Brain Research | Brain Development
Resources for Parents of Children with Substance Use and Mental Disorders
Resources for parents of children with substance use and other mental disorders can be a huge help. Providing resources from a scientific, brain centered approach is even better. Why? Because substance use and other mental disorders change brain health and function. The brain is the organ that controls everything a person thinks, feels, says and…
Read MoreWant to Prevent Addiction? Assess Your Risk Factors
Want to prevent addiction? Of course you do – even if it’s not your own. Maybe it’s your child or friend or significant other’s substance use you’re worried about. So the obvious question then is, “How?” [But before I continue, there’s been a great deal of research and advanced understandings about the term addiction (drug…
Read MoreWhy Addicts | Alcoholics Lie, Cheat, Steal
Why addicts | alcoholics lie, cheat, steal from those they love the most – WHY? why? WHY?!?*% – becomes one of the many pressing questions that swirl through the minds of those who love them. At first loved ones are baffled and question themselves, wracking their brains to replay conversations and actions taken, “Maybe I…
Read MoreWhen Brain Development Views Risk With Reason
When brain development views risk with reason was in the news in 2021 – thanks to Simone Biles. Her withdrawal from the women’s Olympic gymnastics team final to take care of her mental health was met with huge support by some and huge condemnation by others. I find the condemnation reactions absurd. I mean seriously,…
Read MoreKey Information About Alcoholism
How many times has your loved one promised to stop or cut down their drinking only to relapse – again? How many times have they looked you straight in the eye and said, “No,” when you ask if they’ve been drinking? How many times have they driven, ruined a family gathering or hurt your feelings deeply…
Read MoreUsing Brain Science to Treat Substance Use Disorder
Using brain science to treat substance use disorder (SUD) can be a HUGE help. Why? Because substance use disorder (aka alcoholism, addiction, alcohol or other drug abuse) is now understood to be a brain disorder, sometimes referred to as a brain disease. As Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)…
Read MoreUsing Brain and ACEs Science to Fight Social Challenges
Using brain and ACEs science to fight social challenges has been a theme running through several of my recent Zoom PowerPoint presentations. The social challenges I refer to are juvenile and criminal justice, homelessness, recidivism, substance use and mental health disorders and secondhand drinking. Audiences have included the Sacramento Area Re-Entry Network, Hope Cooperative Sacramento,…
Read MoreDrinking More During Covid | 6 Things to Know
Drinking more during Covid-19 is in the news a great deal, lately. And understandably. Staying at home, maintaining social distancing, only leaving one’s home for fresh air and essentials…. Working at home, children at home 24/7 under their own stress of online schooling and missing their friends…. Lost jobs, lost investment portfolio gains, lost health…
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