Hospitalization and treatment for chronic drug use

Hospitalization and treatment for chronic drug use typically involve a combination of medical detoxification, psychiatric evaluation, counseling, and rehabilitation. The goals of treatment are to help the individual safely withdraw from drugs, address any co-occurring mental health issues, and provide long-term strategies for maintaining sobriety. Let’s break this down step-by-step:… Read More Hospitalization and treatment for chronic drug use

Cognitive Impairment

Psychosis: Ketamine’s dissociative effects, which include feelings of detachment from reality and hallucinations, can increase the risk of developing psychotic symptoms over time. This is particularly concerning in users who have a predisposition to mental health disorders like schizophrenia. Chronic use can induce delusional thinking, paranoia, and hallucinations, sometimes resembling a schizophrenic-like psychosis.

Cognitive Disorganization: People who use ketamine long-term may experience cognitive disorganization, which refers to disjointed thoughts, difficulty forming coherent ideas, and confusion. This can contribute to issues with communication and relationships.… Read More Cognitive Impairment

Drug-induced brain damage

fMRI can detect functional changes in the brain related to drug-induced damage, particularly in regions involved in cognition, emotion, and reward processing. While it provides valuable insights into how drugs affect brain activity, it is not typically used as a stand-alone diagnostic tool. Rather, it is often combined with other imaging techniques, clinical assessments, and neuropsychological evaluations to get a full picture of the brain damage and cognitive impairments caused by drug use.… Read More Drug-induced brain damage

Identifiable Mental Health Conditions on MRI

Certain mental health and brain issues can be detected through an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan, but it’s important to understand the limitations and capabilities of this technology in the context of mental health. MRI scans are highly effective in detecting structural abnormalities in the brain, but they are less direct when it comes to diagnosing specific mental health conditions, which are often more functional and biochemical in nature.… Read More Identifiable Mental Health Conditions on MRI

When Involuntary Commitment Is Necessary

Involuntary commitment, sometimes referred to as civil commitment, is a legal process used when a person’s mental health condition, substance use disorder, or psychosis reaches a point where they can no longer make rational decisions about their own care or safety. This can be a critical step when someone poses a danger to themselves or others and is either unable or unwilling to seek help voluntarily. While it is an extreme measure, it can be a life-saving intervention when used appropriately.… Read More When Involuntary Commitment Is Necessary

Breaking the Cycle of Self-Sabotage

The idea that individuals have agency over their own lives, regardless of their upbringing, is a powerful and empowering concept. While childhood experiences and parental influences shape us in significant ways, they don’t have to define our entire future. Understanding this is crucial for breaking free from cycles of blame and embracing personal responsibility, which is a foundational step in moving from a place of victimhood to one of empowerment and growth.… Read More Breaking the Cycle of Self-Sabotage

European Drug Report 2024

Ketamine may also be added to other drug mixtures, including MDMA powders and tablets, potentially making inadvertent consumption an issue. Ketamine has also been found in mixtures sold as ‘pink cocaine’ or ‘tucibi’, which are more likely to contain ketamine and other synthetic drugs, such as amphetamines or MDMA. In contrast to some other parts of the world, mixtures sold as pink cocaine are less likely to contain the synthetic drug 2C-B, which has historically been associated with this product. At least 10 countries reported the detection of pink cocaine to the EU Early Warning System’s database on new drugs, with most of the cases reported by Spain. It is also interesting to note that while the overall figure remains low, both the quantity of 2C-B seized and the number of countries reporting seizures increased in 2022, with 14 countries reporting seizures amounting to just under 6 kilograms of this drug.… Read More European Drug Report 2024

Broken Trust

Trust is fragile. Every time a promise is broken, it chips away at the foundation of trust between two people. If this happens regularly, the erosion becomes so severe that the person on the receiving end no longer believes in anything that’s said, no matter how sincere it seems at the time. The phrase “empty promises” becomes synonymous with that person’s word.

In close relationships, whether personal or professional, the absence of trust can lead to emotional distance, resentment, and sometimes complete disengagement. Once trust is broken repeatedly, it becomes incredibly difficult to rebuild because people become more guarded and less willing to be vulnerable.… Read More Broken Trust

The Drama-Seeker: Addicted to Chaos

Special occasions – birthdays, weddings, holidays, and anniversaries – are times for joy, connection, and celebration. For most of us, these are moments we look forward to, opportunities to create lasting memories with friends and loved ones. However, for some, the chance to celebrate seems to come with a dark cloud: the chronic complainer, the drama-starter, or the person who always manages to shift the attention onto themselves in a negative way. Why is it that some individuals feel compelled to ruin special occasions?

Understanding this behavior requires us to look beyond the surface and explore deeper personality traits and emotional struggles that may be at play. What makes someone continually disrupt joy and harmony in others’ lives?… Read More The Drama-Seeker: Addicted to Chaos