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). […]
We 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
Co-Occurring Disorders and Substance Use Disorders– How do they relate? Read More »
Texas 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
Intensive Residential and Supportive Residential for Treatment Centers Read More »
In the United States, there are an estimated 30-million people affected by addiction, including family members. Research suggests that Substance Use Disorder can permanently impact the nature and quality of family communications. The communication dynamics identified in families where an addiction is present are described as aggressive, protective, adaptive, and inconsistent. The aggressive communication style found in families
People with Substance Use Disorders, as well as mental health disorders, are diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders. In the past, this was called dual diagnosis. Substance Use Disorder is diagnosed when substance use interferes with functioning at work, school, and in social relationships. It is also diagnosed when substance use creates or worsens a medical condition
What Does it Mean to Have Co-Occurring Disorders? Read More »
Historically, people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) seeking the help of a treatment center were frequently criticized when exploring their uniqueness. 12-step groups were once the only acceptable support program, and often centers would require a client to attend 12-step meetings, even if the client voiced a desire to chose an alternative fellowship. I once
Over five decades, substance use disorders have had strong relations to the culture of our music, lifestyle, and fashion, as well as attitudes and ideologies. 1960’s —The first documented and widely-spread drug culture came in the mid-1960’s with the psychedelic ideology and hippie culture. Cannabis, LSD and other psychedelic drugs have been associated with the
What Influences substance use disorder in our culture? Read More »
A lot of adults have drinks during social outings or a glass of wine with dinner. However, people who exceed the occasional drink could suffer from alcoholism. This behavior is worrisome for many children across the United States. If you have an alcoholic father, there are ways that you can help him as well as
Alcohol addiction is a growing problem in the United States. Experts think this increase in consumption relates to how teens don’t think of alcohol as a drug. When asked, “Is alcohol a drug?” most teens admit that they put alcohol in a class of its own. However, it’s a major problem that teens don’t take
Almost everyone age 18 and older in the United States has had alcohol at some point. Many people drink on a regular basis but don’t have any problems. However, those who binge or heavily drink may develop alcohol issues. Over time, they’re likely to experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal when they stop. Symptoms of Alcohol
