Difference Between Substance Use, Abuse and Dependence

Substance use occurs on a continuum, more like addiction, and not everyone who uses a substance categorically abuses it, just like substance abuse does not automatically correlate with psychological dependence. What are the differences between substance use, abuse, and dependence? The lines aren’t always clearly defined, but what is clear is that abuse and dependence…

Why & How do People Use Heroin?

Heroin has been used recreationally for hundreds of years, despite the infamy of its addictive potential and the widely known negative consequences of heroin use. It is illegal in every part of the world, except in countries that have decriminalized addiction or simply do not have the means to enforce law and order. Heroin is…

Long Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Most people seeking drug and alcohol treatment are familiar with the short-term effects of alcohol on the brain, from the so-called “positive” effects, such as relaxed inhibitions and a feeling of well being, to the more obviously negative ones, such as slurred speech, impaired movements, and a highly emotional state. Alcohol is such an ingrained…

Who uses drugs more males or females?

Drug use and addiction devastate the lives of both males and females. The way addiction presents itself through symptoms in either sex can vary, as can the different drugs that either sex is drawn to the recovery methods used to help addicts heal. While drug use and abuse are not identical in males and females,…

The Life of a Baby Born Addicted to Drugs

The effects of doing drugs and drinking alcohol during pregnancy have long been known to have significant effects on a developing fetus. The results of substance abuse during pregnancy range from low birth weight to fetal death and the realm of repercussions in between is vast. One outcome that occurs due to drug use during…

What Happens if You Smoke Weed While Pregnant

Marijuana is the most common illicit drug that moms use during pregnancy, but its effects on the baby are still widely unknown and debated. Can you smoke weed while pregnant? With the increasing acceptance of marijuana as a recreational and medicinal drug, many moms-to-be want to know whether or not they can continue using pot…

Social Consequences of Heroin

Heroin is an opiate that creates a sense of euphoria and relaxation in users by blocking the brain’s pain receptors. As drug users move through different substances, the chase for euphoria can get higher. Heroin is often one of those drugs that users resort to when other opiates fail to induce the same amount of…

How to Talk to your Teenager about Drugs and Alcohol

Many parents are unsure if, when and how to talk to their teenager about drugs and alcohol. Adolescence is a tricky time for both parents and teens, who are testing boundaries and likely, their parents’ patience. However, it’s imperative to talk to your child about drugs early and often. Live Science reports that 62 percent…

Why Are Opioids So Addictive?

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” border_style=”solid” flex_column_spacing=”0px” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” first=”true”][fusion_text] America is suffering from an opioid epidemic. In 2016 alone,…

Does Alcohol Affects Blood Pressure

Does Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure? Heavy alcohol consumption affects the body in many ways, including raising your blood pressure. Here’s what you need to know about high blood pressure, how heavy drinking affects your health, and ways to reduce high blood pressure. What is high blood pressure? Your body needs oxygenated blood in order to…