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Despite great advances in treatment, HIV continues to be an epidemic, and a large contributing factor for its spread is intravenous drug use. A recent outbreak of HIV in a rural Indiana community brings to bear more questions in this ongoing crisis. [More]

We now know that one of the chief causes of addiction is lack of connection. It has been documented by Johann Hari in his recent publication, The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think (Hari, 2015) that after many studies and research, the primary cause of addiction is a lack of bonding. When this occurs, human beings go into crisis. (Buber, 1958). When this happens before the developmental stages reach adulthood, the chronicity of loneliness becomes a set up for addiction. Hence, the drama begins. [More]

Currently, rates of caffeine consumption in the United States are stable- the FDA indicates that as of 2012, the rates of consumption have not increased; however, the source of consumption – e.g.- energy drinks- has (Food and Drug Administration, 2012). This is contradictory with the casual observation of the the popularity of caffeinated energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster, and increasingly large serving sizes of coffee. [More]

Neurofeedback, or qEEG neurotherapy, records the individual’s unique brainwave patterns and utilizes auditory and visual feedback to train brainwaves to a normalized pattern (Quinn, Bodenheimer-Davis, & Koch, 2004). Alcoholics and illicit substance users show similar abnormal brainwave patterns outside the range of individuals without dependence upon alcohol or illicit substances. [More]

The overall message from the research seems to be that the development of addiction is a complex interaction between biology and environment. As with any health condition, the more risk factors an individual has for developing a problem, the more there needs to be an awareness of the need for protective/prevention based behaviors and for identification of early warning signs of a problem. [More]

Humans are fascinating, and sometimes baffling creatures. Psychologists have developed multitudes of theories about why we do the things we do. Their research helps us understand the connections between our thinking, our behavior, and our emotions. For example, why do we help a stranger even when it puts us in danger? Why do we do things that we know are bad for us? Why do we say one thing, and then do another? In addition to trying to answer questions like these, psychological research can also to help behavioral health professionals develop more effective treatments for mental illness and emotional distress. FB- If you have an addiction, you use cognitive dissonance every day even if you don't know it. Find out why and how you can manage it to your benefit. [More]

Can we really become addicted to something we need to survive? First, we must understand what addiction is, and what it isn’t, to determine if eating behaviors and food can become addictions, with the symptoms and consequences associated with other types of addictions, like drug or alcohol addiction. Only then can we understand why many professionals believe that we can, indeed, become addicted to food. [More]

As our understanding of the biological and genetic factors that contribute to the development of these disorders, it becomes easier to see these behavioral health disorders as real diseases—like diabetes or heart disease, which can also run in families. But, how might our relatively recent increased understanding of genetics and biology impact how people with mental illness are perceived and treated in our society? Will this understanding help to decrease stigma, or will it further fuel stigma for people living with behavioral health disorders? [More]

The use, popularity, and availability of illicit drugs changes from one geographical region and time period to another. Certain illicit psychoactive drugs will fade from common use and then re-emerge. Substances which may have been discovered decades ago will experience a sudden surge in popularity. Familiar substances may be administered in new ways, or chemically altered or combined for a different effect. In other instances, something truly new may emerge on the illicit drug market. [More]

Technology is not good or bad; it is just another part of life—like food and money- that we have to relate with in a conscious way. With some awareness, you will gradually find a balanced way to enjoy technology and all it has to offer, without sacrificing your health or your relationships. [More]