Substance abuse and addiction are complex problems that can require a plurality of treatments to manage. One such treatment is transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS therapy. Primarily used in the treatment of depression, TMS stimulates nerves in the brain using magnetic impulses. However, using TMS therapy for addiction has also shown very promising results. If…
Typically, Ambien—the common brand name for zolpidem, a pharmaceutical drug—is used to treat sleeping disorders, particularly insomnia. Being a sedative-hypnotic (the class of drug it’s in), Ambien is recommended for short-term use and per a medical doctor’s supervision only. Further, since Ambien is classified as a Schedule IV drug, it has a legitimate medical use,…
A study published in Open Journal of Psychiatry and conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Southern California found patients in recovery from a substance use disorder are more likely to succeed when they are in treatment for more than 30 days.[1] The researchers emphasized that once a patient has completed alcohol…
Detox refers to a person’s rapid cessation from using alcohol or drugs that they’ve become chemically dependent upon. It is the first step in any addiction recovery program. However, detoxing without professional supervision isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous. If you struggle to manage your alcohol addiction and wish to get sober, there are…
As a recovering addict myself (with 23 years “clean and sober,” thanks to working a program of recovery in my life each day), I’m sometimes inspired to reflect upon the gifts I’ve gotten since “putting down the dope and picking up hope.” Mind you, I don’t take for granted there are countless blessings I‘ve received……
The shift into fall and winter doesn’t just mean a change in the weather. You might notice a considerable difference in mood or outlook in a friend or family member. Many people experience an occasional bout of the winter blues. However, a recurring and persistent depression that sets in with the change in seasons may…
Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country, overdose deaths rose more than 30%, compared to the previous year, according to the latest CDC report.[1] Higher than any other overdose toll on record, approximately 100,000 U.S. citizens succumbed to drug overdoses this past year. U.S. health officials link this to both the ongoing…
A recent article posted on the website, RegisteredNursing.org, paints a clear picture of “how things have changed” regarding the way nurses with substance use issues are currently handled; i.e., with more understanding, support and options for getting treatment and (when ready) resuming their nursing career – that is, in contrast to how, even just 40…
Everyone feels blue now and then. However, a negative shift in your mood as the seasons begin to change may indicate that you are dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Especially severe cases of seasonal affective disorder may require the intervention of a depression treatment program. It is easy to identify some of the common…
With over 30 years’ experience working in the field of substance abuse and mental health, Dr. Carol Anderson knows a thing or two about how challenging withdrawal symptoms can be for those seeking to recover from addiction. “Withdrawals from substance abuse can be uncomfortable, and even life-threatening in some cases. Medically-assisted detox seeks to…