Pasadena Rehab Blog | Substance Abuse News

Link Between Sleep Disturbances and the Onset of Mania

People with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder often have trouble with getting regular sleep. Unfortunately this can sometimes create a vicious cycle as their sleep issues can worsen symptoms of their disorder. This is especially a problem for people with bipolar disorder who may find that their problems with sleeping can trigger a manic episode.

Studies of bipolar disorder have linked sleep disturbances with both problems functioning and the onset of mania in many individuals. The two issues influence each other as many people with bipolar disorder find that their symptoms make it difficult to sleep and their lack of sleep can worsen symptoms. Research has shown that about half of people with bipolar disorder wake up in the night or have difficulty falling asleep.

People that are not able to sleep a full eight hours a night often have a worse quality of life especially when they are dealing with a complicated disorder like bipolar disorder. Lack of sleep can lead to a manic episode which in turn which cause the individual to sleep even less. Mania can cause people with bipolar disorder to feel that they need less sleep to function.

It is important for people with bipolar disorder to try to improve their sleeping habits in order to minimize the onset of episodes and also to improve their overall quality of life. Some medications and lifestyle changes can help people with the disorder start to sleep more regularly. With treatment, some of their symptoms may be reduced which can also help promote better sleep.

Eating a healthy diet, exercising, going to therapy and avoiding alcohol and drugs can all lead to better sleep and as a result will minimize the possibility of triggering a manic episode.

Are You Lonely or Are You Depressed?

Depression and feelings of loneliness are often closely related and some even believe that when someone is lonely it is simply another form of being depressed. There can be a lot of confusion between the two problems as people may find it difficult to identify what they are actually feeling. It can be hard to pinpoint feelings of loneliness and whether they are a symptom of depression or if you simply need more human connection.

Loneliness comes from a deep emotional drive that human beings have to feel that they belong. They want to feel socially connected and experience intimate relationships with others. If those needs are not met or they are rejected in some way it can lead to feelings of loneliness.

When someone feels lonely it is directly related to how they feel about their relationships while depression is more a general feeling of sadness or hopelessness that doesn’t always have a direct cause. Depression is not as connected to a specific motivational drive the way that loneliness is. Someone who is depressed may have feelings of worthlessness or loss of interest that are not related to specific problems like social isolation.

One thing to keep in mind is that although loneliness and depression are two separate issues, it is very common for people to feel both lonely and depressed. Someone who suffers from depression begin to withdraw from their social relationships and isolate themselves in a way that leads to loneliness. On the other hand, not everyone who is lonely is depressed and not everyone who is depressed is lonely; it simply depends on their personal circumstances.

If you are experiencing feelings of either loneliness or depression, talk to a counselor to work on solutions to improve your mental health and connections with others.

What is Opiophobia?

With the opioid addiction crisis growing in the U.S. there are other issues surrounding painkillers that are becoming problematic. Because opioids have led to such high rates of overdose, a new trend of opiophobia has led to some people avoiding medication even to cope with chronic pain. Fear of the consequences of taking opioids is causing both doctors and patients to avoid prescription painkillers even when there are legitimate medical reasons for using them.

Although opioids can be addictive in many cases, some patients who are experiencing chronic pain can still benefit from controlled use of the medication. Misinformation about the medical value of opioids has been leading many people to avoid them at all costs and they are suffering from serious pain problems as a result. Even though opioid addiction is something to seriously consider before taking medication, there are some instances where it can be life saving.

Health care providers who are too hesitant to provide patients with opioid prescriptions may be allowing them to struggle with pain unnecessarily. Excessive regulation and insufficient medical use of opioids can be devastating problems for people who suffer from chronic pain. Unfortunately some of the efforts to combat addiction have led to reduced access to opioids for the people that truly need them.

It is important for people in the medical industry and patients alike to be educated about the dangers of opioids but also the instances in which they are useful and necessary. Even though it is a top priority to curb the high rates of abuse and overdose, avoiding opioids at all costs can also be problematic in other ways. Finding a balance between regulating powerful medications and having them available for those in need is a complicated issue that needs to be addressed in order to help minimize the damage surrounding the opioid crisis.

Opioid Abuse in the Workplace: Some Industries Hit the Hardest

The opioid epidemic is an issue that has been spreading across the nation in recent years but certain demographics have been hit harder than others. Opioid addiction has affected not only specific age groups but also certain types of industries more than others. Where a person works can be another factor in their vulnerability for developing a problem with opioids.

The workers that have been affected most by the opioid crisis are those in the construction industry. Nearly a quarter of the opioid-related overdose deaths in the state of Massachusetts were among people who worked in construction. High rates of overdose also occurred in industries such as farming, fishing and forestry which had five times as many deaths as other workers in the state.

These types of jobs may be linked to higher rates of abuse and overdose because they physically demanding and are often linked to workplace injuries. It is possible that workers get hooked on opioids following an injury due to the medication they are prescribed. The stress of their jobs may also influence them to seek relief from prescription drugs that offer a feeling of euphoria.

In general, studies found that people in industries without much job security were more likely to abuse opioids. It is possible that opioids provide a way for people to return to work quickly following an injury. In industries with high rates of injuries and low job security, workers may not want to risk losing their job and rely on opioids to get them through the work day.

Although the opioid crisis has impacted people from all walks of life, certain types of jobs may lead to more issues with opioids than others. Education and treatment are crucial in reducing the number of overdose deaths in any industry in the U.S.

My Loved One Avoids Me if I Bring Up Treatment

When you know someone needs help for an addiction but you find it hard to discuss it with them it can become a problem. Sometimes addicts are still deep in denial even when everyone around them can see that they are going down a dangerous path. If your loved one avoids you when you discuss their addiction with them, it could be that they refuse to recognize that they have a problem.

The important thing to understand about a person’s addiction is that it is an illness that can control how they think and behave. Their decision to avoid you has nothing to do with you but is a reflection of how their substance abuse has taken over their mind. Although it may be difficult to witness they are now wired to do everything they can to keep using drugs.

A good strategy to take is to avoid enabling this person and set limits on your relationship with them. If they ask for money, comfort or a place to stay following a binge then you should keep boundaries with them so you aren’t helping them continue their behavior. Telling someone they need treatment and then doing something to enable them is a way of sending mixed signals.

If you have tried speaking to someone one on one about their addiction they are not responsive then might be time to stage an intervention. Try to gather as many friends, family and loved ones who are concerned about the addict and organize a time and place when you can discuss the problem with them. An intervention is often the most effective way to reach someone with an addiction because they see that everyone is in agreement that they have a problem and are more likely to choose to get help.