June 12, 2013 Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have found evidence that an emotion-related brain region called the central amygdala -- whose activity promotes feelings of malaise and unhappiness -- plays a major role in sustaining cocaine addiction. In experiments with rats, the TSRI researchers found signs that cocaine-induced changes in this brain system contribute to anxiety-like behavior and other unpleasant symptoms of drug withdrawal -- symptoms that typically drive an addict to keep using. When the researchers blocked specific brain receptors called kappa opioid receptors in this key anxiety-mediating brain region, the rats' signs of addiction abated. "These receptors appear to be a good target for therapy," said Marisa Roberto, associate professor in TSRI's addiction research group, the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders. Roberto was the principal investigator for the study, which appears in the journal Biological Psychiatry. Carrot or Stick? In addition to its clinical implications, the finding represents an alternative to the pleasure-seeking, "positive" motivational circuitry that is traditionally emphasized in addiction. While changes in these pleasure-seeking brain networks may dominate the early period of drug use, scientists have been finding evidence of changes in the "negative" motivational circuitry as well -- changes … Continue reading →

12 Jun 2013 18:14 The pictures show an amazing volume of medical supplies littered around the singers bedroom at the time of his death LAPD Inside Michael Jackson's bedroom These are the shocking images detailing Michael Jacksons tragic descent into a life of drug dependency while showing a bizarre shrine to babies he made by his bedside. The pictures, which emerged as the King of Pops family sue his concert promoter for 31billion over his death, show an amazing volume of pill bottles, oxygen tanks and medical supplies littered around the singers bedroom at the time of his death four years ago. One of the images, taken by Los Angeles police investigating his death, shows how the Thriller star adorned a chest of drawers with numerous portraits of unidentified babies. Alongside the photographs stands a small picture of Charlie Chaplin. The creepy picture also shows a tall medical stand holding a plastic bag hanging of intravenous fluids and what appears to be two oxygen tanks. Hanging on the drawers is a large poster of a child with the words sweet baby written on it. Go here to see the original: Inside Michael Jackson's bedroom: Pictures show King of Pop's drugs, … Continue reading →

Malibu, CA (PRWEB) June 13, 2013 After being featured on the Katie Couric show, the book Ending Addiction for Good, skyrocketed to the number one bestseller position in the drug dependency category on Amazon.com. Although sales have been steady, said Cliffside Malibu CEO and the books coauthor, Richard Taite, We are thrilled with the success the book has seen over the past few days. One hundred percent of the authors proceeds for the book go to charity, so selling books to me is completely about saving lives. Taite published the book last year with Cliffside Malibus full time addiction researcher, Constance Scharff, PhD. I was speaking at a major neuroscience conference in Jerusalem, Israel, when I heard that the book hit number one on Amazon, said Scharff. Needless to say, its validating to realize that word is getting to more and more people that addiction is a disorder from which complete recovery is possible. From their own stories of addiction recovery, authors Taite and Scharff describe in detail the history of addiction treatment and the holistic, evidence-based treatment protocol designed and practiced at Cliffside Malibu. The book is designed to help those who are suffering recognize that there is a … Continue reading →