Mental Health News

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

A recent study released indicated that in all the admissions for drug addiction in boys and girls, the girls were more likely to enter a treatment program than boys at an earlier age.  This was across the board for different types of addictions too.  In addition, it found that while the main course into a treatment program for both sides was through the justice system, girls were more often than boys to be admitted for treatment by their families. 

It’s very difficult to accurately say what this kind of information means.  The study has shown that girls get into drug treatment programs at a younger age than boys for drug addiction.  However, it doesn’t show for certain that girls get into drugs at a younger age.  It could be that an addiction in boys is less apparent for longer than it is in girls. The acting out behaviors that are associated with drug addiction in kids could be more apparent in girls, in our society which is inclined to give emotional, unruly boys a break.  Or girls, who have a tendency to mature faster, may really be getting into drugs at an earlier age due to increased social pressure, self-consciousness, lack of positive reinforcement, etc.

The finding that girls are more often to be admitted to a drug treatment program than boys were by their families is also open for interpretation.  It’s possible again, that with the current societal values prevalent today, the behaviors associated with drug addiction and the simple fact that a girl is addicted to a drug are such an affront to the home life that families ship their girls off to a mental health clinic to get better again.  While drug use discovered in boys is to be punished and shook off as a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude, leaving them to engage in harmful drug addictions for a longer period of time.  

It could also be that boys using drugs are just more likely to take part in criminal behavior and get caught by the police, thus shunting them into the justice system for treatment. 

One thing is for certain with study findings such as these.  The answers reveal only more questions and more studies are needed.

In a recent 2005 survey of mental health recovery centers and drug treatment facilities more special programs are being tailored to specific patient groups. The most common programs being offered by mental health clinics are geared towards those with both an addiction and a co-occuring psychiatric disorder, with at least 38 percent of the facilities in the United States offering this type of program.

This is great news for the mental health industry and those suffering chronically with addiction. The road to recovery is long and tedious, but with the right programs, support from counselors and medical personnel and their own strength of will addictions can be managed and psychological conditions treated.

Other types of programs are also being offered for adult women, adolescents, seniors, post-partum moms and those with HIV/AIDS. About 83 percent of all clinics offer at least one special program with even the smallest mental health clinics offering at least the special program geared towards those with co-occuring psychological diseases and an addiction.

There are an estimated 13,371 mental health recovery facilities in the United States at this time and only one third of them responded to the survey so there may be an even greater number of facilities with special programs geared towards specific groups suffering from addictions available to the public. Anyone who has need of help in recovery from an addiction can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) hotline at 1-800-662-HELP for aid in finding a mental health recovery facility near them.

This week in the news, addictions took a center spotlight and actually, dare I say it, garnered a little sympathy from a tired and somewhat callous public.  Miss America came incredibly close to losing her crown due to an apparent drinking problem which was compounded by her underage status (up until a week ago when she turned 21).  The Miss America Foundation immediately decided that having an addiction was not Beauty Queen material and threatened to yank the crown off her head.  Donald Trump, chairman of the Board, instead offered a solution and sent her to rehab. 

Now, first of all kudo to Trump for realizing that addictions are illnesses that require treatment and protocols in order to manage (notice I didn’t say cure).  Miss America, while looking so perfect on the outside, proved to many Americans that she was still a person (with strengths and flaws) on the inside. 

I’m glad they have recognized her illness and gave her a second chance.  I wish more people would see addictions for what they are instead of making snap judgments about how people should be because of what they do or don’t have.  Status or lack of it, does not determine addictions.  This news article about Miss America really helped to show that stereotypes are just that, stereotypes. 

I wish her well in her recovery.

Regardless of the personal way you celebrate the upcoming holidays, the bottom line is that the “tis the season” time has come.  Whether it’s a family get together, an office party, or a random friend having all the gang over, chances are that along with good friends, good family, and good food, there is going to be a lot of drinking.  As the dysfunction and stress of the holidays gets into full swing take notice of how much you may be partaking at these functions.  In addition, be aware of any of your co-workers or friends who may be struggling with recovery from substance abuse issues.  Be the better person and take stock in those around you who may need a friend drinking a soda, ice water, or even a cup of coffee.  Be willing to be a support system to those walking on the edge of the slippery slope between recovery and relapse.  Your help may make the difference between the two.

New studies are showing a link between thrill-seeking personalities and the rates of alcoholism.  This is because the thrill-seekers are always looking for new experiences and using alcohol can help add new and exciting experiences to their lives.  This doesn’t mean that people are prone to become alcoholics because of their personalities, however.  The studies just give more awareness to people who might have problems in the future and who might need more help finding alternatives to alcohol to fulfill their need for thrills!

September is National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Recovery Month.  This shouldn’t be surprising since 9% of the American population is alcohol dependant and 4% is drug dependant.  These addictions wreck havoc on families, friends and other acquaintances of the person struggling with the addiction.

But there’s great news, well suited for this recovery month, for people struggling with chemical addictions.  A new drug, Ibogaine, is available in treatment centers in Canada.  It is purported to be a powerful new agent in breaking addictions. 

The success of the treatment is tied to the coupling of the use of the medication to therapy sessions that unravel the psychological causes of the start of the addiction cycle.  Patients taking Ibogaine claim they have deeper insights after one use.  It also keeps them free from cravings from weeks to months following the treatment.  By addressing the causes of the drug or alcohol use, patients are less likely to return to using once the treatment has concluded.

September is the perfect time to break the cycle, and now there’s hope for a permanent break from chemical addictions.

U.S. researchers have reported a link between a brain protein that plays a role in both anxiety problems and alcohol disorders.  Researchers report that alcoholism is highly associated with anxiety disorders.  People who suffer from high levels of anxiety often look for alcohol.  The brain protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), may be responsible for the link of anxiety and excessive alcohol consumption.  The reaction takes place in the area of the brain called the amygdala.  

Lower levels of BDNF in this area resulted in an increase in anxiety and alcohol consumption in rats.  Higher levels of the BDNF restored the levels of the protein to normal and the anxiety and alcohol consumption diminished.  BDNF is important in the growth and maintenance of brain neurons.  There have been previous studies in humans that suggested a link between the protein and anxiety disorders.  This information may result in an increase in better drugs that will help treat individuals suffering from anxiety and alcoholism.

We’ve all been there… we have a bad day so we indulge ourselves in something that makes us feel better.  For some people, that “something” is shopping.  In the past year or so, a certain children’s clothing store has been in the news because of the obsessions people get shopping for their items.  This type of compulsion goes much further, however, and isn’t just related to this specific store.  Some people will shop anywhere for anything just to get their “fix”.

 Here are some signs that you might be a compulsive shopper:

* You are a compulsive gift-giver.  You might justify your purchases by saying you’re giving them to other people — even if it’s for no particular reason.

* You habitually use shopping as a “pick-me-up”.

* You have a specific brand or type of item that you go out of your way to purchase over and over again.

* You hide purchases or lie about them — or both.

 While compulsive shopping mostly affects women, it can affect anyone and can also have as devastating affects on life, relationships and jobs as can an addictions to other things such as gambling or even alcohol and drugs.