Daily News: Public Comment Period on Substance Abuse Protocols

Nurse.com

The Joint Commission has received funding from Partnership for Prevention and The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and their Center ...



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To Entice Tehran, Washington Must 'Get Real'

MWC News

Given the dependence of the Israeli military machine on American largesse, Washington is in an excellent position to take a solid first step toward a ...



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Teen drinking on Long Island

Examiner.com

Kids who begin drinking by age 15 have a four times greater risk of developing a lifetime of alcohol dependence than those who abstain until 21. ...

Is substance abuse a disease or a behaviour?
Q. Alcoholics Anonymous and the American Medical Association claim that substance abuse or alcohol dependence is a disease. In DSM-IV, "disease" is not mentioned when diagnosing patients with alcohol issues as described in diagnostic criteria. AA cult members compare their created and appropriately cult modified definition "Alcoholic" to other diseases like diabetes and cancer. If the problem of substance abuse and dependence is a disease, why does a person that is stopped driving drunk by the police taken to a jail instead of to a hospital. The person arrested informed the police that he was diseased and powerless yet he was still taken to jail. Is AA's and AMA's definition of a drunk to a disease valid or is this "disease"… [cont.]
Asked by abnjim5 - Tue Aug 22 18:47:07 2006 - - 11 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I really wish they wouldn't call it a disease, because the basis for it being a disease is the inability to stop the chronic behavior. Like overeating, overdoing sexual activities, doing anything you know is not good for you but not being able to stop doing it. Then cigarette smoking should be considered a disease also. These TYPES of diseases require a deep desire to change combined with something that helps you change - so they call it a disease, but alchol is one of the easier ones to stop doing, certainly MUCH easier than not smoking. I believe it's a choice, but only because I was there once and quit using two words "firm determination".
Answered by arvecar - Tue Aug 22 19:00:16 2006

What Should I Do About A Beautiful Friend?
Q. A little over a month ago, I began to be introduced to my nephew's new wife's family. The second time I met his wife's niece, I was asked to give her a ride somewhere. I agreed, even after being warned that she mumbles constantly about the same things due to apparent alcohol and substance dependence. The were right. She kept talking about how her married boyfriend would mistreat her, and about how she really is a good person. After listening to this young lady tearfully explain her problems, I advised her that she deserved better treatment and that she is a good person. She is currently working on her substance problem. Well, over the course of 4 weeks, she and I became close friends. During this time, she broke up with her… [cont.]
Asked by RetrovirusRob - Mon Mar 8 04:47:29 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Wow - if you are genuine in what you say, you are a good man :-) You express yourself very well, and understand others in a very empathetic way. Realize within yourself that this is a gift. I have two issues with your situation. One, even though you may love this person, you may be feeling just a little sorry for her due to your nature. She should deal with some personal issues before she starts another relationship. If she doesn't conquer her demons, she will use you as a crutch (not intentionally though). She is not ready for you as a partner until you are both on the same wavelength, and same maturity level. With your help (and others) maybe she can get there. Two - you are going through a divorce. I've been through this, and other… [cont.]
Answered by Jasecat - Mon Mar 8 05:18:28 2010

What's the clinical definition of the word "addiction"? Can a person be addicted to food? Is the word overused?
Q. I debated this issue with my co-workers: they think that a person can be addicted to food because there are people who constantly eat to fill a void. If that person stops eating something, they have "withdrawal" symptoms (according to one co-worker). I am reluctant to agree with them. I think that addiction is a physical/physiological dependence on a substance. Just because a person is an over-eater, doesn't mean that they are going through withdrawal symptoms because they are trying to "kick" the doughnut habit they are on. However, I (like my co-workers) am not a psychologist or an addiction specialist. Therefore, I would like to hear from professionals in addiction who can give me a definition of addiction and explain how a… [cont.]
Asked by Stankonia - Thu Feb 19 09:10:29 2009 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. There are two words that are often misused and confused, addiction and habituation. An addiction is a physiolgical process characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. Tolerance is the physiological process of needing a progressively greater amount of a substance of abuse to get the same effect. For example, while one used to get a good buzz on after four beers, now he or she needs eight beers to get the same effect. Physiological withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, muscular tremors, pain and cramps, agitation, delusions, and halluscinations, An habituation is a psychological process, a learned pattern of behavior. Exposure to a substance or experience may… [cont.]
Answered by Ron971 - Thu Feb 19 11:11:13 2009