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.

The Heroin Epidemic

The recent death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is a tragic reminder of the devastation that comes with drug addiction.  While his life ended prematurely and far too soon, his shocking and sudden passing draws a renewed focus to the problem of overdosing and drug addiction in America.  Heroin abuse, which is the drug [...]
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Helping Someone You Love with Problem Drinking

Individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction often experience numerous problems in their lives. It frequently becomes so overwhelming that they do not realize that they are not only hurting themselves. Anyone who cares about them and watches the effects of the illness as it takes over their lives is also affected. This may include family [...]
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Use of Marijuana Could Impact Offspring

The debate about Marijuana, or “pot”, use continues to be hashed out throughout our nation, involving politicians, health professionals, and the media alike.  Many confusing messages concerning the use of marijuana have amplified a considerable public discourse across many communities and states.  Most recently, the hot topic has about whether marijuana use should be legalized.  As [...]
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Underage Drinking Can Lead to Alcohol Addiction

Youth Substance Abuse and Binge Drinking in College Students The media often minimizes the potential harm connected with underage drinking and irresponsible social drinking.  While many celebrities, pop idols, and public figures seemingly demonstrate drinking as commonplace fun, countless individuals are vulnerable to addiction, making poor choices while under the influence, unhealthy sexual experiences, engaging in domestic violence, and many other issues possibly set [...]
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Increased Alcohol Consumption Among College Students May be Related to PTSD

Blog Contributed by Crystal Karges, MS, RDN of Addiction Hope The transition to college continues to be a vulnerable time for students, who are often undergoing several development changes.  This time period can be particularly challenging as students are also faced with relocation, separation from close family and friends, financial stress, academic demands, and new peer [...]
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