Substance Abuse Articles, Blogs and Resources

Man on mountain thinking about Substance AbuseAddiction 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.

Alternative Therapies for Substance Abuse Addiction

Woman utilizing alternative therapy for substance abuse There are a number of options available for individuals seeking Alternative Therapies for Substance Abuse Addiction. With any kind of therapy treatment, it is important to consider what therapies best fit your needs and recovery focus. In general, holistic programs look at an integrated physical, mental, and spiritual model for treating substance abuse and addiction [...]
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Like me! Teens Sharing Drug and Alcohol Abuse on Social Media

Boy struggling with alcohol addiction Contributor: Rogers Behavioral Health with Amy Kuechler, PsyD, Psychologist for the Adolescent Dual Diagnosis Program For many teenagers, having hundreds or even thousands of followers and friends monitoring their every move on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vine is just the new norm. Likes, views and favorites for social media photos, statuses and videos [...]
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Porn and Its Destiny

Man in sunglasses Recently I had the AWESOME privilege of attending a three hour “seat belt class”….allow me to explain: I was a bad boy and took off my seatbelt 2 blocks away from my driveway (in my own neighborhood) and apparently the local sheriff hadn’t got his monthly quota so he pulled up to my house: Cop: [...]
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Complications of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

Man by the lake Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the U.S. Almost 15 percent of Americans is dependent on alcohol. Alcohol causes estimated 88,000 fatalities every year, making it the fourth leading preventable cause of death in U.S. Normal amounts of alcohol are quickly absorbed and majority of ethanol is metabolized in the liver. However, individuals [...]
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Helping Seniors Addicted to Painkillers

Senior standing in the grass An increasing number of the senior population is becoming addicted to prescription painkillers. A recent study, lead by researcher Mary Carter of Towson University, presented a 78 percent rise in emergency department visits, from 2006 to 2012, amongst seniors who abused prescription or illicit drugs. Eleven percent of the misuse was associated to opioid drugs. [...]
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