Addiction Treatment Magazine

Parents often worry that treating chronic childhood illnesses with medication could turn those children into drug addicts later in life. However, is not treating the illness the answer? Studies show that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are not treated with ADHD medications are more likely to become drug addicts than those who [...]

It is difficult enough for normal teens to respond to peer pressure and frequent changes in emotions; the journey is even harder for teens with substance abuse problems. When teens with drug abuse problems seek treatment, research indicates therapy that involves the whole family may be the best approach. Called multi-dimensional family therapy, or MDFT, [...]

Lidocaine is a generic drug also known as lidocaine hydrochloride and available under the brand name, Xycloaine. As lidocaine has cardiac antiarrhythmic properties, it is generally used as a local anesthetic. Lidocaine is often used for numbing the gums when a dentist needs to work on a patient’s teeth. More recently, another discovery indicates lidocaine [...]

Self-help groups, in existence for decades, are used to help people work through issues including mental health, addictions, obsessive behaviors and even medical conditions like cancer. Group members share the same disorder or circumstance and meet voluntarily. Self-help groups can be professionally-guided or peer-led; can allow members to remain anonymous; and typically meet on a [...]

Individuals with narcolepsy have an unusual ability to resist addiction to amphetamines, the type of drug used to treat their condition. Because they have mutations at the genetic level for peptides called orexins, or their receptors, the potent amphetamines are not addictive, but are successful at keeping them awake.

Patients – women and men – who have suffered trauma and engage in substance abuse may be helped through integrated treatment methods that concurrently focus on both. This is particularly true when the trauma is post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but may also be applicable with other forms of trauma. If you currently abuse substances [...]

If you’ve come to the realization that you need professional treatment to overcome your addiction, that’s a good first step. In fact, you won’t get anywhere without such a realization, backed by a solid commitment to see treatment through to completion. The next step is to get into treatment. First, however, you need to take [...]

The equine history in this country is fascinating, from mustangs roaming free throughout the plains to providing transportation and farm labor to racing and peaceful pastimes. Today, horses are used in specific therapy applications as they have been proven effective in helping people with physical issues, speech problems, emotional issues, behavioral challenges and other disabilities.

Cluster addiction and co-occurring disorders, or a combination of multiple addictions and mental health disorders are quite common among persons seeking addiction treatment. Based on recent and ongoing research, we now know that eating disorders and substance abuse share some very important characteristics. These characteristics point not only to commonalities between the two, but also [...]

Alternative medicines, such as acupuncture, are becoming a significant piece of the medical industry, prompting revenues well into the billions and thousands of clinical visits. Though practiced for centuries, the technique of healing and detoxification through acupuncture is relatively new to U.S. patients but gaining popularity quickly.