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: Substance Abuse
The Invisible Dangers of Fentanyl-Laced Drugs: Counterfeit Pills
The rate of accidental overdoses involving fentanyl-laced street drugs has increased significantly in recent years due in large part to illegally mass-produced counterfeit pills becoming more readily available and less expensive to buy on the black market. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl are intentionally manufactured to look identical to many commonly prescribed medications and have exploded […]
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 […]
Is it Possible to Develop an Addiction to Wine?
Is it possible to develop an addiction to wine? Simply put, as with any other type of alcohol the answer is yes. While excessive or binge drinking is more often associated with beer or hard liquor, wine is still a type of alcohol that can lead to dependance and addiction. When evaluating alcohol consumption, a […]
The Importance of Sober Friendships in Recovery
According to a 2020 study by health insurer Cigna, loneliness can be a common challenge for three out of five Americans, and this can be particularly true of those who are in the early stages of sobriety[1]. Many people may find themselves in a kind of limbo – having made the decision to cut ties with […]
How Celebrating Recovery Milestones can Increase Motivation
Achieving and maintaining sobriety requires motivation, determination, and self-accountability. Although those who have never been down the path to sobriety may not realize what a difficult process it can be, fighting addiction is at times an uphill battle, with an estimated 40-60% of those in recovery experiencing a relapse at some point along the way[1]. […]
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.
7 Things to Never Do During an Addiction Intervention
If you have a loved one with a substance use disorder, things can sometimes feel hopeless. However, people can and do recover from addiction, and an addiction intervention is often the first step.
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.