Featured Drug Rehab News

Articles from December 2010

• Addicted mothers get second chance to raise their children

  Many women mothers who struggle with opiate addiction end up losing their children to social services because they are deemed unfit to care for them. However, drug rehab programs may be able to help these women end their chemical dependencies and regain custody of their children. more...

• Pornography is fueling Internet addiction

  As access to high-speed Internet continues to grow, so too does internet addiction. An expanding number of individuals are seeking substance abuse help to assist them in their fight against online dependency. The situation has also left policymakers scrambling for a solution. more...

• Suboxone treatment may benefit opiate addicts

  Opiate addiction can be extremely difficult to overcome, and quitting without some kind of help is often not an option. In addition to drug rehab, addiction experts say that combining a medication like suboxone with a treatment plan can greatly increase an individuals odds of successfully quitting. more...

• CDC distributes funds to help at-risk groups

  Individuals who are in high-risk groups for drug addiction - like young gay men and homeless individuals - may have a difficult time finding a treatment center that fits their needs and can help them begin their recovery. more...

• Acne may increase suicidal thoughts in teenagers

  Adolescence can be a difficult time for most young people. Even the best-adjusted teens can struggle with feelings of depression and negative moods. These problems can occasionally lead to drug addiction and self-harm behaviors if teens do not seek help. more...

• States work to solve meth addiction

  Addiction to methamphetamine is growing at a rapid rate. Because the drug creates a dependency so quickly, it is often difficult for users to quit their habit without help from drug rehabilitation. Consequently, jail cells in counties across the nation are filling up with addicts. more...

• Gambling habits lead addicts to harmful behavior

  Addiction to gambling is becoming an increasingly common condition. Experts say that the problem can consume an individual's life and lead them to make dangerous choices unless they seek help from a treatment facility. more...

• Experts: Negative stigmas interfere with addiction treatment

  Most addiction treatment counselors say that dependency on drugs or alcohol is a disease over which addicts have no control. However, many people still view the condition as a type of moral failing, which can interfere with the recovery process. more...

• Military looks for clues in opioid addiction

  Some individuals are able to end their dependency on drugs or alcohol with simple determination and hard work. However, most addicts need help from addiction treatment centers end their destructive habits. more...

• Man hospitalized for treatment of videogame addiction

  In this age of omnipresent technology and the ability to constantly stay connected to family and friends, addiction to the Internet and videogames has grown into a nationwide problem. Individuals occasionally require help from addiction treatment centers to end their problem and regain a normal life. more...

• Meth addiction affects children and parents

  Addiction to methamphetamine is a crippling problem that can destroy lives unless users seek help from rehab facilities. However, it is not only the drug abuser whose life is affected by the addiction. Children are often caught up in their parents' drug habits, which can have a major impact on their development. more...

• Cocaine addiction changes brain chemistry

  Repeated use of drugs like cocaine and other stimulants often causes powerful addictions that can be difficult to overcome without assistance from rehab facilities. In fact, a new study has found that these drugs actually change the brain's circuitry, which makes recovery following addiction a difficult process. more...

• Supervised methadone treatment may reduce deaths among heroin addicts

  The use of methadone in heroin addiction treatment therapies has long been controversial. While it has been shown effective in weaning addicts off of the deadly drug, experts have also warned about the potential for misuse and abuse. more...

• Doctors may inadvertently contribute to addiction

  Modern medicine has greatly improved doctors' ability to treat illnesses. They are now able to manage chronic diseases much more effectively than before. However, their ability to write prescriptions may put some individuals at risk of addiction that require the help of rehab facilities. more...

• Alcohol and energy drinks may be a dangerous combination

  Individuals who regularly use energy drinks may be putting themselves at a greater risk for alcohol addiction, according to a new study from University of Maryland researchers. more...

• Amphetamines may cause permanent brain damage in teens

  Drug use at any age can cause major damage to the brain. However, the findings of a recent study suggest that amphetamine use may be particularly harmful during adolescence when the brain is still forming, which may underscore the importance for parents to seek substance abuse treatment for their children if they believe their offspring are abusing drugs. more...

• Researchers look for medication to treat cocaine cravings

  One of the greatest hurdles for rehab facilities to overcome when they are treating cocaine addicts is to head off cravings that could potentially lead to relapse. Fortunately, scientists believe that blocking memories that are associated with drug use may help reduce the number of addicts who turn back to drugs. more...

• Patients are increasingly turning into drug suppliers

  The abuse of prescription medications is quickly becoming one of the largest drug problems in the country. Part of the reason for this is accessibility. Unlike other drugs, all that is needed to obtain these substances is a prescription from a doctor. This availability is leading many people to addiction and forcing them to seek substance abuse treatment. more...

• Meditation may help reduce depression symptoms

  Depression is often a difficult condition to treat. Antidepressants and counseling may provide assistance, but some individuals get little benefit from these services. Patients struggling with depression may benefit from looking into rehab facilities that offer mindfulness meditation classes more...

• Scientists discover molecular process underlying addiction

  Memories are among the strongest triggers of addictive behaviors. Places, activities and certain people can become associated with drug use. When an addict is exposed to these things, they often cause cravings. However, a team of European researchers may have found a molecular switch in the brain that could deactivate this process more...

• Substance abuse treatment programs help inmates recover

  Increasingly, prison systems are working to help inmates who are addicted to opioids recover from their dependencies before sending them back to the streets. When this therapy is followed up by substance abuse treatment after they are released, it can significantly reduce the rate of recidivism. more...

• Changes in the treatment of mental illness could impact recovery programs

  The field of mental health treatment is evolving at a rapid pace. All these changes could have major implications for the way that substance abuse treatment programs deal with addiction and mental health issues. more...

• Depressed individuals are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior

  Individuals who struggle with major depressive disorder may be much more likely to engage in risky sexual activity, according to a new study from Canadian researchers. The findings underscore the importance of seeking help from rehab facilities for the condition. more...

• Scientists find genetic factors that contribute to anorexia

  Anorexia nervosa is among the most challenging mental disorders for rehab facilities to treat successfully. Many individuals who suffer from the condition simply relapse after completing treatment. Now, a new study has found that genetics may be at the heart of this grim reality. more...

• Veterans with PTSD face heart health risks

  Veterans returning from foreign wars who are concerned about post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may want to consider checking into a rehab facility to learn how to cope with the problem. A team of researchers from the Veteran's Administration (VA) has found that individuals who suffer from the disorder are significantly more likely to experience heart health problems and die at an early age. more...

• Limiting tobacco advertisements may reduce the number of smokers

  While rehab facilities may be able to help young people who have become addicted to tobacco quit their habits, it may be simpler to prevent them from starting smoking in the first place. more...

• U.S. officials eye new strategy for dealing with drug addiction

  With persistently high rates of drug addiction, some experts are calling for a shift in U.S. policy that would make drug rehab more accessible for addicts. more...

• Doctors may face high addiction risk

  Medical professionals may be the last group of people that anyone would suspect of substance abuse. However, many of these individuals develop addictions that require treatment from drug rehab facilities. more...

• SIDS cases skyrocket on New Years Day, alcohol may be to blame

  New parents who struggle with alcohol addiction may want to take extra steps to ensure that their children are cared for this New Years Eve, which may include seeking substance abuse help. A new study has found that the number of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases spikes on New Years Day. more...

• Public health agencies report troubling teen drug use trends

  In previous generations, opiate addiction was a problem that only affected older, more experienced drug users. However, it is increasingly becoming a problem among younger individuals. A growing number of teenagers are being admitted to drug rehab facilities for heroin addiction. more...

• Warning labels may limit risk of painkiller addiction

  Addiction to prescription painkillers is quickly becoming one of the largest drug problems in the U.S. Many individuals become dependent on medications after taking them for legitimate purposes after receiving a prescription from their doctor. To curb this problem, some experts say that giving patients more warning about the possibility of addiction could play a vital role in reducing the rate of addiction. more...

• Habitual overeating is similar to drug addiction

  Obese individuals may struggle with many of the same uncontrollable urges that drug addicts do, according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania. more...

• Teens show less impairment after drinking than adults

  A team of researchers has discovered a molecular mechanism in teens that makes them less sensitive to the motor-impairing effects of alcohol than adults. This may put them at a greater risk for abusing alcohol, which could lead to an addiction that requires treatment from a rehab facility. more...

• Combining smoking and mental health treatments could be effective

  Many individuals who struggle with post traumatic stress disorder are also smokers. A new study has found that treating these two conditions together in an integrated manner results in a higher rate of quitting than treating them separately. more...

• Social activities may help seniors avoid depression

  Depression is all too common in seniors. They may become secluded in their old age as they lose touch with people in their lives. However, rehab facility programs that include social activities may be a way for these individuals to recover from the condition. more...

• Buprenorphine may improve the health of babies born to addicted mothers

  Several recent studies have shown that substance abuse treatment programs that include the use of buprenorphine rather than methadone may be more effective at reducing cravings in pregnant women who are addicted to opioids as well as in their newborn babies. more...

• Addicts turn to meditation to deal with holiday stress

  The anxiety of the holiday season can jeopardize many of the relapse prevention efforts of recovering addicts. However, there are many things that individuals can do to cope with the stress of family gatherings without resorting to drugs or alcohol. more...

• Study: Smoking may cause increased pain in cancer patients

  Following cancer diagnosis, many smokers feel as though they have nothing to lose, and therefore continue to use tobacco. However, a new study has found that these individuals may benefit from substance abuse help to eliminate their nicotine addiction, as smoking worsens pain for cancer patients. more...

• Holidays can be challenging for recovering alcoholics

  The holiday season is the time of year that poses the single greatest challenge to the relapse prevention efforts of recovering alcoholics. Between the prevalence of liquor at parties, and the stress that comes along with travel and family gatherings, individuals are significantly more likely to return to their old ways. more...

• Researchers identify genetic mutation that makes whites more susceptible to drug addiction

  Caucasians may be more likely to need substance abuse help for cocaine addiction than other individuals, as a new study has found that one in five carry a genetic variant that sharply increases the risk of addiction. more...

• Mental illness poses unique challenges to drug rehab efforts

  When Daniel first started seeing Susan Patrovi, an attending physician at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the medical director of Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles, the signs of opiate addiction were plain to see. The Los Angeles Times reports that the man was withdrawn and homeless. Nothing that the physician tried seemed to help him. more...

• Tetris may help trauma sufferers avoid mental disorders

  Following exposure to a traumatic event, a simple computer game may keep individuals from developing a fear association, which could significantly reduce their risk of post traumatic stress disorder, according to a new study from Oxford University researchers. more...

• Many college students show signs of videogame addiction

  Videogame and internet addiction in families with college students may be more common than previously thought. According to a new study, many students show signs of addiction. more...

• Medication may improve odds of alcohol addiction recovery

  Alcohol addiction in families can have major consequences for all members. It can make living together as a unit extremely difficult. However, a new study has found that adding a pill to substance abuse help programs can greatly increase an individual's chances of recovery. more...

• Experts recommend broadening the criteria of traumatic experience

  Following a traumatic experience, it is difficult for doctors to know who is at the greatest risk of developing future psychological problems. This severely limits their ability to effectively prevent and treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). more...

• Fear of intimacy may lead to sex addiction

  A fear of intimacy may be at the heart of many sex addiction cases, according to a new study from New Zealand researchers. Addressing these issues may go a long way toward preventing a relapse after an addict has been treated for the problem. more...

• Raising alcohol tax could benefit many communities

  In an effort to help reduce the burden of alcohol addiction, local governments across the country are considering raising taxes on liquor to help fund enhanced drug rehab programs. more...

• Trent Reznor overcame drug addiction to climb back to the top of the music industry

  Things are currently going well for Trent Reznor, the creative force behind the band Nine Inch Nails. His score for the movie The Social Network was recently nominated for a Golden Globe award. However, things were not always so easy for him. more...

• Popular club drug may benefit individuals with antisocial personality disorder

  MDMA, more commonly known as the club drug ecstasy, can cause harmful side effects and lead to dangerous addiction problems that require substance abuse help. more...

• Support from family members may help addicts seek treatment

  Addiction in families can be a difficult problem to deal with. It can strain relationships and force some family members to accept more responsibility than they should have to. However, by providing support, parents and siblings may have a better chance of getting their loved ones into drug rehab, where they may be able to beat their addiction. more...

• Spirituality may not be necessary for recovery

  Many drug addiction treatment facilities feature 12 step programs that place a strong emphasis on the important role finding religion plays in beating addiction. While this may turn off some addicts, including agnostics and atheists, a new study has found that religion may not play such a vital role in these programs after all. more...

• Prayer helps individuals handle negative emotions

  Prayer may help individuals deal with difficult emotions and situations, including illness, trauma, anger and sadness, according to a new study from University of Wisconsin researchers. Their findings suggest that the practice may also benefit individuals who are seeking substance abuse treatment for addiction. more...

• Opiate pain relievers carry significant risk for adverse outcomes

  Increasingly, powerful drugs are being prescribed to treat pain. However, this could be causing an uptick in opiate addiction, as well as other harmful outcomes, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. more...

• Growth in internet access is fueling sex addiction

  While sex addiction may not be a new problem, experts say that the growth of the internet has fueled a rise in the number of individuals who experience this problem, as indicated by an increase in people who seek help from rehab facilities for sex addiction. more...

• Depressed women who lose weight may improve mood

  Women who seek treatment for depression from rehab facilities may improve more than just their mood. A new study published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry has found that females who are treated for depression are also likely to lose weight. more...

• Holiday stress may cause some recovering addicts to relapse

  The holidays can be a difficult time for families that have a member who is dealing with opiate addiction. The stress of travel and dealing with family conflict may be enough to push an individual back into bad habits. more...

• Researcher seeks single remedy for addiction and mental disorders

  Individuals who struggle with addiction also frequently have mental health problems. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among addicts is particularly high. One researcher has speculated that these conditions may have a similar root cause in the brain more...

• Study suggests that lowering the drinking age would be damaging

  Recent calls from university presidents to lower the drinking may not only encourage more binge drinking on college campuses, it could also lead to higher addiction rates, according to a new study from Louisiana State University. more...

• Nonprofit launches site to provide information to parents of addicted teens

  Substance abuse treatment programs can help teenagers recover from their addictions. However, many parents are unaware of how to handle a child who is addicted to drugs or how to access the services of rehab facilities. more...

• New Surgeon General report highlights dangers of tobacco use

  A new report from the U.S. surgeon general states that all forms of tobacco cause damage to the lungs and DNA of exposed tissue. Officials pledged to make getting smokers into substance abuse therapy to lower the rates of tobacco use a top priority for the coming years. more...

• Heavy alcohol consumption may increase heart risk

  Some evidence has suggested that moderate drinking may reduce the risk of heart disease. However, for many individual who struggle with alcohol addiction and have been through substance abuse treatment, even light to moderate drinking is not an option. When drinking remains heavy for long periods of time, heart health complications may occur. more...

• Drug take back events seek to end addiction to prescription pills

  A growing number of individuals are turning to their medicine cabinets to obtain drugs that can deliver powerful intoxicating effects. However, these prescription drugs can also cause strong addictions, which can be difficult to end without help from rehab facilities. more...

• Experts warn "haul videos" encourage shopping and internet addiction

  A new form of addiction that combines reliance on the internet and compulsive shopping is emerging. Experts warn that this addiction could leave individuals with massive credit card bills and crippling debt unless they seek help from addiction treatment centers. more...

• Law enforcement officers advocate for treatment rather than prison sentences

  Due to the growing problem of addiction to methamphetamine, law enforcement officials across the country are advocating for the use of addiction treatment programs to deal with individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes, rather than lengthy prison sentences. more...

• Groups meet to change attitudes about addiction

  Despite the fact that many experts consider alcohol and drug addiction to be chronic mental illness that often require continued substance abuse treatment, many individuals in the public continue to see it as more of a moral decision. These attitudes can make it difficult for addicts seek the treatment they need. more...

• Problem gambling grows among adolescents

  The internet has opened up new realms of gambling for many people who previously would not have had access to casinos. Now, individuals can simply log on and wager large sums of money. However, experts warn that this has led to an increase in gambling addiction, especially among adolescents. more...

• Perceived stigma may prevent alcoholics from seeking treatment

  Substance abuse treatment programs may be one of the most effective options for alcoholics who are trying to give up their addiction. However, a new study from Columbia University researchers has found that many individuals avoid seeking treatment because they are wary of the stigma that may come with it. more...

• Quitting smoking improves mood

  Individuals may have a lot to gain from seeking substance abuse treatment to help them eliminate their tobacco habits. In addition to reducing the risk of cancer and other health complications, a new study has found that quitting smoking improves mood. more...

• Experts say addiction is a mental disease

  Individuals who seek substance abuse treatment for their addiction stand a much better chance of recovering than those who go it alone. However, too few people realize that drug addiction is a mental illness that is hard to overcome without treatment. more...

• Technology could aid in diagnosing depression

  Rehab facilities may be able to help individuals overcome depression. However, the disease can be extremely difficult to diagnose, and many people are unaware that they meet the criteria for diagnosis. more...

• Without appropriate treatment, co-occurring conditions can destroy lives

  Co-occurring mental disorders and drug addictions often require specialized treatment from rehab facilities to overcome. However, many people who struggle with these conditions rarely receive proper treatment. more...

• Addictions often worsen during the holidays

  During the holidays, stress and festivities may lead individuals struggling with addiction to increase their drug or alcohol use. Experts say that family members should watch for the signs of worsening addiction problems and be prepared to discuss sending their loved ones to rehab facilities. more...

• Researchers find potential genetic predisposition to cocaine addiction in females

  Females who use cocaine may have more to gain from substance abuse treatment than males, as a team of researchers from the University of California has found that they are more likely to seek the drug. more...

• Communities grapple with teen drug use

  Drug and alcohol addiction affects millions of people across the U.S. every year. However, some experts say that the problem is greatest among high school students. Their warnings underscore the importance of seeking substance abuse treatment for any teen suspected of drug abuse. more...

• Parental instincts limit mothers' response to drugs

  While rehab facilities may be vital to helping expectant mothers quit their addictions before giving birth, the findings of a new study suggest that parental instincts may take over after mothers give birth and diminish their cravings for drugs. more...