I have included a video presentation about depression, because I believe that most alcoholics and some drug addicts are simply depressed. I say “simply depressed” — but nothing is simple. Convincing an alcoholic or addict they need help is very difficult. Make no mistake about it, however — the disease of addiction is as bad and as serious as having cancer. If you let it go long enough and don’t “catch” it, like cancer, it … Read More
I wanted to write about a simple, straightforward, “just do it” topic today. It has to do with dogs and how important they can be to us.
First of all, briefly, in an earlier post I suggested that anybody who is depressed should try to create a mission in life. Well for me (with the help of my dog) the entrepreneurial project I have been working on for 18 months launched this week. It is … Read More
When I look at the adopted kids I know or knew and look at the number of them that have died or had severe problems it is so out of balance with non-adopted people I know there has got to be another explanation. Well, if you were adopted and are having problems, maybe the following paper contains some answers. If you were adopted, this is meant to soothe your questions, not stir up more of … Read More
In Hollywood, it seems almost accepted that a certain number of stars will die because of drugs or alcohol. While I didn’t follow Giraldo, I do find it amazing that days before he relapsed he was scheduled to do a recovery gig. I can’t emphasize in this blog enough how badly addiction really needs to be seen as a disease — just like cancer — and more attention needs to be given … Read More
You were probably discussing the subject at some point in the past when someone remarked “oh, he’s an addict” or “she’s an alcoholic” in an accusatory tone. If they had been talking about almost any other medical problem and said “he’s diabetic” or “she’s got cancer”, however, their tone would probably have been different — likely more sympathetic. This is because addiction is generally not viewed as a disease, unfortunately, but is perceived by many … Read More
Major Depression affects 15 million people, or 7% of the U.S population every year. Translated, this effectively means that 1 in 14 people suffer at least 1 major depressive episode that lasts two weeks or more each year. Given the severity of the illness in terms of how disabling it can be (you may find it almost impossible to get yourself out of bed in the … Read More
Suboxone is becoming a somewhat controversial treatment for anybody who is trying to kick an opiate addiction. It almost completely removes the awful pangs of withdrawal and powerful cravings from opiates (Vicodin, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Heroin. etc). The controversy is arising over the fact that people are saying even though you do not experience the euphoria with Suboxone, you can get addicted to it. Worse, the withdrawals from Suboxone are supposedly harder to deal with than … Read More
Some people have difficulty addressing the subject of depression. I Borrowed a questionnaire from I-Village that my readers may be able to use. Start your conversation with these simple questions to make SURE you are not catching a case of depression. Remember, you could have Dysthymia, also, which is just a long-term low-grade depression. Untreated though, it can turn into major depression. Trust me, these are not a place you want to find yourself — … Read More
My name is Tom Rees and I have been invited to introduce myself to the group. All of life’s other “stuff” you can find on my Linked page; I joined you all because I was adopted at birth and thought it would be interesting to share with other adoptees or people in the field.
I was 6 years old when I understood what adoption meant. My … Read More
I have been preaching for years now that I believe most people who are alcoholics began drinking (or drugging) to help kill the pain of a mood disorder. For whatever reason until today I had not known that there was empirical scientific data backing this notion up. Nobody really knows if you can be an alcoholic first, and then that triggers a long-term depressive episode, or visa versa. If you have an alcohol or drug … Read More
