I am a regular contributor to the websites EatingDisorderHope.com and AddictionHope.com. Each month I will share links to the articles posted on those sites.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
NIH Plan for Long Term Addiction
Every day in the United States, more than 130 individuals die from an opioid overdose. While there are effective treatments available for opioid dependence, less than 10% of people who need treatment actually receive it.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of people dying from opioid overdose began a steep increase around 2013 and continues to climb. In addition to losing lives, the economic burden of opioid misuse, which includes the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice are nearly $80 billion every year.
Suicide and Opiate Abuse
In the 2018 remake of the movie A Star is Born, Bradley Cooper plays country music star Jackson Maine. His performance won public and critical acclaim for a man spiraling down with depression, anger, and substance abuse as his partner becomes a star. The film successfully portrays the dangerous combination of mental health, substance abuse, suicide and opioids.
Opioid Use and Sleep Disorders
Sleep is making a comeback, and that is good news for the recovery community as new studies are showing how a good night’s sleep is an essential tool for those in recovery from addiction. The team at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program in Baltimore, Maryland, knew that opioids disrupt sleep. Still, they wanted to learn more about the role of sleep in recovery.
Best Practices for Residential Rehab
To ensure access to quality recovery programs, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) was signed into law in 2018. This law set forth “best practices for operating recovery housing.”
Based on this legislation, here are some questions you can ask a residential rehab center to evaluate treatment, regardless of location or cost.
The Best Attitude to Approach Substance Abuse Treatment
Deciding to pursue substance abuse treatment is difficult, and the day you admit to the treatment center will likely bring many mixed emotions. In light of the challenges of going to treatment, it is wise to make the most of the experience by developing a recovery-minded attitude.
Pain Relievers & Substance Abuse – Do You Have a Problem?
Asking yourself, “Do I have a problem with pain relievers and substance abuse?” is one of the first steps to getting help. Because addiction to pain relievers usually begins through the use of a prescription given by a doctor, and for those misusing pain relievers, it can be difficult to tell when the problem first started or if it is even a problem at all.
Binge Eating Disorder and Male Athletes
After years in sports, it came to my attention that male athletes had been overlooked when it came to eating disorders,” says Rebecca McConville, a registered dietitian who specializes in helping athletes with food, weight, body image, and sports performance.
McConville, who has worked with both the University of Missouri Athletic Department and the Kansas City Chiefs, believes there are several misconceptions regarding binge eating disorder and male athletes and struggling with eating disorders. This includes the assumption that male athletes do not struggle with societal body image concerns.
A Healthy Version of Male Body Image
Throughout history, there have been many views of what constitutes a person. Are we merely biological matter, or do we also consist of soul and spirit? If we do have multiple parts, how many are there, and how do they interact?
While this discussion may seem irrelevant to developing a healthy body image, it is actually at the heart of it, because, in Western Civilization, we mostly view ourselves in a dualistic manner. In other words, we agree with thinkers like Plato and Descartes, who separated self from the body, which sets us up to view the body as disposable. The body becomes an object to manipulate. It becomes a commodity.
5 Tips for Choosing the Best Eating Disorder Rehab for You
Selecting a treatment program and choosing from the best eating disorder rehabs for an eating disorder is a significant decision for several reasons. Treatment is a commitment of time, money, and emotional resources.
I’ve worked in the field of eating disorders since 2003 at three different centers. I’ve also interacted with professionals from dozens of other programs. If I were in the position of choosing a treatment program for myself or a loved one, here are six things I would keep in mind.
Celebrating Thanksgiving without Disordered Eating
One key to experiencing peace during the holidays is recognizing that it won’t be entirely peaceful. There will likely be many triggers over the long holiday weekend.
When you feel triggered or engage in an eating disorder behavior, it’s common to slip into self-hatred or all-or-nothing thinking. This only complicates the issues and often results in more unhelpful choices.
Instead of self-condemnation, work on developing a posture of curiosity regarding your triggers and choices. Work on developing the ability to step outside of your present moment and observe your surroundings and your responses.
