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.

Finding Motivation to Maintain Sobriety During the Holidays

Beach couple laughing in love romance on travel The holiday season is often one of celebration and joy, and many festivities and activities are centered on this time of year. For an individual who is recovering from an addiction, the holiday season can be particularly challenging. Many parties and holiday events often have alcohol as a focal point of the celebration, and this [...]
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Entering Rehab During the Holiday Season: What to Expect

Group of confident managers listening to female employee Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope The holiday season brings about many joys and moments that should be celebrated, but for someone dealing with substance abuse and addiction, the holidays can have a whole different meaning. For any individual who is struggling with an addiction, the holiday [...]
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Newly Sober and Estranged Family During the Holidays

guy handing out information in the street Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope As someone in recovery from addiction and substance abuse, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time as you navigate through the journey of your recovery. Because addiction is complex and often takes a toll on not only your own life, [...]
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Step 8: Working Through Underlying Resentment

Upset couple having an argument Contributor: W. Travis Stewart, LPC, NCC writer for Addiction Hope I hope my high school soccer coach isn’t reading this. It’s been nearly 30 years since I graduated from high school—yikes, even typing that makes me feel old. What’s even more discouraging is how long I felt resentment toward my coach. I thought I should [...]
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Changing Habits: Building a New Pattern of Sober Holidays

Contributor: Sierra Tucson clinical team member Ryan Poling, M.A. One of the most popular habits for people around the holidays is spending some time reflecting on the past year and making resolutions for the New Year. Often, these resolutions involve habits that a person wishes to create or break, such as exercising more regularly, eating fewer [...]
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