Even if you feel relatively confident in your sobriety during the week, the weekend may be another story entirely. If you spend years viewing the weekend as a non-stop chance to party, it can be difficult to imagine staying sober on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This is understandable, but we promise that real-life relaxation will [...]
Most people associate binge drinking with rebellious teens and party-loving college students, but this dangerous form of alcohol consumption occurs among people of all ages. In fact, a study published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that 10% of all adults over 65 regularly engage in binge drinking. What Qualifies as Binge [...]
One of the biggest misconceptions about addiction is that substance use disorders only happen to people who aren't successful. A substance use disorder is a chronic illness with complex biological and environmental triggers. It's not a character flaw or a condition caused by a lack of willpower. A Substance Use Disorder Can Happen to Anyone [...]
The coronavirus pandemic changed many aspects of our daily routine—and exacerbated the difficulties already faced by people struggling with substance use disorders. Recently released statistics show that overdose deaths rose dramatically in 2020. Consider the following: From October 2019 to October 2020, overdose deaths from drugs of all types increased by 30% across the [...]
It's common knowledge that people who struggle with substance use disorders often suffer from mental health challenges. However, the link between self-harm and substance abuse is frequently misunderstood. Understanding Self-Harm Self-harm refers to any behavior that intentionally causes injury to the body. Common types of self-harm include: Cutting with a knife or other sharp object [...]
Tramadol is often prescribed for patients suffering from moderate to severe pain because it is less addictive than other types of opioid painkillers. However, it's important to understand that this drug still carries a very real risk of abuse and addiction. About Tramadol Tramadol was invented in 1962, but it was not sold in the [...]
Insomnia Insomnia is one of the most common health complaints among American adults, affecting between 30 and 50 percent of people at some point during their lives. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including chronic pain, depression, stress, erratic work schedules, and poor sleep hygiene. Prescription sleep aids, such as Ambien, [...]
Opioid addictions can have devastating consequences—ranging from job loss, divorce, or arrest to a fatal overdose. Medication-assisted treatment with Suboxone helps people with opioid use disorders build the foundation for a lasting recovery, but it's often misunderstood. Suboxone Myths To help you make an informed decision about the best way to proceed with your addiction [...]
Known on the street as ice or crank, crystal meth is a highly addictive stimulant that causes users to feel energetic, euphoric, and invincible. The meth epidemic gets less public attention than the opioid epidemic, but it's impossible to overstate the danger this drug poses to users and the people they love. If your friend [...]
Over the years, researchers have developed a number of theories to explain why some people struggle with addiction and others do not. One of the best-known theories regarding the development of substance use disorders is the gateway hypothesis. Understanding the Gateway Hypothesis The gateway hypothesis has been around since the 1970s and states that certain [...]
