Below is an article about Marijuana by James F. Mulligan, MD, ASAM that was in a recent Challenges Alumni newsletter. On A More Serious Side When Marijuana first appeared in the southwestern US in the early 1900’s, it was referred to as a “loco weed” thought to have been created as part of an “evil plot” to make children rebel against their parents. Sixty years later, it became the generational
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Intervention is a technique that was originated by Vernon Johnson of the Johnson Institute in Minnesota. Mr. Johnson’s original idea was to create a “controlled crisis” for the Alcoholic who was reluctant to enter into treatment. This type of Intervention was than modified to address all crisis situations. Intervention, when conducted by a trained professional, is 96% successful in convincing a reluctant person to enter into treatment. For many years
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Dean J. Rotondo, M.D. contributed the following article to a recent Challenges newsletter. The syndrome known today as bipolar disorder has been recognized for over 2,000 years. In fact it is among the earliest described mental illnesses. Bipolar disorder comprises a diverse heterogeneous group of chronic disturbances that produce cyclic episodes of elation or depression evidenced by cognitive and behavioral symptoms that can vary from episode to episode. There is
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Challenges is committed to the inclusion of family as in integral part of every client’s treatment plan. Since family members are deeply affected by addiction and mental health disorders, their involvement in treatment can be critical to the recovery process. One of the most important aspects of our Family Program is to provide education and awareness to families and discuss issues that have been playing a role within these family
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Jeffrey Huttman, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Officer contributed the following article to a recent Challenges newsletter. Treatment for substance abuse in individuals with co-occurring disorders requires a careful consideration of relapse prevention strategies. Those with co-occurring disorders frequently face difficulties that last well beyond initial stabilization and recovery. Substance abuse and mental health disorders are often long-term conditions. Therefore, they can be optimally treated when care and interventions are considered over
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