Whether the substance involved is crack cocaine or alcohol or a behavior such as gambling, the common denominator of all addictions is continued use despite the development of negative consequences—whether to self, relationships, finances, school or work performance—and the inability to control use. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which shuns the […]
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction Read More »
The holidays are a time for people to rejoice and relax. “However, for individuals in recovery from an addiction to alcohol or drugs, it can be a trying time,” said Indra Cidambi, M.D., a pioneer in addiction treatment. Consequently, relapses are more frequent. At Center for Network Therapy (CNT) pre-holiday re-admit rates (of past patients)
Drug and Alcohol Relapse Rates Spike 150% during the Holidays Read More »
Addiction and anxiety often go hand in hand. So how are the two related? Anxiety and substance use disorder can have serious impacts on a person’s life. Here are the facts about the connections between the two conditions. Anxiety Disorders The National Institute of Mental Health notes that that both hereditary and environmental risk factors
Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder: Everything You Need to Know Read More »
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS The opioid epidemic has grown increasingly deadly, yet it is possible that an important component has been overlooked. It has been estimated that concurrent use of benzodiazepine and opioids may occur in as many as 50% of opioid overdose deaths.1 Yet, more and more patients leave their doctors’ offices with prescriptions for benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepines: It’s Time to Prescribe Caution Read More »
Diagnosing Alcohol Withdrawal If your doctor thinks you might be going through alcohol withdrawal, they’ll ask you questions about your drinking history and how recently you stopped. They’ll want to know if you’ve ever gone through withdrawal before. They’ll also discuss your symptoms. During an exam, they’ll look for other medical conditions to see if
What Is Alcohol Withdrawal? Read More »
This photo provided by Nancy Sack shows Carter Lange, Kim Gustavson, Jason Lange, Matthew Gustavson, and Travis Gustavson. Sack’s grandson, Travis Gustavson, died at age 21 in Mankato, Minn., after overdosing on what he thought was heroin but was actually laced with fentanyl. Katie Tettam/Nancy Sack via AP An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug
U.S. overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say Read More »
Naltrexone is a drug used primarily in the continued management of alcohol dependence and opioid addiction. How it helps in each case differs. For alcoholism, the treatment can help quell one’s desire to drink. In contrast, the drug works to actually thwart the actual effects of opiates on the brain. Naltrexone is sold under the
Naltrexone for Alcoholism and Opioid Addiction Read More »
Cravings for alcohol or drugs are common among people who have been addicted, or even after a period of intense use. They are both physical and psychological in nature and are most intense during the acute withdrawal period, the day or two after you stop using the drug or alcohol. They can, however, also occur
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Substance-use disorders are complex conditions that often require treatment. Getting help might seem like the obvious first step to take, but managing drug-withdrawal symptoms is no easy feat. That’s because using drugs (including alcohol) long-term can cause your body to become dependent on the substance. And, if you’ve become dependent and then suddenly stop taking
What Are Drug-Withdrawal Symptoms and How Long Do They Last? Read More »
If you aren’t a danger to yourself or others, and you can stay sober when you go home, other types of rehab may be a better fit for you. Partial hospitalization or day treatment is where you live at home, but you go for treatment at a hospital or clinic at least 5 days a
Alcohol Detox and Rehab Programs: What to Know Read More »