Addiction Science

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Principles of Effective Addiction Treatment Guide and Follow-up Quiz

April 6, 2020 / Addiction Science, Research/Trends/Statistics

Professionals in the field of addiction medicine, including ours at Two Dreams, use the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) “Principles of Effective Treatment Guide” as a reference to ensure that clients receive the high quality care they deserve. Read through the NIDA’s research-based ideologies below and take our quiz afterwards to see how well you understand the key points. Try to answer the questions without looking back at the list for answers! Visit the NIDA website for more information. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition) Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain …

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Which Parts of the Brain are Impaired By Alcohol?

April 7, 2020 / Addiction Science, Alcohol, Research/Trends/Statistics

Alcohol is a type of drug known as a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant, meaning that it tends to decrease neuronal activity occurring in the brain and spinal cord. This decrease in activity contributes to some of the slow, sedating side effects the drug imparts on its consumers, like slurred speech and stumbling movements. Alcohol is able to cause this decrease in neuron activity by increasing the activity of an important cell-signaling chemical in the nervous system called y-aminobutyric acid, otherwise known as “GABA.” This neurotransmitter is the body’s main inhibitory signaler. It moves around interacting with neurons and instructing …

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Alcohol Education Resources

April 6, 2020 / Addiction Science, Alcohol, Research/Trends/Statistics

Two Dreams encourages everyone to utilize the many alcohol education resources available online and in your local libraries and bookstores. The following is a compilation of alcohol education resources that we find to be particularly useful and informative: Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization, Inc. This organization caters to adults who were raised in dysfunctional environments and who exhibit traits characteristic to survivors of past abuse and/or neglect. The group implements the 12-step model, one of the most well-known and celebrated methods of recovery support in the world, and emphasizes the importance of emotional healing through meeting attendance, sponsorship, …

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Honesty – January 2016

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Art Therapy, Chicago, Dream Journal, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Mindfulness, New Orleans, Outer Banks, Outpatient, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Tobacco/Nicotine

Dream Journal Volume XXXVI / January 2016 Note From Dr B. The idea of making a “New Year’s Resolution” is appealing to individuals across the globe, but it also adds a great deal of pressure to the actions of the upcoming year. People oftentimes make unrealistic promises (ex. I will exercise every single day from now on) and end up disappointed when they are unable to live up to the standard of perfection they set for themselves. So, as a means of relieving ourselves of this unnecessary stress, I propose that we all strive for progress in this upcoming year instead …

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December 2015’s Dream Journal

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Art Therapy, Chicago, Dream Journal, Heroin and Opioids, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Medical Consequences, Mental Health, Mindfulness, New Orleans, Nutrition, Outer Banks, Outpatient, Prevention, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene

Dream Journal Volume XXXV / December 2015 Note from Dr. B. The holidays can be a difficult time for individuals in recovery: frustrating family members, crazy Christmas parties, stressful shopping trips, etc. You don’t have to let the season get you down though! There are plenty of ways to stay centered and sober during the winter season. Make sure to listen to your body and avoid letting yourself get hungry. Maintain a regular meal plan full of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Eating a plateful of cookies may seem like a good idea when you’re at an event, but the inevitable …

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November 2015’s Dream Journal

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Alcohol, Art Therapy, Chicago, Co-Occurring Disorders/Comorbidity, Criminal Justice, Dream Journal, Drug Testing, Drugs and the Brain, Heroin and Opioids, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Intervention, Medical Consequences, Mental Health, Mindfulness, New Orleans, Outer Banks, Outpatient, Pain, Prescription Drugs & Cold Medicines, Prevention, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics

Dream Journal Volume XXXIV / NOV 2015 Note from Dr. B. The ongoing opioid overdose crisis has prompted the CDC to take action in the form of developing new guidelines for qualified prescribers. First and foremost, the CDC stresses that opioid therapy should be utilized only if all other treatment options have been exhausted. Opioids can vastly improve functionality and quality of life, but the benefits must be weighed against the risks of tolerance, addiction, overdose, etc. If opioids are absolutely necessary, the prescribing physician and patient should work together to formulate a safe plan of approach and establish realistic treatment …

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Reverence and Respect – October 2015

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Alcohol, Art Therapy, Chicago, Co-Occurring Disorders/Comorbidity, Criminal Justice, Dream Journal, Drugs and the Brain, Heroin and Opioids, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Medical Consequences, Mental Health, Mindfulness, New Orleans, Outer Banks, Outpatient, Prescription Drugs & Cold Medicines, Prevention, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Women and Drugs

The Dream Journal Volume XXXIII / October 2015 Note from Dr. B. The Walk on Washington was a great success! The Two Dreams staff gathered in Washington DC on October 4th in a collective effort to support policies that will improve addiction recovery and end the stigma against those with the disease. Major media networks covered the event, so our voices were heard all across the nation. Fall is a time of transformation, and we look forward to affecting more change as we move towards the end of the year. Monthly Tradition “Tradition Ten – Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on …

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Lose Interest in Selfish Things – July Dream Journal 2014

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Alcohol, Dream Journal, Drugs and the Brain, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Medical Consequences, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Outer Banks, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene

Dream Journal Volume XIX / July 2014 Note from Dr B. It gives me great pleasure to announce that I have been featured in the current issue of Addiction Professional Addiction Professional. I emphasize in the article the call to come together as treatment providers and programs and set aside our differences. This message parallels our theme for this month, which is about losing interest in selfish things and gaining interest in our fellows. The disease we face is complex and relentless, and to keep evolving as a community we must face it together. Monthly Promise #7: “We will lose interest in …

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Situations Which Used to Baffle Us – November Dream Journal 2014

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Chicago, Dream Journal, Drugs and the Brain, Inpatient, Marijuana, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Outer Banks, Pain, Public Health, Research/Trends/Statistics, Synthetic Drugs

VOLUME XXIII / NOV 2014 Two Dreams is a wellness program led by Andrea G. Barthwell, MD, FASAM that provides individualized care for those who dream of recovering a healthy lifestyle. NOTE FROM DR. B. This month we gathered together for a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with the Two Dreams Outer Banks staff, clients, and family members. The holidays can be particularly challenging for those in recovery, and that is why we must remind ourselves and each other of our gratitude and the gains we make in treatment. Thank you to everyone who attended my performance at the Under the Gun …

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