Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Addictions Dual diagnosis rehabilitation combines addictive disorders (alcoholism, drug addiction or behavioural disorders like sex addiction), and mental illness treatment. In the past, psychiatric health and addiction were treated as two separate conditions but in recent years, clinicians working within the addiction treatment arena have been trained to treat co-occurring mental…
Addiction Counselling and Approaches to Therapy Substance abuse can alter the structure of the brain and impede its normal functioning. This can result in physiological changes that can persist for many months or even years into recovery. That’s why drug users are often at risk of relapsing even after abstaining from drug use for a…
Addiction Intervention: Motivate someone to seek help Addiction is not a lifestyle. It could be the consequence of certain lifestyle choices, but over time, as the addict’s behaviours become self-destructive, the addiction transforms into a disease. This is a reality which most mental health practitioners now recognise. Some addicts enter a rehab facility or program…
Alcohol Abuse Rehabilitation Centres: What to Expect? If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for information on alcohol rehab centres. Alcohol rehabs are places that you go to shake off your addiction to alcohol permanently. So, what happens in an alcohol rehab centre? What can you expect during your stay in one? In this article…
The Rise and Rise of Internet Addiction in Asia Most people will admit to spending more time than they should using the internet or playing with their phone. No matter where you go in Asia, people have their heads buried in a virtual world, even when out socialising with friends. I have seen couples on…
Helping Friends and Family Overcome Addiction There are many personal consequences to having an addiction such as depression, anxiety and physical health problems. One of the other consequences that is often overlooked is the effect it has on the people around the addicted person who suffer indirectly from the addictive behaviour. These problems can may…
Practical Steps to Recovering from Eating Disorders The exact treatment required for eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia will depend on the individual concerned. It is therefore important that any treatment plan is coordinated in association with a health professional, or with someone with experience in developing a treatment plan. Step 1: Ask for…
If you know someone who is abusing drugs, you may sometimes wonder how to react in case of an emergency situation. If you do find yourself in a position where a friend or relative is experiencing a bad reaction to drug use, the following information may help you to deal with the situation. Important: Addiction…
Addiction Treatment for Expats Living in Asia Having spent many years living in Asia myself, I’ve seen expats consume more than they should when it comes to substance abuse, certainly when we’re talking about alcohol. There seems to be a general feeling amongst expats that it’s acceptable to drink everyday – at any time! Of…
The Effects of Alcoholism and the Rehabilitation Process There are many reasons why someone might decide to drink. It can allow them to escape from the realities of life, give them self confidence, enable them to socialise or forget about uncomfortable feelings they are experiencing. Those who abuse alcohol will develop a tolerance over time…
What Options Are There for Private Drug Rehab in Hong Kong? While there are limited options for inpatient drug addiction treatment in Hong Kong, there are plenty of outpatient and counselling services operated by the private sector. Despite the growing problem of drug abuse there seems to be little progress on the part of addiction…