History is full of stories about people who imbibe too much. These figures are sometimes depicted as partying all the time – such as with the Greek deity Bacchus – and are sometimes depicted as destitute and homeless. The reality is that many people who struggle with alcohol addiction fall somewhere in between these two…
As a part of ongoing efforts to support our community amid the outbreak of COVID-19, PCI is offering an open and interactive virtual discussion with Dr. Miriam Hamideh and Dr. Joshua Diamond to patients, friends, and family to provide helpful information and respond to any concerns. We will be discussing what measures PCI is taking…
A struggle with addiction and mental health disorder affects more than just the individual who is diagnosed. Friends and family members may feel continually stressed, guilty, or helpless while watching a loved one grow more distant and distressed. There may also be feelings of anger or frustration that this person will not change the negative…
Are you experiencing relationship problems? While every relationship may be unique, there are a few common relationship problems most people experience from time to time. In most cases, a couple can work through issues in a way that improves both your communication and bond. Some problems, however, may be more difficult to work through without…
Humans have struggled with depression throughout history. Long before depression became a clinical diagnosis, well-known individuals were observed as suffering from the sorrow, melancholy, and hopelessness that characterizes this condition. As our society progresses, data indicates that the occurrence of depression is progressing, too. More people are struggling with it and at younger ages. Types…
What are the different types of addiction? An addiction is currently recognized as any activity that a person thinks about and engages to the point that it negatively affects other areas of life. In historical times, the term first referred to being a slave. It then evolved to describe the experience of being strongly attached…
As the world has shifted into the structure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, people are learning how to approach problems in a new way. Social distancing and virus containment measures mean that work, school, recreation, and healthcare require adapting to a world that is much different than it was, before. Learning to approach problems…
Studies have consistently shown that around 50% of people who set out on the journey to sobriety will experience at least one incident of relapse. The occurrence is so common, that some substance abuse professionals are even considering that the concept of relapse should be included in addiction treatment. One of the tenets in Narcotics…
Restrictions on social interactions as prompted by the pandemic of COVID-19 on American soil are being slowly lifted. As many governmental leaders are repeatedly emphasizing, this easing of social distancing guidelines doesn’t mean that life is returning to the way it was, before. People are still being encouraged to keep a good distance between themselves,…
Reports of mental health disorder had been concerning before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with as many as 1 in 5 people in the United States reporting symptoms. As of April of this year, it is estimated that nearly half of Americans report that their mental health has suffered, and that number is expected to increase…
Many argue that we have had a long-standing loneliness epidemic in this country. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and mandated social distancing/quarantine many people are now forcibly isolated and feeling alone. You’ll see news articles indicating this much. But what is a more scientifically integrated take on loneliness and quarantine? Recently, medical professionals…
Anxiety is characterized by a sense of fear, worry, or dread about the future. Under normal conditions, severe anxiety affects at least 40 million people in the United States each year. With the disruption to routine and uncertainty about the future that the current COVID-19 pandemic brings, that number is likely much higher. Of those…
Overcoming alcohol addiction may result in withdrawal symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline so you know what to expect. Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline Addiction to alcohol can have detrimental effects on an individual’s life….
Substance abuse often leads to addiction, which often has a detrimental impact on various aspects of life. If you suspect you or a loved one may be abusing substances and developing an addiction, it’s important to address the problem sooner than later. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the common signs of…
Often, technology advances more rapidly than do our approaches to effective treatment. While many therapists and medical practitioners have been promoting the benefits of telehealth treatment for some time, it is only during this current tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic that regulation boards are having to take a serious look at it as a viable…
Most treatment centers are taking a strongly anti-cannabis stand. Some even go so far as to ignore the research that shows different types of cannabis blends have different medical benefits. Because we at PCI are interested in science-informed treatment, we take a more neutral stance on cannabis. (Full disclosure: we encourage most if not all…
The psychedelics (or Hallucinogens) are a class of drugs that have a profound cultural mythos. They are often associated with social rebellion of the 1960’s and 70’s, and, conversely, with “spiritual” personalities and religious figures across dozens of cultures. Most people have either an automatically positive or negative view of these types of drugs. In…
Many of you have probably encountered the acronym IOP when searching for treatment or checking on treatment centers in your area. We would like to use this blog post to explain what IOP is, why it’s an important treatment option, and how it is supposed to serve people struggling with mental illness and addiction disorders….
In the previous article we talked about the struggles with anxiety during the pandemic. This is a troubling time, and many of us are in a circumstance that we could not have been predicted: stuck inside for almost all day. This will likely help us re-think how grateful we are for our freedom to walk…
We live in a very uncertain time right now given the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19. Many people are losing jobs, whereas others are losing loved ones. The pandemic is a source of great suffering for billions of people all over the world. News stories come out every day showing the…
