When a parent participates in substance abuse, it can be very harmful not only to themselves but to their children as well. For younger children, it can be a very confusing and frightening time for them, especially if they do not know what is causing their parent to act the way they do but for ….
Poverty, it affects millions of people worldwide causing disarray and an number of inequalities financially, but what about socially, economically, and more importantly—with health and the decision to use drugs? Does poverty increase substance abuse? Does poverty cause substance abuse? Can someone in poverty who is abusing substances get help? These are all viable questions—and ….
The best thing that you can do when you are grappling with a substance use disorder is seek out treatment. Structured, professional treatment will provide you with support, direction, and purpose. You can dedicate all of your energy into taking the small steps down the road to recovery. For help finding treatment that’s right for ….
It is not at all uncommon for substance abusers to believe that their addictions do not hurt anyone but themselves. Many may even admit to the damage that their substance abuse has caused to friends and family. However, what many of them do not consider is just how far reaching the damage can be. It ….
You wake up one day and you are an addict. Not really. Some people believe that addiction just happens. However, moving from addiction to sobriety is a process. Sometimes this process is a lengthy one, other times it happens very quickly. Regardless of the speed, every addict goes through several stages as they move from ….
Living with a person with a substance use disorder is difficult. Their erratic behavior can compromise the mental, emotional, and financial well-being of the family unit your hold so dear. If you are in this situation, you know the high cost of living with an addict. But, many addicts are high-functioning ones, which means they ….
Most people have probably heard about Munchausen’s syndrome. It has been used in the plots of popular television shows, been reported on in the news, and there are even a number of celebrities that have been diagnosed with it. What may not be known is the relationship between Munchausen’s and substance abuse. What is Munchausen’s ….
There are hundreds of myths surrounding drug addiction and drug treatment. The lies around drug addiction are perpetuated by popular media, and it is time to dispel some of these fallacies. Lie: Drug Addiction Is a Character Flaw Fact: Drug addiction is a disease. When someone starts using drugs, they make that choice to start, ….
During substance abuse research, prediction, and prevention, risk and protective factors need to be identified. There are some things that scientists and doctors consider predictive of drug abuse. If these things are identified and corrected, particularly at an early age drug prevention treatment can begin then, instead of when there already is a problem with ….
Everyone knows that a parent that uses drugs usually has a child that uses drugs. This is a way that parents purposely teach their children to use drugs. There are ways to encourage your children to use drugs without even realizing it. Not Talking About Drugs According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, talking ….
Whether you are going into drug treatment, your teen is, or you have a family member in treatment, you will eventually need to talk to your teen about the treatment. Chances are they are unsure of what happens during it. You will need to choose the right time to talk, have starters, and actually be ….
Everyone knows that addiction is a complicated and dangerous disease in and of itself. The ravages of addiction are well documented, and can include suicide, depression, and anxiety. Even though a large portion of the physical damages from addiction are well known. What may not be well known, are the diseases that often come from ….
You know the scene in the movie where the person goes off of drugs all on their own. They are sweaty and dirty and they have been locked in a bathroom or chained to a radiator and someone has told them that they can’t leave until they get clean. They clutch their stomach, they heave, ….
Many people that develop a substance abuse disorder begin using these substances when they are young. There are countless websites devoted to using and obtaining illicit substances.According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are many clear signs that a teen is using drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, teens often find ways to hide these ….
Addiction is a disease not a choice or a moral failing. The addict does not want to be an addict and might be ashamed or embarrassed by their need. This does not mean excuse their behavior. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself against the addict living in your house. Understand that Addicts Lie According ….
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports there is an increase in illicit drug use in the US. They estimate 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older—9.4 percent of the population—used an illicit drug in the past month. You may be one of these people. As you know, seeking rehabilitation for drug and alcohol use ….
Amphetamine use is detrimental in many ways. Yes, it affects your life and your choices. But, it also affects your friends, your family, your job, your schooling, and your emotional stability. You are probably beginning to realize what amphetamine abuse has done to your life and you are making positive choices to break your pattern ….
If you watch the news or listen to the radio you might have heard of DAWN. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, DAWN stands for Drug Abuse Warning Network. It is a reporting system so that mental health officials can keep track of drug abuse trends throughout the country. Although technically ….
If you suspect someone of using drugs, it is an excellent idea to know what to look for when they are high. Sadly, many parents, grandparents, employers, and siblings do not know the signs of commonly abused drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it is possible to tell which drug someone is ….
It is surprising with all of the research that scientists do on drug addiction that some common myths still persist. Most of these myths are easily dispelled with a bit of time and research. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are many myths that need to be explored before you fully understand ….
Although there is still some confusion as to whether mental health issues cause substance abuse or if substance abuse causes mental health issues, most scientists are beginning to agree that it is both. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, mental health issues and substance abuse commonly occur together. There are a few ….
With millions of addicts in the world, it is possible that you might end up living with one of them. Fortunately, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are some signs that you can watch out for that will help you decide if you are living with someone with a substance abuse ….
If you or a loved one are struggling with either depression or addiction, or perhaps even both, you may be wondering what the relationship between the two illnesses is. Does addiction fuel depression, or perhaps the other way around? Comorbidity Between Depression and Addiction According to NIDA, comorbidity is when an individual suffers from two ….
People who have been arrested due to criminal activity that was drug-related may find that it is very difficult to stay clean. Prison does not allow for much access to drugs or alcohol, which makes the recovery that much easier but on the outside, drugs and alcohol are much easier to get ahold of, thus ….
If you use drugs regularly you might be wondering whether you are an addict or not. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, illicit drug use and addiction is on the rise all over the country so it is not surprising that more people are wondering if they’ve become an addict. Most of this ….
According to the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, around 86 percent of people 18 or older use alcohol. Of these people, around 7 percent will have an alcohol use disorder. Although 7 percent might not seem like much, it does mean that chances are you will encounter someone with alcohol use disorder. It ….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s National Survey of Drug Use and Health, there are several drugs that are more likely to be abused than others. Those ranked among the top 10 commonly abused drugs are: 1. Alcohol Over 87% of people age 26 use or abuse alcohol in their lifetime. Alcohol addiction ….
Cocaine acts on your brain the way a lot of other drugs do: it interrupts your body’s natural pleasure cycle. Your brain produces a chemical called dopamine and—normally—when your brain encounters something it likes, it releases that dopamine, which sits on some receptors that let the brain feel happy. Normally, the dopamine would then be ….
The crystal form of cocaine is known as crack cocaine, and it is sold in blocks knon on the streets as rocks. The color ranges from yellow to pale pink to white depending on the elements or substances used to mix (also known as cut) the drug. The drug is actually named for the cracking ….
You know the old argument that marijuana can’t be addictive because it doesn’t contain chemicals that cause addiction. Because of this a lot of users can smoke a bowl, have a joint, or vape casually and not encounter withdrawal symptoms if they stop or spend their day craving getting high. Their use is strictly recreational. ….
Aunt Sue might like a glass of wine with dinner and Uncle Tom might drink a beer every night, and that is their normal routine. That doesn’t make them addicts or imply that they are abusing drugs. In fact, it is likely the same behavior that many of their peers have. It might be the ….
On its own, addiction is a nasty beast to fight. There are numerous factors that can affect the process, and sometimes, things in the person’s life are deeply affected by the addiction. When it is a couple that is addicted, whether it is to the same substance or different ones, the process becomes all the ….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is a chronic disease. Fortunately, it is a treatable one. Although some people believe otherwise, drug addiction is not just limited to high school students, after school specials, and colleges. Many people have adult children who are dependent on these highly addictive substances, sons and ….
It is common knowledge that what starts out as a recreational use of illicit substances can quickly spiral out of control. This is not to say that everyone who ever has a drink of alcohol or smokes marijuana will become an addict, but far too many do. When this happens, according to the National Center ….
Drug abuse is at an all-time high, and the dangerous disease of addiction is reaching epidemic proportions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are a variety of ever-evolving treatment options designed to help all addicts beat their substance abuse problems. However, sometimes the biggest hurdle in overcoming addiction is getting people the ….
According to the SAMHSA’s 2015 Behavioral Health Barometer, ”About 8 in 10 individuals (79.9%) with illicit drug dependence or abuse did not perceive a need for treatment for their illicit drug use.” No one sets out to become dependent or addicted to the drugs they use and nearly everyone feels they are in control of ….
There are many approaches to treatment for substance abuse with each having a personal aspect to overcoming problematic effects, consequences, and behaviors. Combined with counseling and services to address multiple goals and needs, support group therapies in substance abuse treatment programs offer a wide range of possibilities to augment treatment success. The most commonly recognized ….
Many people who spend their time drinking or doing drugs find that they are not quite sure why they continue to hurt themselves like this. According to the National Library of Medicine, you could be a dual diagnosis patient. Most people who suffer from a substance abuse problem find that they are dual diagnosis patients. ….
If you or a loved one are on the path to recovery from drug addiction, there will be many challenges you face along the way and it’s important to know how to overcome them. With the right mindset and lifestyle changes, you can create a new future for yourself free from drug addiction and the ….
If your friend or loved one has a substance abuse issue, how far does it get before you know that it is time to intervene? This may be a difficult approach, since you may be scared of offending them or hurting the relationship, but interventions are for their own good. How do you know when ….
After recovery, it is important to take precautions to prevent potential relapse into your old lifestyle. With the right approaches, you can maintain a healthy new lifestyle free from addiction. How can you identify any of your potential triggers that may cause you to use? 1. Talk through What Has Triggered You in the Past ….
When an addict takes responsibility for their lives and overcomes addiction, it can be the best decision he/she will ever make. When an individual makes the choice to take responsibility for their behavior, he/she is making the conscious choice to be held accountable for their addiction. This responsibility allows the addict to accept the consequences ….
The struggles of addiction affects everyone involved, not just the addict specifically. One person’s addiction may have numerous second-hand effects on immediate family, extended family, coworkers, friends, and anybody else who is a part of that person’s life. If you or a loved one are going through recovery, why is it important that you seek ….
Chronic pain is something many people deal with on a regular basis. Getting medical drugs to help ease the pain and live a normal, happy life is something that has been provided in the medical field for many years. A worry that can occur to people taking drugs for their medical needs is the concern ….
Quitting drugs can seem like an impossible feat. Getting addicted can be detrimental and seem like something you can never escape. Addiction can hold you in its vice like grip and no matter how many times you attempt to quit, it seems like you keep coming back. Whether this is your first time quitting, your ….
Getting past substance abuse can be difficult, not only because of physical and mental addiction, but also because it can seem like if you stop using your substances, your social life is going to take a nosedive. Thankfully, that is simply not true. Living in recovery and having a social life is not only possible, ….
Getting past addiction is difficult, trying, and takes an extensive amount of time and dedication. The last thing you want is to go through all that work only to relapse back to your addiction. If you want to not relapse, getting rid of temptations, developing a new routine, staying positive, and going to Substance Abuse ….
Addiction can be like being enslaved. It is a chronic disease that many feel is impossible to overcome, but there are ways to help you or loved ones avoid the cold grasp of addiction. Having a strong, steady support system, and seeking well rounded treatments can help you find the fight you have been looking ….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stress triggers substance abuse and relapse. Chronic stress can easily trigger drug addiction. When someone uses a drug, it gives him or her relief from stress. This relief is temporary and is often causes the stress to get worse over time. Unfortunately, this temporary relief is what ….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment for drug addiction is not a simple matter. Scientists and doctors have been studying drug addiction since addiction was first noticed. One of the newer theories on treating addiction is known as social recovery. Before deciding on social recovery as a treatment method, it is important ….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, depression and anxiety play a key role in substance abuse. Most people who are addicted to substances experience depression or anxiety before, during, and after they use their drug of addiction. The majority of patients treated for substance abuse experience these feelings. When searching for treatment it ….
Social recovery is a different idea when it comes to drug addiction. In social recovery, the circumstances of a drug addiction are carefully thought through and then treated. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are many forms of drug addiction treatment. Social recovery is a new promising form. 1. Social Recovery Works ….
According to the , “Each year, more than 33 million Americans use health care services for their mental problems and illnesses or conditions resulting from their use of alcohol, inappropriate use of prescription medications, or illegal drugs.” Interactions between these illnesses often worsen the course for both and because of similarly involved regions of brain ….
Write It Down Be Prepared for Emotions For this reason, many individuals hire a professional interventionist or counselor in order to help them speak to their loved one who has been abusing substances, and you may want to do the same. But if you are unable to do so in your current situation, try to ….
Common Triggers National Institute on Drug AbuseThese are all common things that cause you to use drugs or alcohol. Personal triggers might range to aspects of these things but generally, when you break them down to their basics, it is one of these common things. Triggers are very important when it comes to relapse. People ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseWhat Types of Treatment are Offered? Will my Insurance Cover Treatment? How do you Measure Progress? Can you Administer the Medication for the Treatment you Prescribed? What Kind of Results do you Usually Get? Do you also Treat Secondary Illnesses such as Mental Illness and Chronic Pain? Can my Friends and ….
On one hand in recovery, you are taught to be honest and open about your addiction. On the other, in the real world being open and honest can cost you your friends, their trust, and even your job depending on the addiction. Many addicts fear this loss of trust and friendship when they disclose their ….
1. Stress at Home and Work National Institute on Drug Abuse2. Finances 3. Friends who Use 4. Seeing the Drug or Alcohol 5. Going to a Place that You Frequented 6. Smells that you Associate with Use 7. Sounds such as Music that you Associate with Use 8. Untreated Chronic Illness 9. Untreated Mental Illness ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseThe standard types of rehab are: inpatient rehabs outpatient rehabs community based rehabs All of these offer alternatives to the traditional rehab experience. Before trying one of these nontraditional rehabs, speak with your doctor, and speak with the nontraditional rehab you wish to join. Some of them have very strict rules ….
This is just not true. Many treatment centers do not involve religion in any of their treatment. If you want a religious treatment then there are religious treatment centers as well. 2. They do not Allow Visits from Family or Friends No one can force you to do thing that you do not want to ….
National Institute on Drug Abuse for TeensIt is no secret that children of drug and alcohol addicts are far more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol later in life. There are a three main reasons for this, which are mimicry, genetics, and abuse. Mimicry There is some scientific evidence that a predisposition for substance abuse ….
DEA 2015 National Drug Threat AssessmentIncreases in co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders including major depression among adolescents (2.8 million with a major depressive episode (MDE) in 2014) and suicides among substance abusers are raising the bar for substance abuse treatment needs. The most recent surveys on substance abuse treatment however, show that most ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseAlthough schools have always been involved in prevention of substance abuse, recently there are more proactive programs available. This includes: telling the truth about drugs, treating the causes of drug abuse such as social issues and social isolation, decreasing the gap between students in different classes, using programs to educate students ….
The Foundation for a Drug Free WorldOne of the main focuses for teachers is the prevention of substance abuse among teens and college age students. This prevention comes in many forms such as: teacher education courses, student education packages, brief intervention training, and classroom presentations. This program has videos, activities, assignments, and other aids to ….
The Foundation for a Drug Free WorldMost help from teachers starts with educating students about the dangers of drugs. Although a student might already be a user, sometimes showing them the danger that they are putting themselves in is enough to cause them to seek help. Many students do not know or believe how dangerous ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseThis is probably the easiest way to refuse a drink. Saying ‘no thanks’ and changing the subject is easy and can get you out of drinking. It might open questions or demands for more information, but a simple refusal is often understood. If you are Pressured to Drink There are many ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseThe rebuttal to this excuse is obvious. No one knows what anyone else is going through. It is a matter of understanding and sympathizing. It is true that no one knows what you are going through but there are people that have similar experiences to you. It’s Only Once in a ….
One of the biggest reasons why substance abuse is becoming more accepted is its portrayal in the media. It seems that everywhere you look there is a plethora of blatant glorification of substance abuse or the substances actually being abused. In fact, the variety of outlets that participate in this glorification are astounding. They include: ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseNational Institute on Drug AbusePrevention should focus on all of the drugs rather than just a few of the most public or invasive. Each drug presents a danger to the population not just a few. Just as there are treatment facilities for each type of drug, prevention should encompass each type ….
According to the , is two or possibly more disorders that a single person has. These disorders are sometimes concurrent or consecutive. They can also be caused by or the cause of the drug addiction. Many of these illnesses interact and make each other both more complex and more devastating. How does it Relate to ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseDepression is a complex illness that causes millions of people distress every year. The symptoms of depression are: feelings of sadness, despondency, feelings of loss, low self-esteem, low self-worth, hopelessness, worthlessness, and eventual suicidal thoughts and feelings. Self medication is the practice of using illegal prescription or other drugs in order ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseAnxiety is a lasting fear that does not have a reason and does not go away. Most people who suffer from anxiety describe it as: Unexplained nervousness, Depression, Constant worry, Panic also associated with panic attacks, The inability to act due to fear, Paralyzing fear in different situations, and Constant adrenaline. ….
One of the effects of substance abuse on communities is crime. According to the , over 25 percent of all federal inmates are serving time for drug related offenses. Similar percentages of prisoners are serving time for drug offenses in local jails and state prisons. There are a number of ways that treatment centers help ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseAccording to the , relapse occurs when behaviors and attitudes of people in recovery begin to revert to their pre-recovery state. In other words, something happens that leads them into the thoughts of self-loathing and self-destruction that caused them to start using drugs in the first place. Some of the things ….
The first thing to do when planning to talk to someone about their substance abuse, is to know whether or not they actually have a substance abuse problem. There are a number of signs and symptoms that indicate a substance abuse problem. According to the , some of these are: if the person has withdrawal ….
National Institute on Drug AbuseDrug dealers operate outside of the law, and therefore are likely to engage in suspicious and secretive behaviors. These are the things that you need to be on the lookout for, if you are going to spot a drug dealer. Some of these include: hanging around outside schools and clubs, coming ….
The rates of marijuana treatment success are not as impressive as those associated with other substances of abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “On average, adults seeking treatment for marijuana use disorders… have attempted to quit more than six times.” While this information is not considerably favorable to the current state of ….
For over 30 years, there has been a push to end the epidemic of substance abuse, and addiction Prevention methods and education initiatives have displayed, often graphically, the ravages that the abuse of these substances have on everyone involved. With all of this information readily available, an obvious question looms. Why do people start abusing ….
In the internet age, it is not surprising that some substance abusers are turning to the World Wide Web for treatment advice. There are even some of the more well-known agencies such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous that off online community support and counseling. As technology advances, more and more rehab facilities are making ….
Today, substance abuse counseling is more important than ever. There are more people using and being exposed to drugs and more drugs being created each and every day. The destructive potential in an individual’s life are limitless. The SAMHSA’s 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports an estimated 24.6 million individuals aged 12 ….
Living with a loved one suffering from a substance abuse disorder may be one of the most difficult challenges anyone can face. Shame, fear, confusion, guilt, resentment, and indignation often permeate the home of substance abusers. In the quest to maintain peace, those who bear the greatest burdens are the ones who think that somehow, ….
Substance abuse during pregnancy is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe issues for both the pregnant person and the baby. Many people believe that there are safe amounts of drugs or alcohol that can be used when they are pregnant, but there is never any real way to know for sure if and how ….
The 12 step process, according to the NIDA, is a group therapy model that “draws on the social support offered by peer discussion to help promote and sustain drug-free lifestyles.” Usually, the 12 step process is best used as a supplemental treatment, either before, after, or during formal rehabilitation. However, some people also use the ….
The Affordable Care Act and actions which have and will follow the law have both positive and negative effects on substance abuse treatment for those in need. Because “the ACA includes substance use disorders as one of the ten elements of essential health benefits,” there have been great leaps made toward helping more individuals receive ….
The recent work done in Massachusetts, led by Gov. Deval Patrick, is making the National Drug Policy leaders pay attention to the state’s substance abuse policies. They are even considering the state to be a model for the future of NDP on a federal level. Because of the new ideas, laws, and practices being put ….
Substance abuse treatment is often necessary for those who are experiencing real problems in their lives due to abuse of and addiction to drugs. But what types of treatment are necessary? And how does a person choose which substance abuse treatment he or she needs? The Most Important Aspect of Choosing Treatment If you remember ….
There are many issues that have been linked to marijuana use and abuse, but a recent study has shown that regular marijuana use can actually be linked to impairments in the brain’s reward center. Because of marijuana use, many people have problems feeling positive effects and are sometimes more affected by negative effects and stimuli ….
Teenagers often function on little sleep: they wake up early for classes and stay up late every night, sometimes studying, sometimes partying, and sometimes spending hours on the Internet. But the lack of sleep teenagers get is dangerous for them in many ways, especially when it increases the risk of substance abuse. Teenagers and Sleep ….
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