Teen substance abuse tied to social anxiety

It's back to school time and caring parents have plenty on their minds. A piece in the August 1 issue of Addiction Treatment Magazine should be worth a read. Social Anxiety Disorder (S.A.D.) or 'social phobia' is getting increased attention as it impacts teenagers. I am familiar with this condition and can attest that it can be devastating.
In the substance abuse/addiction context, experts are opined that it can lead to the development of drug or alcohol abuse amongst some teens. If you don't have access to the publication, <read it here>.
It really looks worth the time.

Things that prevent recovery...

There is a telling opinion piece recently published in the Oroville (California) Mercury-Register that shines a different light on a couple significant problems hampering addiction recovery. Unlike many efforts to address this issue, the writer points to things that everyone can, and in my view, should do (or rather not do).
The problems examined are the promotion of anonymity and the use of some labels that are forced on addicted people.
Considering the pervasive impact of substance and other addictions, I plan to be writing more on this. For now, I recommend it to anyone interested in this subject, <read it here> .

Confronting the beast...

This article from the Huffington Post is, in my opinion, Must Reading for anyone concerned about, or confronted with, addictions. I believe that Dr. Samuels is dead on target with his ideas. Lots of folks will not agree. But I feel that denial is one of the worst challenges in dealing with this subject. Check out <this link>

New treatment center in Montana is a bright spot

A bright spot in the often bleak addiction treatment landscape is seen in Montana. There, the  Missoula Recovery Center is well on the way for an opening in the spring. A joint effort of mental health and housing programs, with a broad spectrum of business and government backing, has the $3 milling facility under construction.
Officials say the facility can provide 16 patient beds, and add $1 million in payroll through its 20 workers. For the story (Click Here)

Rx addiction worsens as funding remains limited

The problem of prescription drug addiction and abuse in the mid-Appalachian region of the United States is well known. In spite of the many needs to deal with what has been called an epidemic, the response remains weak.
A recent report on WYMT-TV in Prestonsburg, Kentucky (Click Here) reaffirmed the steady state of a growing addiction problem and a stagnant degree of response from funding sources.

'Internet Addiction' getting serious look by experts

What was once a little-thought-out jib is now being considered seriously as a possible mental health condition. As the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V) comes into use, its authors are giving recognition to the status of what they formally call "Internet Use Disorder."
While an official declaration as an actual mental disorder is pending a lot more work, those close to the subject indicate that it shares many attributes with other kinds of addiction. Forbes has an interesting article on the subject <click here>.
An interesting point I noticed is that those hooked on the internet show changes in their brains, similar to those with substance addictions; also, researchers have noted changes in how the dopamine system operates.

Second thoughts...

The focus of these writings has always been on addiction and substance abuse. Efforts have been made to stay away from other 'addictions' such as shopping, video games and eating.

However, through a long and circuitous sequence, I've reached the point where it appears that there is another significantly serious problem which is disturbingly similar to the substance abuse/addiction that has been of concern.

At the risk of offending many, I am coming to believe that there is a constellation of conditions prevelant in the general population that mirrors those which have confronted those dealing with  traditional substance issues.

While considerable attention still needs to be given to my thoughts and many ideas remain to be brought into focus, I am coming to grips with the idea that the American obesity problem is, in many respects, based on foundations similar to the crisis involving street drugs and prescription drug abuse.

That's right, I am finding parallels between drug abuse and eating behaviors; parallels that, in both situations, result in tremendous harm to the indivisual engaged in them. 

Right at the top, we have to admit that the public perception to both involves a high degree of stigmatization. Sadly, social views that there is some kind of flaw or human failure among those suffering from involvement with drugs and like substances as well as those who's choices in foods and eating have brought them to grief. This public perception is a tremendous barrier to making any progress in resolving the underlying problem(s).

More on this to come.