Category Archives: addiction
The Dangers of Over-Using Mental Health Buzzwords
As mental health professionals, we are acutely aware of the gap between the number of people with diagnosable, verifiable and treatable psychological and mental health issues versus the number that actually receive appropriate care. Sadly, while the former is on … Continue reading
This Ain’t Your Parents’ Marijuana
The debate over the efficacy and safety of marijuana has raged for decades. On one side is the quintessential, lovable “pothead” that could never hurt a fly. He is totally chill and acts like a kid while eating strange snacks … Continue reading
Trauma Informed Care – What it Means and Why It Is Important
Trauma informed care or TIC is a critical part the substance abuse and mental health treatment process. While there’s no dedicated section of the Florida Certification Board curriculum for TIC, our understanding of trauma and how it relates to behavioral … Continue reading
What Does Recovery Mean to You?
September is National Recovery Month, a program sponsored and administered by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). As planning partners for Recovery Month, all of us here at The Academy for Addiction Professionals have an overarching goal of … Continue reading
Financial Stresses and Substance Abuse
Stress can cause a myriad of serious psychological and physical ailments. And one of the most prevalent sources of stress revolves around finances. After all, there is usually an escape from home life stress or the daily grind of work … Continue reading
Eminem – A Cautionary Tale of Addiction Replacement
Addiction affects the brain in profound ways – many of which we don’t fully understand. A mix of genetic and environmental influences create the perfect storm for the millions of Americans that succumb to addiction and relapse. It is no … Continue reading
Palcohol – A New Plague or More Of The Same?
A fresh round of outrage is being leveled at government regulators and alcohol manufacturers alike for a relatively new phenomenon known as Palcohol. Palcohol is the brand name of a powdered alcohol product that promises to give users the ability … Continue reading
The Scourge of Synthetic Marijuana
Of the 1.2 million Emergency Room visits related to illicit drugs in 2011, only 28,531 were related to synthetic marijuana or cannabinoids. It may not seem like a big number, but consider that in 2010 there were only 11,406. This … Continue reading
Families – And The Roles They Play
“The stones thrown from close-up hurt more than those thrown from afar” “You can choose your friends, but you sho’ can’t choose your family.” ~ Harper Lee There’s no shortage of quotes about families, their issues and dysfunction. And, in many … Continue reading
Technology Addiction: A Real or Virtual Problem?
Technology and Internet addiction is a highly debated topic. What is it? What constitutes a Technology/Internet addict? And ultimately, does and addiction to technology really exist? In today’s society, we have become dependent on the technology and the Internet for … Continue reading
