When people talk about struggles with drugs and alcohol, the terms dependence and addiction are often used in the same breath. While the concepts are difficult to separate from one another, there is a subtle yet critical difference between dependence and addiction. However, both can and often lead to physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges directly…
Year after year, millions of people struggle with the life-changing effects of drug and alcohol addiction. Recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggest as many as 22 million Americans have a substance use disorder. Addiction is not a disease…
Crystal meth is a drug that many turned to for its stimulating effects. Also referred to as crystal methamphetamine, crystal meth is a highly addictive drug that has a significant and sometimes irreversible impact on the body’s central nervous system. Crystal meth is not a new drug. Interestingly, some formularies of methamphetamine are not illegal.…
With the onset of the spring and fall seasons often comes sniffling, sneezing, and runny noses for millions of Americans. While the arrival of fall signals the change of seasons and the upcoming holidays and spring points to warmer summer weather, there are sometimes several weeks in between that are hindered by unpleasant seasonal allergy…
Addictions to drugs and alcohol affect the lives of millions of individuals each year. When people struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, they often don’t realize the effects of combining substances. A Benadryl cocktail is a combination of alcohol and Benadryl. Although some people may use it voluntarily to enhance the effects felt…
What Are Depressants? Depressants are a class of drugs that work to slow the activities of the central nervous system. The central nervous system or CNS is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and associated nerves and is responsible for sending messages throughout the body that are vital to body function. The central nervous system…
When people think of addictions to drugs or alcohol, they often consider the physical impacts of substance use. This is entirely understandable as the physical effects of anything are easier to spot. Substance use of any kind can and usually does lead to various physical effects on the user, some of which can be difficult…
Codeine has been widely misused for decades. When used as directed, codeine is a highly effective pain-relieving medication. When misused or abused, it can create a “high” sought by many who struggle with an addiction to prescription opioids. Codeine is the main ingredient in lean, making it a new and popular pop culture drink. For…
Commonly abused substances, whether alcohol or drugs carry a significant risk of phycological and physical dependence. When you develop a dependency on any substance, you are highly likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when you reduce the amount you use or stop using altogether. The severity and duration of withdrawal will vary from person to person…
As the opioid epidemic and other challenges related to substance use and abuse continue to rise, the need for trained addiction treatment professionals remains high. Depending on your treatment needs, finding an addiction treatment professional skilled in addressing your unique treatment needs can be complicated. Today, there are several specialized roles in addiction treatment medicine,…