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.

Binge Drinking and College Students

Contributor: Benjamin Randolf, MS, CADC III from Compassionate Interventions. First, a definition, Binge drinking is defined as “more than five drinks in one sitting for men and four for women” (NIAAA). Although some of the literature I studied shows that binge drinking has remained somewhat constant over time, an article in Forbes actually said it [...]
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Date Rape Drug & College Campuses

Blog Contributed by Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC In the overabundance of newness that comes with the onset of college, most students are focused on the opportunities presented: new friends, social circles, class schedules, sports, leisure activities, and everything in between. Dating is often included in this plethora of activity, as young adults begin to [...]
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Adderall Use Among College Students

Article Contributed by Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC for Addiction Hope The use of the prescription drug Adderall among college students has become concerning as abuse of this medication has increased. What exactly is Adderall and why is the use of this drug appealing to college students? What Is Adderall? Adderall is a psycho-stimulant that [...]
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Addiction In Professional Sports: What’s Not Being Addressed

Quarterback dropping for a pass Contributed by: Dirk C. Eldredge II, CIP, BRI I, CADAC, Chairman, Alchemy Intervention & Consulting The “Disease of Addiction” is not only alive, it’s growing in epidemic proportions. Those of us involved in mental health and the quote, “World of Recovery” understand this intimately. We understand that our disease knows no socioeconomic, ethnic or professional [...]
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Kids Living on the Streets and Dealing Drugs

Blog Contributed by Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC of Addiction Hope Illegal drug trading is a global black market that involves the manufacturing, circulation, and sale of drugs and substances that are subject to drug regulation laws. Countless individuals consume illegal drugs on a global level, with reports showing that global drug trade generating an [...]
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