Nature and Treatment of Addictions

Certainly addictions have become wide-stretched and difficult in regard to its prominence and effects. Individuals of all ages, virtually, can become affected with the behaviors and dynamics of addictions. While anything from obsessive behaviors (e.g., shopping and video games) can become addicted, alcohol and drug addictions are commonly referred to in this regard.

Generally speaking, addiction is formed from psychological dependence that stems from the brain. Commonly addiction is a coping mechanism on some level, which can be either psychological or biological in nature. Of course there are other elements and factors that can cause an addiction, though these are widespread and wide-ranging in nature.

Over the course of a person’s life, an addiction can be felt. For some individuals an addiction can later be displaced to a different type of addiction – or even a tendency that can affect a person’s lifestyle. One’s long-term health can also, of course, be directly affected by the nature of the addiction, as substance-related addictions can have certain effects relative to the specified substance.

A number of treatment options are available to those who may be addicted to some substance or object. It is not uncommon for an individual to be unsure of whether a true addiction is present, which bodes for those around the affected individual. Thus it is important for the individual or those around the individual to consult with a doctor, mental health professional, or other appropriate person.

Once the diagnosis has been made, either formally or informally, treatment should be sought. There are a number of valuable treatment centers and rehabilitation clinics that can help, such as MichaelsHouse.com. These institutions can give the individual the medical and psychological help needed with regards to the addiction. With the right support system and care from the time of its onset to treatment, an addiction can be treated so that the individual can regain control of his or her life.

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Smoking and Mental Health

Tobacco smoke in an Irish pub before a smoking...

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Smoking may increase a person’s likelihood of developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders. Recent studies showed that smokers, and even people exposed to large amounts of second-hand smoke, have a much higher rate of mental illness and an increased risk of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment as compared to non-smokers.

A study done at University College London looked at 5,560 non-smoking adults and 2,595 smoking adults, all of whom has no history of mental illness or time spent in psychiatric treatment facilities. The two groups were tracked for a six year period to determine whether or not their smoking status would affect their mental health. Subjects were also tested for the presence of certain chemicals to determine their exposure to second-hand smoke and this data was used in the findings.

Close the 15% of the people in the study reported psychological distress during the six year testing period. People exposed to a large amount of second-hand smoke were 62% more likely to experience psychological problems than people who were not exposed to smoke. The findings for smokers themselves were even more dramatic, showing close to a 250% increase in likelihood of psychological issues compared to non-smokers in the study.

41 of the subjects were admitted to psychiatric hospitals during the time period they were being studied. This occurrence was also the highest for smokers, followed by the group exposed to high levels of second hand smoke. Non-smokers had the lowest risk of being admitted.

While the association was strong, further studies will be needed to account for other causes and determine if smoking and exposure to smoke truly causes an increase in mental illness. Past studies have shown that smoking can increase the likelihoods of depression and have a strong impact on peoples’ moods.

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After Job Loss…Take Care of Your Beautiful Mind and Your Body Electric

If you’ve been let go from your job it’s normal to go through bouts of denial, anger and depression. The key to setting yourself up for a brighter future is in moving from the initial negative feelings to a more productive state of mind. You accept what has happened and start looking forward instead of backwards. And you take care of your most valuable asset – you.

You are now in the sales and marketing business, and the product you are selling is you. So let’s get personal.

• Take a look around and be grateful for what you have. You probably have reasonably good health, a place to live, food to eat, people who care about you. Not a bad place for starting over.
• Write down your abilities and accomplishments. Include your technical and your interpersonal skills. Develop a short “commercial” to use when talking to people about your job search and during interviews. Being able to clearly and concisely describe your education, experience and skills will set you apart.
• Take a look in the mirror. Maybe you could lose a few pounds. Maybe your teeth could be whiter. Maybe you could use a hair cut. Spending some time and money on your appearance is one of the best investments you can make.
• Don’t lie around and feel sorry for yourself. Follow a daily schedule – work on your resume, make calls, do research, set up meetings and informational interviews. Add exercise to your routine.
• Avoid isolation. Keep up with your contacts and work to expand your network. Attend social and business events.
• Improve upon or learn new skills. Employers want workers who have multiple skill sets and are up to date with software applications.
• Consider the type of company you want to work for next, or whether you want to become a consultant, open a franchise or start up your own business.

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The Progression of Sadness: lapalomatreatment.com

She hides herself within her room – the door locked, the curtains drawn, the lights all refused. It’s been days since she emerged for more than the occasional sustenance, the crumbs she finishes when staring at the wall becomes too great of a tragedy. She is tired but doesn’t sleep. She is anxious but doesn’t cry. Instead she merely waits for the night to come, sampling the only motivation she can find: alcohol.

Depression is an unfortunate truth within the world. It is estimated that 35 million Americans alone suffer from this disease – and that unhappy population often seeks out liquor to ease their pain. 40 percent of those with an illness drink frequently or even daily.

And the consequence of this is failure.

Alcohol is a natural depressant. It subdues the central nervous system, allowing the individual to replace all tension to an easier relief. But, when taken during an episode, the euphoria that should be felt is instead changed into a quick anger. All tastes lead to a loss of dopamine and serotonin (chemicals necessary in achieving emotional release). Judgment is impaired and memory loss is prevalent. The brain becomes overwhelmed to the sensations and this further deepens the feelings of sadness or despair.

It’s essential then that individuals do not seek comfort in alcohol. Too often do the masses assume that a drink will save them. It won’t. It will instead only exaggerate the problem. Abstain from all forms of liquor while suffering from depression.

Even when this is achieved, though, individuals must still seek other forms of help. While alcohol can be refused, a mental disorder cannot. Institutions like lapalomatreatment.com are needed then to address all symptoms and create a program that will offer support and medication. These institutions will instill strength, patience and an understanding of the mind and its complications. They are necessary. They are worthy.

Find them.

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McNabb Shows Few Immune to Anxiety

During to his only appearance in the Super Bowl, then-Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb supposedly vomited on the field in the middle of the huddle. Although a player vomiting due to football is not uncommon, the reason for McNabb’s embarrassing occurrence is unique in sports.

Football players are supposed to vomit due to effects of physical exhaustion or due to the heat during two-a-day practices. Vomiting due to the stress of the biggest game of a player’s career is considered a sign of weakness, at best, in the macho world of professional sports. The story of McNabb’s embarrassing moment came out due to the large and, often outspoken, mouth of star receiver and reality television personality Terrell Owens. Despite their success in Philadelphia, Owens and McNabb did not get along. A rivalry developed, which culminated in Owens reporting to the media that McNabb showed weakness during a critical moment in the game.

While the organization eventually responded by siding with McNabb and shipping Owens out of town, the episode created fodder and debate in the sports media world. Was McNabb leadership material? Did his public display of anxiety cost the Eagles the Super Bowl?

While erratic behavior and frequent self-serving actions eventually cost Owens nearly all credibility, the accusations stuck to McNabb and sullied his reputation. Even as a successful player and millionaire who was never in trouble off the field, an ill-timed moment of anxiety seemed to cling to McNabb like rumors of a stint in alcohol treatment.

The McNabb Super Bowl moment has become part of NFL urban legend. While some might question McNabb for showing weakness, the episode shows that the gladiators paid to entertain fans are as human as those sitting in the stands. Football might force them to push physical and mental limits, but even these talented and successful people must deal with anxiety.

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Sex Addiction is Real

ASHKELON, ISRAEL - JUNE 11: Dr. Andre Waisman...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

All over the entertainment media, you hear stories of celebrities cheating or having a list of affairs with anonymous and not so anonymous people. We see the pictures and hear the stories. The one thing that seems to occupy our minds is the seediness and jaw dropping details. Then, the celebrity initiates the apology to their loved one, the media, the fans, and promises to seek help for their problem.

They disappear, only to show up again, months or years later, with a stronger bond with their spouse, a back on track career, and a new lease on life. So, what happened?

After the dust settles, the media targets someone else, and the fascination with a celebrity falling from their pedestal fades, we forget about them. What goes on for them, it seems, is a long road to recovery.

Sex Addiction, as it is called, is a real condition but doctors are still not sure under which mental umbrella is falls. Some believe it is a compulsion closely related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder while other think it is simply an addiction such as alcohol or drugs. In any event, the inability to control or the inability to maintain a desire to control the actions that could destroy reputation or families is something that is definitly worth looking into for treatment.

This is a new phenomenon. Not everyone in the mental health industry is convinced that it is a treatable disorder like something else. However, celebrities seem to find the magic “cure” while inside of the retreat where they undergo treatment and therapy just as they would if they suffered from drug addiction.

Like any narcotic addiction, and like with alcoholism, many reformed addicts say that they are always an addict, they just have not “used”. So, in light of the recent phenomenon of sex addicts in the media, it would be respectful to let them attempt their recovery, knowing that the life of an addict is a treacherous road towards recovery. Hopefully in a few years mental health professionals will have agreed on what exactly Sex addiction is.

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