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…
In July 2020, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) put out a publication titled, “Treatment and Recovery,” and right up front it has what I consider to be one of the most important “affirmations” I’ve ever heard – that is, in terms of affirmations regarding my, yours or anyone’s capacity to recover from a…
According to Dr. Steven Melemis, the author of an article in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine titled, “Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery,” one of the main reasons people seek treatment is relapse prevention. In his 30 years of working in the field of addiction, both in treatment centers and private…
According to an article published in Hospital Employee Health, 10-15% of nurses have struggled with a substance use disorder sometime during their career—often associated with diversion of their patients’ prescription drugs—and many have lost their jobs, license and standing within the medical community.[1] Clearly, an impaired nurse can jeopardize the health and well-being of his/her…
Advanced Treatment “Depression, substance use and other psychiatric disorders are brain-based illnesses. Effective programs address the whole person, with a special emphasis on treating the brain. Our emphasis on long-range treatment planning and integrated TMS treatment represent a commitment to that approach.” -Derek Robben MD Addiction Psychiatrist What is Integrated TMS? Integrated transcranial…
The National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism estimates 17 million American adults have an alcohol use disorder, which they define as “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational or health consequences.”[1] In spite of how prevalent this condition is, a nationwide study based on…
It turns out, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the difference between being a “social drinker” and a “heavy drinker” may be less than you think. If you’re a woman, consuming eight or more alcoholic drinks per week puts you in the “heavy drinker” category. If you’re a man, it’s 15 alcoholic…
“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” – William Blake It does not escape me, and it seems not all that long ago, I was looking in my rearview mirror constantly… not just when I drove my car—afraid I’d be pulled over with a quantity of drugs on me worthy of a stiff jail sentence—but…
In a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings titled, “Chemical Dependency and the Physician,”[1] the authors point out that medical doctors—contrary to what many may think—are not immune from the problem of chemical dependency (a.k.a., substance use disorder, addiction to alcohol and/or drugs). In fact, they cite research confirming doctors have an addiction rate similar…
On Oct. 26, 2021, officials for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration put out a bulletin about the results of a wide-ranging drug sting operation, concerning the online sale of “fake” pharmaceutical pills, many of which were laced with lethal drugs, including fentanyl. More than 150 suspects worldwide were arrested, including 65 Americans. Besides the nearly…