Blog

Mention the word ‘addiction’ and people will automatically associate it with drug and alcohol abuse. Though people often use the word in a casual way to describe anything a person might seem especially fond of, as in ‘addicted to love’ or ‘he/she is addicted to fudge sundaes’, they don’t really mean it seriously. But psychologists and addiction experts are increasingly realizing that there are many types of addictive behaviors that follow the same patterns and are possibly caused by the same physical mechanisms as observed in drug and alcohol substance abuse.

Watching your loved one struggle with their drug use, repeatedly trying to stop on their own. You want to help, but you know that you lack the skills and background to truly reach your loved one in a way that gives them the kind of support they truly need. You probably despair at each new low that your loved one descends into while in the grasp of their drug addiction, especially if they have been using drugs several years. Having watched a healthy, bright and promising person become so reliant on something so life-altering and devastating has probably created a feeling of helplessness, causing you to wonder what their future might hold. Or how long their future might be if they don't get some kind of help.

Also known as acute stress reaction, acute stress disorder (ASD) is a mental illness that resembles post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ASD arises in response to a shocking or traumatic event and is diagnosed within one month following the triggering event. It is often a precursor to PTSD, manifesting similar signs and symptoms.

Addiction is a complex disease that can alter the way we think, feel, and make decisions. If you're struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, knowing what to expect from treatment can help you achieve long-term recovery. Rest assured that you're not alone; many have broken the cycle of substance abuse then recovered and now live happy, rewarding lives.

The road to recovery has many hills, withdrawal being one of the steepest. Its painful symptoms may have halted your efforts to quit drugs or alcohol. Or perhaps the fear of withdrawal keeps you addicted. Know that you're not alone. By understanding the mechanisms behind withdrawal and developing effective coping mechanisms, you can greatly improve your chances of recovery.

Modern science puts a new spin on the word addiction. This term is traditionally reserved for dependence on a substance like heroin or alcohol, but, today, medical professionals know that certain behaviors trigger a similar brain response. The medical community now also applies the word addiction to a range of compulsive behaviors that follow a cycle. When one behavior becomes a focus of your loved one’s life, the pattern may indicate an addiction that requires professional treatment. To understand why someone you care about may have a behavioral addiction, you must know more about the brain.

When you are watching a loved one become lost in addiction or a psychiatric disorder, you feel desperate to help them. You long to get things back to normal, to the way they used to be. Are you trying to find out how long your loved one may have to undergo treatment? The answer varies. Keep reading to find out which factors can affect the length of treatment.

While you may look at your bank account and wonder how you can possibly afford your loved one’s stay in a drug treatment center, you know that there is little question as to the value of the proposition. The thought of seeing a familiar smile, no matter how faint, or an inspired spark in their eyes about some long-buried dream tends to trump budgets for most.

The human brain controls your entire body, including your thought processes. According to Web MD1, billions of neurons connect, communicate and work together to ensure that your body works effectively and that your body moves in the way that you direct. The brain communicates through a complicated series of electrical signals and chemicals, says Web MD2. When a doctor diagnoses a mental health condition, it means that your brain does not communicate in a normal way. In some cases, it causes or contributes to an addiction to drugs or alcohol. In other situations, substance abuse directly causes your mental health condition.

Psychologists and addiction researchers have long understood that one of the most important factors in developing effective treatment methodologies for substance abuse is understanding the underlying causes of it. Assessing an individual’s personal life, mental and physical health, and cultural influences are absolutely essential. But in analyzing the explosive growth of substance abuse and addiction since the end of World War II, researchers have come to recognize the importance of society’s impact on the prevalence of these destructive behaviors, and the role the institutions that make up a society play.

When a loved one shows signs of a mood disorder like bipolar disorder, he or she acts out in ways that family members do not always understand. In some cases, a loved one uses drugs or alcohol as a coping strategy or worsens the symptoms of bipolar disorder by abusing a substance. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness1, almost 50 percent of men and women with a severe form of bipolar disorder and 33 percent of all individuals with a mental health disorder abuse drugs or alcohol.

People with a substance addiction often have another co-occurring mental illness, known as a dual diagnosis. Many treatment programs involve treating each part of the dual diagnosis separately, which studies show may not be optimal. Some addiction treatment centers may refer the patient to another facility for mental health care. Others lack the knowledge and tools to treat both disorders, limiting the patient's prognosis. Research continues to examine the complex mechanisms behind co-occurring disorders. While each case is unique, many factors can improve your loved one's chances of recovery.