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.

Sizing Up Addiction And Domestic Violence As Dual Threats

Addiction And Domestic Violence Cross Paths - Addiction Hope Domestic violence is a crime that affects thousands of American families annually. Battered women represent nearly 20 percent of non-fatal, violent injuries treated in emergency-care facilities. According to data from the American Medical Association, almost a quarter of U.S. women will sustain some type of abuse from their intimate partner in their lifetime. Acts of [...]
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Got A Big Heart? How Cocaine Use Is One Of The Enlarged Heart Causes

Enlarged Heart Causes Cocaine Use - Addiction Hope While being called big-hearted by friends and family is a flattering compliment, when a doctor say this, you can be sure that serious health consequences are to follow. On top of myriad dangers associated with the abuse of cocaine, users need to know that continued use of the drug can lead to an enlarged heart. [...]
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Marijuana vs. Spice: Why Synthetic Pot Is More Dangerous Than The Real Thing

Marijuana Vs. Spice More Dangerous - Addiction Hope When synthetic marijuana first started showing up in head shops and gas stations, countless drug users thought that their prayers had been answered. Artificial marijuana, sold under brand names like “Spice” and “K2,” does not show up drug tests and it could be purchased legally across the country, making it the go-to substitute for pot [...]
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Coaches: How To Identify Substance Abuse Among Athletes

Substance Abuse Among Athletes - Addiction Hope Contributor: RiverWoods Behavioral Health System clinical team member Kathryn Taylor, MA, LPC/MHSP Substance abuse among athletes is not a new thing. Some athletes take drugs to cope with the stress of the desire to perform well on the court or field. Certain drugs, such as steroids or human growth hormones, can be taken to improve [...]
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