addiction will ever end? If so, it’s time for a reality check. You aren’t doing your spouse – or yourself – any favors with your constant bailouts. In fact, bailouts never work – whether it’s the federal government or a loving, caring spouse trying to bring peace to the household. Full Story

Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse

Bipolar disorder is a mental health illness that causes a patient to cycle between periods of joyfulness (mania) and sadness (depression). How often, and how severely, a patient will cycle between the emotions varies from patient to patient. In some cases of bipolar disorder the symptoms will be so severe as to cause the patient to be unable to function in day-to-day life. It is one of the most debilitating mental health illnesses and has no known cure. Although medications can ease symptoms and reduce the severity of mood swings, bipolar patients are always at risk of relapse. Full Story

The Seduction of the Virtual World: Does Internet Addiction Impair Real-World Social Skills?

Andy does two things when he gets home from school: he grabs a soda and a box of cereal from the kitchen then bolts up to his room to play video games online. There was a time Andy hung out with his friends after school, but they are all in their bedrooms as well now. They still play together, just online instead of in the real world.

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Internet Addiction a Real Problem for Some

Is it possible to become addicted to the Internet? A recent article in the San Francisco Gate asked this question and highlighted that technology can be seductive as it provides an instant reward. The activities and the reward are not necessarily harmful, which make them that much more appealing.

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