Facing a substance use disorder or addiction to drugs or alcohol can be daunting. It can also be a very physically challenging process because of how the drugs one has been using have affected one’s system. Addiction or dependency changes how the body’s brain chemistry works, leading to often painful withdrawal symptoms when the drug…
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Quitting drugs is a big step in life and one that is well worth the effort. Due to the dangers of using drugs and the potential for negative health consequences, quitting is a critical decision to make. However, you may be questioning what to expect on your journey to sobriety, especially what the drug withdrawal…
DetailsIf you have ever tried to address an alcohol abuse problem with a friend or family member, you might have felt resistance or defensiveness from your loved one. The idea that you can’t help people who won’t help themselves is not true. The right approach can encourage someone with an alcohol use disorder (an addiction…
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Methamphetamine, also known as meth or crystal meth, is a dangerous and addictive drug. It is a potent stimulant that creates a feeling of euphoria and an excess of energy in the individual. However, because of its potency, it has an outsized effect on brain chemistry. This can quickly lead to dependency or addiction. Like…
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Drugs and alcohol cause physical and psychological dependency, causing serious withdrawal symptoms when you immediately or suddenly stop using. Resuming your drug or alcohol use can stop withdrawal symptoms but ultimately makes it more difficult for you to recover. A personalized detox plan is an important step in recovery because it ensures that you can…
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The term bath salts refer to a synthetic drug capable of altering a person’s mood. This is a stimulant type of drug, and it can be very addictive to use. Sometimes called bloom, flakka, ivory wave, or vanilla sky, these illicit drugs are synthetic cathinone, which is made in a lab. If you are using…
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Some may think that oxycodone, also commonly referred to as oxy, can be prescribed by doctors. It’s less dangerous than street drugs, such as heroin. However, addiction to painkillers can creep up on you. Oxycodone or Oxy is one such prescription painkiller. Because of the medication’s potency, individuals can follow their doctor’s instructions and still…
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There is a significant link between depression and alcohol. While drinking alcohol is very common in day-to-day life, many people using it are doing so to hide depression or other mental health issues. In other cases, you may already have a diagnosis of depression, and you’re using alcohol as a way to deal with the…
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Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder as the condition is now referred to can seem to run in families. There’s good reason to suspect this, as there is a genetic link to an increased risk of developing alcohol addiction. This means that if you have biological family members who struggle with alcohol addiction, your chances of…
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There’s a fine line between casual, social, and safe drinking and alcohol addiction (what was referred to as alcoholism for many years before treatment for the disease advanced). Many people with addiction to alcohol don’t know they are facing a real disease that can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you see the signs of…
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