We’re Still Getting This Wrong: It’s Not Addiction vs Dependence—It’s Mechanism
Medically reviewed by Dr. Teralyn Sell, PhD Let’s be precise. Treatment is not built on whether something is called “addiction” or “dependence.” It is built on what the drug does during withdrawal. Mechanism of action drives risk. Mechanism drives pacing. Mechanism...
Is It Withdrawal or Relapse? Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think
Medically reviewed by Dr. Teralyn Sell, PhD One of the most common and costly mistakes in mental health is answering the question of withdrawal versus relapse too quickly. Symptoms return, mood shifts, anxiety increases, and the default conclusion is often relapse....
Antipsychotics for Sleep: Are the Risks Worth It?
Antipsychotic medications are increasingly being prescribed for sleep problems. Drugs originally developed for schizophrenia and severe psychosis are now commonly given for insomnia, anxiety at night, or difficulty “shutting the brain off.” This trend should raise...
The Addiction and Mental Health Communities Share the Same Problem: The Broken Brain Theory
Both the addiction community and the mental health community rely on the same core idea: that some people are born with a broken brain. This belief is often called the broken brain theory or chemical imbalance theory. It suggests that people develop addiction,...