Addiction can hijack parts of the brain and manipulate the brain into believing that a harmful substance is necessary for functioning. It most strongly affects the limbic system and the reward system part of the brain. As a result, cravings, desire for reward, begin to happen and hazardous habits can result in long-term addictions and…
Tag: Addiction Los Angeles
Addiction as an Affect Disorder
Often addiction happens as a result of trying to control your mood or affect. It may work for a time but often you will find yourself unable to properly self regulate your emotions. Has addiction left you unable to properly self-regulate your emotions? Do you feel like you’re out of control all of the time…
Are You Addicted to Your Phone?
We have access to an endless supply of information at the tip of our fingers. Cell phones give us the ability to inform ourselves on current events, research topics, complete work tasks, engage in gossip, compare products to make purchases, and so forth. They are convenient and seemingly a tool for simpler connections. Yet, they…
Gambling and Mental Health
It feels good to win. When we gamble, we get high. The brain releases a rush of dopamine, creating a desire for more. For some, that high is overpowering, influencing a compulsion to gamble, regardless of the consequence. When the desire starts to preoccupy the brain, it becomes a gambling addiction or pathological gambling. A…
Getting Help For Loved Ones with Addictions
Addiction of any kind does not solely cause turmoil to the addicted, it strains all types of relationships–partner, family, friends, colleagues–and can even bring them to an end. Instinctively, we want to help those we care about, after all, it is tough to witness someone battling their addiction while hurting themselves and people in the…