Depression and anxiety disorders affect more and more people around the world every year, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not everyone who has depression or anxiety knows that medication may help them. Some people are hesitant to try antidepressants, thinking they might do more harm than good. Antidepressants are an increasingly widespread way to treat … Read more
The medical field has long acknowledged that substance use and addictions can cause neurological and biochemical changes in the body. The physiological harm brought on by substance dependence can damage major organs, such as the heart. People who abuse drugs or alcohol regularly or from an early age have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular … Read more
Deaths from a drug overdose in the United States remain high. For example, in 2019, the nation saw over 70,630 deaths caused by drug overdose. This figure has increased nearly every year since 1999. The most common drugs include opioids and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine. Not only is this unfortunate trend picking up among young … Read more
Overwork (working for more than 40 hours a week) can increase the risk of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Work addiction does not yet have a definition with much consensus within the medical community, but it is an existing problem that can bring stress which often seeks an outlet through drugs and alcohol. Understanding how … Read more
If you’ve been through addiction treatment, you may have already known that eating healthy is a fundamental element of a healthy lifestyle that can enhance your recovery in the long term, but do you understand why a balanced diet matters so much for recovery? If you do all other healthy activities, can you still reserve … Read more
Do you have a loved one who is suffering from substance addiction but refuses to seek help because they are ashamed of it? People in our society who struggle with substance use disorder face a lot of stigmatization around the issue. Society as a whole needs to become more recovery supportive, and each one of … Read more
Achieving sobriety, successfully finishing a residential detox or treatment program, or having months or years in recovery are all milestones to celebrate. After a time, though, complacency and over-confidence may set in. Although many suggest that you should avoid triggers in mid-to-long-term recovery, part of you may doubt this kind of strict “abstinence.” It is … Read more
Most people who get addicted probably do not plan on making substance use an addictive habit. They might wonder when and how using drugs and alcohol turned into an addiction that is so hard to break from. If you can identify the warning signs of an addictive tendency, substance use does not have to become … Read more
If you have decided to quit drugs or alcohol, congratulations! You’ve already made a big step. It means you are heading in the right direction. But now, you might ask: Can I quit substance use without entering a rehab center? The answer to that question depends on a few factors, including the duration and regularity … Read more
The United States is in the middle of an epidemic of drug use. An estimated 18.5 million people were addicted to drugs or alcohol in 2019. While that’s likely gone up in 2020, this works out to more than 1 in 20 Americans. Drug use is widely condoned and even seen as a bit of … Read more
