Let’s talk about the difference between crack and cocaine. You may have heard the terms “crack,” “cocaine,” or even “crack cocaine.” It seems as if they are used interchangeably when talking about the drug as a whole. While crack and cocaine are both derived from the same plant and contain the same main ingredient, there are major differences between the two forms. What is Cocaine?…
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition. It is caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as an accident, natural disaster, or sexual violence. Also known as ‘shell shock’ or ‘battle fatigue’ syndrome, PTSD affects nearly 15% of Vietnam War veterans and 12% of Gulf War Veterans. Frequent exposure to combat and violence makes PTSD common among war veterans. However,…
Like any prescribed medication, there can be dangerous interactions between Lexapro and alcohol. It’s important to know when you begin a medication what the interactions are so that you can monitor your intake of other substances. What is Lexapro and Why Do People Take It? Lexapro (Escitalopram), a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI Class), is one of those prescribed medications that can have severe effects…
In the realm of mental health, it can be easy to confuse illnesses with others, especially when symptoms may overlap or present in similar ways, Schizophrenia vs Multiple Personality Disorder. For example, it can be hard to tell right off the bat if someone is struggling with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. That’s why understanding the differences can be helpful, both for the person…
There are plenty of tools available to help learn more about different mental health illnesses and how to help diagnose which mental health illness or disorder a person may have, one of which is the Beck Depression Inventory. Many people know of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which defines and classifies mental disorders in order to improve diagnoses, treatment, and research.…
Serotonin and dopamine are two neurotransmitters that play a critical role in how we feel, and since low levels of serotonin and dopamine can lead to all kinds of issues, I’ve put together a list of how to increase serotonin and dopamine levels naturally. Our brains are made up of a collection of chemicals, and depending on the varying levels of those, hormones, and everything…
Depending on whom you ask, AA has a success rate of about 5–10%. And when I say “whom,” I mean people who actually study this shit — you know, scientists — not the schmuck old-timer at AA who likes to quote page 58 about, “rarely have we seen a person fail blah blah blah.” Let me back up a bit and say that I work…
Going to your first AA meeting can be pretty stressful, especially if you don’t know anyone or have any friends who go to AA, so I’m going to tell you what to expect at your first AA meeting so that it’s not so scary. There are a lot of preconceived ideas and thoughts about what AA is and how the meetings are, especially when it…
An open AA meeting is just an AA meeting where anyone can go. By anyone, I mean anyone, whether you’re an alcoholic or not. Why Open AA Meetings Are Good There are a few things that make open AA meetings really great. The first thing is that, because anyone can go, it makes people who aren’t sure if they’re alcoholics or not feel more comfortable…
There’s a big difference between psychological dependence and physical dependence when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Psychological dependence is when you can’t stop thinking about whatever drug you’re doing. You’re obsessed with it. Obsession means a thought that you can’t get out of your head, no matter what you do. Many people think that there’s no such thing as psychological dependence, that all drugs…