Over the past 10 years, Social media has significantly influenced our daily lives. Facebook and Twitter have become commonplace for dating, connecting, and socializing. Most recently, studies have shown an increase in college aged drinking, especially among male students. Social media has profoundly changed how we communicate, and it is now helping behavioral researchers identify [...]

Drug Addiction vs. Substance Abuse | Tips for identifying a drug addiction | Amy Winehouse Twenty-seven year old, Amy Winehouse died Saturday after an alleged alcohol and drug binge Friday that included heroine, cocaine, and ecstasy. Family and friends gathered to remember Winehouse on Tuesday and reported that her body will be cremated after the [...]

“Pills mills” are all over the news. What are pill mills? According to CBS News, pill mills are places where doctors provide prescription pain medication without medical exams or testing. The most often obtained prescriptions are Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, (both are Opiods). Persons addicted will go through just about any hoops to obtain it either by doctor shopping (which means [...]

Famous actor Charlie Sheen has been in the news much in the last several years. Unfortunately, not for his acting. We see in the media a tumultuous personal life which appears to contain alcohol and drug addiction. Mr. Sheen just completed three weeks of substance abuse treatment, and yet still states “I find sobriety boring.” [...]

What is Addiction? According to the Mirriam Webster dictionary, “addiction” is defined as “a compulsive need for and use of a habit forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawl.” People can be addicted to drugs (prescription or illegal), alcohol, gambling, sex, food, gaming, or nicotine. When does it become [...]

It is often believed by educators, counselors, and parents that children and adolescents are shielded from drugs and alcohol, in the private school sector. However, children and adolescents are part of a much larger society, of which private schooling is only a part. Furthermore, the face of private school is changing as students matriculate in [...]