When Addiction and Mental Illness Co-exist Articles>Dual DiagnosisBy The Ranch TNAugust 13, 2012One of the greatest challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of addiction is when an addiction illness exists at the same time as another mental illness. These disorders can disguise each other’s existence and make treatment for either condition less effective than it would otherwise be. Nevertheless, the high rate at which mental illness and… Details
An Interview with Dawn Zurlinden, Clinical Specialist Staff StoriesBy The Ranch TNAugust 11, 2012Dawn Zurlinden found her voice – and her calling – teaching voice lessons. When she realized that singing was an emotionally therapeutic process, Dawn felt inspired to become a therapist. She earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee and, for the past 15 years, has specialized in experiential therapy, trauma,… Details
Alcohol and Cirrhosis: It Doesn’t Take Much to Do Permanent Damage Articles>Addiction ResearchBy The Ranch TNAugust 10, 2012How much alcohol is too much alcohol? That is tough to answer except to say that it is probably a lot less than you think. Just the habit of a few nightcaps, over time, could be enough to cause alcohol induced hepatitis which itself is the primary cause of cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is… Details
What Is An Eating Disorder? Articles>Eating DisordersBy The Ranch TNAugust 9, 2012There is no singular definition of eating disorder. Simply put, ‘eating disorder’ is a term used to describe eating patterns and perspectives around food and body that would be classified as abnormal and usually detrimental. Nearly all cases have imbedded within them a certain mental obsession with food and eating, and a physical compulsion to… Details
How To Approach Multiple Addictions ArticlesBy The Ranch TNAugust 8, 2012What many non-addicts often struggle to understand is that addiction is never about the drug of choice itself. On the surface it would appear that alcoholism or sex addiction stemmed from an intense love of alcohol or sex. This is hardly the case. Addiction represents a deep and unattainable craving-a mental, physical, and spiritual longing.… Details
Bottling Up vs. Sharing: Talking About Your Addiction Articles>Early RecoveryBy The Ranch TNAugust 7, 2012When you are in the process of recovering from an addiction, talking about your illness can be an important part of the healing process. However, it can be difficult to know how to talk about your experiences, and with whom. It can be embarrassing and uncomfortable to talk about an addiction, even if you know… Details
The Evolution of Addiction Treatment Articles>Addiction TreatmentBy The Ranch TNAugust 6, 2012Treatment for substance abuse and other addictions has changed significantly over the years. 100 years ago, addicts were believed to be morally degenerate, and the process of “treating” their addiction often amounted to little more than torture. Until research showed that addiction was a treatable disease of the brain, many addicts were also given prison… Details
Wearing the Warning Signs All Over Your Smile Articles>Eating DisordersBy The Ranch TNAugust 3, 2012Trying to hide an eating disorder will only go so far until your smile gives it away. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to spot signs of the disease, according to an article on eating disorders.
Animal-Assisting Therapy for Addiction Articles>Addiction TreatmentBy The Ranch TNJuly 31, 2012In reading the title of this article, your first thought may be that someone has made a mistake. Surely, you are thinking, they must be referring to ‘animal-assisted therapy’, which is a fairly familiar topic to anyone who has done a Google search looking for information about alternative treatments for addiction and other chronic health… Details
Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse Articles>Dual DiagnosisBy The Ranch TNJuly 30, 2012Bipolar disorder, a serious psychiatric condition sometimes referred to as “Manic Depression”, is aptly named due to the “bipolar opposite” of the extreme moods. Most individuals with bipolar disorder experience mood swings that range from extreme manic highs to severely depressed lows. The disorder can be diagnosed after just one manic episode and no depressive… Details
