Gambling Addiction an Under-Recognized, Devastating DisorderArticles>Mental HealthBy The RanchApril 8, 2016Health insurance policies that cover treatment for problem gambling are few and far between. By and large, insurance companies fail to recognize that pathological gambling is an addiction. Instead, they classify it as a compulsive behavioral problem and not as a medical emergency (which it is) requiring rapid and aggressive intervention (which it does).
How to Help a Suicidal Recovering AddictArticles>Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismBy The RanchApril 6, 2016One of the biggest risk factors for suicide is substance abuse. It may seem like an addict who has gotten help, gone through rehab and is in recovery would be safe from suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately, the addict in recovery still has a long and tough road ahead, and suicide is still a risk. If you… Details
Coffee Linked to Depression in Polydrug UsersArticles>Drug AddictionBy The RanchApril 5, 2016A team of researchers from the University of Hawaii assessed the impact of cigarette smoking and caffeine intake on the mental health of people who participate in polysubstance abuse, concluding that caffeine use in particular can have a substantially negative mental health impact on these individuals.
Drugs for Parkinson’s, Restless Leg Syndrome Linked to Compulsive Gambling, Other Mental Health DisordersArticles>Mental HealthBy The RanchApril 1, 2016Researchers have now linked gambling addiction, compulsive shopping, sexual addiction and various other impulse control disorders to medications prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome. The evidence for this relationship was presented in the October edition of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, and the depth of the connection runs far deeper than anyone imagined.
Electromagnetic Stimulation May Be Able to Wipe Away Cocaine AddictionArticles>Drug AddictionBy The RanchApril 1, 2016Shining laser lights on a certain part of the brain in rats can eliminate compulsive cocaine seeking, according to a study published in Nature. Testing of a similar approach in humans may begin soon, although it will most likely involve electromagnetic stimulation from outside the scalp rather than direct stimulation of the brain by lasers.
These Behavioral Therapies Can Help You Quit SmokingArticles>Drug AddictionBy The RanchMarch 29, 2016You know how bad smoking is for you. You know that it could shorten your life significantly. And yet you can’t quit. Nicotine is one of the most addictive of all abused substances, and quitting it is extremely difficult. Despite this, most people attempt to quit without professional assistance. You wouldn’t ask a heroin addict… Details
Gambling Problems Can Derail Substance Abuse TreatmentArticles>Addiction ResearchBy The RanchMarch 25, 2016As a rule, people affected by substance use disorder (substance abuse and/or substance addiction) need help from trained professionals in order to suspend their drug or alcohol intake and maintain long-term recovery. However, individuals in substance treatment may still engage in behaviors that endanger their well-being in significant ways. In a study published in 2014… Details
Top 5 Benefits of Inpatient DetoxArticles>Addiction TreatmentBy The RanchMarch 23, 2016If you’ve been stuck in the “just one more time and then I’ll quit” refrain and getting no closer to that promise as the weeks and months mount, it may be time to seek professional help. Choosing a detox treatment program is the first step on the path to addiction recovery. Detox is the process… Details
Know What to Expect at RehabHelpful Articles, TreatmentBy The RanchMarch 22, 2016If you know what to expect before you go to rehab for addiction, you will be better prepared to do the work that is needed to get well. Another good reason to know what will happen is that this knowledge will lessen any fear and anxiety you have about getting treatment. Going to rehab is… Details
Are Drugs a Doorway to the Divine?ArticlesBy The RanchMarch 18, 2016Some of the world’s most prominent spiritual voices have been open about the influence of perception-altering drugs on their work. But are these drugs necessary to tap into spiritual experiences — and more importantly, are “trips” enabled by the use of hallucinogens worth the risk they present of falling?
