Drunk Eyes vs Normal Eyes: How Alcohol Changes Your Appearance

Drunk Eyes vs Normal Eyes: How Alcohol Changes Your Appearance

“Drunk eyes” is used to describe the physical changes in the eyes that occur after alcohol consumption. These changes, such as redness, glassiness, drooping eyelids, or difficulty focusing, are common and affect individuals regardless of their tolerance level. Unlike other signs of intoxication, eye changes are harder to conceal. They can linger even after your…

The 4 Stages of Alcoholism: How Addiction Progresses

The 4 Stages of Alcoholism: How Addiction Progresses

Alcoholism doesn’t happen overnight. Nor does it usually announce itself dramatically. Instead, it often slowly creeps up on an individual, gradually interfering with one’s daily life and responsibilities. If the addiction continues, major health issues can also arise. This indicates the importance of getting help early on. But how can you recognize when it’s become…

Alcohol and Pancreatitis: How Drinking Can Turn Deadly

Alcohol and Pancreatitis: How Drinking Can Turn Deadly

Ongoing alcohol abuse can have many negative consequences on someone’s health and well-being. Complications from alcohol can include cardiovascular problems, an increased risk of fractures, a reduced immune system, and damage to crucial organs like the pancreas. Does drinking cause pancreatitis? Yes, pancreatitis from alcohol can happen. It’s estimated that about 17-25% of pancreatitis cases…

Alcohol and Sleep: How Booze Wrecks Your REM

Alcohol and Sleep: How Booze Wrecks Your REM

After a night of drinking, it’s common to wake up feeling fatigued and not at your best. Alcohol has many effects on the mind and body, including disrupting your natural sleep cycle. Specifically, it can prevent you from reaching the important rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage. What’s the connection between alcohol and REM sleep?…

The Link Between ADHD and Alcohol Use

The Link Between ADHD and Alcohol Use

While treating drug or alcohol addiction, it’s important to consider the full person and everything they’re struggling with to achieve the best results. Two common co-occurring disorders are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews estimated that about 43% of people…

Functioning Alcoholic: When Success Masks a Serious Drinking Problem

Functioning Alcoholic: When Success Masks a Serious Drinking Problem

It can be difficult to admit you have a problem, especially when substance use or alcohol isn’t interfering with your daily life. For some, the bills are paid, careers are thriving, and social lives appear intact. It’s not obvious. Every sign indicates things are under control. But this can be one of the most dangerous…

Can You Keep a Professional License After Going to Rehab?

Can You Keep a Professional License After Going to Rehab?

Here’s the harsh reality: anyone can fall victim to an addiction. Life is such that nobody is immune to the impacts of substance abuse – whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or even behavioral addictions. For those whose vocations require a license, such as a medical professional, you may wonder if seeking treatment for addiction will cost…

Addiction as Grief Avoidance: Are You Numbing or Mourning?

Addiction as Grief Avoidance: Are You Numbing or Mourning?

Experiencing a loss is an inevitable part of life, yet do you notice how our culture often pressures us to “move on” fairly quickly after we’ve experienced trauma or life change? For many, substances such as drugs or alcohol can become a sanctuary from those emotions that might otherwise completely consume us. They’re a way…

Heart Disease and Cocaine Use: When Stimulants Become a Silent Killer

Heart Disease and Cocaine Use: When Stimulants Become a Silent Killer

Cocaine abuse has many harmful effects on the body and mind. One of the common complications is damage to the heart and cardiovascular system. A study from the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance surveyed 94 people who struggled with cocaine addiction and found that 71% experienced some form of cardiovascular disease, including many with coronary…

Halfway House: What It Is and How It Supports

Halfway House: What It Is and How It Supports

After completing inpatient rehabilitation or fulfilling court-ordered treatment, many individuals face a challenging transition. You’re likely leaving the structured support of a facility but may not yet feel fully prepared to manage the complexities of everyday life on your own. This is where halfway houses can fill the gap, offering a transitional period between treatment…