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.

Dangers of Vaping and E-cigs

Man dealing with the Dangers of Vaping is like being in an underground tunnel The idea of going “smokeless” by participating in vaping may seem like a harmless decision, but the reality of the Dangers of Vaping associated with this behavior are quite concerning. Though vaping may seem a positive alternative to smoking cigarettes, this decision does not come without its own set of consequences. There are many misconceptions [...]
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Finding a Rehab Close to College Campus

Guy sitting with laptop Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope As a college student, the struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol can create many complicated issues and consequences. Whether your addiction developed prior to attending college, during your time as a college student, or if you have suffered a [...]
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Developing a Strong Mind and Overcoming Obstacles

Contributed by: Paul Pound LPC LCADC ACS The ability to reach a level of success that is satisfying to you can be found in the growth and development of habits in your everyday actions. This article explores the behavioral aspects of what contributes to feelings of achievement in daily life. Academic and sporting performances are [...]
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Addiction and the Danger of Buried Secrets

Depressed Young Woman Sitting With Her Head in Her Hands - Addiction Hope Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope Addiction is perpetuated by a vicious cycle that causes a person to make poor decisions – ones that often come back to haunt with a vengeance. As a recovering addict, you likely have made mistakes while under the influence of drugs [...]
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