Drug addiction is a chronic health condition that inhibits an affected individual’s ability to control their behavior and impulses when it comes to their drug intake, despite the negative health and social consequences of their drug use. Drug addiction is such a dangerous disease because the long-term use of the drug affects our brain chemistry, leading to changes in our reward systems.
Category: alcohol abuse
Alcohol, Energy Drinks, and Caffeine: What are the Risks?
Combining alcohol and energy drinks together has become a popular drinking trend in recent years, but it isn’t without its dangers. Alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs) or caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs) are premixed beverages that not only contain alcohol but also caffeine and other stimulants such as taurine. A typical AED or CAB beverage contains about […]
How To Stay Positive After A Relapse
Because addiction is a chronic disease, relapse can be a very real outcome in the recovery and addiction treatment process. Unfortunately, the likelihood of relapse can also be high. However, if you have suffered a relapse and are concerned about what that may mean for your future recovery, you should know that you are not alone. Through ongoing treatment and other strategies, there are many ways to regain your sobriety and help get you started back on the road to recovery. This article contains ideas about how to stay positive after a relapse has occurred.
Dissociative Disorders and Addiction: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Dissociative disorders and addiction commonly co-occur, making recovery more difficult.1 Both conditions can make day-to-day functioning very hard, and to cope with the symptoms of a dissociative disorder, a person may be more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.
First Responders: Risk of Substance Abuse and Addiction
Emergency responders do incredible work, but they are people too. As a result, the risk of substance abuse and addiction among first responders is high.t comes with many physical and psychological strains that can negatively affect a person’s well-being. Emergency responders do incredible work, but they are people too. As a result, the risk of substance abuse and addiction among first responders is high.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Among Lawyers
Lawyers, in particular, tend to have high-stress jobs and they frequently face a lot of pressure to succeed. Sometimes, this can produce mental health problems and drive individuals toward a lifestyle of substance abuse or alcohol abuse.
Addiction Among Medical Professionals
Addiction among medical professionals is common. Healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and technicians have challenging jobs and often suffer from side effects like sleep deprivation and extreme stress due to consistent exposure to death or trauma. Like many others who work outside of the healthcare industry, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals may turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate and cope.
Can Dry January Ignite Your Recovery and Lead to Lasting Sobriety?
For many people, January is a time for new changes and a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to reassess, create goals, and work towards a better you. If you want to step back and re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol, Dry January might be a great way to do it and start the year making healthier choices.
5 Signs You Might Be Self-Medicating to Deal With Stress
It’s not uncommon for people to use drugs to deal with stress, fear, or other complex emotions. But over time, this behavior can grow into addiction and cause serious physical and mental health problems.
How Does Alcohol and Drug Use Influence Suicidal Behaviors?
Addiction, depression, and suicide are all very closely related. People who suffer from severe depression and other mental health issues often engage in risky behaviors or turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their negative feelings. However, chronic alcohol or drug abuse also produces toxic side effects, including mental health issues like anxiety and depression. As a person continues to use alcohol or drugs to cope with depression, they’re likely to experience depressive episodes more often, increasing feelings of hopelessness and despair.