“A potentially life-threatening situation.” Earlier this month, state officials became alarmed by a cluster of puzzling health problems that had suddenly popped up in Casper, Wyoming, population 55,000. Three young people had been hospitalized with kidney injuries, and dozens of others were allegedly suffering from vomiting and back pain…
Back when acid was legal. After last week’s blitz of coverage concerning studies done in the 60s on the use of LSD for the treatment of alcoholism, I thought it would be useful to provide a bit of background; some pertinent psychedelic history to help put this information in…
One of the most fear-inducing aspects of quitting opiate use (heroin, oxycontin, etc.) is the physical withdrawal that takes place as the patient stops use. Many of those addicted to opiates will have experienced some form of withdrawal at one point or another and the pain and suffering associated…
Using fresh news stories can be a great way for parents to spark discussions with their kids and teens about how to be a good cyber citizen. “ Table Talk ” is a series on Breaking Free, passing along recent headlines about Internet temptations and dangers. Use the questions…
St. Patrick’s Day, once a religious holiday that celebrated the patron saint of Ireland, has become a day for revelry and partying. In fact, it has become one of the biggest drinking days of the year. Binge drinking —sucking down 4 or 5 drinks within about 2 hours—seems to…
by Darren Mabrey If you’re like me, you will never forget how old you were and where you were the first time you saw it. I was thirteen and goofing around with my next door neighbor in his basement. I don’t remember why we were in his dad’s office,…
It’s that time again here at the Sara Bellum Blog: Brain Awareness Week , sponsored by our friends at the Dana Foundation . This global campaign works to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. NIDA is all about researching the brain and sharing what…
By Renee Dallas “…let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” – Hebrews 12: 1 When I was 15 my family took a trip to Italy to visit relatives and to…
Why addiction treatment works—if you let it. This time around, our “ Five-Question Interview” series features clinical psychologist Deni Carise, senior vice president and chief clinical officer at Phoenix House , a leading non-profit drug treatment organization with more than 100 programs in 10 states. Chances are, you may…
by Melissa Haas I just wrapped up a conversation with a woman who recently discovered her husband’s secret relationship with pornography. Tragically, it is a conversation I have multiple times a week with women of various ages and walks of life. The problem of pornography use and addiction is…