Archive Author: Doug MacDiarmid

A recent study by researchers in Britain claim that a sex addicts’ brain functions very similarly to that of a drug addict. Although it is not diagnosed as a disorder, psychologists and therapists can treat it. This study could possibly provide the insight needed to prove it is a disorder, and help in developing treatment models.

The study was conducted by Dr. Valerie Voon along with a team of researchers at Cambridge University. 19 heterosexual males who had compulsive sexual behavior and 19 other men who don’t were recruited. MRI scans were used to find out which parts of the brain were triggered while the subjects watched pornography or other sexually explicit materials compared to sports related content.

Recently we here at Victory Addiction Recovery Center have seen an increase in calls concerning the use and abuse of synthetic marijuana. According to reports it’s happening across Louisiana.

Even though synthetic marijuana is illegal in our state, like real marijuana, it seems to be the new drug of choice for many. People use it because they feel it’s a safe, modified version of marijuana, with users also under the assumption that it will not show up on a drug screen. In reality, chemical compounds, which are not even identified on packaging, are sprayed onto grass or any other “smokeable” material.

>On Wednesday, June 11th, Victory Addiction Recovery Center hosted a workshop for Lafayette Parish School System social workers and mental health professionals. The training was provided to increase the staff’s knowledge and understanding of addiction to better serve students and their families.

The presentation done by Katie Buller, Victory’s Director of Clinical Services, focused on three specific areas: the disease of addiction, educating students about substance abuse, and skills when substance abuse is identified in a student or family member. First, LPSS social workers were introduced to the disease model/concept of addiction. Buller explained how and where addiction can manifest along with its effects on the brain.

With the end of the school year approaching, final exams and testing are more than likely consuming student’s lives. During this time, it’s not uncommon for some to seek out anything that will help keep their focus and stamina.

Traditional methods usually consist of coffee, caffeine, or energy drinks for full throttle studying. However, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD have now become the “performance enhancing” drugs of the academic world.

A recent poll released by the Pediatric Academic Society found nearly one in five students at Ivy League universities said they misused ADHD drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta to improve their performance. It’s not just students at some of America’s top universities abusing them, it’s happening all across the country as well as in high schools.