PRESCRIPTION STIMULANT ABUSE POPULAR IN THE IVY LEAGUE
Prescription stimulants, specifically, medications like Adderall and Ritalin that are used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), When used as prescribed, these medications are generally considered to be both safe and effective. Researchers and addiction professionals, however, have been growing concerned that many people are not using the medications as prescribed. A recent study confirms that their […]
WHAT IS NAR-ANON?
Nar-Anon is the family component of Narcotics Anonymous; similar to the relationship between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. Like Al-Anon, Nar-Anon is also a 12-step program for family and friends who have been affected by another’s substance abuse. The program relies on group sharing and teaching seminars that can help people regardless of whether their loved […]
A GUIDE TO THE DETOX PROCESS
The first step to recovery from addiction is one of the hardest steps that someone will experience during their journey: the detox process. What is detoxification? Detoxification has been defined as eliminating drugs from the body while keeping withdrawal symptoms under control. While going through a supervised detox program, people can avoid extreme symptoms of […]
IS RESIDENTIAL ADDICTION TREATMENT THE RIGHT CHOICE?
Once someone recognizes that they have a problem with substance abuse, there are a lot of options to consider when looking at ways to kick their habit. The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists the different types of treatment programs available. These include long and short-term residential treatments, outpatient treatment, individualized drug counseling, and group […]
TOOLS FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY
The next step after completing a recovery program is transitioning back into your daily life. Returning home after rehab may seem daunting, but with the right preparation, you can successfully transition into a healthy lifestyle. The best way to ease into this change is to know what to expect and to have a plan of […]
EMOTIONS CAN BE AS ADDICTIVE AS DRUGS
Recent research has revealed that drugs are not the only things that we can become addicted to. Anything that affects the brain and alters its chemistry can become habit-forming. Some emotions and activities can be just as addictive as cocaine or heroin. People get addicted to things such as anger and rage, falling in love, […]
RESEARCHERS ARGUE THAT LEGALIZED MARIJUANA DOES NOT PROMOTE DRUG ABUSE
Perhaps, you may ask one question about the recent events involving cannabis: does the legalization of marijuana ultimately promote abuse and addiction? This question has been the subject of debate for years. Since several states fully legalized the drug as of March 2018, more than twenty states are still on the fence about legalizing recreational […]
WHAT IS PALCOHOL?
As its name might suggest, Palcohol is a powdered form of alcohol that was approved for sale by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on March 10, 2015. The powder can be used to turn water, or other beverages, into an alcoholic drink; one package of Palcohol is considered to be the equivalent […]
POST ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME
Substance addiction can reshape and transform the way the brain functions in significant ways and this altered brain functioning may persist even after a period of detoxification and withdrawal. Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) refers to the symptoms experienced during the period of time where abstinence has been obtained but the brain has not returned to normal […]
THE BRAIN DISEASE CALLED ADDICTION
Those who suffer from substance addiction are typically viewed as weak or as having behavioral problems. These labels of addiction can imbed feelings of shame and hopelessness in the addict. Recent studies in neuroscience have shown that addiction has been found to be a disease that affects the brain and behavior. Therefore addiction is a […]