There’s an ongoing heated debate about whether or not the internet and video games are as addictive as cocaine or heroin. There’s a lot of passion on both sides of the argument, but one recent development in the gaming world only further likens the playing of games like World of Warcraft with the use and abuse of illicit substances including alcohol.

The First One’s Free: New WOW Deal Compared to Crack

One distributer is offering a World of Warcraft Starter Edition, which allows new players to play up to Level 20 – for free. Does that marketing tactic sound familiar? It’s a stereotype of that crack dealers would often offer new people their first hit of crack for free, trusting that it would take only one use for their customer to become an addict and be compelled to pay for tons of crack to maintain that addiction. The move on the part of the distributer to allow players to get hooked for free, banking on the addictive nature of the game to compel them to buy the full version later, has only fueled the argument that online gaming can become an addiction for some – and one that requires addiction treatment just like alcoholism or crystal meth addiction.

Co-occurring Disorders: Online Addiction and Drug Addiction

No matter how much time is spent online, there are some who refuse to see an activity like online gaming – or doing anything with a computer, for that matter – as fitting the definition of a true addiction that requires physical detox and/ or psychological addiction treatment. To those people, others would point out the negative consequences of too much time spent in front of the computer – the deadliest of which includes the development of an active drug addiction in order to increase the amount of online activity. Many who are online all day and all night tend to forego the need for sleep and food by taking stimulant drugs that decrease appetite like crystal meth, cocaine, or stimulant medications. The development of a drug addiction in order to gain assistance in a sustained presence online can soon lead to all the health problems including psychological issues and malnutrition that plague anyone else taking these drugs.

Treating Online Addictions Alongside Drug Addiction

It’s important to address the psychological needs that are met by spending copious amounts of time online at drug rehab when help is sought for drug addiction. Without dealing with the need for anonymity, self-esteem issues, et cetera, it’s only a matter of time before the patient will again be on the computer and once again crave the drugs that allow him or her to spend days on end indulging in his or her favorite online activity.

Contact us today at The Canyon to learn more about what Dual Diagnosis Rehab can do for you.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment provides those who are living with a drug addiction and a psychological disorder with the care that they need to work through both issues during the same treatment program. It’s one of the benefits that Bai Ling, an actress currently on Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab on VH1, is experiencing – kind of. In fact, it’s something that has been causing her issues, perhaps because she doesn’t understand the goal of drug addiction treatment in relation to her psychological issues.

Bai Ling and Psychiatric Medications During Drug Rehab

It’s clear from Bai Ling’s behavior when she refuses to take her pills that she needs that medication badly. It’s also clear that she is physically incapable of focusing on groups and treatments for drug addiction when she is off her meds. She is living with a psychological disorder, as yet unidentified on the show, in addition to alcoholism and it is obvious that she requires treatment for both issues at the same time in order to make any real progress on either front. The first step is to stay on the meds that she is currently prescribed, adjusting the medication and dosage according to her development in treatment. While Dr. Drew and other counselors can only encourage her to take her meds, they can’t force her, but if she continues to choose not to take her medication and can’t stay on track while continuing to distract from treatment, stopping others from getting the help they need, it may be necessary for her to leave rehab.

“I Want to Get Off All Drugs. That’s Why I’m Here.”

It’s a common thought among those who are struggling with dual diagnoses – unfortunately, it’s not an effective way to handle treatment when psychological illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other disorders are an issue. Part of the stabilization process that happens during drug detox means getting the medication right to effectively treat any psychological disorders. It will be practically impossible to remain clean and sober without treating mental health at the same time since it is often the case that patients self-medicate the symptoms associated with their disorder by abusing illicit drugs and alcohol.

Medications taken to mitigate the effects of a psychological disorder are not the same as addictive medications or drugs. It’s important to utilize medication effectively and stabilize emotional issues, hallucinations, paranoia, et cetera, during the early part of treatment, begin the process of dealing with emotional issues and trauma and learn new and healthy coping mechanisms – then, if you feel and your doctor feel that it’s appropriate, consider lowering your medication dose or changing medications.

At The Canyon, we offer Dual Diagnosis Rehab to help those who are living with both drug addiction and a psychological disorder. Call now to find out more specifics about our program.

Gambling addiction is a medical and psychological issue, just like drug addiction. While half of those seeking treatment for drug addiction are struggling with a co-occurring psychological disorder like depression or anxiety, it is estimated that one in three people in drug rehab also have a gambling problem. It can be complicated to extricate a gambling disorder from a drug addiction disorder during treatment, but because one issue can trigger the other, it becomes important to address both problems at the same time during addiction treatment.

Problem Gambling and Gambling Addiction After Drug Rehab

Many people think that they can continue to gamble even after they go through drug addiction treatment and get clean and sober. Unfortunately, for most, gambling triggers drug addiction temptations. Free drinks at a casino are hard to pass up and the urge to take other stimulant drugs like crystal meth or cocaine in order to stay awake and continue gambling is extremely hard to resist. It’s almost impossible for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics to continue to gamble if they used to gamble during their addiction – it’s akin to hanging out at bars and clubs every night of the week while trying not to drink or get loaded. It just doesn’t work for very long.

Treating Gambling Problems and Addictions During Drug Addiction Treatment

Though many recovering addicts play cards before AA or NA meetings or even to entertain themselves during rehab, if the addict is one of the 33 percent with a co-occurring gambling disorder then this is no longer fun and games. It can trigger the pleasure pathway and adrenaline in much the same way that drugs and alcohol do, and it quickly becomes impossible to stop. With all the same effects on life that drug addiction brings – financial problems, relationship issues, difficulties at work, social problems – it requires the same kind of treatment and this is most effective when it happens in conjunction with drug addiction treatment.

The key is therapy and psychological treatment. What purpose does gambling serve? Escape? Soothing? Why do you feel that you need assistance in these areas? It’s often unresolved trauma and other psychological issues that are dealt with through drugs and gambling. Dealing with those issues during treatment can alleviate the need to get high or gamble.

Additionally, experiential therapy explores the emotions underlying the traumatic events and experiences while personal therapy also provides the guidance necessary to learn better coping mechanisms that don’t include gambling, drugs, alcohol and other dysfunctional and damaging choices.

Contact us today at the Canyon to learn more about our drug rehab programs and how we can help you heal from dual diagnoses like addiction and gambling.

Treating both an addiction and an affective or mood disorder can be difficult without choosing a Dual Diagnosis Treatment center. At a Dual Diagnosis program, patients can get help for their issues with addiction as well as the symptoms of their mood disorder. Because affective disorders embrace a whole spectrum of disorders related to mood – from depression to mania – it is exceedingly important that patients opt for a Dual Diagnosis rehab that offers them the personalized care, medication and therapy that they need to heal.

Medications play an important role in the care and treatment of mood disorders, with or without the presence of a co-occurring drug or alcohol addiction. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and antidepressants all go a long way toward helping the patient to feel more comfortable in their bodies and adjust more quickly to life without their drug of choice. Already a difficult time, even for those who are not also living with an affective disorder, it is important for those who have both problems to take all the help that is available – including medications.

Types of Medications Prescribed for Affective Disorders at Dual Diagnosis Rehab

No one will be prescribed all of the medications listed below because each one addresses issues associated with a different mood disorder on the spectrum. However, anyone with an affective disorder will benefit greatly from the medication designed to help them manage symptoms related to their issue.

• Mood stabilizers. Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, often benefits from mood stabilizers like lithium, Depakote, Neurontin, Tegretol, Trileptal, and Lamictal. These drugs may be used in combination to assist the patient in finding a state of balance in their lives.
• Atypical antipsychotics. Those who struggle with mania, bipolar disorder, or bipolar II disorder often benefit from this class of medications which includes drugs like Seroquel, Risperdal, Abilify, and Zyprexa, to name a few. These medications help patients to lower their anxiety levels and get better sleep, while others also address the issue of depression.
• Antidepressants. Two types of antidepressants are often utilized in the treatment of major depression and the depression state experienced by those with bipolar disorder: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Both have different mechanisms of action in the brain but achieve the same effect: a non-addictive solution to depression.

If you would like to learn more about how medications can benefit drug addiction treatment and mood or affective disorder treatment here at Michael’s House, contact us today. We offer Dual Diagnosis Treatment to those who are ready to make progress in their recovery from drug addiction and a psychological disorder. Call now.

Sometimes you live with something for so long, it becomes part of the landscape. You don’t see the details anymore, you learn to live with the irritating problems and pick up the slack when things fall apart. Do you know if you are living with someone gripped with an addiction? Read this post to learn about crucial red flags that signal a drug addiction and what you can do if you see them.

Here’s a quick list of what you might notice if you are living with a drug addict or alcoholic.

- Drinking heavily on a regular basis
- Secretiveness and excuses about drinking or drug use
- Missing money that can’t be accounted for
- Prescription pain medication being taken more frequently or in larger quantities than prescribed
- Drinking or drug use (even pain medication) to deal with stress
- Increased problems at work
- Lots of time being spent drinking or using drugs and getting the alcohol or drugs
- Blackouts
- Extreme emotions
- These problems are starting to affect family life, social life, work situation
- Legal problems resulting from drugs or alcohol
- They protect their drug or alcohol use above other priorities
- They say they will stop or slow down their use, but they can’t seem to

What Next If You See Drug Addiction

When you realize that you are living with an addicted person, you have a choice to make. You can either allow things to continue as they are or you take a courageous step to make a change. If you decide to do nothing, you may believe that person can and will eventually snap out of it on their own. You may be playing a dangerous waiting game if you make this choice. Drunk driving, being high while using electricity or fire, unexpected suicide attempt – these ad other devastating things could happen when a person has an untreated addiction.

Help Your Loved One Start Drug Rehab

If you decide to take action, first call a professional for guidance. You may need some support to start the conversation with your loved one, or you may want more information about drug detox and drug treatment centers in your area. Even if your loved one doesn’t seem open to starting drug or alcohol rehab, a drug rehab professional can steer you towards support groups for yourself and other strategies to help your loved one open themselves to treatment. Don’t let something destructive like drug addiction become part of your background landscape. Bring it out into the light, out in front of you. Deal with the truth and turn your family life in a different direction.

photo credit: nzgabriel

Online gossip magazines are abuzz again with the latest news in Tiger Woods’ personal life. It seems the golf pro will be staying at drug rehab (or is it sex rehab?) to continue his recovery and wife Elin is returning home to Florida without her hubby in tow.

Sex Rehab or Drug Rehab?

Conjecture of the masses can’t seem to agree: is Tiger blaming his many illicit affairs on sex addiction? Or is painkiller addiction that has him making decisions that he wouldn’t ordinarily? No one knows for sure right now, though it is being reported as fact by some sources that he has enrolled himself in treatment for Ambien addiction and Vicodin addiction.

Some view the fact that, on the night that Tiger got into his car accident, Elin told police that her husband had prescriptions for Ambien and Vicodin. The implication that many news sources took from this was that Tiger’s use of these prescriptions was perhaps the cause of the accident.

One source told The National Enquirer that, “In therapy, Tiger blamed a lot of his cheating behavior on his drug addiction, saying that the drugs were responsible for impairing his judgment.”

The only thing Tiger had to say about drugs in his recent public statement was: “They said I used performance-enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false.”

Of course, few would describe a sleep medication like Ambien and a painkiller like Vicodin as “performance enhancing” drugs, so perhaps this commentary doesn’t quite refute the possibility of drug addiction as the reason for his stint in rehab.

Dual Diagnosis: Sex Addiction and Drug Addiction

It’s not uncommon to find that those living with sex addiction are also dually diagnosed with drug and/ or alcohol addiction. Having two simultaneous diagnoses is exceedingly common as those with psychological or psychosocial issues often feel uncomfortable and seek to self medicate with drugs and alcohol. It’s exceedingly important in these circumstances that treatment for both disorders is received simultaneously.

The old way of doing things was this: if drug addiction is present, treat that first and then treat the co-occurring disorder. That’s no longer the accepted way of doing things. Too often, further treatment was not sought after drug rehab and, in many cases, drug addiction treatment wasn’t as effective as it could be because issues associated with the other disorder got in the way. Dual diagnosis treatment is the best way to increase the effectiveness of recovery for both disorders.

Drug Rehab and Sex Rehab: Getting Treatment

Whether you or someone you love is living with sex addiction, drug and alcohol addiction or both disorders, it is essential that you choose rehab to heal. Both of these conditions are medical conditions and it is imperative that medical treatment is sought. It is almost impossible to walk away from these conditions for any meaningful length of time without holistic treatment that addresses the many different levels of addiction, including psychological addiction. Call The Canyon today for more information about dual diagnosis treatment.

The human brain is an amazingly complex and interconnected organ. When alcohol and drugs come into the body, each unique portion of the brain reacts in a different way. These individual effects all add up to making a person appear high or drunk. Take a look at each of these reactions from the brain.

Portions Of The Brain Affected By Drugs And Alcohol

Frontal lobe – Impaired reasoning and judgment, inhibitions lowered, sociability affected
Parietal lobe – fine motor skills impaired, reaction time slowed
Temporal lobe – speech slurred and hearing impaired
Occipital lobe – Vision and judgment of distance impaired
Limbic system – Emotions become exaggerated, various levels of memory loss
Cerebellum – Loss of muscle coordination, impaired balance
Brain stem – Disruption of automatic vital functions like heartbeat, breathing, body temperature regulation

Most of these effects are temporary, ending when the person is no longer intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. But extended drug use can make some of these effects become long-term such as memory problems.

Factors Affecting Potential Brain Damage

Drugs and alcohol used in excess can do serious damage to a person’s brain. But since each person is unique, one person’s brain damage may not be the same as that of another person. The US National Institute of Health has published a chart of the important factors in chemically induced brain damage. Take note of how different these circumstances could be for the millions of people abusing and addicted to chemical
substances.

* The person’s age, level of education, gender, genetic background, and family history of alcoholism
* How much and how often a person drinks
* The age at which he or she first began drinking, and how long he or she has been drinking
* Whether he or she is at risk as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure
* His or her general health status.

As you can imagine, a young woman who has only been drinking for a year would be at a different risk level than a 45 year old man who’s been taking drugs and drinking alcohol off and on for 25 years.

The young woman has a generally higher risk for damage over her lifetime because of her gender. However, at the age of 19 she is at a lower risk than the man because of the length of time she has been drinking. If she abstained or drank moderately from this point on, her risk for brain damage from alcohol could be slim to none.

The older man may already have had years of brain damage because of his longer use and multiple substances. The protective factor of his gender makes no difference with his chronic addiction issues.

Drug Rehab To Prevent Potential Brain Damage

If your drug use has gotten out of control, it is likely that you are at serious risk for brain damage. In fact, you may have already sustained some damage without realizing it. Drug treatment or alcohol rehab may be the only way to prevent further damage. Brain damage might not be reversible, but you can learn to live with it when you establish a sober lifestyle. Drug rehab can help you learn how to live sober and live well.

Don’t risk brain damage because of a drug addiction or alcoholism. Stop the cycle right now and start drug rehab today.

photo credit: BlatantNews.com