Johnny Depp’s Battle With Substance Abuse: Addiction Amongst the Rich and Famous

Johnny Depp’s Battle With Substance Abuse: Addiction Amongst the Rich and Famous

Truthfully, the trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard never should have been televised.  On December 18th, 2018, actor Amber Heard was published in The Washington Post with an article detailing her experience with domestic abuse. She did not name Depp in the op-ed, but he was heavily implied as the perpetrator in Heard’s story…

The Role of Wilderness Therapy in Treating Alcoholism

The Role of Wilderness Therapy in Treating Alcoholism

Wilderness therapy has been found to have positive outcomes for patients with a variety of mental health problems. Those suffering from substance abuse can also benefit from a program that incorporates wilderness therapy. The good news is that a wilderness program can help patients with substance abuse recover much faster than treatment in a standard…

The Risk of Combining Xanax and Alcohol

The Risk of Combining Xanax and Alcohol

Xanax is classified as a benzodiazepine medication. Benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as “benzos,” are a class of medication used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms, and other conditions. In addition to their more common uses, benzodiazepines are also sometimes used recreationally (i.e., to get “high”).  When combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines may produce an increase…

The Psychology of Alcohol: How Does Alcohol Change Your Mind?

The Psychology of Alcohol: How Does Alcohol Change Your Mind?

Alcohol is the most popular drug in the world. It’s a social lubricant, an aphrodisiac, and an appetite suppressant. But what does the psychology of alcohol actually tell us? When you drink alcohol, you may feel more confident, relaxed, and sociable – at least until the next morning. In reality, however, drinking too much actually…

Can Alcoholism Cause Anxiety?

Can Alcoholism Cause Anxiety?

There is an abundance of evidence linking anxiety with alcoholism. Some researchers believe that there may be a genetic component that increases the likelihood a person with high anxiety will be tempted to engage in higher consumption of alcohol. This would suggest that there is a mechanism in the brain responsible for anxiety that is…

What is a “Dry Drunk”?

What is a “Dry Drunk”?

The term “dry drunk”, also sometimes referred to as “dry drunk syndrome”, was invented by the creators of the 12-Step program and Alcoholics Anonymous. The concept of the “dry drunk” is described and defined by R.J. Solberg in his 1970 book, The Dry Drunk Syndrome, as “the presence of actions and attitudes that characterized the…

How Dangerous is Combining Alcohol and Opioids?

How Dangerous is Combining Alcohol and Opioids?

Combining substances brings additional risks. Both alcohol and opioids are depressants (downers). Combining depressants like alcohol and opioids can have dangerous side effects as both drugs slow a person’s breathing and heart rate. If you or someone you love is experimenting with dangerous combinations of drugs, it’s important to keep in mind that they are…