Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Abuse

Many people suffer with a mental health condition, which can increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder or addiction. Often, one or more underlying mental health illnesses co-occur with a substance use disorder or addiction. When anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and ADHD are untreated, a person might self-medicate with drugs or alcohol…

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man surfboarding alongside sea lions at Laguna Beach

You Don’t See It, but Drug Use is Changing You

Drug and alcohol abuse destroys the brain. By sending mixed signals to your brain’s neurotransmitters, drugs effectively trick your brain into craving more and more of them, as they wreak havoc on organs and bodily functions. This craving turns into full scale dependency– a term that indicates that the body has transitioned from simply enjoying…

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Is it possible to be addicted to more than one substance?

Yes. Known usually as “polysubstance dependence,” addiction to more than one drug is possible, and it is unfortunately becoming more common as access to illegal substances becomes more and more open. There are typically two instances in which an addiction to more than one drug occurs. The first typically happens when an individual suffers from…

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How do I choose the right treatment plan?

The biggest step in your fight against addiction is making the decision to seek professional help from a recovery center. Once you have decided that help, at the present moment, is beyond your control, you will find that your attitude towards your addiction will change to one that is more action-based and goal-oriented. Acknowledging your…

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Signs Your Habit is Spiraling out of Control

Drug use is an unfortunate epidemic that affects millions of Americans. Ranging from casual use to severe addiction, individuals from all walks of life suffer the dangerous effects of consuming toxic substances on a daily basis. There are some, however, who very much believe that their drug habit is completely under control, and that there…

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How can I tell if I’m an addict?

As with many illnesses, it is hard to self-diagnose addiction, particularly because of the disease’s wide variety of symptoms. While addiction is always associated with physical dependence on a substance, some addicts go years without ever noticing they are dependent at all. As substance abuse becomes more and more habitual, it is quite common for…

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How do I say no to my triggers?

People say it often, but it is often a lot harder to avoid common triggers of your addiction when going through your everyday life. If you are not careful, you can find yourself in situations where you feel powerless to stop yourself from engaging in activities that you could put you at risk of falling…

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