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Narcissists can have a way of taking over a room with their charismatic personalities, and while their charm initially seems seductive, their overbearing nature may soon leave you feeling drained. Whether you are dealing with a coworker, spouse or parent, you can use these tips to set boundaries that minimize the effects that the narcissist in your life has on your self-esteem.

Every year, thousands of Americans visit their doctors for chronic pain. About 20% of people leave with a prescription for an opioid-based pain killer like Vicodin, Percocet, or OxyContin. When used for a short period of time and in moderation, these drugs are very effective at alleviating pain. But certain risk factors can also put you at a higher risk of developing a drug dependency or addiction.

Reports of people suffering from anxiety and general stress are on the rise. It’s no secret that we live in a fast-paced world, and it’s easy to find ourselves overwhelmed at work, while dealing everyday life or navigating family life. While there are medications on the market to help, there are also natural methods to consider. Meditation has been used by yogis and people in other cultures for thousands of years. It can decrease anxiety and promote general well being.

Ambien, which also goes by the brand name of “Zolpidem,” is a drug used to treat insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Although Ambien can help you get a better night's sleep, experts caution that the drug is associated with side effects, including digestive problems and hallucinations. Sleep-walking, preparing and eating meals, and even driving asleep while taking Ambien have been reported.

Our hearts are with all of those who have suffered displacement and loss from the active wildfires in California. We want to assure our Avalon Malibu family and friends during this heartbreaking time that we have safely evacuated all residential patients to our partner facility in Orange County where they are receiving continued treatment and support from our clinical team. We are incredibly grateful that our facilities made it through without any fire damage, and we will return to Malibu as soon as the authorities give us clearance. Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available or contact us at 855-709-4032. If you or a loved one is in Southern California, here is a Google resource that shows information on the fire, available shelters and more.

Being a pharmacist is a stressful yet incredibly important profession. Pharmacists are responsible for the lives of thousands of people throughout their career, and one minor mistake can have immense consequences. Having that much responsibility and so little of a margin of error can also be a lot to handle.

Inpatient drug treatment is rehabilitation where a patient spends 24 hours a day in a facility away from their home. The process works to keep patients away from their regular lifestyle and the temptation to use drugs and/or alcohol. This type of treatment plan allows the patient to focus entirely on beating their addiction. Treatments may include detox, medical assistance, and a combination of therapy techniques. Inpatient treatment may take place in a hospital or a residential treatment program. The length of treatment often varies and is usually followed by a step-down program to ensure continued success. Inpatient rehab focuses on recognizing negative behavior and learning how to replace unhealthy habits with constructive healthy choices.

Not all depression is the same, and how it affects each person is unique based on several factors. This can sometimes make it difficult to differentiate between temporary episodes of sadness and prolonged periods of suffering. Symptoms can range from mild and fleeting to severe and debilitating. There are several recognized types of depression, but the one that is most frequently treated is clinical depression. Doctors and psychiatrists will use a specific set of criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, to diagnose this type of mood disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder is a condition that commonly begins in the autumn and lasts throughout the winter. This condition is also referred to as SAD because it makes an individual feel mentally depressed and physically unenergetic for several months. The condition of SAD primarily occurs in geographic regions where there is less daily sunlight as winter approaches. SAD is diagnosed in children, teenagers and adults of both genders, leading to more than 3 million cases of the condition each year in the United States.

Alcohol is legal in the United States for those 21 and older, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people between the ages of 12 and 20 drink about 11 percent of the alcoholic drinks the country consumes. A 2016 study in the journal Pediatrics shows that 11.5 percent of those in that age group reported a major depressive episode in 2014, up from 8.7 in 2005 — a 37 percent increase. One recent American Addiction Centers (AAC) report suggesting that the connection between the alcohol and depression is particularly tricky. The report explains that it’s logical those who suffer from depression would seek the temporary relief that a drink can provide; but it is quick to point out that abuse invariably feeds the depression. Meanwhile, it asserts, the connection between abuse and depression is “undeniable” in all age groups.

Struggling with alcohol addiction can be very disruptive in your life. People go from being a flourishing business professional who is on the ball with their family to someone who can barely get out of bed in the morning. When it's finally time to go to a treatment center, there needs to be a healing solution that will work best. Sometimes, that involves traveling.

With hundreds of thousands of rehabilitation centers around the world, it's hard to determine which one is the right fit. So many are committed to providing exceptional service and tools for success. For those interested in completing a drug or alcohol program in the most comfortable and discreet environment possible, treatment at a luxury rehabilitation center may be ideal.