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.

Missing Holiday Traditions Due to Drug Treatment: How to Get Through the Season

College Student Buying Cocaine Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol can bring about the most horrific consequences to you and those you love, making it difficult to function and handle even basic daily tasks. Some individuals may be in denial about their circumstances and [...]
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I’m Sober, But Has Another Form of Addiction Developed?

lady sitting in forest in sunset Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope Addictions are complex disorders that involve multiple aspects, including a person’s biology, environment, family history, social structure and more. Many individuals who are dealing with an addiction may have experienced multiple factors and situations that triggered the development of these behaviors. [...]
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Learning to Celebrate Without Alcohol Abuse

Woman contemplating her Chronic Kidney Disease Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope Celebrations and special events of all kinds often involve the use of alcohol, which can become a focal point of any type of festivity. Weddings, anniversary parties, holiday celebrations and the like often have an open bar available or some kind [...]
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Learning to Celebrate Without Illicit Drug Abuse

Group of teenagers abusing Opioids Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope If you have struggled with illicit drug abuse, you may have found yourself turning to these drugs for different purposes, including attempts to achieve a sense of high or euphoria, as a means of escaping a painful reality that you may [...]
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Finding Support Through a Difficult Holiday Season

Family Practicing Healthy Communication Skills - Addiction Hope Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope While for many individuals, the holiday season is a time of festivities and celebration, countless people finds this time of year particularly difficult to deal with. Many reasons can influence the tone of the holiday season, including relationships with family and [...]
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