About.com Addictions

Unhappy With the Higher Power?

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:55:31 +0000

Image (c) Sanja Gjenero

Addictions programs, and notably, 12 step programs, often have a component of spirituality. Many people find this off-putting, for a whole host of reasons.

But many of the reasons that people want to stay away actually reflect an inner need to discover your own spiritual truth. Those who are athiest or agnostic, for example, may feel strongly about not being inconsistent with their own belief system. So although they might not be a believe in a God, they know what is true to them. Read more...

Unhappy With the Higher Power? originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 00:55:31.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

"I Was Sleeping, Your Honor"

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:47:27 +0000

Image (c) Mateusz Stachowski

According to CBC News, a man who sexually assaulted a woman was recently found "not criminally responsible" because he was asleep at the time of the attack. He suffered from a rare sleep disorder, known as sexsomnia.

Apparently, he was considered not a significant threat to public safety, and was discharged without restrictions. I feel there is something very wrong with the outcome of this case, and here are some of the reasons why. Read more...

"I Was Sleeping, Your Honor" originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 21:47:27.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

AMA Changes Medical Marijuana Policy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:02:40 +0000

Image (c) www.taatgen-fotografie.nl

According to MedPage Today, the American Medical Association has changed it's policy on medical marijuana.

They are asking for marijuana to be moved out of Schedule I, in which drugs considered to be unsafe, highly risky for abuse, and having no medical use are placed -- without specifying the schedule under which it belongs -- for more research to be conducted into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, and for funding to be made available for research. Read more...

AMA Changes Medical Marijuana Policy originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 13:02:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Medical Marijuana For Kids With Autism

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:27 +0000

Image (c) Hyperorbit/sxc.hu

An article on controvery discussion site "Opposing Views" suggests that medical marijuana may help reduce aggressive behavior in children with autism.

Although this is a complex issue, my gut reaction is negative. Here are some of the reasons why. Read more...

Medical Marijuana For Kids With Autism originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 12:30:27.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Crack Cocaine Increases HIV Risk

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:29:39 +0000

Image (c) Charles Thompson

A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal has shown that daily smoking of crack cocaine increases the risk of HIV infection, independently of other risk factors.

The study followed over 1,080 injecting drug users who were HIV negative at the start of the study, and found that 137 had become HIV positive at follow up. The risk increased over time, and was independent of other risk factors such as needle sharing, sex work and unprotected sex. Read more...

Crack Cocaine Increases HIV Risk originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 15:29:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

New Evidence For Food Addiction

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:17:45 +0000

Image (c) Charles Thompson

An exciting new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has demonstrated a new level of the addictive process in food addiction.

The study, which induced palatable food addiction in rats, showed that these unfortunate creatures not only experienced pleasurable reward processes from overeating, but also actually experienced physiological withdrawal when the palatable food became inaccessible. Read more...

New Evidence For Food Addiction originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 01:17:45.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Vaccines Protect the Whole Community

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:23:10 +0000

The decision to get vaccinated against a disease such as H1N1 is a personal one. I've noticed this reflected in the way people talk about the decision -- whether they are in the higher risk groups, whether they mind being ill etc.

Yet it is worth bearing in mind that your decision whether or not to get vaccinated may affect many more people than just you. You are also affecting everyone you could potentially pass the virus on to. And with people being contagious both before symptoms appear and after they disappear, there is a high likelihood that you will pass it on to many others without realizing it if you are not vaccinated. Lifestyles associated with drug and sex addictions also increase risk of transmission.

So if you aren't sure whether you will come into contact with a young child, someone with a neurological disorder, a pregnant woman, or anyone else at risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of H1N1, I would encourage you to think seriously about having the shot.

Need to know more before making the decision? About.com has a wealth of information on the H1N1 vaccine, including what we know about the vaccine, people at risk of complications, safety of the vaccine, common concerns about the vaccine, the relationship with pneumonia, and frequently asked questions.

Vaccines Protect the Whole Community originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 18:23:10.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Multiple Sexual Partners Increases H1N1 Risk

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:07:40 +0000

For those who have multiple sexual partners, whether part of a sex addiction, or sex work, you should be aware of the increased risk of H1N1, and consider getting vaccinated.

H1N1 is spread through the saliva, typically by coughs and sneezes. However, direct mouth-to-mouth contact will spread the virus even more readily. Your partner may not even look sick, as they may be contagious both before and after symptoms are present.

You should be particularly concerned about the spread of H1N1 if you or your partners are pregnant, have a developmental disability, or have a supporessed immune system as a result of HIV/AIDS.

Others at risk of complications of H1N1 common in the addictions community are people with severe obesity and people with liver, heart lunch and kidney diseases.

Also at risk are children under 5 years old, so take special care if you live or work with young children. Others with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, blood disorders and neurological conditions are also at risk.

Vaccinations are becoming increasingly available, so ask your family doctor or local health clinic where you can get a shot.

Multiple Sexual Partners Increases H1N1 Risk originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 23:07:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:22:03 +0000

This old saying was never more relevant than it is to the process of overcoming an addiction.

Although it is great to start the process of quitting with the attitude that you will stick to your goals 100%, the experience of relapse is so common that it is actually sometimes recognized as part of the cycle of change, for example, in the stages of change model.

And approaches such as motivational interviewing will help you uncover your reasons for falling off the wagon, which can actually strengthen your chances of sucess in the future. For example, if it was cravings that cause you to relapse, your therapist can help you to learn strategies for dealing with cravings when they happen next time.

Unfortunately, 12 step programs are not always so understanding, so if you are finding your relapses are making it difficult to participate fully and honestly in a 12 step group, you might consider switching to motivational interviewing. Contact you local treatment center to find out where it is offered.

If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again! originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 14:22:03.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Are You Ready?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:16:02 +0000

When people start to experience unpleasant consequences of their addictive behavior, they often wonder why they can't just quit.

Despite the popular belief that quitting involves little more than realizing you have a problem and sheer will power, quitting is such a complex process that there is actually a model, known as the stages of change model, that details the various stages that people typically go through on the road to recovery.

The stages include precontemplation -- common among people in the early stages of addiction; contemplation -- common among people who want to continue with their current behavior, but are aware of some issues; preparation -- when a decision has been made but you're aren't quite ready to make changes; and action -- when you are in the process of quitting.

Additional stages of maintenance and relapse are also sometimes included.

Not sure which stage you are in? A visit to your local addiction treatment centre will often involve an assessment of your readiness for change, as well as support that matches the stage you are in.

Are You Ready? originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 23:16:02.

Permalink | Comment | Email this