On some level of consciousness, we know when we are pushing the envelope on a particular weakness or vice. For some it might be indulging too often in sweets or rich foods, resulting in weight gain and health conditions. For others it might be a problem with impulsive shopping, landing them in deep credit card […]
Like a peanut butter and jelly, alcoholism and depression often coexist together. On their own, either depression or alcoholism is a devastating disorder. Together, these comorbid disorders seem to feast off each other, each worsening the symptoms of the other. This makes the dual diagnosis of alcoholism and depression inherently dangerous, as about 90% of […]
In California, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% implies alcohol intoxication. When someone operating a vehicle is pulled over and found to exceed the legal limit, they will be arrested with a DUI offense. Getting a “Driving Under the Influence,” or DUI, conviction can be a devastating event, and California has among the most […]
Opiates, whether in prescription pill form or in the form of heroin, can make you feel nauseous when you take them and nauseous when you stop them after forming a physical dependence. The drugs provoke a powerful response by the central nervous system, triggering and altering brain chemistry that can result in gastrointestinal distress. To […]
When prescription painkillers burst onto the scene in the 90s they were seen as a wonder drug. These powerful analgesics could swiftly manage moderate to severe pain and were supposedly non-habit forming. Well we all know the end of that story, as these synthetic opioids turned out to be extremely addicting and have resulted in […]
Once of the most daunting challenges you will ever face is that of successfully getting an alcoholic into rehab. To an outsider it may seem puzzling that this should be an issue at all. The obvious fallout that goes hand in hand with alcoholism should make it a no brainer for the individual to seek […]
Given the epidemic of opioid and opiate drug abuse in the United States, people should probably avoid using opiates to manage pain, especially chronic pain, even when they are prescribed by a doctor. The side effects and dangers are too great. Rather than take the risk, it might be better to consider natural, non-addictive ways […]
Approaching addiction treatment for an alcohol use disorder should involve some careful thought and planning. Undertaking the monumental task of first getting sober and then learning how to live a life in recovery is not an insignificant one. By anticipating the needs of the individual as he or she progresses through the stages of treatment […]
It is well known that chronic heavy drinking will eventually wreak havoc on the body. Specifically, most people are aware that untreated alcoholism ultimately leads to serious liver disease and failure. Other known health risks associated with alcoholism include pancreatitis, heart disease, dementia and brain damage, some cancers, and gastrointestinal conditions. One serious health concern […]
About four years ago there was a sudden surge in overdose deaths, at the time attributed to heroin. It wasn’t clear why the drastic uptick in heroin overdoses were happening at first. Eventually, the answer came: Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is at least fifty times more potent than morphine, used in the […]