Hair Pulling Disorder is Three Times More Common Than Anorexia
Author: Shernide Delva The disorder is three times more common than anorexia yet most people have never heard of it. Known as hair pulling disorder, Trichotillomania (pronounced: trik-oh-till-oh-MAY-nee-uh) is an impulse control disorder than involves strong urges to pull out one’s own hair. And no, this isn’t just a bad habit; this is a psychological . . . . Continue Reading
Addiction Treatment With Primary Care Produces Results in HIV Patients
Author: Shernide Delva The Boston Medical Center has created a program that integrates treatment for addiction with treatment for patients with or at risk for HIV. Results from the program show that combining the two treatments lower patient’s substance dependence and encourage them to engage in treatment. The findings are published online in the Journal . . . . Continue Reading
3 Ways to Stop Idolizing “Control” in Your Eating DIsorder
Control is the heart of many people’s experience of eating disorders, especially eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Eating disorders are an attempt to regain a sense of control through controlling one aspect of your life. For example, you might combat feelings of loneliness by controlling your food intake. As the pounds shed, you suddenly . . . . Continue Reading
10% of Pregnant Women Admit to Consuming Alcohol
Author: Shernide Delva Drinking during pregnancy is a huge no-no. It’s been drilled into our minds the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. This is such common knowledge that visibly pregnant women drinking alcohol would likely receive public scrutiny. For the most part, women do not drink while pregnant. However a recent CDC report revealed . . . . Continue Reading
How Dating an Addict Has Shifted My Awareness of Alcohol Culture
Author: Shernide Delva In a relationship, it’s common to have to come up with activities to do that you both enjoy together. Sometimes you have to make compromises and navigate each other’s interests. Recently, I got into a relationship with someone who is in recovery, and it has been eye-opening to realize how much alcohol really . . . . Continue Reading
Emergency Room Interventions Reduces Underage Drinking
In high school, drinking is considered cool but many do not realize how harmful alcohol can be until it’s too late. Underage drinking is a serious problem and can result in hospitalization. Emergency departments witness it on a regular basis when patients come in with alcohol poisoning. New surveys show that emergency departments that engage in . . . . Continue Reading
Study Reveals Alcohol Does Not Affect Memory of Rape
Here’s the scenario: You have a bit too much to drink and something happens to you that you never would have expected. You were taken advantage of and sexually assaulted. But you were intoxicated. Should you report it? And if you do, how legitimate will the case be in court? Unfortunately, this scenario is all . . . . Continue Reading
Shame Resilience Huge in Recovery
Today we live in a society that has found a new lease on the word ‘shame’ with a variety of terms to identify how people use social media, advertising, bullying and other forms of both public and private communication to put down or subjugate a specific type of person for one reason or another. You . . . . Continue Reading
The Link Between Social Anxiety and Initial Drug Use
From an early age, I’ve witnessed my peers fall into the pressure of doing drugs and alcohol. Looking back, I realized that for some, this was a way to break out of their shell and prove to others they were not introverted. Many people turn to substances to “loosen up.” For years, therapists and researchers . . . . Continue Reading
The Addict’s Mom Organizes Lights of Hope
This past Sunday, September 13, 2015, the organization The Addict’s Mom (TAM) held its annual event “Lights of Hope” to remember the victims of the disease of addiction, with observations and participation nationwide. “Lights of Hope” events not only honored the lives of those lost to the disease of addiction, but also celebrated and recognized . . . . Continue Reading