Featured Drug Rehab News

Articles from February 2011

• Victimization puts individuals at risk of addiction

  Individuals who have gone through a violent experience are significantly more likely to suffer from addiction and require substance abuse help, particularly if they are a homosexual, according to a new study from the University of Illinois. more...

• Budget struggles make funding addiction treatment a tough choice in some states

  In this climate of budget shortfalls, state and local lawmakers have to make tough financial decisions. While some are working to save drug rehab programs, others believe that they are an unnecessary expense that should be done away with for the sake of budgetary health. more...

• Smart phones bring internet addiction to the palm of your hand

  As electronic devices grow smaller and more portable, it is now possible for individuals to take the internet with them wherever they go. However, this may be putting people on a dangerous path toward addiction. more...

• Finding an outlet for stress is important for avoiding depression

  Stress is one of the most common precursors to depression. Individuals who suffer from high levels of distress often end up with mood disorders. This can also lead them into substance abuse, for which they may need drug rehab. However, it may be possible to eliminate stress before it gets to this point. more...

• Study uncovers new brain mechanism that may be responsible for depression

  Overactive cells in a particular part of the brain may be responsible for the symptoms of depression, according to a new study from the University of California, San Diego. The findings may lead to improved treatments for the condition at drug rehab and mental health facilities. more...

• Hormone may increase PTSD susceptibility

  Higher levels of a certain hormone may indicate an increased risk of suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a troubling event, says a group of researchers from Emory University. more...

• States hang on to drug rehab programs as budget battles loom

  While many states across the country are working to slash the budgets of drug rehab programs in an effort to close gaping budget deficits, others are taking a different approach. The governor of Ohio recently announced strong support for addiction treatment programs, saying that defeating drug use is one of his top priorities. more...

• Depressed mothers respond less to babies' cries

  Women who fail to seek treatment from drug rehab and mental health facilities for depression may be risking more than just their own health. A new study has shown that depressed mothers show less of a response to the cries of their children than healthy women. more...

• Diagnosing sex addiction can present challenges

  Last year, several high-profile celebrities brought sex addiction out into the light and helped bring recognition to the issue. However, millions of people struggled with the problem for years. Now drug rehab and mental health facilities are getting swamped with requests for sex addiction treatment. more...

• Few minority teens are treated for depression

  Depression can be a devastating and debilitating condition. However, treatment from drug rehab and mental health facilities can be extremely effective at addressing the problem. Yet despite these benefits, some demographic groups still have trouble accessing services. more...

• Drug rehab programs may get lost in state budget battles

  Drug rehab programs are proven to help substance abusers overcome their addictions. However, in the current fiscal climate, many federal and state agencies are cutting their budgets and offering fewer services, which could make it more difficult for addicts to find the help they need. more...

• Addiction risk in women caused by a number of factors

  A womans family situation can have a major influence on her addiction risk and the likelihood that they will develop depression, according to a new study from a team of University of Michigan researchers. more...

• Problem gamblers may soon have fewer places to turn

  Gambling addiction is a growing problem in the U.S. Millions of people developed the disorder over the years. Programs that provide substance abuse help are among the few ways that these individuals can overcome their problems to lead normal lives again. more...

• Georgia looks to reform prison system

  In many states, efforts to deal with addiction have led to severe sentences for individuals found to be in the possession of illegal substances. However, these laws often send to prison addicts who are merely symptoms of a larger problem. This leads to overcrowding of jails and doesn't do much to address the underlying problem. more...

• Lithium produces structural changes in the brain

  Individuals who fail to seek treatment for depression and bipolar disorder tend to have smaller brain volumes than healthy people. However, taking medication for the conditions has been shown by an international group of researchers to restore brain volume. more...

• Gulf residents suffer mental health problems stemming from oil spill

  While the BP oil spill that occurred last spring may not be in the news much these days, its psychological effects are still pronounced, according to a new study from the University of Maryland. The findings suggest that the trauma from this incident has caused many people in the Gulf region to suffer from depression and anxiety. more...

• Heroin addiction becomes more common among teens

  While drug rehab specialists once thought that opiate addiction was under control and becoming rarer, the situation has changed in recent months. Young people are now becoming addicted to hard drugs like heroin in high numbers, after initially abusing prescription medications. more...

• More liquor stores lead to higher rates of alcohol abuse

  The density of liquor stores in a given neighborhood may have a major impact on whether or not African American residents will engage in problem drinking, which may increase the risk of addiction and the need for substance abuse help, according to a new study from Tulane University. more...

• Drinking in adolescence increases adult addiction risk

  Providing adolescents with substance abuse help at the first signs of alcohol addiction may be important to enabling them to live a successful life. A new study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research shows that youths who drink at a young age are more likely to become alcoholics as adults. more...

• Researchers uncover brain chemicals responsible for turning off stress

  A team of Israeli scientists has identified three specific molecules in the brain that are responsible for turning off the bodies responses to stressful situations. The findings could have major implications for the treatment of individuals who have suffered from a traumatic experience and are showing signs of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). more...

• Men more likely to show signs of addiction

  Men may be more likely to develop an addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling and require substance abuse help, according to data coming from Israeli authorities. However, while women may be less likely to become addicted, their dependencies can be more severe. more...

• Seeking drug rehab early increases addicts' chances of success

  Individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction may be more likely to end their dependency if they seek substance abuse help as soon as their problem becomes apparent, experts say. more...

• Children with ADHD are more likely to suffer from substance abuse problems

  Parents of children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and are showing signs of possible drug addiction may want to seek substance abuse help for their son or daughter. A new study published in the journal Clinical Psychology Review found that children with this disorder are significantly more likely to develop addictions as they age. more...

• Suboxone treatment limited, despite effectiveness

  Despite the fact that suboxone and other new medications for treating opiate addiction have been shown to provide strong results, federal laws continue to limit the number of patients doctors can treat with the medication. Experts say that this may be counterproductive and are urging lawmakers to revise the rules. more...

• States combat prescription drug problem

  In many parts of the country, addiction to prescription medication is spiraling out of control. Drug rehab centers have said that they can barely keep up with the number of people seeking treatment for addiction. However, lawmakers at the state level are working to solve the problem. more...

• Parents should seek psychiatric help for their children following trauma

  When a child suffers from trauma, their parents may be confused about how best to help them. Rather than waiting for the situation to worsen, leading to complications which may include post traumatic stress disorder and drug addiction, experts warn that parents should seek immediate help for their children. more...

• Expert recommends lifestyle changes for people with depression

  With mental health and drug rehab facilities treating more patients for depression than ever, experts are increasingly looking for the root cause of the condition. While some researchers search for biological issues that increase an individual's risk, others say that lifestyle factors are a more likely cause. more...

• Researchers uncover brain mechanism that results in anxiety

  Individuals who suffer from chronic anxiety may simply have an imbalance of activity in certain parts of their brains, according to a new study from the University of California, Berkeley. The researchers said that their findings could have implications for the treatment of the disorder in mental health and drug rehab facilities. more...

• Poor economy leads to increase in prescription drug addiction

  Drug rehab experts from across the country are reporting that they are treating higher numbers of patients for prescription medication addiction than ever before. Many blame this increase in substance abuse on the recent financial crisis, which has resulted in persistently high unemployment rates. more...

• Researchers develop relapse prevention application for iPhones

  Struggling in your relapse prevention efforts? There's an app for that. more...

• Stigmas persist and stand in the way of recovery, new study finds

  Despite the fact that addiction is widely recognized as a disease, a new study has found that much of the general public still views individuals with chemical dependency problems negatively, which may interfere with their ability to seek substance abuse help. more...

• Researchers implicate new brain chemical in depression

  Low levels of a particular brain chemical may increase the risk of depression and other mood disorders, according to a new study from University of Michigan researchers. The findings may help drug rehab and mental health facilities provide personalized treatment for their patients. more...

• Binge drinking is common in rural communities

  Underage binge drinking may generally be thought of as a problem that affects cities and towns, but new research shows that that just as many teens in rural parts of the country drink excessively. The findings may help public health officials know where to direct their addiction prevention and substance abuse help programs. more...

• Marijuana may speed development of psychotic conditions

  Using psycho-active drugs like marijuana may make individuals more susceptible to developing psychotic conditions like schizophrenia, according to a new study from a team of Australian researchers. The investigation underscores the importance of seeking substance abuse help for those who are addicted to the drug. more...

• Canadian researchers call for public health response to alcohol addiction

  Public health efforts may be able to reduce the burden of alcohol and addiction, while reducing the need for drug rehab treatment, according to a new study from a team of Canadian researchers. more...

• Church groups hope to pull porn addiction out of the shadows

  Pornography addiction is a growing problem in many households across the country. It shares many similar characteristics to both Internet and sex addiction, and can be just as difficult to break. However, some groups are trying to inspire individuals who suffer from the condition to seek substance abuse help. more...

• Lawmakers look for new ways to battle rising addiction rates

  The news concerning rates of opiate addiction and other forms of chemical dependencies are far from encouraging. Public health officials have reported dramatic increases in the number of drug abusers, particularly those who use prescription medications recreationally. However, many state lawmakers are leading efforts to correct the problem by whatever means they have available. more...

• Drug use shown to cause specific type of brain damage

  Drug addiction, regardless of the substance abused, causes changes in the brain that impair an individual's ability to recognize certain facial expressions and leads to other psychological damage, according to a new study from a team of Spanish researchers. The findings show that failure to seek substance abuse help may result in serious long-term neurological damage. more...

• Federal funding enhances addiction research

  Thanks in part to a set of grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchers from one Texas-based university are continuing the search for potential cures for chemical dependency. The findings of their investigations may one day improve the ability of drug rehab programs to help addicts stay away from harmful substances. more...

• Opiate-related deaths become more common

  Public health officials across the country are reporting increases in the number of individuals who struggle with opiate addiction. In many areas, this has resulted in a spike in the number of people found dead of overdoses more...

• Forced retirement due to depression may contribute to financial struggles

  Depression remains one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S. and frequently forces individuals to take an early retirement. However, a new study from a team of Australian researchers has found that seeking therapy for the problem from drug rehab and mental health facilities may make more financial sense. more...

• Antidepressants may help recovering opiate addicts overcome depression

  Individuals who are working to overcome an opiate addiction often report symptoms of depression throughout the recovery process. These include sleeplessness, low energy levels and poor mood. Now, a new study has helped explain this phenomenon and may offer hope to those experiencing these symptoms, which may interfere with relapse prevention efforts. more...

• Gambling addicts may have trouble holding back during the Super Bowl

  While millions of sports fans will gather this weekend to watch the Super Bowl, the stakes will be particularly high for some individuals. The Big Game often means bigger bets for those who suffer from gambling addiction. more...

• Internet addiction grows faster than some offline dependencies

  Internet addiction is growing at a rapid rate, particularly when it comes to social networking sites. A recent survey of search engine queries found that more people are looking for answers to Facebook addiction than for some more traditional forms of dependency. more...

• States struggle to fight pill mills

  Many experts blame the rise in prescription medication addiction on the increased availability of pills. Some say that doctors are providing prescriptions with little discretion and that these pills often end up in the hands of addicts who use them recreationally. more...

• Low income arthritis patients are more likely to suffer from depression

  Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating illness that can impair an individuals quality of life. However, sufferers of the disease are more likely develop depression if they have lower socioeconomic status, according to a new study from University of California researchers. more...

• Proposed legislation could make therapy dogs available to veterans with PTSD

  Soldiers who have experienced trauma and during battle and currently suffer from post traumatic stress disorder may soon have a new treatment option available to them. U.S. Senator Al Franken has proposed a bill that would make therapy dogs available to veterans with mental disorders. more...