Is my gambling problem related to anxiety?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I used to gamble once a year, on a trip to Vegas. But lately my lifelong battle with anxiety has gotten worse — and so has my gambling. Are they related? What can I do? DEAR READER:...
View ArticleCan medication help with opioid addiction?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I started taking oxycodone for chronic back pain, but now I'm addicted to it. I've heard there may be medications that can help me quit. DEAR READER: Oxycodone, like morphine, codeine...
View ArticleDo I have a drug addiction?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I think I may have a drug problem. But how can I tell if I'm truly addicted? DEAR READER: The world is not divided neatly into those who are "addicts" and those who are not. More and...
View ArticleDo I have a drinking problem?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I started drinking more during the holidays. It seemed natural, as there were so many parties and happy hours. But the holidays are long over, and I haven't cut back. Could I have a...
View ArticleHow can I cure a hangover?
DEAR DOCTOR K: Why do I get a hangover when I drink? What's the best way to get rid of it? DEAR READER: Last night was great -- friends, food, fun and wine. Lots of wine. But this morning your head is...
View ArticleCan medications help me quit smoking?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I've tried to quit smoking on my own, but it never lasts. Could medications help? How do they work? DEAR READER: Medicines can help, and they have improved "quit rates." Although smoking...
View ArticleI’ve been drinking more recently — How can I rein in my drinking before it...
DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm a 36-year-old woman. Lately I've been drinking more than I used to. How can I rein in my drinking before it becomes a problem? DEAR READER: Even for people who initially have a...
View ArticleWhy are some people more vulnerable to addiction than others?
DEAR DOCTOR K: Is it true that some people are more vulnerable to addiction than others? Why? DEAR READER: We tend to think about the ravages of addiction mainly when it takes a celebrity from us....
View ArticleHow can I help my brother overcome his alcohol addiction?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My brother is addicted to alcohol. How can I help him overcome his addiction? DEAR READER: It is so hard to watch a loved one suffer. And addiction surely causes suffering. In some ways,...
View ArticleHow can I prevent addiction to my prescription painkillers?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My doctor has prescribed prescription painkillers -- opioids -- for my severe back pain. They relieve my pain, but how can I reduce my risk of becoming hooked? DEAR READER: Simply being...
View ArticleWhy can’t women drink as much as men?
DEAR DOCTOR K: Can you explain why "moderate" drinking is defined differently for men and women? Is it because men tend to be heavier? Or is there more to it? DEAR READER: Women are advised to drink...
View ArticleCould low-nicotine cigarettes help me quit smoking altogether?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I've decided to quit smoking. Do you think low-nicotine cigarettes could be a good stepping-stone to kicking the habit completely? DEAR READER: I'm always glad when readers ask about how...
View ArticleWhat’s behind the recent epidemic of opioid addiction?
DEAR DOCTOR K: The news media say that we suddenly have an epidemic of addiction to prescription opioid painkillers. These pills have been around for a long time. What's changed? DEAR READER:...
View ArticleIs it possible to ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My husband has a problem with alcohol. He has finally decided to quit and has set a date for his final drink. How will his body react once he stops? Is there anything we can do to help...
View ArticleShould I be concerned about my drinking?
DEAR DOCTOR K: During my daughter's wedding, and all the events surrounding it, I started drinking more than usual. But that was six months ago, and I haven't cut back to where I was before. When do I...
View ArticleIs addiction a disease or is it caused by a lack of willpower?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My brother has struggled with addiction for years. I've told my husband that addiction is a disease, but he claims my brother is weak and lacks willpower. Is he right? DEAR READER: There...
View ArticleCould a monthly injection help my son overcome his opioid addiction?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My son is addicted to painkillers. He has been in and out of treatment programs, but nothing has worked. I recently heard about a monthly injection that can help people overcome...
View ArticleAre there medications that could help me quit smoking?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I've tried to quit smoking on my own, but it never lasts. Could medications help? How do they work? DEAR READER: Medicines can help, and they have improved "quit rates." Although smoking...
View ArticleIs it safe for my teen to be smoking hookahs?
DEAR DOCTOR K: You recently wrote about e-cigarettes not being safe for teens. What about hookahs? I don't completely understand what they are. Are they OK for my teen? I think he might be smoking...
View ArticleHow can I prevent addiction to my prescription painkillers?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My doctor has prescribed prescription painkillers -- opioids -- for my severe back pain. They relieve my pain, but how can I reduce my risk of becoming hooked? DEAR READER: Simply being...
View Article
