Drugs, Alcohol Killing Ex-Prisoners Even Years After Release
A significant number of deaths among former prisoners are substance use-related, according to a new study from Sweden published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry.
Tag Archives: substance abuse
Which Jobs Have the Highest Rates of Substance Abuse?
Based on data recently released from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we can now say which jobs are most likely to cause people to need a drink or even to abuse drugs. We all know that work can be a major source of stress in our lives, but some jobs are […]
Substance Abuse and Sexual Violence: Charlotte Kasl’s 16 Steps for Healing
Charlotte Kasl, psychologist and author of Women, Sex and Addiction: A Search for Love and Power, has been interested throughout her career in issues such as sexism, classism, racism and homophobia and has written of the connection between sexual assault and addiction, particularly in the lives of women. She has consulted on and contributed as […]
Philadelphia Decriminalizes Marijuana
Decriminalizing pot is an action that many municipal governments have taken, but the term is confusing. Despite how it sounds, decriminalization is not the same as legalization. Attitudes toward marijuana are constantly shifting, as well as the laws that parallel them, and it becomes more and more important to understand what it all means. Decriminalization […]
Elderly Addicts Suffering in Silence
There are many assumptions we make about addiction and the sorts of people who suffer from it, and in many cases we’re wrong. We may think that young people and adults suffer the most from addiction, but healthcare professionals are growing increasingly concerned about addiction among the elderly. The problem is that our assumptions lead […]
Newly Discovered Brain Mechanism Helps Explain Addiction
Over the years, researchers have identified many of the brain mechanisms that contribute to the onset and continuation of substance addiction. However, as investigations on this subject continue, more and more information comes to light and adds to basic understanding and the potential options for treatment. In a study published in June 2014 in the […]
How Addiction Happens in the Brain
Addiction specialists and researchers have long known that the process of substance addiction begins when the brain’s pleasure center repeatedly experiences an abnormal buildup of a chemical called dopamine. However, they have not understood why a chronic dopamine buildup produces such dramatic changes in brain function. In a study published in June 2014 in The […]
Chiara de Blasio Honored for Sharing Story of Addiction, Depression
The first daughter of New York City continues to go public with her depression and addiction story, and this week she was recognized for inspiring hope in other young people facing mental health problems. Chiara de Blasio, the 19-year-old daughter of Mayor Bill de Blasio, had startled the public with a Christmas Eve video revealing […]
Heavy Alcohol, Drug Use Shortening Lives of Mentally Ill
Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Southern California recently undertook the largest-ever survey of drug, alcohol and tobacco use among people with severe mental illnesses. They found that people with significant psychiatric problems are far more likely to use alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs. The survey, published recently in the online journal […]
Why Isn’t My Depression Treatment Working?
It’s often said by medical and mental health professionals alike that depression is one of the most treatable mental health disorders. While that’s true to a point, treatment for depression isn’t always as helpful as many people would like. Not only is it discouraging when treatment isn’t working, it can make you feel more hopeless […]
Viagra – The Next ‘It’ Drug for Weight Loss?
The quest for a leaner, more toned physique has led to many crazy potions, fad diets and pills. But who would have thought that Viagra would top that list? A new study suggests that in addition to sexual benefits for men, Viagra may also help with weight loss.
Creating an Employee Assistance Program
As an employer, you want to have healthy and happy people working for you. You care for them and their well-being, but you also need them to be productive. When an addiction rears its ugly head in the workplace, the consequences can be devastating. It can cause an increase in health care costs, lost productivity, […]
High Rates of Substance Abuse Among Veterans with Mental Health Disorders
Previous studies have found high rates of substance abuse among U.S. veterans, and a new study finds the same among U.S. veterans with mental health disorders. The study, led by Dr. Ismene Petrakis of the Yale University School of Medicine, could be helpful in understanding the needs of veterans of different eras, and in targeting […]
One in Five Americans with Mental Illness also Have a Substance Abuse Disorder
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has found that nearly 45.1 million Americans are currently suffering from a mental illness, with one in five also experiencing a substance abuse disorder.
Problem Gamblers Have Increased Risk of Suicide, Personality Disorders
A new study from Montreal has found that pathological gamblers are more likely to commit suicide, and also tend to suffer from personality disorders. These findings could help develop improved suicide prevention programs.
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 […]
Teens’ Excessive Texting Linked to Substance Abuse, Sex
New research from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine Master of Public Health program has found that excessive texting among teens is linked to risky health behaviors, including drinking, drug use, and sexual activity. Scott Frank, MD, MS, lead author of the study and director of the Master of Public Health program at Case […]
HHS Awards Millions to Behavioral Health Care Facilities
On Friday, September 24, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $26.2 million in grants to 43 different community behavioral health agencies across the country in an effort to expand and improve the availability of the public’s substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
Stigma Still Surrounds People with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorders
People who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse problems are still viewed in a negative light by many, despite a greater understanding of the neurobiological causes of these disorders. A study by researchers from Indiana University and Columbia University found that prejudice and discrimination against those with mental health problems, including addiction, have remained […]
Comorbid Substance Abuse and Mental Illness May Lead to Violent Behavior
Scientists have found that being diagnosed with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia does not necessarily make an individual more prone to violent behavior. Individuals with these psychiatric disorders who also abuse alcohol or drugs, however, do have a stronger relationship with violence, according to a new study.
Army Experiencing Influx of Non-Deployable Soldiers Due to Mental Health Issues
After nine years in two ongoing wars, Army commanders are now more than ever being forced to leave behind thousands of soldiers declared unfit for duty due to not just injury and illness but also poor mental health. More than 13,000 active-duty Army soldiers have been found to be unfit for duty, according to a […]
Veterans with Substance Abuse Disorders More Likely to Commit Suicide by Violent Means
Of the more than 30,000 suicides that take place in America each year, approximately 20% of them are committed by veterans, according to the Secretary of U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA). It is well known that veterans face multiple mental health risks following combat duty—including depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, homelessness, and […]
Anger and Aggressiveness Linked to Specific PTSD Symptoms in Veterans
A new study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, Department of Veteran Affairs, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine reveals that focusing on particular symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may help health officials better treat anger and aggression issues among veterans returning home from the Afghanistan […]
Substance Abuse Problems Can Masquerade As Other Psychiatric Disorders
Getting an accurate diagnosis can be complicated, and even elusive, when substance use is involved. The effects of substance use can masquerade as other mental health issues and psychiatric disorders. For this reason, many substance users who seek treatment will be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed at some point. This is often a frustrating process. It’s not […]