The Risk of Substance Abuse During the Holidays
Drinking plays a role in countless holiday traditions, from wine with dinner on Thanksgiving to eggnog at Christmas and champagne when toasting the new year. Although some individuals are able to drink moderately at festive functions, others engage in heavy drinking that strays into abuse. Binge Drinking and DUI Risk During the Holidays An increase in binge drinking during the holidays increases the risk for alcohol poisoning and physical dependence. Motorists are also more likely to be driving under the influence, often with tragic results. According to the National Safety Council, of nearly 300 auto accident fatalities on December 25, [...]
The Risk of Addiction with Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are vital medicine for many people. They treat illnesses and medical conditions, and may improve quality of life. However, there could be a risk of misuse and even addiction for yourself or a loved one. Here’s what you need to know about prescription drug abuse. Are Prescription Drugs Addictive? When used as directed under a doctor’s supervision, there’s a lower risk for an addiction to prescription drugs. However, there are many drugs that pose the potential for abuse. Drug abuse, or misuse occurs whenever you use a drug in a way that was not intended by the [...]
Medical Marijuana: Is It Addictive?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most commonly abused drug in the United States. Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated that "Marijuana is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision." Despite this definition of marijuana, there is some evidence that the drug can be therapeutic. Marijuana can help with pain management and is often used as palliative care for chronic conditions like [...]
Why You Need to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Addiction
Although discussing one's addiction is not usually on the top of the list of enjoyable conversation starters, chatting with your doctor about a substance use disorder can be very important to your overall health and wellbeing, and ultimately your successful recovery. Addiction can have various negative effects on your body, and it can be helpful for the doctor to understand your background so as to more accurately assess anything physical that might be going on in your body. Prescription drugs: the medication question It is not uncommon for doctors to prescribe patients pain-relieving medications containing addictive substances after major medical [...]
Examining the Effect of Heroin on the Body
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug made from morphine, found naturally in the poppy plant, but manufactured into a dangerous street drug. Known for the rapid pace at which it enters the body and affects the brain, heroin can become quite addictive quickly as it manipulates the brain's pleasure and pain receptors. What is heroin? "Heroin is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision." It is [...]
How MDMA Use Negatively Affects Your Mental and Physical Health
3,4–Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, much more commonly called MDMA, ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic, Schedule I drug known for its effects as a stimulant of the central nervous system and hallucinogen. MDMA "produces an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhanced enjoyment from sensory experiences. It has also been described as an entactogen—a drug that can increase self-awareness and empathy." What is MDMA? Colloquially termed a party drug, MDMA is frequently used to enhance experiences like festivals and raves. However, unlike a summer music festival, MDMA use is not a harmlessly fun experience. MDMA most often comes in pill form [...]
Are Jobs Requiring Physical Labor Linked to Substance Abuse?
If you have ever worked a job that demands you be on your feet all day long, that has you interacting with challenging people and which threatens your safety on a daily basis, you know how stressful and exhausting that can be. Certain jobs are characterized by some, or all, of these traits and unfortunately present an increased risk of substance abuse as a result. What does the research say? Numerous studies have been completed examining the connection between physical labor and the likelihood of substance use. One survey, printed in 2015, took a closer look at the statistics and [...]
Is Addiction Considered a Disease?
To answer this question simply, yes, addiction is a disease. "But don't people choose to take drugs and alcohol? Aren't they responsible for addiction, then? No one asks to be diagnosed with cancer, but people with addiction choose substance use, right?" Initially, yes – you might choose to order an alcoholic beverage or might agree to using drugs once as a result of peer or environmental pressure. And yes, you are responsible for that choice. But hardly a soul decides to have a drink with dinner and decides in the same moment to become addicted. Because of the way these [...]
4 Signs it’s Time to Seek Help for Addiction
Oftentimes when it comes to seeking help for an addiction or substance abuse problem, taking the first step is the hardest. Unfortunately, many end up seeking help after their addiction has caused major legal, personal or physical problems. It's important to proactively seek help for addiction Around 8.6% of the population needs treatment for a problem related to drugs or alcohol. However, a smaller percentage of these people actually receive treatment. Whether it's because of shame, belief that the substance use isn't "that bad" or any other reason against seeking treatment, many individuals wait until the addiction has impacted their [...]
Reaching Rock Bottom: How Bad Does It Have to Get?
The phrase "rock bottom" is a term commonly thrown around to describe the lowest point of a person's life. It's been thrown around flippantly as a joke, and it's been used to describe the seriousness of addiction or one's mental state. But what is this so called rock bottom? When do we hit it? What does it look like and mean to hit rock bottom? When does an addict hit rock bottom? To be frank, defining rock bottom isn't necessarily done easily or simply. Rock bottom for someone battling addiction may look very different from someone reaching rock bottom because [...]
Understanding the Effects of Opioids on the Brain
Learn how heroin and prescription painkillers use the brain's pleasure mechanism to create a "rush," and why opioid drugs quickly become highly addictive.
Your Guide to Spotting the Early Warning Signs of Substance Abuse
Casual substance use can escalate into a substance use disorder or an addiction more quickly than most people realize while it's happening to them. When left untreated, drug or alcohol abuse will have detrimental effects on the body and mind that get worse over time. When a drug or alcohol habit gets out of control, the effects are widespread. Typically, substance abuse impacts home, work, school and relationships to the point that daily life feels impossible. In order to avoid a catastrophic spiral in your life or the life of your loved one, look out for these early warning [...]
