MAIN Health Addictions

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear addiction is drugs, but addictive behavior is not limited to drug abuse.

Our modern wired world has introduced Internet addiction - to take its place beside drug, alcohol, food, gambling, shopping, sexual and other less-recognized obsessions that may start with pleasure, but in the life of someone with an addiction, eventually add up to misery.

Whether addictions are based on physical or psychological cravings, they are extremely difficult to eliminated without assistance. Rehab centers, therapeutic communities, counseling and self help groups can provide a safe haven and plenty of support for anyone trying to kick a self destructive habit. Twelve step therapies, like AA or Gambler's Anonymous are among the options, but there are many other alternatives to help with recovery from an addiction.

Get information, help and rehabilitation with these online guides to common addictions...

4Therapy - News, feature articles and a searchable database to find professional help with an array of mental health concerns - caused by anything from drug and alcohol addiction to the stress of caring for the elderly - with on and off-line resources, plus access to community forums via free registration.

Your Brain on Meth - Check out an educational video on the harm its doing, plus lots of related resources and links to additional facts, information and ways of dealing with addiction to crystal meth (methamphetamine).

Intervention Center - Resources for both consumers and intervention professionals, with a FAQ, links for alcohol and drug rehab for loved ones or business colleagues, along with more on gambling and computer addictions.

Academy For Eating Disorders - Special interest groups, scholarly journals and plenty of interest in finding out how to combat problem eating patterns and adjust self image in those with food addictions and other eating disorders.

OA - Overeaters Anonymous is patterned on the 12 step philosophy of AA. They have links to meeting online and off plus other good resources to help understand the problem and get the behavior under control.

The Center for On-Line Addiction - COLA breaks the modern medical phenomenon into five main categories Cybersexual Addiction; Chat Room Addiction; Net Gaming; Information Overload and Computer Addiction.

Gamblers Anonymous - The official site with facts and info on the 12 step program for compulsive gamblers. Links to meetings around the US and a test to see if your gambling fits the pattern.

North American Gaming Regulators Association - NAGRA includes federal, state, local, tribal, and provincial government agencies responsible for regulation of legalized gaming activities. Extensive links to resources on the topic of gambling addictions.

Debtors Anonymous - It's called oniomania or Shopoholism - the compulsive urge to shop 'til you drop...no matter what your credit report or family have to say. If you have it, this group has answers.

Sex Addicts Anonymous - SAA, is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction and help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency.

National Association of Addition Treatment Providers - NAATP is a professional organization with good resources for both the therapist and the person struggling to reclaim a life ruled by compulsive activities.

also see in Health -> Alcoholism Symptoms & Treatment

also see in Home Legal Guide - Drug Possession Laws

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.