Substance Abuse Articles, Blogs and Resources

Man on mountain thinking about Substance Abuse Addiction Hope is dedicated to providing timely and helpful information on the dangers of Substance Abuse as well as alcohol abuse.

Drugs are a chemical substance that can be used in the prevention, cure and treatment of an ailment or disease. Often, medications can be used to help an individual’s emotional and psychological well being, and they can enhance one’s physical abilities or well being.

Medicines can help heal a person or destroy a life. They can be naturally derived from plants or synthesized in some type of laboratory. A drug addiction can ruin a man or woman’s existence. It is disappointing that many of the medications that were originally developed to help heal people will be abused and devastate the life of someone with a substance abuse addiction.

Substance abuse is when a person begins using a drug in a way other than its intended use as prescribed by a doctor. A drug addiction can be created when a man or woman continually abuses drugs in order to get high (an intense euphoric feeling). Some drugs are so addictive that someone using for the first time can become instantly addicted.

When someone has developed a drug addiction, they can build up a tolerance to the drug and need more and more of the substance to have the same effect. The person will sometimes begin smoking, snorting, or injecting the drugs so as to reach a quicker and more intense high. This leads to constant repeated use and, thus, the creation of a drug addiction.

Substance abuse addiction is outstandingly difficult to quit. Often one substance is abused with other drugs or alcohol. Sadly and frequently, substance abuse co-occurs with other mental disorders such as mood disorders, mental disorders and eating disorders.

This adds to the complexities of stopping the drug abuse. However, it is imperative that the drug addiction is ended because constant substance abuse can be deadly. Heart attacks and strokes often occur. Some of the more common drug types include opioids (heroin, morphine, hydrocodone), hallucinogens (LSD, DXM, PCP), stimulants (cocaine, Ecstasy, meth), and depressants (alcohol, Quaaludes).

Please continue reading below to see our latest blog posts on substance abuse. Under the “Substance Abuse Navigation” menu, you can click on the drop-down arrow to see evergreen, general information on dozens of individual drugs, including prescription substances.

Rethinking Addiction Recovery

Lady sitting on the beach reading a book

Contributor: Staff at Sierra Tucson The word recovery can have different meanings depending on who you ask. Many of us immediately think of the 12-Step model of recovery, a popular treatment method that emphasizes the importance of remaining sober from drugs and alcohol, gambling or otherwise. Made famous by the abstinence-oriented recovery group Alcoholics Anonymous [...]
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Postpartum Depression and Addiction

Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center They say that motherhood is one of life’s most humbling and rewarding jobs. But it is also one of the most challenging, especially for mothers who struggle with postpartum depression and a substance use disorder. Women who are struggling with postpartum depression often turn to drugs or [...]
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The Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana

Contributor: Staff at Azure Acres Recovery Center Many people believe that marijuana is a relatively safe drug, especially as it became legal in various states throughout the country. While the safety of using marijuana may be an ongoing debate, there is no question regarding the dangers associated with using synthetic marijuana. What Is Synthetic Marijuana? [...]
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Why Risk of Addiction Is Higher in the LGBTQ+ Community

Contributor: Staff at Starlite Recovery Center There is little doubt that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning face discrimination, social stigma, and many other challenges that those who identify as heterosexual don’t encounter. So, it should come as little surprise that sexual minorities are at an increased risk for behavioral health [...]
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The Surprising Link Between ADHD & Addiction

Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center A surprising number of people who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) turn to drugs or alcohol to ease their symptoms. But what might work in the short term can be damaging in the long run, and many end up battling both ADHD and a substance use disorder. A [...]
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