Many people mistakenly believe that overcoming substance use disorders (SUDs) is simply a matter of willpower. However, neuroscience tells a different story. A substance use disorders is not just a bad habit—it’s a chronic brain disorder that affects decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Understanding...
Recently the Surgeon General announced the health dangers associated with alcohol use, and it led me to think about how normalized alcohol use and numbing and medicating in general has become in our society. Where did this obsession with numbing and medicating come from? I...
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based approach specifically designed to address trauma and its lingering effects. Below is an overview of its role in trauma healing, highlighting its mechanisms, applications, and benefits. Understanding EMDR EMDR is a structured, eight-phase approach that facilitates...
Trauma and substance use disorders are deeply interconnected, with trauma often serving as a root cause or contributing factor to substance use and other addictive behaviors. Understanding this link can inform effective treatment approaches. Here are key aspects of their relationship: Trauma as a Precursor...