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 lethal, infections from syringes or from contaminants in the drugs themselves. Infections are extremely dangerous and…
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 concerts and raves. Many users, however, are unaware of the dangers of MDMA, as…
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 same feelings. Instead of keeping these feelings to ourselves, we must find the courage to effectively…
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 body can cause potentially lethal immediate effect and long-term health complications. PCP was first used in the…
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 program of recovery, addiction and alcoholism can be managed successfully. However, if left untreated,…
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 psychologically and physically speaking but it can be detrimental if it becomes addictive. Find out why sports addiction can be…
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, carry a slew of possible risks to our mental and physical health. Short-term abuse of hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin…
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, Thomas DeQuincy, Oscar Wilde: it was an aspect of their world that…
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 really only remember yourself as a child. Now is…
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 same form of morphine after it is administered. The primary difference is…