After checking out drug rehab facilities, you may have started wondering whether men and women suffer addiction differently. You may have even noticed that there were more men than women, or women than men, in particular facilities. So, do they suffer addiction differently? Read on to find out.

What the Studies Showed (and Show)

For several years, bordering on decades, addiction research only tapped into how addictions affected men. They were the only study participants in most studies, which means the results of those studies may have been medically biased towards men.

However, by the time the 1990s rolled around, the testing requirements were changing. Many United States organisations even demanded that women be included as study participants. After all, they, too, could become addicts of various substances.

Since men and women both became included in studies, researchers discovered some quite interesting things. Firstly, they found that men were more likely to abuse alcohol and illicit drugs. In those studies, 11.5 percent of men over the age of 12 use drugs. Only 6.4% of females did.

In saying that, women were more likely to require emergency room care or overdose from their substance abuse.

(more…)

Read more

Not every case of depression is going to warrant or require anti-depressants. While seeing your GP is recommended for seeking help when you need it, be aware that there are many natural products available that may be able to help you through a particularly dark patch in your life. When you see your GP for depression-related symptoms, ask if the following five natural products may benefit you.

1. St John’s Wort
St John’s Wort is a tricky herbal supplement because there are so many rules and regulations associated with its use. While it’s a common method of treatment for depression in Europe, it’s not approved in the US. However, some people find it has been beneficial for the treatment of mild to medium levels of depression.

Even though its benefits may be far-reaching for some, it comes with just as many health warnings. It should not be taken by those who are already using anti-depression medication, or those on HIV or AIDS medication, birth control, chemotherapy treatment, blood thinning drugs, or by those who have received an organ transplant.

2. Exercise
While it’s not a herbal remedy or something you can buy in a bottle or pick from a plant, it is a valid anti-depressant. Exercise can deliver more oxygen to your brain for better brain and physical health, while also encouraging better connectivity in the brain. What’s more, it targets the same neurotransmitters as anti-depressants do, regulating them and helping with depression. Where possible, try to exercise outdoors.

(more…)

Read more