Recently I have been going back and doing some reading on the amazing organ that is our brain. In graduate school, one of the big questions they propose to students is the whole idea of Nature vs. Nurture. The idea that the brain develops a specific way and is wired in certain designs intentionally causes…
Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. For decades addicts were only thought of as bad people who choose to continue to abuse substances, even associated with criminal activity. A study done by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in 2014, the general public was…
We all have mental health, just like physical health, so it’s time to embrace it. Stop thinking of therapy as a reaction to challenges, instead view it as maintenance. Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s integral to help us function. We don’t wait until we are on the side of the road to get an oil change,…
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published a report in 2015 based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH defines illicit drugs as marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type drugs used non-medically. Heavy alcohol use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same…
There is a “definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances,” according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. They say that mental health disorders patients are accountable for the consumption of 38% of alcohol and 44% of cocaine. A big cause of this is patients trying to self medicate and treat…
Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Disorders are interchangeable terms for someone who has a substance abuse problem as well as a mood or personality disorder. These co-occurring disorders can affect mood, thinking, and behavior. With a dual diagnosis, patients are simultaneously treated for their substance abuse and their mood or personality disorder. A lot of times…
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder (PD) that is considered the dramatic, emotional type and maladaptive symptoms are difficult for the average person to initially identify due to the excessive charm and persona they present. These PDs are often referred to as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde due to the perfected image projected…
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