As marijuana laws are becoming more relaxed, there are proponents who believe that marijuana is a cure-all,while others believe marijuana is just as damaging as any other illicit substance. The truth, however, is somewhere in the middle. Marijuana does have major health benefits for those who need it, but when taken recreationally, frequently, and in…
A person who first achieves sobriety is in danger of falling into the trap of behavioral addictions. Food, sex, and gambling are examples of behavioral addictions that a person may find themselves engaging in as an attempt to replace the fleeting feelings of pleasure provided by drugs. Another common behavioral addiction is working out. Unfortunately,…
Harris Wittels, co-executive producer of Parks and Recreation and inventor of the word “humblebrag,” passed away from a heroin overdose in February of 2015. Wittels was well-respected in the comedy world and wrote for shows like The Sarah Silverman Program, Eastbound and Down, and, most famously, Parks and Recreation. His story and struggles with addiction,…
There are many different views about addiction. Some believe it is an entirely spiritual sickness while others believe it is entirely mental and physical. Regardless of the spiritual and mental components that propel one into addiction, one thing is true: addiction makes major changes to the brain that cause an individual to become completely powerless…
Addiction is a complex disease marked by chronic and compulsive substance use despite negative consequences. Physical dependence, on the other hand, is when the brain physiologically changes as a result of substance use, requiring users to continue taking the drug to stave off withdrawal symptoms. While physical dependence is often a part of addiction, it…
Suffering from addiction causes one to have many questions. We don’t know why we can’t stop, why addiction has taken over our lives, and why we continue to go turn to substances even when we don’t want to. Addiction treatment often incorporates programs that educate clients about the nature of the disease of addiction. By…
The news always seems to have stories about artists and musicians being arrested for drug possession or passing away as a result of substance abuse. It seems as though creative people are more likely to become addicted to or abuse drugs. Is there a link between creativity and addiction? Research suggests that there may be,…
The environment one lives in plays a major role in their development of addiction. Addiction arises from a combination of both genetic and environmental factors, but environment can play a major role in whether the genetic trait is activated. Nobody is doomed to become addicted, but environmental factors can be a major determining factor. Environmental…
Many men and women struggling with addiction use more than one substance, and often combine different substances to achieve a stronger high. Many users are unaware of the interactions that can be caused by mixing two or more different substances. Cocaine and alcohol are two substances that, when combined, can be extremely dangerous and potentially…
Recognizing the warning signs that a friend of loved on is struggling with addiction can be difficult. Many people suffering from addiction or alcoholism will go to great lengths to hide or downplay their problem. They are often unwilling, or possibly unaware, that their substance use or drinking has progressed to the point of addiction.…