Study supports topiramate as promising medication to treat addiction
… medications for treatment is a research priority," said first author Kyle M. Kampman, MD, professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and medical director at the Charles O'Brien Center for Addiction …
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Morningside Recovery Creates the Performing Arts Substance Abuse Treatment …
Frequently, individuals who struggle with substance abuse already have underlying mental health issues that drive their addictions. Since many centers only use Drug and Alcohol Counselors or Interns to perform a bulk of the work, they fail to treat …
Read more on PR Newswire (press release)

Gateway child care center to help mothers in substance abuse treatment
The Children's Zone is designed to care for children of women who are undergoing substance abuse treatment at Gateway. With the help of the center, mothers can get treatment without losing custody of their children, or without losing daily contact with …
Read more on Florida Times-Union (blog)

Question by denveryay: How is it possible to absolutely categorize Alcoholim as a disease and not an illness?
“Disease” is a very loosely defined term in many respects. There are multiple disorders, infenctions, and symptoms that can be typical of a definable disease. Also, a disease must have specific and constant cause(s), which in the case of Alcoholism is the CHOICE to drink ethyl-alcohol. The cause of the “disease” is the recurring and disregarding CHOICE to drink. A choice, however pathological or illogical, doesn’t seem to be appropriate as a cause or a condition of any disease. Despite the negative psychological, physiological, and other results of long-term alcohol abuse, it seems that it shouldn’t be classified as anything more than a treatable mental disorder.

“Illness, although often used to mean disease, can also refer to a person’s perception of their health, regardless of whether they in fact have a disease. A person without any disease may feel unhealthy and believe he has an illness. Another person may feel healthy and believe he does not have an illness even though he may have a disease” – Wikipedia on ‘Disease’

It is true that if some Alcoholics didn’t have a disease to blame for their disorder, they would not be able to stop drinking. It is also true that because of Alcholism-as-a-disease, many people who ABUSE alcohol are led into misperceptions about their drinking habits. In fact, it is only alcohol DEPENDENCE that could possibly even begin to be categorized as a disease.

An individual who is alcohol-dependent exhibits behavior indicitive of addiction. Drink-seeking, withdrawal and tolerance, and psychological malfunction among others are the results and symptoms of addiction. My father and friends have struggled with alchohol and drug addictions and I have seen the both successful and unsuccessful treatments implemented in their lives.

It seems that Alcoholism and drug addictions are psychological disorders that in a vast majority of instances could be cured by a conscious choice (however difficult) to STOP using the cause of the addiction. It has been proven in many instances that an addict can stop using the object of their addiction without any complications, as long as they are commited to quitting.

It seems that diseases should only be those such as Cancer, Diabetes, Hepatitis and the like. People who have these diseases cannot make a choice to simply stop a behavior to ease their pains. Whereas, although undoubtedly difficult, an addict can ease his or her addiction by making a powerful choice to stop using.

By allowing alcoholism to be categorized as a disease, it seems that negative stigma is removed from addicts’ behaviors and people who drink are given an excuse to justify their behavior. Instead of feeling like they’ve let themselves and their families down, they are able to blam their behavior on a cause outside of their control, which is simply not true.

“Neither the U.S. Veterans Administration nor the Social Security Administration makes payments to individuals, whose disabilities stem from substance abuse, including alcoholism.” – From Shoutwire

I am NOT pro- or anti- any of this I am looking for factual objective evidence and ideas that could lead to helping me understand why Alchoholism is given reprieve by its disease classification.

Best answer:

Answer by kentuckyredhead5353
Well about half way through I had a problem and I developed this question. What is the difference with what you were saying in comparison to a cigarette smoker for some it’s the habit and the motion and some get physically sick for the lack of nicotine is it not similar. emotional vs physical and different for different personality types? 🙂 Guess I could read on have a good one:-)
OK I’m finally done now i get it, it’s all in there head so all they have to do is get it out of their head and it will all go away. They just will it away. Take 2 aspirins have a sucker and call me in the morning:-)
oh excuse me revision: update-read the last part. it was taken out as a disease because social security was being drained by leagal alcoholics that the government makes good taxes off of. The only help and recourse for a recovering alcoholic, drug user, vet, is a mental health clinic because why did they drink in the first place. Now uncle sam pays for their drugs and kills them off with a lousy health plan. looks who is on all the class action suits that will never collect anything. Trust me I have done my homework on this subject. I know many vets and low income disabled people. Nothing has changed but the name of the disease.

What do you think? Answer below!

Courtesy Cory Monteith
Actor Cory Monteith, who stars as Finn Hudson on the Fox series Glee, has checked into rehab, PEOPLE has learned exclusively. The actor "has … steps towards recovery." Monteith, 30, has been open about his past struggles with substance abuse.
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What We Know About Cory Monteith's History of Addiction
The Victoria, British Columbia, native's drugs of choice? “Anything and everything, as much as possible,” he said. “I had a serious problem.” Even an early trip to rehab didn't help. At 19, his mother and closest friends staged an intervention, which …
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Why Cory Monteith Went to Rehab — Report
Cory Monteith (Finn) checked into rehab for substance abuse in March 2013, but while his girlfriend and co-stars have been quick to show their support for his decision, information has been scarce about what sort of substances the Glee star has been …
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Accused Norwich prostitute asks judge for drug rehab program
McMahon also entered orders for detoxification and mental health evaluations as well as a JRI, which stands for jail re-interview, in which she is evaluated for suitability to take part in an alternative program to prison, such as substance-abuse …
Read more on Norwich Bulletin

Question by Noa Bach: What is the difference between a mental health counselor, social worker, or psychologist?
I’m not sure what I want to do. But I know I want to provide counseling to all types of people (children, teens, adults, elderly) my main goal is to help heal them so this can end up healing the Planet 🙂
Don’t want to do any type of testing. I want to help children dealing with bullying, childhood trauma, etc. Adults that need healing from abuse, self-esteem, depression, family problems, sexuality issues etc.

Best answer:

Answer by Weird.
Mental health counselor (clinical psychologist) works with people who have schizophrenia and OCD
and much more

Social Worker works with kids, teens, and adults dealing with troubled living situations and such

Psychologists go in to depth with the patient and can work in a variety of environments, they also prescribe patients when needed.

You sound like you want to be a counseling psychologist which is different from a clinical psychologist. You should look into it more.

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Recovery Center clients 'into the cold' by January
If nothing changes by January, 45 patients at Blue Mountain Recovery Center in Pendleton will be without a mental health facility. BMRC needs about $ 1 million per month to stay open until a new Junction City hospital is completed in 12 to 18 months …
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Acadiana Recovery Center receives accreditation
The Acadiana Recovery and Rehabilitation Center has received an official stamp of approval—becoming an accredited rehabilitation center. For years, they've provided addiction help and mental illness services to those in need. It's not yet framed, but …
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Your Town: Later hours for Recovery Center
Treatment for alcohol and drug dependency is now available at night through the Recovery Center of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. "Most people need to be able to continue to go to work or to school while in treatment," said Suzi …
Read more on Monterey County Herald

Addiction Treatment and Counseling Center Opens in DuBois
DUBOIS – Laurel Wellness Centers has opened an outpatient clinic for addiction treatment and general counseling in DuBois. Services include a variety of programs for people with drug and alcohol addiction; counseling for individuals, families and …
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The Recovery Place Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center Welcomes New …
The Recovery Place Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center provides individualized and client-centered alcohol and drug addiction treatment with multiple programs to fit the need of individuals struggling with addiction. Located in Ft. Lauderdale …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Online Substance Abuse Treatment Offered at Zero Cost to All War Veterans
Online Substance Abuse Treatment (OSAT) is honoring military members for their service to America by offering zero cost and substantially discounted online drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs. OSAT recognizes that men and women in uniform …
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Malibu, California-based Adolescent Drug Rehab Treatment Center, Paradigm …
Paradigm Malibu is the only residential teen drug treatment program owned and operated by licensed mental health professionals. Its core team has over 15 years of experience working together. Paradigm Malibu staff members are available to answer …
Read more on PR Web (press release)