February 27, 2012

Dr. David Sack on the Science of Addiction.

Today’s guest is Dr. David Sack, one of the country’s leading authorities on addictions. Dr. Sack has a long, respected, and highly regarded career in clinical, research, and administrative psychiatry. He is currently CEO of the world-premiere Promises Treatment Center.

“Addiction is a disease of the brain’s reward center,” explains Dr. Sack. “Someone who is addicted takes a drug because it stimulates that reward center and secondarily there are are changes in behavior and relationships and memory that have to do with the reward center.” Everyone – including teens – are vulnerable to addictions.

Dr. Sack also explains various drugs “dependence liability” – the statistical probability that a person who uses that particular drug will develop a compulsive addiction as well as which drugs teens are more likely to become addicted to.

This is a nuts and bolts show that will walk parents through the ABC’s of teen addictions. Parents of kids all ages will take away valuable – and potentially life-saving information – from this vitally important show.

Hear the Podcast Now.

More about Dr. David Sack and Promises Treatment Centers.

February 22, 2012

Was Whitney Houston Doing What A Lot of Post 50s Do?

While it will be weeks before the definitive cause of Whitney Houston's death is determined, the news of the 48-year-old singer's passing has spawned a new discussion topic around the virtual water coolers where baby boomers congregate. It goes something like this: Who among us hasn't, at least on occasion (if not with some regularity), washed down an anti-anxiety pill with a glass of wine? And is it really a potentially lethal thing to do?

Despite the warning labels on the prescription pill bottle against mixing our drugs with alcohol, the fact is, people regularly do it, said Dr. David Sack, CEO ofPromises Treatment Centers. Having wine with dinner, followed by a prescription sleeping pill as a nightcap is all too common, especially among those 50 and older -- a demographic whose overall use of illicit drugs has been increasing.

"Most people don't perceive alcohol as a drug," Sack said. He notes that many women who don't consider themselves alcoholics are binge drinkers -- downing three or more drinks in a two-hour period. "They don't think of alcohol as a drug, even though they are getting a buzz from it."

Add the fact that people have a false sense of security about prescription drugs. "Because they come from a pharmacy, are ordered by a doctor," said Sack, "people think 'this must be safe.'" The combination of minimizing the impact of alcohol and underestimating the risk of prescription drugs is what causes the problem, he said.