Prescription painkiller addiction is a soaring problem in the United States. Many people get started on painkillers after surgery, due to the pain. Others obtain painkillers because of a disease or other chronic pain conditions. Since some doctors continue to prescribe pain medications, people take more than needed. Consequently, many people end up becoming addicted…
If you struggle with alcohol use disorder, then you may wonder is alcoholism a disease. It probably feels like one to you, and researchers have recently concluded that alcohol does in fact change the structure of the brain. So does this make alcoholism a disease? Let’s take a closer look at this issue. One thing…
Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. Xanax effects your brain chemistry, causing your brain to release GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that creates calming emotions. While Xanax is highly effective in treating anxiety, it is also physically and psychologically addictive. Tens of millions of Americans struggle with a substance…
THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, creates the positive mood effects experienced during intoxication. CBD is responsible for certain physical effects. But what is CBD? Marijuana is one of the most commonly abused psychoactive in the United States, as well as worldwide. More than 2.5% of the world’s population consumed marijuana in the past…
You hear of the drug war on news programs across television and the Internet. So what is this war on drugs, and is it being won? How does this so-called war affect people with addiction problems? If you suffer addiction, you fight your own drug war every day. This war only wears you down and…
When looking for a rehab, you start hearing more about physical and psychological dependence. But what are the differences between these types of dependence on drugs or alcohol? Does it make a difference which type you suffer, when you seek rehab treatment? About Psychological Dependence So what is psychological dependence? This type of dependence is…
Fentanyl is an opioid, a prescription painkiller designed for the treatment of intense pain. People with a variety of pain problems can safely use fentanyl under a doctor’s care. But if that use changes to higher doses, recreational use, or more frequent dosing than prescribed, you can suffer a severe opioid addiction. So what is…
Many people mistakenly believe that addiction to prescription drugs is impossible. In fact, all prescribed medications run the risk of addiction. That includes fentanyl, which is prescribed for severe pain. A person will need fentanyl addiction treatment to recover from dependence on the drug. Professional Treatment is Essential Unfortunately, continuing an addiction to fentanyl leads…
Some people abuse alcohol to relax, while others use it to feel more energetic. So naturally many people ask, “Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant?” Technically classified as a depressant, alcohol also has stimulating properties when used in moderation. We explain the difference between the depressant and stimulant effects below. Alcohol as a Stimulant Research…
It’s common for those with substance abuse issues to also experience a mental health condition, and vice versa. Either issue could occur first, but they do often go hand in hand. The existence of two or more illnesses or disorders in one person is called comorbidity. Managing both a mental health issue and a drug…