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As a clinician, I am often asked how addiction is determined. From a clinical standpoint, addiction can be diagnosed using a set of criteria. One of the most common and widely used diagnoses tools in the United States is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The DSM is developed through the American Psychological Association (APA).…
DetailsWe hear a lot about Co-occurring disorders but what is it? A Co-occurring disorder is the presence of both mental health and a substance-use disorder. For example, an opioid substance use disorder coupled with depression is a common co-occurring disorder. Clients with co-occurring disorders (COD) typically have one or more disorders relating to the abuse of…
Details“Happiness is an inside job”- Abraham Hicks Substance abuse often starts as self-medication against internal struggles. At some point, we may extend this concept into other parts of our lives—just as we may have relied on the comfort provided by drugs, we may also rely on the comfort provided by people or things. Depending on…
DetailsHaving a purpose provides a positive focus to fill the void that substance abuse recovery uncovers. But why is it so hard to identify your life’s purpose? When we were young, we weren’t taught to reflect on our purpose in life. Discovering your life’s purpose takes real self-examination and awareness. You know you are getting…
DetailsSocial media users gain a sense of connection and belonging. Today it is common to communicate and connect with others on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social media users gain a sense of connection and belonging. Today it is common to communicate and connect with others on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Is this casual social media…
DetailsAmerica seems to be addicted to Anger. A public epidemic, promoted by media coverage of road rage, mass shootings, and war. Anger affects our personal lives in many ways, from workplace frustrations to family arguments. Some symptoms of anger addiction are- self-stimulation, compulsion, obsession, denial, withdrawal and craving syndrome, and unpredictable behavior. Like alcoholism or substance abuse, anger…
DetailsIt is hard to wrap our minds around it yet there is strong scientific evidence to support the statistic that 1 in 6 men have been sexually abused or assaulted, whether in childhood or as an adult. No doubt, this is a low estimate since the statistics don’t include noncontact experiences. Facts about men and…
DetailsIn neuroscience, food is something we call a “natural reward.” For human beings to survive, things, like eating, having sex, and nurturing others, must stimulate the brain in such a way that these behaviors are reinforced and repeated. The European Journal of nutrition, reports an increasingly popular theory that sugar acts as an addictive agent,…
DetailsSubstance use disorder among the elderly population is a rapidly growing health problem in the United States. Addiction among people 65 and over is underestimated and under-diagnosed. According to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, substance use among senior citizens are classified either as the “hardy survivor,” or the “late onset” group. The…
DetailsTexas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 448, RULE §448.9023 governs Residential treatment. Residential treatment is not the same as inpatient treatment, although, many people interchange these terms. Residential treatment refers to a program treating a primary Substance Use Disorder diagnosis. Inpatient is a treatment which treats a primary mental health diagnosis. It is…
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