The decision to get treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is never easy. Many people know that addiction is messing up their lives but they’re still reluctant to get help. Many fear the stigma of being labeled an addict. This may be even harder if you have kids. It’s not easy to admit you need…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that can lasts months or years after a traumatic event. Although it is typically associated with combat soldiers, PTSD more often affects civilians. It may be caused by an accident, a robbery, a sexual assault, domestic abuse, the unexpected death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or…
Addiction doesn’t just affect you; it also affects the people around you, including your friends, your coworkers, and your family. One of the most common reasons people give for getting help for addiction is that they realize how addiction has hurt their families. This is especially true of kids, who are still growing and are…
Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide. It affects your relationships, your career, and your quality of life. Depression and substance use frequently overlap, and each can make the other worse. Although depression can affect anyone, the following factors increase your risk of having a depressive episode. Genetics Genes are a major factor…
Whether or not it’s necessary or advisable to drug test your teen is a controversial issue. Some parents feel like it’s intrusive and sends the signal that they don’t trust their children. Other parents feel like it’s their responsibility to protect their children from serious mistakes that could have long-term repercussions, even if that means…
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is characterized by quick changes in mood, unstable self-image, and erratic behavior. People with BPD often act impulsively and have difficulty in forming healthy relationships. They may be prone to intense anger, depression, or anxiety. People with BPD tend to view things and people as either all good or all…
There is a large overlap between depression and alcohol use disorders. Alcohol is a convenient way to temporarily relieve the symptoms of depression, such as persistent self-critical thoughts and ruminating on past mistakes or negative possibilities. This is especially true of men who suffer from depression. While fewer men than women suffer from depression, men…
THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Its structure is very similar to a chemical called anandamide, which occurs naturally in the brain. Anandamide is a kind of neurotransmitter called an endogenous cannabinoid, meaning it’s a cannabis-like chemical made by your brain. Anandamide affects various brain areas, including those related to pleasure, memory, concentration,…
With the days getting shorter as fall approaches, many people may experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a form of depression brought on by the change of seasons. It most commonly causes people to become depressed in the fall or winter, but there are people who get it in the spring or summer.…
A new study has found that small acts of kindness can improve symptoms of depression. More than 600 mildly depressed volunteers participated in the online study. They were asked to participate in one of three online training programs or a control group, complete exercises, and report back every other day for three weeks. Two months…
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