Rehab Articles
There are a number of alcohol facts that everyone should know, and this knowledge could help lower the rate of alcohol abuse by preventing excessive drinking in the first place. For instance the amount which is considered a single drink. Many people miscalculate how much they are actually drinking, and this can lead to intoxication, blacking out, or even alcohol toxicity in the body. A standard drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer with a 5% alcohol content, 8-9 ounces of malt liquor with a 7% alcohol content, 5 ounces of wine with a 12% alcohol content, or one and a half ounces of 80 proof liquor with an alcohol content of roughly 40%.
Another one of the important alcohol facts that everyone should be aware of is what constitutes problem drinking. Alcoholism is a very common condition that is both serious and chronic, and it often starts with alcohol abuse and problem drinking. A male who has 5 or more drinks in a single day, or a woman who has 4 or more drinks in a day, may have a problem with alcohol. This is also true if you have ever started the morning with a drink, or if this activity interferes with your life, causes problems, or causes you to feel guilty about your actions. If friends or family show concern about your alcohol use then a substance abuse evaluation should be arranged. This will help identify any problems and determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation and issues.
Rehab Articles
A new study by University of South Carolina researchers shows that roughly 20% of college students misuse and abuse ADHD drugs. The abuse of drugs in this class can have serious consequences, both legal and for health related reasons. Since ADHD drugs are generally listed as controlled substances with a Schedule II classification anyone who takes or possesses these medications without a valid prescription can be arrested and face serious legal issues as a result. According to Kari Benson, researcher and senior psychology major, “People would ask me if I could get them Adderall or Ritalin. I realized that this was a pretty prevalent issue on campus, and I wanted to see what I could do about it.”
The research on college students and ADHD drugs was also undertaken by University of South Carolina’s Parenting and Family Research Center Dr. Kate Flory. According to Dr. Flory “If you looked at individual studies, the rates of college student misuse were all over the place. They ranged from two percent to 43 percent. So when we submitted this for publication, the journal was really interested in us doing a meta-review of all the existing studies.” The goal is to identify the college students who could benefit most from an intervention program. Dr. Flory explained “That’s something we’re hoping to do here. We have a substance abuse prevention and education office, and they have a group that’s focused on prescription medications. We’ve pulled together an interdisciplinary group of researchers here at University of South Carolina to apply for a grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, which would enable us to actually do an intervention on campus.”
Rehab Articles
1. One of the biggest reasons that group counseling is offered by almost every rehab facility is that this method has lower costs involved. One professional can handle a group of people, where individual counseling requires a professional to spend time with each individual instead of everyone as a group.
2. Part of substance abuse treatment involves peers. Group sessions help each individual in treatment receive feedback from peers, and it helps show that you are not alone in your struggles and there are many others out there who share the problems that you have. This can help promote solidarity and support during treatment.
3. Treatment for substance abuse and addiction means working through the issues that led to the abuse of a specific substance in the first place. Sometimes this may be easier when you are in group with others who share similar issues. Each individual in the group is less likely to feel judged or excluded because everyone has the same problems that need to be addressed and resolved.
4. Group counseling allows many individuals to receive treatment at the same time. For programs that have small budgets and high demand this may be one of the few treatment methods available, and these programs may be very short in duration when they are residential in nature.
5. Outpatient substance abuse treatment is less effective than residential programs, but for many this is the only type of program that is covered by insurance or that will fit within your budget. Group sessions on an outpatient basis will not usually interfere with work or other daily responsibilities.
Rehab Articles
The rising rate of substance abuse across the USA and Canada is a troublesome trend, and far too often this also leads to an increase in child neglect and child abuse. A parent or caregiver who has an addiction does not always put the needs of the child first. When someone who has an addiction is withdrawing this can increase the risk of neglect or even abuse for children in the household. In the last decade there have been cases where children were seriously injured and died, sometimes after weeks or even longer of horrendous abuse that could be considered torture. Certain types of substance abuse increase the odds of physical violence, emotional abuse, and neglect more than other types. This has led many in the medical community to call for an increase in screening of adults in households where there are children.
Both child abuse and substance abuse are serious problems that need to be addressed, but in the USA many are hesitant to interfere with the parent child relationship and household dynamics. The agencies in charge of protecting children sometimes go too far, removing children from a home where substance abuse is suspected but no signs of child abuse exist, and at other times children who are clearly at a high risk for harm are left in the home with the goal of keeping a family together only to have the child end up seriously injured or even worse. If you or someone you know has a substance abuse problem don’t wait until things escalate, there is help available that can help prevent child abuse and neglect while allowing you to get your life back on track.
Rehab Articles
Psychopath and sociopath are so called psychological terms that describe a mental disorder, but do both terms mean the same thing or are they different? Both of these terms describe someone who has antisocial personality disorder, and they are not really used in the psychology literature and research material. Both terms refer to specific personality types, and there are some differences between the two mental disorders. Both forms of personality have little or no regard for the safety or feelings of others, and with both of these personality types deceit, manipulation, and frequent lies. Neither type of personality is always violent, but both types hold the possibility of violence and aggression towards others. Many in the mental health community believe that a psychopath is a personality disorder which is genetic in nature, in other words a psychopath is born this way, while a sociopath is a result of the environment that they were exposed to in childhood.
Both a psychopath and a sociopath will have a mental disorder, but this fact is usually not apparent to anyone except the victims affected by the individual. Both personality types allow the individual to be charming, appealing, and someone that others like and want to be around. This allows them to use and manipulate others easily. Sociopaths tend to be more impulsive when they are committing a crime, with less concern about being caught or the possible consequences of their actions. Psychopaths are usually more careful in the commission of any crimes, so that any risk to the individual is minimized as much as possible.
Rehab Articles
1. One of the biggest keys to preventing teen alcohol abuse is open communication. Parents need to talk with teens about alcohol use and listen carefully. When parents keep communication open the teen is more likely to abstain from substance abuse including alcohol abuse. Teens need to know that as a parent you are always available and willing to listen.
2. Part of substance abuse prevention in adolescents is setting boundaries and laying down rules. Let your teens know that there are consequences if the rules are broken, and what these consequences are. Teens need parents, not adult friends or those who want to be buddies with their children.
3. The peer group that your teens associate with should be monitored, and any peers who seem to be a bad influence when it comes to substance abuse should be banned from your teen’s social circle. Peer pressure can cause teens to use alcohol or drugs if they do not have strong parental support, so make sure that the peer your teen has are a good influence.
4. Know where your teens are at all times to prevent teen alcohol abuse. Adolescents who are not closely monitored and supervised may engage in substance abuse when they think they will not get caught. Know who your teen is with and where they will be.
5. If the goal is substance abuse prevention then be a role model for teens. Households where parents drink or use drugs have a higher rate of teen substance abuse because teens emulate the behvior that they see in their parents.
