Behavioral change is possible. There are five stages of change, much like there are five stages of grief. Changing unhealthy behaviors help people lead healthier lives, and therefore live longer. The Five Stages of Change The stages of change include: Precontemplation stage, in which the individual is in denial, and refusing to acknowledge the […]
Author Archives: Alta Loma
Addiction, Treatment
The Future of Babies Exposed to Opioids: Are There Enough Resources to Support This Growing Problem?
08
Apr
Apr
The opioid epidemic is claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, impacting communities, and changing the face of our nation. In the United States, roughly one baby every 15 minutes, or more than 30,000 babies a year, are born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. What Is NAS? Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is characterized by: […]
07
Apr
Apr
Research shows that creative writing positively impacts our physical well-being, and therefore, may help psychologically heal and improve the chances of obtaining long-lasting recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). People who engage in reading and writing tend to maintain sobriety for longer periods. Studies show that consistently journaling improves emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. […]
06
Apr
Apr
Estimates used to be that suicide accounted for almost one-third of all opioid-related overdose deaths. However, new research found that suicide accounted for only 4% of opioid-related deaths. The study utilized 17 years of data, between 2000 and 2017, to figure out the prevalence of unintentional, suicidal, or unspecified deaths related to opioid use. The […]
Mental Health, Recovery
The Necessity of a Cultural Shift: How Can Psychological Interventions Prevent Opioid Misuse?
05
Apr
Apr
Although psychological-based interventions and treatments prove extremely helpful for preventing opioid misuse, as evidenced by numerous studies and extensive research, widespread implementation of these treatments requires a large cultural shift towards a biopsychosocial model of treatment. The biopsychosocial model is a way to understand health and illness through biological, psychological, and social aspects. This multifaceted […]
04
Apr
Apr
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes addiction as compulsive drug-seeking regardless of harmful consequences to oneself or others. However, addiction is not a particular diagnosis included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). What is the DSM-5? The DSM-5 is the classification and diagnostic tool published by the American […]
03
Apr
Apr
Opioid overdoses account for over 400,000 deaths between 1999 and 2018. Current statistics indicate that over 100 Americans die every day due to an opioid overdose. Fentanyl is a synthetic or artificially produced opioid available in the US. It is also the drug responsible for over 30,000 overdose deaths in 2018. Fentanyl came about in […]
02
Apr
Apr
Substance use disorders (SUDs) within families affect everyone. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway website, children’s needs must be met and enacted by parents. In the case of parents with SUDs, these needs may not be their main priority, as the substance itself becomes the main source of importance to them. Who Is Responsible […]
Addiction, Recovery
Heavy Drinking May Damage Heart Tissue: New Research Supports the Negative Effects of Drinking
01
Apr
Apr
New research published by the Journal of the American Heart Association recognizes that consistent heavy alcohol drinking leads to subsequent damage to the heart tissue. There is inadequate research on how alcohol consumption negatively affects heart health in particular, yet previous studies show that heavy drinking increases the risks of many health issues, such as: […]
31
Mar
Mar
It is hard to control what happens on your way to work. You could leave home very early to get to work and still deal with the stress that traffic brings you. It is important to develop calming strategies during your commute to avoid getting to work feeling like a battle every day. What are […]
