Ben Affleck should be commended for his Facebook post on March 14, 2017, that announced that he had completed 30 days of treatment for alcohol addiction. Affleck who had been to rehab in 2001 stated, “I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be…
On November 17th, 2016, the Surgeon General of the United States, Vivak H. Murthy, published a landmark report entitled, “Facing Addiction in America” a comprehensive review of substance use, misuse, and disorders. Previous reports of the Surgeon General have highlighted the public health crisis challenges of Tobacco, AIDS, and Mental Health issues, and the hope is that…
A global study from the researchers from National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre of the University of New South Wales, Australia concludes that women have caught up with men in the amount of alcohol they consume. The study examined the drinking habits between men and women over time, from 1981-2014, by pooling together the results…
There is an estimated 23.4 million Veterans in the United States. With a 52.7 % increase in outpatient Veterans treated for Substance Use Disorder between 1995 and 2016, addiction is a major concern for Veterans and their families. The demanding nature of military life and experience with combat can be made more complex by substance…
October 10th was World Mental Health Day which is a day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against the social stigma of mental illness. It was first celebrated in 1992. The existence of such a day indicates that mental health issues are a worldwide problem and concern. The Center for Disease Control and…
New research from a study conducted by the University of Michigan demonstrates how the brain’s reward system is altered after someone smokes marijuana. Participant’s brains were monitored while they played a game where rewards (monetary) were possible. The study showed that over time, an extended use of marijuana was associated with a lower response to…
Recovery From Substance Abuse And Nutrition September is National Recovery month and nutrition can play an important role in the healing process. Recovery from substance abuse use affects the body in many ways including metabolism, organ function and mental well-being. From a nutritional standpoint different drugs can play havoc on your nutritional health in different…
September 5–September 11 is suicide prevention week. September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Many of you, may not know that suicide is the leading cause of death among people who abuse alcohol and drugs. Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2013 and ranked higher with individuals between…
Due to continued and growing concern about the opioid epidemic, scientists are now trying to create an opioid painkiller that relieves pain without triggering the euphoria, dependence, and respiratory suppression that causes overdoses. It is too common of a story that patients who are prescribed opiate pain medications for legitimate pain report becoming addicted to…
There’s been ample research over the last decade showing the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on attention, memory, and learning. It’s now known that the effects last for days or weeks after the acute effects of using (the actual “high”) wear off. In the end, a teen who smokes marijuana daily may be functioning at…