The terms “substance abuse: and “addiction” are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. Substance abuse is the act of abusing a drug (prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal) or substances like alcohol for the wrong reasons, in incorrect amounts, and without proper medical approval. When substance abuse becomes a clinical health concern, it…
Coke. Coca. Snow. Flake. Blow. These are all slang or street names for cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance due to its medicinal properties and the high likelihood for abuse. Cocaine is derived from the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) native to South America, which has traditionally – for over 4,000 years – been used as a…
Benzodiazepines (aka “Benzos” and “Downers”) are a class of psychoactive drugs that enhance the effect of a chemical in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This neurotransmitter suppresses neuron activity, slowing the brain and nervous system. There are over a dozen benzodiazepines on the market, and they differ in absorption rate, duration of effects, and…
In the year 2017, it was estimated that approximately 18 million people misused prescription medications at least once in the past year. Opioid overdoses from prescriptions were five times higher in 2016 than in 1999. A final shocking statistic is that the number of prescription drugs being prescribed by doctors since the ’90s has increased. You…
Clinical depression is a mood disorder that can affect your ability to complete daily tasks and socialize as you might typically do. It can arise in any developmental period, but it is common to see it establish itself during adulthood. For a doctor to diagnose a patient with depression, the symptoms should be present for…
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that alters a person’s perception of themselves, the world around them, and their relationship to it. Disruptions are experienced in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Schizophrenia can also be tricky to diagnose due to its inherent biological complexity, the overlap of symptoms with other disorders, and different evaluation…
Sometimes, people don’t understand why it is so hard for those who use substances to simply stop using. They may assume that the individual has no will power or is apathetic. Family and friends could be struggling with conflicting feelings of care, love, and hope, but also feelings of resentment, mistrust, or guilt. The delicate…
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder whereby the patient experiences unusual and significant mood changes, behaviors, energy, sleep patterns, concentration, and overall ability to meet the day’s tasks. There are three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. It is estimated that approximately 4.4% of adults in the U.S. experience the disorder…
Most illegal substances have unseen physical health effects. Rarely do we consider the potential health risks to our bodies if they are not externally apparent. Nearly every illegal substance negatively affects the heart in both short and long terms ways. Stimulants may be the most dangerous class of drugs for our hearts. Drug abuse and…
Most of us are familiar with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. We may have sat next to somebody at school who always appeared disorganized, had problems sitting still, and seemed on a series of constant back and forth trips to the principal’s office. More recent attention has focused on previously undiagnosed adults…