Addiction
Those Who Abuse Cannabis More Likely to Have Problems with Social Anxiety
A team of researchers from some of the nation’s leading universities looked at data from tens of thousands of Americans and found that high marijuana intake is often accompanied by serious psychological problems, chief among them a condition known as social anxiety disorder (SAD).
A Team of Experts
The research team members were Dr. Franklin Schneier of Columbia University, Dr. Julia Buckner of Louisiana State University, Dr. Carlos Blanco of New York State Psychiatric Institute and Dr. Richard Heimberg of Temple University. Together they reviewed data collected through the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Full Story
Should I Talk to My Friend About Her Drinking?
I have an old friend—we’ve been close for going on 10 years—and this coming winter, I’ll be the maid of honor in her wedding. When she has a conflict with her finance or worries over her tween daughter, I’m the one she calls, day or night. Likewise, when I’m hurting or troubled, she’s my lifeline. I deeply value our friendship, and would never wish to jeopardize it, but lately, I’ve had to make a call that just might push us apart, though one I think is for the best. My friend has a problem with alcohol, one that’s been growing for as long as I’ve known her, but has been getting worse over the last couple of years, especially recently with wedding stress. Full Story
Scientists Identify Gene Related to Addiction
Many individuals who experiment with drugs or alcohol move on from the experimentation and experience little to no negative consequences associated with use. For others, however, experimentation leads to a behavior pattern that eventually develops into addiction. Understanding why some people develop an addiction and others do not, is the subject of many research studies. Full Story
Which Alcoholics Are Most Likely to Relapse?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the diagnosis that doctors in the U.S. use to identify separate or overlapping symptoms of non-addicted alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Significant numbers of people diagnosed with this condition will experience a relapse at some point after entering recovery. In a study published in April 2014 in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, a team of Dutch researchers used a long-term project to determine if it’s possible to predict which individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder have the highest chances of relapsing. These researchers uncovered several factors that act as potential relapse indicators for any given person. Full Story
Do Brief Interventions Help Drinkers With Alcohol-Related Injuries?
Problematic alcohol use is firmly linked to increased risks for getting injured in an accident or receiving an intentional injury. Doctors and other health professionals can potentially reduce the chances that any given person will drink in hazardous ways with the help of informational and educational sessions called brief alcohol interventions. In a study published in May 2014 in the journal Substance Abuse, researchers from three U.S. universities assessed the effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions in people who receive hospital treatment for a serious alcohol-related injury. These researchers concluded that some groups of problem drinkers receive relatively major benefits from interventions in a hospital setting, while others receive smaller benefits.
Learn the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse
There is no denying prescription painkiller abuse is one of the biggest problems Americans face. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 10 million people admit to using painkillers for recreational use in the past year. Those addicted to opiates face many health problems, including brain damage, which leads to chronic brain disease. Family members or loved ones who suspect a person is using prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons can help them get the help they need by learning the signs.
Senior Casino Field Trips Fuel Addiction
Senior centers and retirement communities are great places for elderly Americans to live and to socialize. Many provide wonderful opportunities for seniors to engage in activities that include group outings, exercising and engaging the mind. These are the things that keep us healthy and young, but there is a downside to one of the most popular senior center field trips. Most senior groups take trips to casinos for recreational gambling. Playing the slots or the black jack table can be a fun way to pass the time, but they can also lead to a harmful addiction. Senior gambling is on the rise and the mental health and finances of the victims are suffering.
Alcohol Consumption Alters Heart Function
Ethyl alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a toxic substance known for its ability to damage normal function in the body’s cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) system. Specific short- and long-term problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption include high blood pressure, heartbeat irregularities called arrhythmias and a form of heart failure known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In a study published in March 2014 in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, researchers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) examined the underlying changes in heart rate and heart rate variability that help explain alcohol’s damaging impact on cardiovascular function.
Children Can Get Alcohol Poisoning From Leftover Drinks
Leftover drinks and even the alcohol in perfumes are causing more and more poisonings of children, according to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Excessive alcohol consumption isn’t safe regardless of age, but for children, the dangers are multiplied.
High-Risk Drinking Drops After Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is the common term for a group of surgical procedures that change the structure of the digestive system and thereby help people affected by serious weight-related issues reduce their food intake. In a study published in January 2014 in the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, researchers from several U.S. institutions examined the impact that undergoing a weight loss procedure can have on participation in risky drinking behaviors associated with the onset of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. These researchers found that most weight loss surgery recipients decrease their involvement in risky drinking.
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The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
