“It’s not why the addiction, but why the pain,” as Gabor Mate says. Addiction is a normal response to untreated trauma. Not addressing and working on trauma causes people to get stuck in unhealthy thought patterns and negative behavior. Having untreated trauma can cause people to be emotional and have reoccurring dreams or thoughts about the trauma. Reliving the trauma...[ read more ]
Addiction Theories have now moved beyond the commonly stereotyped ways of thinking. The previous belief surrounding alcoholism and addiction is that narcotics and alcohol are addictive to whoever overindulges in them and continues to overindulge, known as “Exposure Theory.” This is not always the case. Now there are theories surrounding addiction itself. Beginning with “Genetic Theories,” that addictions run in...[ read more ]
There is a small difference between dependence on prescription medication and addiction. When using prescription medication, it is very common for the user to build up a tolerance. To achieve the same result the same medication will either be needed in a higher dose or taken more regularly. Most likely, people just take more. Drug dependence occurs when someone relies...[ read more ]
When you know someone is going through a difficult time, it can be a sensitive issue to approach. What is the best way to support someone if you believe they may be dealing with difficulties with their mental health? If you are already aware that there is something wrong and that someone you know is struggling it is important to...[ read more ]
Choosing the right treatment center for a loved one or yourself can be stressful and may seem like a daunting task. There are many types of treatment centers as well as price ranges. The first thing to consider is the specific needs of the individual. Cost is an important aspect to consider. How will insurance factor into the out-of-pocket expenses?...[ read more ]
The addict is their own worst enemy, yet they lash out at everyone else especially their family. Addicts tend to lie, cheat and steal. As a result, their family members will fight and argue. The situation becomes intolerable. The family has become dysfunctional, how can they begin to heal? When one person is sick the whole system suffers. The family...[ read more ]
Many people consider trauma to be the gateway drug to various addictions. Although it is not guaranteed that someone who has experienced trauma in their lifetime will wind up becoming an addict, it is fairly common. The reason being that trauma can activate survival tactics that lead to addiction. Trauma, especially childhood trauma can influence someone’s entire personality. Substances can...[ read more ]
Not to mention the different health risks, users of Methamphetamine tend to have many different traits such as visibly faster speech, poor hygiene or tooth decay. However, there are also many more health risks associated with the use of this drug. Since it typically creates a sense of euphoria and tends to create many sleepless nights, methamphetamine can cause hallucinations,...[ read more ]
The pandemic and shelter-in-place order brought uncertainty about the future, but it also helped shine a laser focus on what is most important in life. Covid-19 created not only job loss, but also a lot of fear of other people and health in general. Different strains of the virus continue to be on the rise. On one hand, what it...[ read more ]
The addict is their own worst enemy, yet they lash out at everyone else especially their family. Addicts tend to lie, cheat and steal. As a result, their family members will fight and argue. The situation becomes intolerable. The family has become dysfunctional, how can they begin to heal? When one person is sick the whole system suffers. The family...[ read more ]