Addiction and recovery, despite their complexity, are often simplified, stereotyped, or mischaracterized in popular media and social scenarios. Due to the pervasive stigma around addiction, the process of recovery and nuances of addiction treatment is frequently misunderstood. It can make it difficult to ask for help, commit to recovery, and even harder to talk about…
Alcohol is one of the most addictive and easily accessible substances available. Alcohol dependence can begin at any age, and the longer a person is dependent on alcohol, the more dangerous it becomes. In Laguna Beach, more than 21% of high school freshmen and 45% of high school juniors have self-reported using alcohol in the…
One of the greatest dangers of addiction isn’t a particular drug but rather the mixing of various substances to create drug cocktails, also known as polysubstance abuse. Alcohol is one of the most common mixers and most addictive substances available. However, most people mixing alcohol with prescription drugs can benefit from an alcohol addiction treatment…
Benzos, or Benzodiazepines, are psychoactive sedatives. They slow down brain functionality by enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This dulls the central nervous system to create a sense of calm. They are also highly addictive. Many people use benzos due to a prescription and develop a dependence due to the sedative effects. Due to the increasing prevalence…
Addiction and mental health issues are often intertwined. This is one reason professionals are recommending dual diagnosis treatment more and more commonly. When someone is experiencing a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, addiction treatment specialists call it a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder. Research has found that people with mental health…
In an increasingly competitive environment, young people feel the burden of competition and pressure to perform earlier and more intensely than ever. Unfortunately, this perception of intense competition, in conjunction with more and more young people receiving prescriptions for ADD and ADHD, is leading to an epidemic of stimulant addiction among college students. In…
While California is making significant efforts to address drug addiction and provide quality treatment, it remains a primary public health issue. Alcohol accounts for more nonfatal emergency room visits than all other drugs combined, and by the 11th grade, more than half of Californians have gained drinking experience. Since 2006, the number of fatal heroin…
Benzodiazepines, or Benzos for short, are highly addictive Schedule IV controlled substances that depress the central nervous system. Despite their dangerous and addictive nature, benzos tend to fly under the radar. They are among the most popular drugs available, and their prescription rate is high in the United States. If you or someone you love…
Every addictive substance has unique characteristics that can make recognizing an addiction challenging. Recognizing an addiction via visual and behavioral cues can be vital to helping your loved one get the help they need in a timely fashion. Crystal meth abuse, in particular, can have immediate, devastating consequences on a person’s physical and mental health.…
Alcohol and mental health are inextricably linked in more ways than many realize. People drink alcohol for numerous reasons. For some, it’s a social lubricant. For others, it is a coping tool. Some people simply drink to relax. Whatever the reasons, drinking too much alcohol negatively impacts a person’s mental well-being. If you or someone…