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.

Abuse of Caffeine – Signs and Symptoms

Man explaining Addiction to Loved Ones while drinking coffee From starting your day off with a cup of daily joe, meeting friends over lattes, or refilling your mug at the community coffee pot for a mid-day pick up, coffee and caffeine are an integral part of life for many. Countless individuals rely on some form of caffeine to get them through their overloaded day, [...]
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Signs and Symptoms of Gaming Addiction

Video game controller used in Internet Gaming Addiction Internet gaming is big business today, in fact, billions of dollars are spent annually on video or internet gaming. Video gaming has impacted people all over the world. Men and women across the globe are gaming, some excessively and for some, it has become an addiction. The Types Gaming has come a long way from [...]
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Marijuana and Teenagers: Should We Be Concerned?

Teenage Girl with an Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping As we are all well aware, marijuana use has been legalized in twenty-three states and the District of Columbia. In some states, this use is limited to medicinal purposes, other states are now allowing recreational use of pot. What kind of message does this send to our youth? My investigation has led me to hear [...]
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Recovering From a Divorce Due to Sexual Addiction

Couple walking on the beach after being married Sexual addiction or compulsive sexual behavior is a serious complication that can result in detrimental consequences, not only to the sufferer but to those closest to them. This is perhaps most observed in a marriage or relationship between to committed individuals. A individual who is struggling with a sexual addiction will likely continue to act [...]
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Anxiety Disorders and Food Addiction: When Food Becomes a Means of Coping

Girl on phone There is a great deal of misunderstanding when it comes to addiction. Many individuals understand an addiction to be a loss of self-control or an inability to regulate desires or needs. However, an addiction is deeply rooted in many complex factors, things that are often out of a person’s control, such as genetics and neurobiology. [...]
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