March 15, 2013
By: Nick Leftley
“We asked a doctor on your behalf. You can thank us, but please don’t shake our hand.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual Diagnosis Management – facts about Dual Diagnosis
Recently, there have been a few questions posted to our experts here at Morningside Recovery regarding dual diagnosis management as well as treatment. Here is some important information and facts about dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis occurs when an individual suffers from a mental illness and a substance abuse problem at the same time. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 37 percent of those who abuse alcohol and 53 percent of those who abuse drugs also suffer from at least one mental illness, such as depression, an anxiety disorder or schizophrenia. Dual diagnosis is also called co-occurring disorders, or COD.
The causes of dual diagnosis are complex. In some cases, the mental illness is the primary disorder, and individuals may turn to substance abuse to alleviate symptoms of mental illness, such as sadness or fear. In other cases, people who suffer from addiction develop symptoms of mental illness, such as hallucinations, as a result of their drug or alcohol use.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Solving one of the two issues does not guarantee that the other will go away. Effective treatment of dual diagnosis cases must address both the mental illness and the substance abuse problem. Unfortunately, according to a 2011 survey, this only happens 12 percent of the time. Many people who have mental illnesses are treated only for substance abuse and vice versa.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), dual diagnosis treatment should be integrated, that is, the same health professionals should treat both disorders simultaneously in the same setting. This way, individuals will receive consistent and comprehensive treatment. The process should also be seen as collaborative between the health professionals and the patient. You can also read more on this in our article which answers the question “Is There a Link Between Creativity & Mental Illness?”
The effects of dual diagnosis can be frightening and confusing for patients as well as their friends and family. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available in several places such as Morningside Recovery of Orange County. No one should have to go through the recovery process alone. If you or someone you love shows symptoms of dual diagnosis, contact Name of Rehab center today.
Read MoreDealing With Benzodiazepines Withdrawal
Benzodiazepines Withdrawal Treatment – Morningside Recovery
As with any addiction or illness, dealing with Benzodiazepines withdrawal can be extremely difficult. The experts at Morningside Recovery understand this and have put together some steps and guides to help. Benziodiazepines, or Benzo as they are also known, is the name of many of the common drugs found on the market these days. This long word is the core of numerous ordinary drugs such as Xanax, Vicodin, and several others. These are meant to fight anxiety or to cause relaxation and a feeling of calm or quiescence. The above-mentioned drugs have been prescribed by doctors and used for an interminable time as they have helped a lot of patients overcome their difficulties. Still, at some point they either stop working or caused troubles for the person taking it. It is at this point that the patient might need to cease taking them. However, as Morningside Recovery experts have noted, benzodiazepines withdrawal can be just as bad as the problems they were meant to treat in the first place. Quite often, the treatment becomes an addiction or dependency and people end up needing help in the form of withdrawal treatment.
So, how does someone get over an addiction or problems due to benzodiazepine? What are the steps to help the patient deal with withdrawal and all of its symptoms? Morningside Recovery has put together a system to help explain and deal with this in their drug rehab treatment programs. Often times, a licensed and real rehabilitation clinic such as Morningside Recovery in Orange County is needed. Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal include severe anxiety, depression, and other complications. The reasons behind these withdrawal ramifications are understandable. First of all, the drugs adjust the level of good and bad chemicals in the patient’s brain. This, in turn, can end up throwing their balance off altogether. Secondly, once the effects of the drugs are gone, the user’s brain can struggle to adapt and get back to normal. That’s presuming things were even normal before the Xanax or Vicodin was started.
Dealing With Benzodiazepines Withdrawal
To make matters worse, the symptoms and detachment complications tend to vary with each drug. Vicodin withdrawal is rarely the same as the disengagement a user may experience from Ativan. The same can be said of Xanax as well as other benzodiazepines. This is when the imperativeness of a licensed treatment center such as Morningside Recovery is needed to separate and differentiate from the symptoms of dealing with benzodiazepines withdrawal and symptoms of other matters. For instance, in “detoxing” from these benzodiazepines, a client might begin to feel previous symptoms of depression. It is during these entanglements that the expert staff of a good clinic will be able to contrast how slowly the detox should proceed, and what other therapies will be necessary to make the transition a smooth one. This is when it becomes essential for true professional experts to step in since they are needed to make an assessment and diagnosis of the client’s needs and treatment plans. You can read more on help in Diagnosing Drug Addiction here.
After the initial detox, there’s also a period of “post acute withdrawal.” The same is also true for detox treatment towards alcoholism. These symptoms are generally less severe but can be as equally depressing. Help with opiate withdrawal and dealing with benzodiazepines withdrawal should be found at a licensed clinic. There should be no compromise or substitutes accepted for this dependency. If you or someone you know is suffering from problems related to these drugs, or has struggled to abdicate them when a doctor has advised you to, then don’t wait. Contact Morningside Recovery or another licensed rehab center immediately to get the treatment, diagnosis and assistance you or your loved one needs.
Read MoreTreating an Involuntary Client
Therapist Client Relationship – Morningside Recovery
Many of us have seen a friend or loved one go down the path to addiction. To make matters worse, sometimes that person doesn’t want any help or feels he or she does not need it or refuses it altogether. Treating an involuntary client is by far something that’s very difficult and troublesome. According to experts at Morningside Recovery, that’s where a sensitive and approachable therapist comes in.
Involuntary clients can be a real challenge. You or someone you know may have been ordered by a court to take therapy sessions. You may be struggling with the reality that things might not go smoothly. However, expert staff at Morningside Recovery can help make the transition an easier one. Therapist and client are able to work together even under these circumstances. Morningside Recovery recently wrote an article regarding a success story, the story of a man named Bill and his involuntary placement. Read more here on the Benefits of Involuntary Client Placements.
Treating an Involuntary Client
How does one go about treating an involuntary client? First of all, counseling clients can help them realize changes needed for the first time once implemented. Treating an involuntary client isn’t easy, but counselors can help them realize that he or she does have the support necessary to help them stay off of drugs, alcohol or any other addiction. Often clients don’t understand their “triggers” and reasons for using until they are forced to speak with a counselor. Client counseling involves finding the roots of the problem and also the triggers that cause the cravings or temptations. The therapist-client relationship is designed to fix these problems at the core and to eliminate the trigger situations, feelings, and events. Actress Lindsay Lohan is a perfect example of an involuntary client. She has recently been forced to attend therapy and treatment for 90 days due to her continuous encounters and trouble with the law.
Working with involuntary clients is not easy. If you or a friend or loved one will be heading into a clinic for court-ordered or other involuntary treatment, be sure to pick a clinic with true experts on their staff. Also, make sure they are a fully licensed facility such as Morningside Recovery. Read more on court-ordered clients here “Can Court-ordered Rehab Work?” in this article.
Look for PhD’s, Psy.D’s, and other highly trained professionals. Resistant clients in counseling need the best in care, and professionals who can help them see and confront their problems. Keep in mind that it’s not just the credentials after the name that matters. It is also the friendliness, support, understanding and humanity of the staff that aids in treating an involuntary client. This is where a treatment facility such as Morningside Recovery which has a proven track record in this area comes into play. If you have a problem with a loved one or friend and need help in treating an involuntary client, then give us a call. We can help.
Read MoreNomophobia Facts & Nomophobia Meaning
Nomophobia Definition – Phobia of Losing Your Phone
There are people whom may have heard of nomophobia while there are others who may not even be aware of what it is. This is why Morningside Recovery has put together these nomophobia facts & nomophobia meaning in this report to help people know more and be aware of this meteoric and increasing problem. Nomophobia is one of the newest “phobias,” or fears, in today’s world. So what is it? Simply put, nomophobia is “no mobile phone phobia,” or in other words, the fear of being without your cell or mobile phones. The alarming growth and fanaticism with cellphone addiction has caught the attention of several of the staff here at Morningside Recovery as well as many people around the world. This smartphone usage and addiction increase is a nationwide problem.
The word phobia means a psychologically verified fear–one with real consequences. According to many sources, nomophobia is indeed a real phobia. Smartphones have made people very dependent on the need to feel constantly connected. We feel very connected to others through social media and text messages and phone calls. Because we are social creatures, some people feel they can’t go without this connection.
Fear of not having cell phone? Morningside Recovery can help!
Cell phones in school, for instance, are often banned by professors and teachers. But this doesn’t stop students with nomophobia from constantly checking their phones. This practice hurts their grades, attendance, concentration and overall learning capabilities. The same happens with teens and adults in the work world. Most workplaces have a cell phone policy meant to stop phone use at the desk. But many employees secretly use their phones anyway. The economy, focus and concentration as well as the calm of the employees, suffer as a result of too much cell phone usage. You can get some statistics here from this nomophobia study addressed in Digital Journal.
Morningside Recovery experts agree that there are many ways to help deal with the fallout of this new psychological disorder. This is exactly why a special team of doctors has been put together to report on how to help, treat and understand those addicted to their mobile phones. Knowing these nomophobia facts & nomophobia meaning can help those unaware of it, understand this addiction as well as how they can find tips on control and moderation. Here are a couple of them:
Nomophobia Facts & Nomophobia Meaning
Getting people with this phobia to put away their cell phones can be extremely difficult. This is why it is something often best done in “stages.” Let’s say you are a parent of a nomophobic child. You can tell your child that you will remove certain privileges if you catch him or her on their phone during school time or during their homework time. You can even ask their teachers to tell you if they are distracted by the phone at school. Many of us who aren’t very young are shocked sometimes by how widespread this phobia is. You can find more information and Nomophobia Treatment here.
The key to this problem is all about understanding the person’s psychological need to feel connected to their cell phones at all times. Before these new phones, especially smartphones, most of us never had such a feeling and desire of a constant connection. However, the vast majority of people before nomophobia always had to go outside or leave their homes before in order to interact and connect with people before. This meant that we didn’t constantly try to have a phone with us. These days, those addicted to their smartphones have replaced and compensate that need by being connected to social media sites, internet or playing games while on a phone; without leaving their homes. Now you can always have your phone on, constantly checking it as you take it everywhere with you. It is clear that nomophobia is a serious and dangerous addiction. Understanding these nomophobia facts can help you determine if you or someone you know has this serious problem. Be sure to talk to Morningside Recovery or other mental health and behavior experts for help. You can also read The Alarming Rate of Cell Phone Addiction for more information on this subject.
Maxim Magazine on Masturbation Addiction
Dr. Elizabeth Waterman is an addictions expert that practices at Morningside Recovery, a leading rehabilitation center located in Orange County California. Recently Dr. Waterman was interviewed by Maxim Magazine regarding the nature of masturbation addiction. Maxim magazine, true to its style, was far from prude in their questioning of Dr. Waterman. Dr. Waterman’s responses were candid and informative, making the Maxim interview not only educational, but also quite entertaining. Read a portion of the interview from Maxim below.
Are You Addicted To Masturbation?
Yes, don’t do it! People will leave their desk and go to the bathroom. I know some females have reported doing it in the car, while driving…”
Dr. Waterman highlighted some approaches to sex addiction counseling she employs at Morningside Recovery. Assessment of the behavior, and specifically what leads to the behavior is essential in the initial stages of addiction therapy. Dr. Waterman advises the secret of overcoming addiction is to focus on bringing the compulsive behavior under control. It is also important to gain a realistic understanding about the nature of addiction. Quitting an addiction cold turkey is often times impractical, as Dr. Waterman explained, “Most people don’t come in and say, “I want to cut it out completely”, so we have to teach them how to moderate the behavior. It’s kind of like with an eating disorder – you can’t take away food completely. But it’s treatable – very treatable.”
Creativity and Mental Illness
Is There a Link Between Creativity & Mental Illness?
Morningside Recovery Examines Creativity and Mental Illness
We’ve all heard stories of artists and inventors with their share of psychological problems. Creativity and mental illness are two separate things that are sometimes linked together. Many of the world’s most creative people have suffered from depression, including American novelist Ernest Hemingway and American poet John Berryman, both of whom committed suicide as middle-aged men. And let’s not forget the long list of eccentric inventors. The “mad scientist” stereotype can be rather accurate at times. Many creative people have mental illnesses, and they can be hard to diagnose. This is where real experts, such as those at Morningside Recovery, come into play.
Diagnosing a mental illness is important, but creative types are often prone to exaggerating, hiding, or glorifying their own mental illnesses to make themselves seem more “artistic.” Often they drink to hide their depression, and many die of this kind of self-medication. One example is the poet Dylan Thomas, who did so in New York City. So if you know someone who is creative and who may have a mental illness, or if this description fits you, a reminder is needed: creativity is great, but mental illness is a real problem.
Creativity and Mental Illness
Creativity and mental illness need to be thought of as separate things, and the mental illness must be addressed. Vincent Van Gogh is famous for some of the quirky things he did in his life, and many people find his life story funny. However, the suicide that eventually ended his life is no laughing matter. In addition to depression, there are many other mental illnesses that tend to affect creative types, including bipolar disorder. A person suffering from this illness may become manic and do a lot of good work, but then act depressed for a long period. Another common mental illness is schizophrenia. This illness manifests itself in a person with a world inside his head that seems a little “too” real. If you experience these symptoms or know someone who does, look into a treatment center such as Morningside Recovery. These experts can diagnose and stop the issue before it gets worse. You may also want to read about What role Did Mental Illness Played in the Sandy Hook Shootings?
Whether it’s his or her ego, or just being surrounding by people full of praise, a creative person often has a lot of trouble admitting to, diagnosing and fixing a mental illness. The age-old link between creativity and mental illness often makes these things seem great hand-in-hand, but certain mental illnesses are life-threatening and must be addressed right away. A proper treatment center, such as Morningside Recovery, is the best answer.
Read More
Morningside Recovery and The Expression of Gratitude
Are you a caregiver? Is it tough sometimes to take care of your loved one? The United States has a larger elderly population than ever. Many people struggle with their role as caregiver. Morningside Recovery, a popular mental health and rehab clinic, has some suggestions.
1. Share words of appreciation. It may sound too simple. But telling the loved ones you care for that you love them is very important. Even telling your friends that you appreciate them–or even coworkers–can help you vent some of the stress of care giving.
2. Find daily quotations to motivate you. This is similar to our first tip. But instead of giving thanks yourself, you read other people’s words of gratitude. Pick up an inspirational book, film, album, or whatever else you like. Are you a spiritual person? If so, find spiritual quotations. Find something that matches your personality and helps you relax, while providing a “mantra” of words you can repeat to yourself to get you through the day. According to experts at Morningside Recovery, motivational quotes are useful and important.
3. Be generous! Sometimes just giving a thank you present to a friend, your loved one you care for, or a coworker can help. Try to plan your gratitude, as we did in steps 1 and 2, but also try to be spontaneous. Go with the moment. Share tokens of love and appreciation throughout your week, and surround yourself with the love of others.
4. Decorate your house with warm and inspiring objects. Quote posters are one favorite item. Soothing music, including classical and jazz, is also recommended. These are our top four tips to caregivers (and others!) for expressing gratitude. It’s important for you and your loved ones that you do this day after day. After all, life can be a lot of work. But the experts at Morningside Recovery remind us that daily sayings and reading are very important to our gratitude and thankfulness. They help us appreciate life and enjoy it, and they help us go on. For more, review this discussion on expressing gratitude in a caregiver relationship click here.
Read More
Follow Us!