Eating disorders are classified as addictive behaviors that are linked to underlying mental health conditions. Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by unrelenting self-starvation and life-threatening weight loss. According to the American Psychiatric Association, (2000), the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa include a failure to maintain minimal body weight, fear of gaining weight…
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Addiction is complex and affects many aspects of your life. Living without drugs or alcohol can seem impossible when you are struggling with addiction. While actively using, drugs and alcohol take your brain hostage and control the way it functions, making an impact on critical thinking, movement, speech, health, and relationships. Recovery does happen with…
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Addiction is a brain disease that negatively affects nearly all aspects of a person’s life. Addiction also makes an impact on family and friends and takes over the way the brain functions. It interferes with a person’s behavior, mood, relationships, work, and well-being, and results in negative consequences. Addiction can lead to serious health problems,…
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Addiction wreaks havoc on the lives of those who suffer from it, and on the lives of loved ones. Addiction is complex and changes the way the brain functions. Addiction affects relationships, finances, responsibilities, work, and school. Although some use drugs or alcohol to cope with stress, depression, and PTSD, the symptoms of mental health…
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The brain controls our thoughts, memory and speech, movement of the arms and legs, and the function of many organs within our body. The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Addiction is a brain disease that makes physical and physiological changes to the brain. The brain adapts to environmental…
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Alcohol use disorder is the most common substance use issue–except, perhaps for smoking–in the US. While more than 70,000 people died of overdoses from all drugs in 2017, with nearly 50,000 of those being opioid-related, more than 88,000 people die every year of alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is actually the third leading cause of death in…
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The teenage years are difficult for everyone. It’s a time when teens want to assert their independence, try new things, and have more privacy. It’s a turbulent time as they struggle with finding an identity and a sense of belonging. It’s not always easy to tell the difference between normal teen behavior and warning signs…
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Addiction is a complicated brain disease and recovery can seem far off when you are struggling with addiction. Recovery is possible with the right treatment, determination, and lifestyle changes. Addiction takes your brain hostage and controls how your brain functions. Addiction interferes with relationships, financial stability, work productivity, and can lead to serious health complications…
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Addiction can happen to anyone and is not restricted to drugs and alcohol. Many people struggle with addictive behavior. Sex addiction, also known as hypersexual disorder, is a condition manifested by fantasies that consume excessive amounts of time and affects many components of a person’s life. Hypersexual behavior damages relationships with loved ones. It interferes…
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Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2, spice, or fake weed, actually do not contain marijuana. They are man-made chemicals that can be either sprayed on dried plants and smoked or sold as liquids to be inhaled in e-cigarettes or other vape devices. These products are also known as herbal or liquid incense. (National Institute on…
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