Genetics and heredity provide possible explanations for why addictive behavior seems to run in families and why some people are more susceptible to addiction than others. However, actually identifying “addiction” genes has proven difficult, and most experts believe a combination of genetic factors, coupled with environmental influences, determines a person’s risk of addiction. A recent …
Understanding trends in teenage drug use helps parents educate their children and monitor signs of possible drug use. One of the most informative publications on children and drugs is the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Monitoring the Future Survey, an annual examination of adolescent drug use and attitudes towards drug risk. The 2012 survey indicates …
Keeping an Eye on the “Monitoring the Future Survey” Read More »
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is known as the “psychiatrist’s bible.” Psychiatrists rely on the DSM to diagnose mental disorders and recommend treatments. The DSM is the authoritative text to help professionals decide what is – and what is not – a mental disorder. The latest edition offers a new way of categorizing alcohol …
On December 14, 2012, twenty-year-old Adam Lanza killed twenty children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Lanza then shot himself in the head, taking with him any chance of understanding why he committed such a terrible crime. In the aftermath of the shootings, new media reported Lanza may have suffered …
December 7, 2012 saw the passing of one of New Jersey’s staunchest supporters of addiction treatment. Riley Regan, founding director of the New Jersey Division of Alcoholism, passed away from liver cancer at the age of 77. He spent his life championing the rights of people suffering from alcoholism and drug abuse, bringing an understanding …
Farewell to a Pioneer: Riley Regan and Alcoholism Treatment Read More »
Smokers could be considered the forgotten addicts. Government and law enforcement crack down on illicit street drugs. Most rehab centers focus on treating the “hard” drugs, such as opiates, amphetamines and alcohol. Yet tobacco — which remains freely available and, for the most part, socially and legally acceptable — causes major health problems, ultimately killing …
To be truly effective, addiction recovery cannot focus solely on the physical effects of substance abuse. Addiction also damages people on emotional and spiritual levels. A holistic approach to alcohol and drug addiction recovery provides for the mind, body and spirit as a whole. At The Ranch PA, we understand everyone has different experiences and …
Combining alcohol with other substances increases the risk of serious health conditions and side effects. Alcohol intensifies the effects of many drugs, including street drugs and prescription medication. Seemingly harmless over-the-counter drugs and herbal treatments can also cause problems when taken with alcohol.Effects of Alcohol on Men and WomenAlcohol affects women faster than men. The …
