Music has long been considered a natural anti-depressant, an emotional outlet, a creative stimulus, and a tension reducer. Many studies discuss the benefit of music on physical, mental, and emotional health, and this may be especially important for people in addiction recovery. “There is growing scientific evidence showing that the brain responds to music in…
Planning a trip to Las Vegas? You don’t expect to become addicted to gambling. Going shopping for a new dress? You aren’t planning to really “shop ‘til you drop.” Checking your Facebook page? If you are like most Americans, you look at your smartphone regularly for email and social media updates. All of these activities…
The internet is overrun with animal videos and cute animal memes: evidence of our love for animal antics. Now, therapists are using the human affinity for animals as a treatment pathway for mental and physical conditions, including addiction—and the results are nothing short of amazing. Positive Human Responses to Therapy Animals Pets and rescue animals…
One size does not fit all when it comes to alcohol and addiction treatment. You are an individual, and the treatment model that works for you will be based on your unique characteristics and experiences. Addiction counselors and clinicians are learning; however, that a look into your family history can provide valuable clues to the…
For young people working their way through addiction treatment, a smoking habit may seem like the “lesser of evils.” Not so. In addition to cancer and disease risk associated with cigarettes, a recent study now shows that smoking actually increases the risk for relapse among recovering alcoholics. “Quitting smoking will improve anyone’s health. But our…
While addiction is an issue that affects just about every imaginable demographic group, research has shown that there are stark differences in the respective addiction experiences of men and women. Addiction experts have pointed out that from a societal standpoint, boys and men have historically been rewarded for behaviors like risk-taking, competitiveness, and impulsiveness. In…
The statistics are staggering. At just five percent of the world’s population, the U.S. consumed 75% of the world’s prescription drugs in 2010. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 54.2% of people taking prescription drugs got them from a friend or relative—not their physician. And 62% of teens surveyed said that they take…
Adderall is a prescription drug that brings proven benefits to those suffering from narcolepsy and attention disorders like ADD and ADHD. It has long been a “study drug” of choice for healthy high school and college students seeking higher GPAs, and now it’s making its way into a hard-driven workforce requiring long hours of focus…
If effective, sustained recovery from drug abuse is to be achieved, it will help the addicted young adult and their parents to develop a better understanding of the nature of addiction, including clearing up some persistent misconceptions. Many parents inquiring about the services of a young adult rehab in North Carolina may initially imagine their…
Regardless of the widespread prevalence of drug addiction programs in North Carolina, it is far from the case that every teen smokes marijuana – indeed, only about 1 in 7 teens do. There has actually been a steep drop in the proportion of teens using marijuana since the 1990s, but with the last few years…