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.

Meth a Major Culprit in U.S. Overdose Epidemic

Guy in mountains thinking about Substance Use Disorder Recovery Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center America is facing an overdose epidemic, and it isn’t just due to opioids. Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine, or meth, have nearly tripled among adults ages 18-34 in the U.S., from 5,526 in 2015 to 15,489 in 2019 — a 180% increase [1,2]. From 2011 to 2018, deaths involving [...]
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People Who Use Marijuana More Likely to Struggle with Thoughts of Suicide

Woman holding the sun Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center As marijuana becomes legal recreationally or medicinally in more and more states, the stigma surrounding its use continues to lessen. But legalization doesn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t still risks associated with using marijuana. Just as there are risks when drinking alcohol, using marijuana can still be [...]
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The Truth About Marijuana Withdrawal

Youth girl on pier Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center With more and more states legalizing the use of marijuana, misconceptions about it can spread. Many people don’t know that marijuana is addictive just like any other drug and that quitting can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, especially for those who use cannabis for pain relief. Why [...]
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Cocaine Use and Sex Addiction

Contributor: Staff at Sierra Tucson The euphoric and stimulating properties of cocaine can boost a person’s sex drive, leading many to believe that sex is better while using it. However, continuing to pair cocaine use with sexual activity can lead to an addiction to both behaviors and cause dangerous long-term consequences if left untreated. How [...]
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Childhood Trauma and Addiction

woman struggling with substance abuse Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center Childhood trauma and substance use disorders are unfortunately prevalent problems in the United States and many other nations. According to a 2015 study that was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 10% of adults in the U.S., or more than 23 [...]
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