Family gatherings can be difficult. All the emotional baggage and hurt feelings of the past can simmer beneath the surface. If allowed, these feelings can erupt in ugly ways. Here are a few tips to keep calm and help all family members enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner. Do not discuss politics. No one’s mind is […]
The Case for Recognizing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Purple Heart Injury Receiving a Purple Heart in recognition of a veteran’s bravery and sacrifice is a cherished honor among military families. Traditionally given out by the Pentagon in the name of the sitting president, Purple Hearts formally recognize the physical injuries and sacrifices an […]
Therapy and Horseplay: Four Things You Need to Know about Equine Therapy When it comes to equine therapy, I’ll be the first one to advocate for its use. I’ve been an avid rider all my life, and there were many times I walked away from the barn feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated, and emotionally healthier […]
Intervention for binge drinking in college has shown to be successful, but only for a limited time according to research published in the APA Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. A total 1,040 college students participated in a twelve-month study by James Henson, PhD, a psychology professor at Old Dominion University. He concluded that “brief […]
Someone who has had a blackout while drinking cannot remember part of their drinking episode. Unfortunately, most people do not understand how dangerous blackouts are, yet up to 50% of drinkers may have an alcohol-related blackout (ARB). A new study identifying different trajectories of ARBs of drinkers between the ages of 15 and 19, along […]
Binge drinking is defined as consuming at least four drinks for women and five drinks for men in a single drinking session, at least once every 14 days on average. New research suggests that binge drinking at college is associated with high status and these drinkers are happier with their college social experience than their […]
This past week, I presented a paper at the 2nd Canadian Conference on Positive Psychology. The paper was titled, “From Despondency to Hope: Ending Addiction for Good Using a Positive Psychological Approach.” Positive Psychology is a relatively new field of psychological research and intervention. The University of Pennsylvania describes positive psychology in this way: […]
Most homeless alcoholics began drinking while they were still children and became alcohol dependent soon after. This is a profound conclusion based on findings from a quantitative study at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The detailed insights into chronically homeless, alcohol-dependent patients, helps give a better understanding to a tragic social problem. Twenty patients […]
Our culture shows its acceptance of alcohol use by its positive and widespread depiction in movies and advertising, which more often than not, show young, happy people at celebrations, sporting events, or popular outdoor activities drinking some form of alcohol. More often than not, risky behavior is often shown being lightly treated when it comes […]
When people are out having a good time on the town with friends, let’s face reality; many do not keep accurate count on how much they drink. Maybe a rough estimate, but it is a well-known fact that alcohol affects our ability to make sound decisions or there would not be such high statistics on […]