Although it is still common to label drug addicted persons as “bipolar”, the fact remains that the bipolar label is still just that — a label. It’s not a physical illness by legitimate medical standards and there is no physical test, that can be done on a person, which shows a “chemical imbalance” or “bipolar”.
I’ve [...]
Are Drug Addicts Bipolar?
Drug Addicts Have Rights – and So Do You
Once in a while I get the question: Can the addict check himself out of treatment once they are in? Or are there any programs that don’t allow you to check out once you check in?
When I get that question, I know exactly why it is being asked: The addict has been to three, [...]
Does Your Child Know When to Call 911? Are You SURE?
This week, an amazing story was posted on the LA Times site “A Teen Party, a Mysterious Death — and a Town’s Unanswered Grief.” It really brought home the message that we, as adults, can and often do underestimate what our kids know. For the safety of your children, I highly recommend you read [...]
Helping Others Is Therapeutic
There is something that I learned a long time ago: helping others is therapeutic.
Many of us, and I am not just talking about drug users, tend to focus inward and individuate. It’s not bad to be an individual – in fact you must be yourself first before you can successfully be part of a [...]
Is a Drug User Trying to Die?
ometimes when we look at the actions of the drug or alcohol user we think, “This person is surely trying to kill himself!” I mean, what else could a rational person think when they see that their loved one is doing everything possible to bring on their own demise?
Last week, I spoke to a [...]
Free or Low Cost Drug Addiction Treatment Close to Home
any of the calls I receive are from persons that are looking for low-cost or free drug rehabilitation or treatment close to home. That is the number one question that I am asked as a referral specialist.
Many times the person calling has already called about five or twenty different places, left messages, sent [...]
Addiction Treatment Close to Home – Do’s and Don’ts
The very first question I get asked when someone calls me for help is, “Do you have a treatment program close to my home?” Sometimes the parent or wife of the addict is asking this question and sometimes it is the drug addict him/herself.
completely understand the question. It is one that makes total [...]
Is the doctor’s advice the right advice?
“John”, a personal friend of mine, called me this morning with the sad news that last night his eight year old son was diagnosed with autism.
The doctor’s “solution” was the antipsychotic, Prolixin (generic name: fluphenazine).
Fortunately “John” already knew that this is a very dangerous drug. His mother was prescribed the drug before and as a [...]
How do I handle my boyfriend?
Today I received a call from a very nice woman that wanted advise on how to handle her boyfriend. Just today, she moved all her belongings out of his place, left the key in his mailbox and did not leave him a note. Her boyfriend is a meth addict but is in complete denial about [...]