Topics: Addiction

From Don Juanism to nymphomania, sex addiction has long been recognized among the lay public, but recognition among professionals has been more controversial. Although highly stigmatized, excessive sexual behavior doesn’t qualify as a disorder until it causes real problems for patients, such as relationship issues, losing one’s job, and getting arrested.

Topics: Addiction | Psychotherapy

Pornography addiction is more of a process or behavioral addiction where the effect on the brain is the same, but you’re not putting a foreign chemical into your body. Pornography is just one behavior that we would put under that umbrella of sexual addiction. And for some people who become sex addicts, it actually starts out with pornography—as a sort of gateway drug.

Topics: Addiction | News of Note | Substance Abuse

If you have not yet heard of kratom (usually pronounced kray-tom or krah-tom), consider this an introduction. Kratom preparations are gaining popularity among substance users because of the plant’s opioid-like and stimulant properties.

Topics: Research Update

Cannabis users seem to be at higher than normal risk to develop psychotic symptoms (see CATR, March 2015, “High Potency Cannabis Increases Risk of First Episode Psychosis”), but so far researchers haven’t solved the chicken-and-egg problem.

Topics: CME Post-Test

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.