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.

How to Seek Out Addiction Treatment while Caregiving for Children

Dad carrying child It can be difficult to seek addiction treatment while caregiving for children. Children most effectively function on consistency and may have difficulty understanding why the parent or caregiver needs to be away. Addiction can be defined as a mental illness that can cause chaos, and conflict in the home [1]. The substance of choice can [...]
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Impact of Opioid Addiction in Pregnant Women

Pregnant woman by the ocean Approximately 18 women per day die from painkiller misuse or abuse, and approximately 30 women per day are treated in emergency departments for the same concerns [4]. The Impact of Opioid Addiction in Pregnant women includes the use of heroin and misuse of prescription medications. In 2010, the National survey on Drug Use and Health [...]
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How to Support a Spouse Going Through Withdrawal

Husband hugging spouse struggling with a drug addiction Contributed by Staff of Timberline Knolls Watching a spouse struggling with a drug addiction can be painful, confusing, and overwhelming. The reality is that drug addictions arise from many complex factors – some things which cannot necessarily be helped or prevented. The tendency as a spouse, who is often observing things from an outside perspective, [...]
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The Mother-Daughter Addiction

Mother daughter on a bench “…She flipped the truck into a ditch and just left the scene. Nikki…we can’t find her.” I hung up. My momma: the adult, the child, my everything. I slid to the floor and smacked my head with my fist. “God, help me!” I thought. I desperately wanted the pain to end, and for our lives [...]
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When I Say No, I Mean No

Woman drinking coffee The other evening, I had just sat down to a nice dinner with a newly acquainted colleague at a posh restaurant overlooking all of Los Angeles. As I began to gaze over the menu, I suddenly heard the question slip from his lips. “Sooo, what would you like to drink?” I raised my head, trying [...]
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