For many years, alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism, has been known as a threefold disease that affects the mind, body, and spirit. Within the disease, three parts are referred to as the spiritual malady, the physical allergy, and the mental obsession. These components, in conjunction, make up the disease of alcohol addiction, as defined by…
The disease of alcohol and drug addiction is not just mental and physical but also spiritual. In the first step of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), we “admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” We certainly have proof of the unmanageability of our lives from our past, our actions, and the mental and…
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “one day at a time,” you may have wondered exactly what that means in recovery. At face value, it seems quite simple—we don’t drink or use drugs during our day, without considering whether we will or will not tomorrow. However, “one day at a time” is more complex and…
The terms “substance abuse: and “addiction” are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. Substance abuse is the act of abusing a drug (prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal) or substances like alcohol for the wrong reasons, in incorrect amounts, and without proper medical approval. When substance abuse becomes a clinical health concern, it…
Repeated alcohol consumption can have serious consequences. When individuals regularly drink, they put themselves at risk of developing a dependency or addiction. Alcohol dependence occurs when the body and brain become reliant upon alcohol to function normally. Dependence is hard to beat on your own, but treatment, including alcohol detox, can help. It can be…
Coke. Coca. Snow. Flake. Blow. These are all slang or street names for cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance due to its medicinal properties and the high likelihood for abuse. Cocaine is derived from the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) native to South America, which has traditionally – for over 4,000 years – been used as a…
Benzodiazepines (aka “Benzos” and “Downers”) are a class of psychoactive drugs that enhance the effect of a chemical in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This neurotransmitter suppresses neuron activity, slowing the brain and nervous system. There are over a dozen benzodiazepines on the market, and they differ in absorption rate, duration of effects, and…
If you are looking for help with substance abuse and drug addiction, and you are not alone. There are lots of people who are also looking for assistance with this very issue. Unfortunately, substance abuse and drug addiction are not limited to the individual. The impacts of drug abuse extend far beyond the individual suffering…
For those looking for help with mental health issues, it is critical to take a well-rounded approach. Mental health issues come in many shapes and forms. Even though two of the most common mental health issues from which someone may suffer are depression and anxiety, everyone is slightly different when it comes to their mental…
Drug abuse and substance abuse are among the most pressing issues facing society today. Unfortunately, a lot of people end up getting hooked on drugs from a prescription at first. Even though many people have focused on the dangers of opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse, and rightly so, they are far from the only…