Do I Need Detox?
December 30, 2007
Detoxification (detox) is the safe withdrawal from alcohol or drugs. It can be the starting point for a longer-term treatment. Detox is not the whole solution, but only a beginning, and should be followed up with a treatment program. It can be done on an outpatient basis with a physician, or on an inpatient basis for more severe or medically complicated situations. The more severe your symptoms, the more likely you need to go to detox. It is strongly recommended that you seek a medical detox treatment if you have a history of withdrawal convulsions, or if you experience any symptoms of delirium tremens (DT’s) such as such as excitability, vivid nightmares, intense anxiety, hallucinations, or delusions.
Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholism and Depression
December 30, 2007
Mental health professionals who treat alcohol abuse, alcoholism and depression have long known that these two illnesses occur together more often than not. In fact, it is quite common in medical settings for people to seek addiction treatment or alcohol rehab for either of these conditions. Not only is it true that in this setting the sensitive health care provider identifies the presence of the other illness 1, but it is also known that the earlier in one’s life that either of these two disorders develops, the greater the chance the other will also arise.
But what is known of the relationship between alcohol abuse, alcoholism and depression in people who are not seen in medical settings? In what order do they occur? This is obviously an important point in terms of understanding the development of these conditions, since people tend to seek help only in the later stages of a problem. A study recently done at the Harvard School of Public Health and a Harvard affiliated hospital has answered these questions.
Scope and aim of the study
The authors used data from a large survey that studied 14,480 people from 5 cities 3. In order to be included in the analysis, subjects could not have had a previous diagnosis of either major depression or alcoholism.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has established a set of criteria and symptoms that characterize various psychological disorders. In order to receive a diagnosis of major depression, a person must meet a specific number of criteria from the APA.
This means that someone may have some of the signs and symptoms of depression, but may not qualify to receive a diagnosis of the illness. Nevertheless, in practical terms, these symptoms can still affect the individual’s overall functioning and well-being. And by eliminating people with a diagnosis of depression or alcoholism, the researchers were able to more clearly evaluate the order of onset of new cases of depression, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
December 1, 2007
Dual diagnosis occurs when an individual is affected by both drug addiction, alcoholism and a psychiatric or emotional illness. These illnesses can both affect a person physically, socially and psychologically. And both illnesses have symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively. The dual disorders may affect each other, and each disorder predisposes relapse in the other disease. At times the symptoms can overlap and even mask each other, making treatment and diagnosis difficult. To fully recover, a person needs to treat both disorders equally-and at the same time.
Other names for this illness are:
co-morbid disorders
co-occurring disorders
concurrent disorders
co-morbidity
dual disorders
Cocaine Facts
November 30, 2007
Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that conflicts with reabsorption of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and movement. The buildup of dopamine causes stimulation of “receiving” neurons, which is associated with the euphoria reported by cocaine abusers.
Physical effects of cocaine use include constricted blood vessels alopng with increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The duration of cocaine’s immediate euphoric effects, which include hyperstimulation and mental clarity, depends on how it’s administered. The faster the absorption, the more intense the high. But the faster the absorption, the shorter the duration of action. The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, while the high from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Increasing the amount can reduce the period of time a user feels high and increases the risk of addiction.
Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. A tolerance to the “high” may develop—many addicts report that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first exposure.
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