Addiction Treatment Blog by Addiction Experts » Entries tagged with "Alcohol Addiction"
More Doctors Needed to Specialize in Addiction Medicine
A recent report conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University revealed that the majority of doctors are inadequately trained in identification or diagnosis of substance abuse in their patients. Also known as CASA, the center also said that many doctors don’t know what to do with patients who suffer from drug addiction and are still treatable. The reason that this is important is approximately 22 million Americans suffer from drug or alcohol problems, but only about 10 percent of those get any treatment, the CASA report found. This excludes the 18 million people who are addicted to nicotine. If they are included, then a total of 40 million Americans are addicted to at least one substance. That is about 1 out of 6 adults. Sadly, “the … Read entire article »
The Dangers of Self-Detoxing
Detoxing from any substance, be it alcohol or drugs, is a dangerous practice even when in the care of professionals. Trying to detox alone without the supervision of a specialist is even more unsafe. When people self-detox they take unforeseen risks that could result in serious injury or death. It is always wise to have professionals help with the process to oversee the completion of an effective and, most importantly, safe detox. There are three substances in particular that are extremely dangerous to get off of and the utmost precaution must be taken when doing so. The first is alcohol, which is the most dangerous substance to detox from and can, in some cases, lead to death. Initial alcohol detox symptoms may include the following: Anxiety Convulsions Delirium tremens Hallucinations Heart failure Insomnia Nausea Seizures Shakiness Most people addicted to alcohol need … Read entire article »
My New Transition in Recovery
So, recently I have made a big change in my life: I have moved out of my sober living house and into an apartment. A very fine quote attributed to Arnold Bennett—a renowned writer and novelist—that relates a lot to what I’m feeling about this move is as follows: “Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress and discomfort from this … Read entire article »
Filed under: Recovery
Can Exercise Cause Addiction?
A study conducted by researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign has put into question the long-held belief that exercise can help addicts overcome their desire for drugs and alcohol. The results of the study, performed on mice, indicate that people who follow regular exercise regimens may find it harder to overcome their addictions, depending on when they begin exercising and when they begin using substances. While, statistically, people who exercise are much less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs than inactive people, exercise may hinder a person’s ability to overcome his or her addictions if the addiction coincides with the start of the exercise regimen. The mice were divided into two groups—one given running wheels in their cages and the other … Read entire article »
Alabama Drug Offenders Getting a Raw Deal
This week Cameron Steele wrote an expose about the Alabama judicial system sending drug offenders into uncertified treatment programs. While I think she may miss the mark by focusing to specifically on an ex-employee of an uncertified rehab and her relapse or ruse (which could happen anywhere), she did hit on a major issue. The state does not have the capacity to incarcerate the drug offenders and therefore needs to divert them to drug programs, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured
Sirius picks up Addiction Radio Show
Sirius Radio has picked up the KLEAN Radio Show, a radio program that addresses addiction. The program airs on 980 News Talk Los Angeles KFWB, in San Diego, and in New York. The program, hosted by Judah Friedman and Klean Treatment Center CEO, Andrew Spanswick, offers an interactive approach to providing resources, awareness, and hope to listeners. Listeners call in with their concerns about their or a loved one’s drug use, and the hosts and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Uncategorized
Wernicke Korsakoff’s Syndrome
Studies show that heavy drinking can lead to brain damage. The damage occurs after heavy drinking, and increases with each following day of heavy usage (fredjoiners, 2008). After long-term heavy alcohol use, individuals’ brains tend to shrink, more than there similarly aged counterparts. This shrinkage is especially pronounced in the prefrontal cortex, responsible for the higher cognitive functioning and abstract thought. While it takes an extended period of time for the brain to actually shrink, impairments … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addiction, Conditions and Disorders
The 12 steps for the dummies
The 12 steps for the dummies like me! AA for me is a great tool to get out of my own head for an hour or so and listen to other people problems and realize that my life isn’t all that fucked up. As well as sometimes realize that I am the most fucked up. There is only one thing for sure, and that is that we were all fucked up train wrecks and needed … Read entire article »
Being open about your recovery
Being a drug addict or an alcoholic is nothing to be proud of, or is it? Two years ago when I found myself getting out of control due to alcohol, I did not want anyone to know. I would drive 45 minutes away every night just to go to an AA meeting. I didn’t want to bump into anyone I knew or who knew me. I was so ashamed of being powerless over alcohol. It seems … Read entire article »
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