COCAINE, A MENTAL ADDICTION OR A PHYSICAL ADDICTION?
When you think of a party drug, or the Wolf of Wall Street, cocaine probably comes to mind. People who are searching for a quick and intense high typically end up abusing this drug as it offers nearly instantaneous results and does not last for hours. Because of its short lifespan, it can be used […]
DRUGS AND MALE FERTILITY
Apart from the many other reasons people shouldn’t do illegal drugs, studies show that certain substances can affect the male reproductive system, lessening the chances of having offspring. Some drugs affect sperm count, sperm motility (movement), and the testes, and can even pass on damaged genes to children. Anabolic steroids (also called anabolic-androgenic steroids) are […]
DO I NEED REHAB?
One of the hardest questions that a person who is struggling with abusing drugs or alcohol is first, do I have a problem, and second, do I need outside help to solve it. Although whether or not you need to enter into a rehab facility is ultimately a personal decision, at the time, you may […]
PREDICTORS OF RELAPSE
According to the view of addiction as a disease, it is not something that can be fully cured. Like other chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or asthma, it can only be managed. Sometimes you can go for years in remission, only to relapse somewhere down the line. 40 to 60 percent of people with […]
DRUGS AND THE BRAIN WALLET CARD
The first couple weeks after completing substance abuse treatment are when people are at the greatest risk for relapse. The stress of returning to the “real” world and having to learn to deal with unstructured time, finding a job and possibly somewhere to live, and dealing with the friends and family members you left behind […]
AVOIDANCE
Many people with alcohol or drug use disorders started using in reaction to some stimulus – depression, anxiety, trauma – and will relapse for the same reason. This is one of the reasons that it’s so important to incorporate mental health care with addiction treatment. Unfortunately, some people simply don’t want to face their demons, […]
CRACK ABUSE: SYMPTOMS AND HEALTH EFFECTS
Crack is an inexpensive form of cocaine that provides a fast acting high to users. This power stimulant can rapidly induce a euphoric high that affects the body by altering both the physical and mental state of users. Individuals that use this drug often experience: A sudden burst of energy with intent focus Insomnia Suppressed appetite Muscle […]
WHY ARE MEN MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES
here are no limits on who can be impacted by a drug addiction. Drugs can affect any person, no matter how much they earn, what color their skin, or what religion they practice. This is all very true; however, studies have shown that men are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders than women. A […]
ANGER MANAGEMENT IN RECOVERY
No matter what substance you’re addicted to or what led you to it, odds are that anger played some role. Maybe you were fighting constantly with your spouse, and you sought solace in drugs or alcohol. Maybe you were angry at your boss for cutting your hours or passing you over for a promotion, or […]
HOW TO GET THROUGH DETOX
Permanently quitting drugs after being addicted for even a year can prove to be one of life’s most significant challenges, but even detox, the act of ridding the body of all drugs for an extended period can be just as difficult. Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headaches, chills, anxiety, and seizures are brutal. They build up […]