Tag Archives: risk factors

Athletic Success Boosts Self-Esteem, But There’s a Hidden Danger

Numerous studies have shown that involvement with sports has protective benefits. Young people who participate in athletics often exhibit improved self-confidence, a more positive attitude and better overall health. Yet athletes also face a threefold greater risk for developing some form of eating disorder. Eating disorders often occur with or lead to depression. Researchers studied […]

A Brain Region for Resisting Alcohol’s Allure

When consumed in substantial amounts, alcohol produces changes in the brain and body that normally help deter additional drinking. However, some people don’t seem to react as strongly to the negative effects of alcohol and therefore have greater chances of continuing their consumption to excess. In a study published in April 2014 in the journal […]

Changes in Religious Devotion Increase Risk for Substance Abuse

Religiosity is a term used to describe adherence to any given form of religious doctrine or faith. Levels of adherence vary significantly from person to person within a faith, as well as within any given individual at various points in time. In a study published in March 2014 in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, […]

Brain Scan Can Predict Risky Behavior

Risky behavior is the general term used to describe actions that increase a person’s chances of experiencing harmful or unwanted, short- or long-term life outcomes. People with a tendency toward such actions have heightened odds of getting involved in substance use. In turn, substance use is itself a risky behavior that can produce seriously damaging […]

Can Child’s Temperament Predict Teen Drinking?

A significant number of American teenagers drink alcohol either occasionally or on a regular basis. Even more than adults, these teens expose themselves to a range of potentially severe alcohol-related health risks. In a study published in December 2013 in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, a team of British and American researchers sought […]

Born to Drink: Alcoholism and Genetics

The links between alcoholism, genetics and family history are not easy to understand. What we know for sure, though, is that there is a connection. This does not mean that if you had an alcoholic parent, or if both of your parents suffered from alcoholism, that you are destined to become one as well. It […]

Risky Alcohol Use in Teens: It’s Nature and Nurture

It’s a well-known fact that alcoholism runs in families, and for years scientists have been trying to single out which genes and which environments have the greatest impact on alcohol dependence. Recently, certain genes have been identified, but alcoholism is a complex condition that involves an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. One interaction that […]

Depression Raises Risk for Parkinson’s Disease

Clinical depression is an alternate term for major depression, a serious mental health concern that affects relatively large segments of the U.S. population. This ailment is known for its potential to increase the risks for the onset of other dangerous health problems. In a study published in October 2013 in the journal Neurology, a team […]

Risk Factors for Video Game Addiction Revealed

Video game addiction is an unofficial term used to describe unhealthy, compulsive participation in various forms of video games. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is considering making this condition a diagnosable mental disorder called Internet gaming disorder. In a study published in September 2013 in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, researchers from the University of […]

Relationship Patterns Might Also Reveal Substance Abuse Issues

According to a recent blog, people who have addictions to drugs or alcohol also usually have unhealthy relationships. With the recent death of popular singer and pop star Whitney Houston, there has been a lot of talk about addictions and relationships in the media. Houston had spoken publicly about her volatile relationships with both her […]

Can Suicide Scales Predict a Future Suicide Attempt?

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It is the only cause of death among the top 20 listed that has experienced a rise in ranking. Suicide rates for those 40-65 years old are undergoing the sharpest increase. Furthermore, 60 percent of completed suicides are successful on the first attempt. […]

Promises Treatment Centers Warns Holiday Stress Can Lead to Riskier Substance Abuse

Addiction psychiatrist Dr. David Sack warns families to keep a close eye on substance abusers whose behavior may escalate during holidays, which could result in DUIs or other serious consequences. Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) November 23, 2010 –  Holidays are meant to bring families together for good cheer and celebration, but for some families the […]

Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse Who Blame Themselves or Others for Abuse More Likely to Develop PTSD

A new study from the University of Granada has found that victims of child abuse who blame themselves and their families for what happened to them are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. The study, which examined 160 university students who had been sexually abused as children, also showed that individuals who blame themselves […]

Women at Greater Risk of Depression after Stroke

Depression is a common side effect for a person who has suffered a stroke. In fact, it happens in as many as one-third of patients. According to a large new review of studies in the field, post-stroke depression is associated with greater disability, a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of death.