What kinds of people are prone to addictions or substance abuse? Many people are susceptible to these problems, especially people who suffer from depression, low self-esteem, loneliness, excessive stress, or are in a relationship they don’t like and don’t feel they can get out of. Young people who have difficulty fitting in, are constantly under attack by bullies and peer pressure, have a lot of stress at home or are extremely unhappy with themselves are also individuals to watch for signs of possible addiction or substance abuse. (more…)

How acupuncture works:
 
There are many theories around acupuncture and why it’s effective; but when one looks at the scientific reasons it works, it becomes very clear why inserting needles in particular spots into your body helps the body achieve and maintain health.  I want to explain why “local” needling (inserting needles at the site of the problem) and “distal needling” (placing needles far away from the injured site) are effective for treating the body for a multitude of diseases.  Since acupuncture in America is typically used for pain let’s  first  address what pain is and how we heal. (more…)

Here’s a link to a site maintained by SAMHSA that helps people find treatment in their area. http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

You’ve probably seen this warning on medicines you’ve taken. The danger is real. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. (more…)

It is an all-too-common scenario: A person experiments with an addictive drug like cocaine. Perhaps he intends to try it just once, for “the experience” of it. It turns out, though, that he enjoys the drug’s euphoric effect so much that in ensuing weeks and months he uses it again — and again. But in due time, he decides he really should quit. He knows that despite the incomparable short-term high he gets from using cocaine, the long-term consequences of its use are perilous. So he vows to stop using it. (more…)

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are manufactured substances related to male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone). “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building and “androgenic” refers to increased male sexual characteristics. “Steroids” refers to the class of drugs. These drugs can be legally prescribed to treat conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty, but also body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass. (more…)

I always have wondered, was I really addicted to drugs and alcohol, or was I addicted to escaping from my feelings? I know, it doesn’t really matter at this point but I still think, “what if I had just dealt with my feelings in the first place instead of trying to run from them.” I wonder where I would be?

Introduction
Anyone can develop a mental illness-you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. Some disorders are mild; others are serious and long-lasting. These conditions can be diagnosed and treated. Most people can live better lives after treatment. And psychotherapeutic medications are an increasingly important element in the successful treatment of mental illness. (more…)

We have had a good response from the Detoxing and Chinese herbal formula posting.  I decided to include another huge complaint about people in general and in recovery;  SLEEP!  We don’t get enough of it, and when we do sleep we don’t sleep very restfully.  See how Chinese herbs can help you sleep and NOT feel “hung over” the next morning. 

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The survival of the fittest is the ageless law of nature, but the fittest are rarely the strong. The fittest are those endowed with the qualifications for adaptation, the ability to accept the inevitable and conform to the unavoidable, to harmonize with existing or changing conditions.–Dave E. Smalley

defined as: 1 a: to receive willingly b: to be able or designed to take or hold (something applied or added) 2: to give admittance or approval to
3 a: to endure without protest or reaction b: to regard as proper, normal, or inevitable c: to recognize as true : believe 4 a: to make a favorable response to b: to agree to undertake (a responsibility) 5: to assume an obligation to pay; also : to take in payment 6: to receive (a legislative report) officially… intransitive verb : to receive favorably something offered…

More to be revealed!! 

Have you ever wondered how Chinese and Western medical providers look at herbs?  Below is research on a common formula used to assist people in their recovery. (more…)

Two types of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for drug abuse, “relapse prevention” and “seeking safety,” have shown promise in the treatment of women who abuse drugs and also have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women participating in either therapy for 3 months showed decreases not only in substance abuse, but also in PTSD symptoms. (more…)

LIFE WORKS is a UK based treatment centre committed to providing the highest quality treatment in Europe for:  Alcohol addiction rehab and drug addiction rehab· Anorexia, bulimia, over eating and other compulsive behaviors · Depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. (more…)

There are hundreds or even thousands of people throughout North America who suffer from substance abuse, either with prescription drugs, street drugs or alcohol. Many of these people are unaware that help is just a phone call, visit or click of a button away; others are aware of the help available but they don’t feel that it will do them any good. Most are aware of the live help lines or the crisis lines they can phone in order to talk to someone, but most don’t feel that these will help them. What they need is therapy or proper counseling, but most will do their best to avoid talking to a stranger in person about their problems. For people who want help, but are uncomfortable talking with a therapist or a counselor in person, there is online therapy or counseling. (more…)

This comment is on the statement by zenith on my original post. With respect, all of what you said, zenith, is the usual justification presented by methadone advocates to support often permanent treatment of opiate addiction through use of methadone. I am not maligning good methadone recovery. I DO know of good recovery using methadone, meaning a stable life in all areas (job, relationships, no crime, no drug use other than methadone), but that result does not mean that substitution therapy is the only treatment modality for most narcotics addicts. (more…)