GTL: An Addiction

Watch out, Snooki--tanning beds can be addictive. You heard right, guidos and guidettes--if you gotta GTL*, just know you might be a junkie. This from a recent study showing that "tanning addiction" is a real phenomenon; and heavy users...Mike "The Situation"...are more likely to suffer from anxiety symptoms and substance abuse.

The research, carried out by professors from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the University at Albany, State University of New York, examined 421 students, including 229 who had used tanning beds in the last year. Of those, 70% showed signs of tanning addiction. Further, regular tanning salon users had a higher likelihood of drug and alcohol use.

Pump your fists in the ai-yair!

Much has been said about the dangers of tanning salons, particularly the heightened risk of developing skin cancer. Despite this, however, recreational tanning continues to grow among young adults. Why? Addiction, say experts.

According to the authors of the study, interventions similar to those of drug addiction may be necessary. "Treating an underlying mood disorder may be a necessary step in reducing skin cancer risk among those who frequently tan indoors," Catherine Mosher and Sharon Danoff-Burg, lead researchers of the study, said in the Archives of Dermatology journal.

All I can say is I'm not surprised. Anything that perceptually enhances looks--tanning, Botox, plastic surgery--has the propensity to lead to addiction. Many people get addicted to working out. Oh well. Hey, you gotta look good on The Shore...in December! Whatever. I think people should do what the hell they want--suffer the consequences like the rest of us idiots before you. If it don't kill ya, Juice Box...it'll certainly make you bronzer.

*GTL=gym, tanning, laundry--the guido credo.

Overcoming Drug Addiction

My friend Margit Hermann, a drug and addiction counselor and martial arts trainer, recently invited me to speak on her DVD, Second Chance--Break Free From Addiction. As a former substance abuser and addict, and a doctor that works with people trying to transform their lives from drug addiction, I had a few things to say. I will be posting clips here over the next few days. Today's clip is on the the dangers of getting hooked on pain medications. For more information on the Second Chance--Break Free From Addiction DVD, please visit the website here: