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.

Signs that Your Loved One May Be Involved with Using or Dealing Drugs

Man being arrested for dealing drugs. Contributor: Libby Lyons, MSW, LCSW, CEDS writer for Addiction Hope and Eating Disorder Hope. When you are concerned that your loved one is dealing drugs, you must first realize that whether you deal or are addicted to drugs, both are using drugs. An addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug and/or alcohol use. [...]
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The Process of Prescription Medication Withdrawal for Addiction Recovery

Young man deep in thought while looking into the distance Contributor: Libby Lyons, MSW, LCSW, CEDS writer for Addiction Hope and Eating Disorder Hope. Detoxification is generally a safe process when undergone in a supervised medical setting. Since detox for certain individuals and substances can potentially be severe – and in some cases, deadly – it's not usually advised for individuals to detox on their [...]
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Chronic Kidney Disease: Appropriately Using Prescription Drugs

Woman contemplating her Chronic Kidney Disease Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal disease, is a condition that affects countless of individuals across the globe. With chronic kidney disease, an individual suffers damage to their kidneys, which compromises the function of these critical organs in the [...]
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Common Medications Used to Treat Fibromyalgia: An Overview

Woman suffering from Fibromyalgia. Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that can occur in individuals of all ages and irrespective of gender. According to the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association, approximately 10 million Americans struggle with fibromyalgia, with more women being impacted by this [...]
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