When women reach “a certain age,” there can be a lot of talk about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Female hormones are potent modulators of brain chemicals, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. When these hormones and brain chemicals are imbalanced, in addition to causing depression, anxiety and insomnia, the imbalance can also cause drug and alcohol cravings.

Hormone Replacement Therapy proponents say HRT improves the quality of life in female patients, but their power to help women who might develop addiction issues as a result of the negative effects of midlife changes in estrogen and progesterone production.

Why HRT is Not Common

So why hasn’t this been talked about before? It may be because treatment centers aren’t likely to check hormone levels in clients undergoing treatment for substance abuse. The good news is, it is easy to evaluate and normalize brain chemistry with HRT, and treatment for addiction-related to hormone imbalances can be very successful.

This new information gives us another reason to be on the lookout for hormonal deficiencies, but it can be hard to spot the problem because the decline of female hormones is usually a gradual process. Then what should women approaching middle age be on the lookout for? New or increasing anxiety and insomnia are two indicators.

As progesterone levels drop, this “brain relaxing” hormone is missed, and without even realizing it, women may look to prescription meds like Valium or to alcohol regulate those levels. Menopause-related depression works in much the same way. But this kind of self-medicating can be dangerous and can lead to addiction. That’s why it’s important to be aware of bodily changes and changes in behavior.

Substance Abuse Treatment

If you or someone you love is battling a substance abuse, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Bipolar disorder can bring on mood swings, mania, panic and a deep depression. Add to that the results of a 1990 study that showed 56 percent of bipolar patients also have a substance abuse problem, and the situation just gets worse.

Co-occurring Disorders

Treatment for co-occurring disorders in drug and alcohol treatment programs is becoming more common as the experts understand that often mental disorders like bipolar, depression, anxiety and PTSD go hand-in-hand with addiction. Often, it stems from individuals trying to self-medicate their mental health issues using substances like cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana or opioids. In the case of bipolar this can be particularly dangerous as it makes the symptoms worse, not better.

Self-medicating with Bipolar Disorder

When an individual begins self-medicating, they are less likely to take their prescribed medications. The alcohol and illegal drugs also interact with those prescription medications, making them ineffective or creating unwanted new problems from the drug interactions. In the end, the alcohol and drugs just make an individual’s bipolar worse, leading to more frequent mood swings, increased and lengthier hospital stays and higher rates of suicide or attempted suicide.

Treating Bipolar Disorder at La Paloma

Treatment programs like La Paloma specialize in treating alcohol and substance abuse along with disorders like bipolar. By treating both problems together, we see greater success during treatment and better results for long-term recover. If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call us at our toll-free. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Mindfulness can work in any area of life, enhancing our experiences and helping us to remain in the moment, but it’s particularly powerful in DBT, which relies heavily on the Eastern-based tradition. Mindfulness starts with what are referred to as the “what” skills. This process has three components:

Observe – This is used to non-judgmentally observe one’s environment within or outside oneself. It is helpful in understanding what is going on in any given situation.

Describe – This is used to express what one has observed with the observe skill. It is to be used without judgmental statements. This helps with letting others know what you have observed.

Participate – This is used to become fully involved in the activity that one is doing. To be able to fully focus on what one is doing.

The “what” skills are followed by the “how” skills, which are equally important. These include:

Non-Judgment – This is the action of describing the facts without giving any thought to labels like “good” or “bad”, “fair” or “unfair.” These judgments tie in to how you feel about the situation rather than focusing on the factual descriptions. By removing judgments and emotion from a situation, we can look at it more clearly. Being non-judgmental helps to get a point across in the most effective way without adding a judgment that might cause someone else to disagree.

One-Mindfulness – This technique is used to focus on a single thing, keeping the mind from straying into areas of emotion or losing focus. One-mindfulness can be very helpful for dealing with larger issues that need more attention or for separating a single issue from other issues that might confuse things.

Effectiveness – At its core, DBT relies on simple concepts and this skill is as basic as can be. It simply involves doing what works. It is a very broad-ranged skill and can be applied to any other skill to aid in being successful with that skill.

Addiction Treatment at La Paloma

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

The stigma of depression is isolating, which can be dangerous, especially since individuals suffering from depression are prone to abusing alcohol or drugs to cope with their unwanted feelings or to other methods of self-harm, including suicide. In fact more than 90 percent of people who commit suicide have risk factors including depression, other mental disorders or a substance abuse problem.

Bronco’s Player Commits Suicide

In the wake of the death of Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley this week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sports Illustrated is speaking out about the less-than-open approach the sports world takes to mental illness.

“In the macho, less-than-enlightened Republic of Sports, depression and other mental illnesses are often stigmatized as maladies for the weak,” the magazine says.

Depression in Sports

While there is no proof at this time that McKinley was depressed, other athletes have admitted to suffering from depression or other mental illnesses – and been ridiculed for their honesty.

“’Gutless’ was the term Bobby Valentine, then the Mets manager, allegedly used to describe Pete Harnisch after the pitcher suffered a depressive episode,” Sports Illustrated says. “’Run it off,’ an NBA coach once told Vin Baker when the player tried to explain his depression. ‘Don’t let the blues get you down!’”

The article goes on to explain that sports psychologists know they’re better off branding themselves as “performance coaches” if they want to be accepted by the athletes, who are afraid of being labeled a “head case.” SI then points out the irony, adding that, “it’s entirely possible that athletes in pro sports — the ultimate kennel of alpha dogs — might be MORE prone to mental illness than members of society at large.

Some leagues and programs are beginning to recognize the need for information and a proactive approach.

Mental Illness Treatment

If you or someone you love is battling mental illness, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Even as our troops are leaving Iraq, there are still many military personnel serving overseas in dangerous situations. So it’s timely that a new study on combat related substance use and abuse will be undertaken to look at what’s become a growing problem. The new study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), marks an innovative federal partnership that will look at returning military personnel.

Money for the Military

More than $6 million in federal funding will be spread out among 11 research institutions in 11 states to support research on substance abuse and associated problems among U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, is collaborating with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to award grants that will examine substance abuse related to deployment and combat related trauma. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are also NIH partners in this endeavor.

Most of the research is directed at substance abuse and related conditions experienced by veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a growing awareness that military personnel returning from these prolonged conflicts have a variety of serious problems, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and substance abuse. Some face these and other diverse symptoms as a result of traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress disorder related to battle experiences. Many of these conditions are interconnected, and contribute to individual health and family relationship crises.

Despite the growing problem of substance use and abuse among military personnel in combat situations, there has been little research on how to prevent and treat unique characteristics of these wartime-related issues. Experts hope studies like these can shed light on the best way to treat or prevent the problem in the future.

PTSD Treatment

If you or someone you love is has served in the military has suffers from substance abuse or PTSD, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

The benefits of meditation have long been espoused, but some need to see concrete research before they accept these types of assertions. Fortunately, there is plenty of research to draw on, including a new study that shows that meditation can help people find peace by rewiring the brain.

A technique called integrative mind-body training (IBMT) has been shown to produce dramatic changes in the brains of volunteers just hours after learning the method, according to Behavioral Health Central. Scans revealed that neuron connectivity was boosted in a part of the brain important for regulating emotions and behavior, the report said.

“The pathway that has the largest change due to IBMT is one that previously was shown to relate to individual differences in the person’s ability to regulate conflict,” according to Michael Posner, a psychologist and professor who co-led the research. His team had previously proven that meditation reduces levels of anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue.

This latest study was conducted on students at the University of Oregon, with half given IBMT training while the others were taught more traditional relaxation techniques. MRIs were used to examine brain connectivity in order to determine the results.

Various types of meditation are already used in the treatment of substance abuse and alcohol abuse, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Relaxation techniques are also used to lower stress levels during the treatment process.

Meditation in Treatment

If you or someone you love is in need of treatment involving meditation, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

So often, when we hear about an overdose, it’s by someone who is battling a substance abuse problem. Often times those overdoses are accidental, merely the result of an addicted person taking too much of a substance that was stronger than anticipated or laced with something they were unaware of. Other overdoses by addicted persons are a desperate effort to escape the pain of their disease through death.

Overdose isn’t always a sign of drug use, though. Reports recently surfaced that the wife of TV personality Larry King attempted suicide in May 2010 by overdosing on prescription drugs as a result of a purported bout of depression.

King’s Prescription Overdose

According to police reports that were recently made public on the celeb website TMZ, an officer with the Provo, Utah police entered 50 year-old Shawn King’s residence on May 2. Paramedics were in her bedroom treating her, and there were “multiple pill bottles, all of which were empty on the bed.”

“The report noted ‘scriptures, a purse, other various books’ and a letter ‘which appeared to be a note left by the victim,’ according to Reuters.” All of this led the officer to label the incident an attempted suicide in his report.

Medications involved in the incident included Ambien, Klonopin and Clonazepam, according to the report, but there is no reason to believe that a prescription addiction played any role in this.

As unconfirmed reports of the drug overdose began surfacing in the media, CNN talk show host Larry King issued a statement saying, “I am extremely supportive of Shawn. Reports that we have fought are absolutely false. I love her dearly. Our marriage is still together and I am staying very close to our children, who we love immensely. We shall go through this difficult time intact as a family.”

Overdose Prevention

Don’t let addiction lead to overdose. If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

For anyone who has watched a loved one struggle with addiction, it can seem at times like the addicted person has a split personality. Of course, it’s not a clinical split (they’re not schizophrenic), but even experts recognize the duality of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that plague someone in the midst of substance abuse.

Ironically, this battle between these two selves – often referred to as the “healthy self” and the “addict self” — can become the most pronounced during the treatment or recovery process. Why is this? Once an individual is no longer dealing with the physical aspects of addiction and reacting to the chemicals impact on the body, the residual addict feelings and emotions are easier to see. These two sides of a recovering addict fight against each other and are a threat to long-term sobriety.

Healthy Self vs. Addict Self

So what does this struggle look like? While hard to combat, it’s easy to see. For example, while the healthy self might say, “I can have healthy, sober fun” or “I can’t control my alcohol use,” the addict self insists, “I can’t have any fun unless I’m high” or “I can control my alcohol intake and just drink a little.” So while the actual substance use has stopped, the thinking that allowed the substance use to continue in the first place is still there.

To achieve long-term sobriety, it’s important to not just stop the physical act of getting high but to deal with the negative and erroneous thoughts that made it possible. An addict can’t be expected to recognize his or her own unhealthy thought processes. That’s why counseling is an important part of the treatment process. Treating the entire individual and not just the addiction definitely improves the rate of long-term sobriety.

Drug Treatment

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Who knew there was a most depressing day of the year? Dr. Cliff Arnall, a British researcher from Cardiff University, did. He recently pinpointed Jan. 18 as 2010’s most depressing day. To arrive at this, he factored in everything from post-holiday blahs and debt to failed New Year’s resolutions and the weather.

On the bright side, that means the worst is over because if you’re reading this, you survived that dreaded day. For those suffering from the winter blahs, though, that offers little comfort. After all, depression is common throughout the bleak, cold winter months when sunlight is scarce and the fun of the holidays is a distant memory. Instead, the focus turns to finances as W-2 forms and credit card bills arrive in the mail – reminders of tax time and those Christmas spending sprees. It doesn’t help that we’re often less active at this time of year and usually battling some holiday weight gain.

For those struggling with addiction or with a past history of substance abuse, depression can make you more susceptible to relapse or increased using. This makes it even more important to stay on top of this issue, being aware of the signs of depression and taking a proactive approach to beating the seasonal blues.

Seasonal depression can be marked by:
• A feeling of fatigue that lasts throughout the day
• Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
• A craving for carbs
• Lack of concentration
• Reluctance to engage socially or sexually
• Feelings of anxiety and even despair
• Insomnia
• Reduced appetite
• Agitation

No matter which range of symptoms you’re experiencing, if they continue for more than two weeks, you need to consult a professional. Winter depression—technically a form Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) —tends to occur between November and April.

SAD Treatment

Light therapy is one way to help treat seasonal depression, but it needs to be used correctly so it’s important to talk to a medical professional. Nutrition and exercise play a role so making plans to be active and eat right are important. Medication and counseling may also be necessary.

If you or a family member is struggling with addiction and depression, call La Paloma at the toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Professionals who work in the fields of mental health and substance abuse (especially those who deal with dual disorders and confront both on a daily basis) are at a particularly high risk for professional burnout. A phenomenon known as “compassion fatigue” can occur when the pressure from their daily work begins to erode their outlook and attitude, interfering with their personal life and overall well-being.

Tips to avoiding burnout:

1. Work as part of a team rather than in an isolated situation
2. Take time to “debrief” with fellow staffers handling similar cases (using these opportunities to discuss
   feelings and issues related to this taxing work)
3. Avoid taking on too strenuous of a caseload. You’ll be no good to any of your clients if you’re too overwhelmed to serve them well.
4. Develop a healthy support network.
5. Make sure you schedule time to rest and relax.
6. Keep a distinct separation between work and personal time.

Quality programs like those at La Paloma proactively address the issue of burnout among staff to lessen turnover and improve care for all.