addiction

No matter what stage of life you are in, addiction can take hold. For many seniors, significant life changes such as the loss of a loved one, illness, or chronic pain can send a person spiraling into unhealthy behaviors and substance use. Learn more about addiction and seniors below. Why Older Adults Turn to Self-Medicating … Read On »

What Is Codependency? Some regard codependency as a disorder or a disease, an ailment of the mind, body, and spirit, much in the same fashion as addiction. For people who are living with codependency, the addiction is primarily to people and relationships with people. However, the way that their codependency manifests can be extremely different. … Read On »

Shame and stigma surrounding mental illness remains prevalent worldwide. The effects of shame and stigma are devastating, can prevent treatment, and change the way we see people who are in desperate need of healing. Stigma Is A Misunderstanding Of Addiction And Mental Illness ASAM, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, emphasizes that we must recognize… Read On »

While some addictions start when we are very young, others do not take hold until later in life. Although the media often depicts addiction as a disease of teens and twenty-somethings, addiction can actually happen at any age or stage of life. Studies show that our minds and bodies are in constant states of change… Read On »

Self-medicating depression or any other kind of mood disorder with a substance like alcohol will always be a failed practice. First, let’s look at the basics of the idea of “self-medication.” We take on the responsibility of doctors in deciding what our mental health does and does not look like, as well as what a… Read On »

Overdoses are largely unintentional. Suddenly losing someone to overdose is an overwhelming and confusing event- did they intend to end their lives, or was the overdose accidental? The large majority of drug overdoses are classified as accidental. According to the North Carolina Controlled Substance Reporting System, 12% of drug overdose deaths in 2014 were self-inflicted. Prescription… Read On »

Protracted withdrawal, more commonly known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS, refers to the rollercoaster of withdrawal symptoms that occur after acute withdrawal has taken place. PAWS is not something we often learn about outside the walls of professional, clinical treatment. It is a frequent consequence of long-term addiction, and understanding PAWS’ role in the… Read On »

The need to control is not unique to those of us who have come to live in a chemical dependency upon drugs and alcohol. Our need to control is uniquely manifested, without question, but the need to exact control over our lives, as well as over people, places, and things in our lives, is a… Read On »

Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP | Chief Clinical Officer He was 66 when the accident happened. A successful trial attorney, Jack was in good overall health and he loved spending most of his non-working time with his family, especially his 10-year-old grandson, Alex.  Jack had always been a social drinker but never really had… Read On »

The word “addict” and the word “alcoholic” paint very distinct pictures, bringing to mind a very specific kind of person. What does an addict or an alcoholic look like to you? You might envision someone homeless, without a job, acting severely mentally ill, who does not practice proper hygiene and has thrown their life away… Read On »