Injecting drugs directly in the vein, or “shooting up,” is one of the most dangerous routes of administration. Many users prefer injection for the rapid onset of drug effects, however there is a strong chance of developing dangerous, sometimes...
Drug Abuse
What are the Health Consequences of MDMA?
MDMA, known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a stimulant and hallucinogenic drug that causes feelings of euphoria, pleasure, increased energy, and increased sensory perception. Due to the effects of MDMA, it is often taken as party drug and it popular at...
Finding the Courage to Communicate During Treatment
In treatment, we may feel shame for the feelings that we are experiencing. However, we need to recognize that our depression, loneliness, and regret are not unique. Nearly everyone who has overcome addiction and alcoholism has struggles with the...
What are the Effects of PCP on the Mind and Body?
Phencyclidine, commonly referred to as PCP, is a dissociative drug with dangerous mind-altering and hallucinogenic effects. Although popular in the 1980’s, since 2012 PCP has gained a resurgence in popularity. The effects of PCP on the brain and...
Addiction: A Progressive and Fatal Disease
The disease model of addiction takes into account that it is a chronic, progressive, and fatal illness. The chronic nature of the disease means that, like diseases such as diabetes and cancer, it must be managed. Fortunately, through adherence to a...
Why Sports Addiction Can Be Just as Challenging as Drug Addiction
Sports participation is a highly visible aspect of 21st-century life as more people dive into sports for recreation and competitive leagues. It builds health, self-discipline, strong character, and promotes teamwork. Many benefits can be found...
Surprising Dangers of Psychedelics
Psychedelic drugs, such a LSD, psilocybin, and various other hallucinogens, are commonly misunderstood as “safe” drugs because they do not have the same propensity for addiction as “harder” drugs like opiates and stimulants. Psychedelics, however,...
For Musicians in Recovery
Pete Doherty, singer of The Libertines and Babyshambles, reflected on the beginnings of his heroin addiction in a 2014 Independent article. “To me,” he said, “it wasn’t a dirty street drug, it was this magic potion I read about. It was Kubla Khan,...
Drug Addiction Doesn’t Define You
For many years you may have turned to drugs to help you cope with life’s challenges. Now that you’ve decided to get clean, you may be trying to find your identity. Drugs blurred who you were. You may have been using for so long that...
How Heroin Works
A quick and flippant answer to the question “how does heroin work” might be “all too well”. Heroin and medical morphine have the same effect on a person’s brain and metabolism, and a person’s body converts both heroin and medical morphine into the...