Heroin is one of the most popular street drugs in the United States, used every day by thousands of Americans. Despite being illegal, more than 690,000 people use it every year. Sadly, the average rate of abuse is going up, with data showing...
I felt like an abject failure. After 30 days in rehab, I relapsed in just six days. I lost my job, and my parents told me I couldn't see my children until I got my life together. What was wrong with me? I had every opportunity to change, and it...
When struggling with addiction, I thought the hardest thing I would ever do was to take those first steps to recovery. I had an anxiety attack on my way to rehab. I just kept telling myself that it had to get better from there, that having hit my...
The World Health Organization defines substance abuse as “the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, substance abuse can be defined as “long-term,...
Many people in the United States have been directly affected by the ongoing opioid crisis. Many of these drugs come from prescriptions given to treat a variety of physical and mental issues. Prescription drug addiction claim the lives of countless...
"Does my loved one need detox?" For those ready to get addiction treatment, recovery happens in stages. The first stage of treatment for many people is detox. Detox allows patients to cleanse their bodies of toxic substances. Addiction treatment is...
Substance abuse takes over a person’s life and damages their mind, body and relationships they once considered important. Many people spend everything they have supporting their habit. When the money runs out, they turn to other means, often...
The idea of people using drugs to self-medicate symptoms of mental illness is not new. They may turn to drugs for euphoric feelings that offset feelings of depression or use alcohol to make themselves feel less anxious in social situations....
What comes to mind when you hear the word “drugs?” How much do you know about drugs beyond the headlines? Have you used substances but dismissed the idea of having a problem with drugs? What would your reaction be if you found out someone you cared...
There are no exact factors that determines who becomes addicted to alcohol or to other drugs, or whether a person progresses through the stages of addiction. Some people likely believe that they have a basic understanding of addiction to alcohol...
