By Martha McLaughlin The human brain is a marvelously complex organ with areas that specialize in different tasks. As brain science develops, researchers are beginning to more fully understand how substance abuse and addiction affect it. These changes can be observed in many regions of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens and…
Becoming a parent is one of the biggest commitments a person can make. What could be powerful enough to make a parent neglect and abuse their children? Methamphetamine can. It makes not only the user’s life a mess, it also separates children from their parents in many cases. The foster care system is busy with…
LSD is illegal in most areas of the world because of its harmful effects. This psychedelic drug can cause such grand delusions and horrific hallucinations that it may create a harmful – possibly even deadly – situation for both the user and anyone near them. Nonetheless, LSD abuse continues around the world. About 230 million…
A hidden addiction is a challenge for both individuals and families. Addiction can cause behaviors such as continuous denial, pushing family and friends away, and acting in ways that can damage relationships, goals and character. These behaviors result in emotional stress and frustration for everyone involved. But in many cases, the denial that fuels secrecy…
“Work hard, play hard” — somewhere along the line that phrase became a motto which many have worn as a badge of honor. However, burning the candle at both ends often leads to addiction and going down in a ball of flames. In this leaner economy, employers push employees further, harder. In an increasingly competitive…
The gift of attending university is one of the most rewarding and challenging life adventures a person can experience. For many families, the college years are a rite of passage, and families that celebrate the first family member to ever attend college experience incredible pride. University life and young adulthood are also times of new…
Hazing is when a group of people impose strenuous and dangerous tasks on an individual as part of an initiation to a group. Hazing is demeaning and in some cases can be life-threatening. Know the facts about high school hazing practices can help prevent this dangerous activity. When it comes to hazing, most people think…
College life in America is often synonymous with weekend parties and alcohol. Many college students find it difficult to abstain from alcohol during social events when friends are also drinking. The college years can be even more challenging for those who have grown dependent on alcohol. On average, 10.8 million individuals between 12 and 20…
Addiction to alcohol or other drugs is a chronic disease that affects both brain and behavior. Rehab treatment has been proven to help addicted individuals stop compulsive drug seeking and use.1 Treatment may take place in a variety of settings, come in many different forms, and continue for varying lengths of time. Because drug addiction…
Family therapy is a type of mental health counseling that helps families gain communication skills, heal old arguments and traumas, and find recovery together. Family therapists understand how each person in the family unit is affected by other members in the family group, and have special education and experience in helping each individual heal and…
