Researchers at the University at Albany, State University of New York report the prevalence of addiction to indoor tanning among college students and its association with substance use and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Continue reading Tanorexic: Signs and symptoms of addiction to indoor tanning
Category Archives: Substance Abuse
Mindfulness meditation for substance abuse
Relapse is common in substance use disorders, even among treated individuals.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, in Madison reviewed the evidence supporting mindfulness meditation. Continue reading Mindfulness meditation for substance abuse
What we know about mindfulness meditation in substance use disorders
Substance use disorders refer to conditions arising from the abuse of alcohol and psychoactive drugs.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison reviewed the existing evidence for using mindfulness meditation — the practice of directing your full attention to the present. Continue reading What we know about mindfulness meditation in substance use disorders
Auricular acupuncture during opiate detoxification
 Researchers from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK set about to determine whether auricular acupuncture leads to less severe opiate withdrawal symptoms and craving when used as an adjunct to methadone detoxification. Continue reading Auricular acupuncture during opiate detoxification
The value of CBT in children and adolescence
Prof. Craig Whittington from the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health in London has reviewed the value of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat children and adolescents with mental health problems. Continue reading The value of CBT in children and adolescence
The value of music therapy for substance abuse treatment
According to researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia, music therapy is a promising approach to improving engagement in substance abuse treatment groups. Continue reading The value of music therapy for substance abuse treatment
Where is the evidence for acupuncture to treat substance abuse?
The article starts by asserting, “There is increasing clinical acceptance of acupuncture as a treatment of substance-related disorders.” That’s why these researchers compared it to — of all things — “aromatherapy in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.”
But where’s the evidence?
Continue reading Where is the evidence for acupuncture to treat substance abuse?
Using omega-3 fatty acids to treat anxiety in substance abusers
These researchers observed an association between anxiety disorders and substance abuse. They also observed that substance abusers tend to have poor dietary habits.
Here’s what they did.
Continue reading Using omega-3 fatty acids to treat anxiety in substance abusers
Cannabis and the risk of panic attacks
Cannabis (marijuana) dependence is associated with an increased risk of panic attacks.
More than 4000 Colorado adults participated in a study of the lifetime associations between cannabis use, abuse, and dependence, and the risk of panic attacks.
Study disputes the role of marijuana on subsequent drug abuse
The “gateway theory” says that each type of drug is associated with certain specific risk factors that can lead to subsequent drug abuse. For example, cigarettes or alcohol lead to marijuana, which leads to cocaine, etc.
A study by Dr. Ralph Tarter from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that environmental factors have a stronger influence on which type of substance is used. For example, if it’s easier for a teens to get marijuana than beer, then they will be more likely to smoke pot.
Continue reading Study disputes the role of marijuana on subsequent drug abuse
Trying to document the effects of Johrei
Johrei (pronounced Jo-ray) is a non-touch healing method similar to reiki. It involves channeling of “universal healing energy” to influence the health of another person. Three studies in the past 15 months have attempted to correlate subjective changes with other objective outcomes.
Here’s a quick review.