Drug Articles

Is It Abuse or Addiction?

Substance abuse or addiction is the chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance - alcohol, drugs, tobacco, & prescription medication - used with the intention of altering states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes.

The Link Between Substance Abuse & PTSD

An emerging body of research has documented a very strong association between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. Of individuals with substance use disorders, 30 to 60 percent meet the criteria for comorbid PTSD. Patients with substance abuse disorders tend to suffer from more severe PTSD symptoms than do PTSD patients without substance use disorders.

Selecting a Treatment Program

If you or someone you care for is abusing or addicted to alcohol and or drugs and needs treatment, it is important to know that no single treatment approach is appropriate for all individuals. Finding the right treatment program involves careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and your or your loved one's needs.

Myths About Drug Treatment

Millions of people have a problem with alcohol and illicit drugs. And there are millions who have had to confront a loved one’s use of alcohol and drugs. Eventually, it's time to seek out how treatment works and where to go for help. The first step is to learn the facts.

Information Especially for Parents and Caregivers

After spending most of their life being influenced by their parents/caregivers, teens are also being influence by other individuals – most often their peers. When your kid reaches adolescence they still need their parents close enough to talk about problems yet far enough so they can make informed decisions for themselves.

Tweleve Question to Ask all Rehab Centers

If you or someone you care for is dependent on alcohol or drugs and needs treatment, it is important to know that no single treatment approach is appropriate for all individuals. Finding the right treatment program involves careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and your or your loved one's needs.

Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholism and Treatment

Nearly 14 million people in the United States abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Alcohol use and abuse is associated with serious medical issues, and accepting the need to get help for an alcohol problem may not be easy, but the sooner you get help, the better your chances are for a successful recovery.

Prescription Drug Abuse and Treatment

While most patients use prescription medications as directed, abuse of prescription drugs can cause serious medical risks, such as addiction. The risk of addiction rises when the prescriptions are used in a manner other than prescribed by a health care professional.

Methamphetamine Addiction and Treatment

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally. Methamphetamine has quickly become one of the most widely abused substances in the United States and can have devastating physical consequences. Addictions to methamphetamine can be treated, however, and many people who are addicted can regain their lives and function productively in society.

Cocaine Addiction and Treatment

There is no safe way to use any form of cocaine. Any rout of administration of the drug can lead to a dangerous amount of absorption of the chemical into the blood, resulting in acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies that can lead to immediate death.

Adolescent Substance Abuse

Being a teenager is often a confusing, challenging time, which can make teens vulnerable to falling into a destructive pattern of drug use. While most teens probably see their drug use as casual and as a way to have fun, there are negative effects that are a result of this use of alcohol or other drugs.

Medical Complications of Methamphetamine Abuse

Methamphetamine can cause cardiovascular problems.Rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and irreversible, stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Hyperthermia and convulsions occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated immediately, can result in death.

Federal Bupe Law Cheered

A new federal law that removes the 30-patient limit on buprenorphine treatment for group medical practices is winning raves from people with addictions and their care providers.

Many Recover From Alcoholism

More than one-third of U.S. adults with alcoholism that began more than one year ago are still in recovery, according to an article in the current issue of addiction . These individuals show no symptoms of either alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse and either abstain or drink at levels below those known to increase relapse risk.

The Facts Behind Ecstacy

For some people, MDMA is addictive. A survey of young adult and adolescent users found that 43 percent of those who reported ecstasy use met the criteria for dependence, and 34 percent met the criteria for drug abuse. Almost 60 percent of people who use MDMA report withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.

The Facts Behind Cocaine

Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that conflicts with reabsorption of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and movement. The buildup of dopamine causes stimulation of "receiving" neurons, which is associated with the euphoria reported by cocaine abusers.