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.

Dealing With Loneliness and Addiction After the Holidays

Woman struggling with porn addiction Addiction has many triggers. Trauma, mental illness, stress etc. can all lead to a person falling into drug or alcohol use. One of the many triggers that can cause this destructive pattern is loneliness, a problem which is a sign of or trigger for depression and may be magnified around and after the holidays. Coping [...]
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Are Addiction Treatment Professionals at a Higher Risk of Developing Addiction?

Contributor: Rachael Mattice is the Content Writer Team Lead for Sovereign Health Group One of the largest elephants currently in the room with the mental health field is the topic of addiction amongst clinicians and professionals. Addiction is a problem that permeates all professions, seemingly affecting stressful jobs that interact with the general public the [...]
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Alcohol and Marijuana: How do They Interact With Each Other?

Contributor: Baxter Ekern, MBA, Vice President of Addiction Hope In the United States, marijuana is now legal for medical use in 23 states, and it is legal for recreational use in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Colorado. Alcohol is legal virtually everywhere. So, what is so bad about smoking pot and drinking alcohol at the same [...]
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Alcohol and the Brain: How Does it Impact the Brain?

Addiction-hope-Alcohol-and-the-Brain-How-does-it-impact-the-brain When drinking is involved, whether it is for a celebratory event, gathering with family or friends, over dinner, or whatever the occasion, the last thing that is likely on the mind of drinkers is how Alcohol Impacts the Brain. Sure, the effects may be felt, such as feeling “tipsy”, or having a hangover. Aside from [...]
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The Dangerous Consequences of Drunkorexia

Addiction Hope The Dangerous Consequences of Drunkorexia Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC for Addiction Hope What possible connections exist between binge drinking and eating disorders? The reality is that many individuals who suffering with eating disorders also struggle with alcohol abuse. “Drunkorexia” is termed to define the combination of eating disordered behaviors, such as self-starvation, bingeing and/or purging, with alcohol abuse [...]
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