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.

Medicating Oneself: Checking Out of Family Intimacy & Relationships

Contributor: Martin Jackson, MA., M.Ed., LADC – Owner/Founder – The Institute of Health & Healing Sciences, LLC. As it is written in Joseph Lee’s book, Recovering My Kid, “Nothing makes parents’ hearts sink faster than the thought of their child suffering. And addiction is a uniquely dark and deep form of suffering. Over years of [...]
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Connecting with Your Addicted Child

Contributor: Saarah Waleed, LMHC, CASAC, NCC, Director of Addiction Treatment Services at Villa of Hope Elaine welcomes the newcomers with a bright smile. Her soft eyes make everyone who walks in the door feel comfortable. This Alanon meeting is dedicated to the family members of the children struggling with addiction. As the meeting starts and [...]
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Independence day – Loving Through the Pain of Addiction

Contributor: Carla Mack, guest contributor for Addiction Hope “How did I get here?” I remember asking myself that question years ago. I grew up in a Christian home, my parents rarely drank alcohol and my dad consistently told me about the importance of being honest. That day, 4th of July, my children asked me what [...]
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Supporting Your Adult Child in Addiction Recovery

Contributor: Betsy Koelzer is Co-Founder and VP of Operations for The Clearing The Clearing is an eight-person 28-day residential treatment program specializing in alcohol abuse, substance abuse, eating disorders, mood disorders, and other conditions, including dual diagnosis. We take an entirely different approach from traditional 12-Steps rehabs. We heal by identifying, addressing and healing issues [...]
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Where Can Kids Go to Discuss Family Addiction Issues?

Contributor: Written by Staff of The Recovery Village When a parent, an older sibling, or even an extended family member struggles with substance abuse and addiction, it can have a deep impact on the children in the family. Their emotions can be overwhelming and difficult for them to discuss, but it’s important that a priority [...]
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