Drug addiction is a disease affecting the brain and a person’s behavior, classified by an inability to control using drugs. In medical terms, the disorder is called substance abuse disorder. Addictive substances can rewrite the brain’s pleasure center, rewarding drug use and changing how a person processes information. Additionally, a…
OxyContin is a powerful prescription painkiller with highly addictive qualities. Although it has its place in the field of medicine, many people become dependent on the drug and take it in higher doses or for longer than prescribed. Withdrawing from OxyContin and other opioids can be incredibly difficult, but safe…
Suboxone is listed on Schedule III of the Schedules of Controlled Substances. As such, it is a narcotic that can cause low to moderate physical dependence or high potential to cause psychological dependence. Because of this, people dependent upon Suboxone will experience withdrawal symptoms after they stop ingesting the substance.
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant with addictive properties that directly impact the brain. Because of the drug’s popularity during the ’80s and ’90s, many consider it less of an issue now. However, cocaine presents as much a problem today as it always has. In fact, it’s one of the oldest…
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety, seizures, sleep problems, panic disorder, and similar conditions. These drugs can be very effective at the right dose. Nonetheless, they can be highly addictive, and someone who struggles with benzodiazepine addiction will face severe withdrawal symptoms as they go…
How long does it take to break an addiction? Unfortunately, there is no specific answer to that question. The length of time it takes for someone to break an addiction depends on several factors. Also, some people may be more susceptible to relapse based on addiction history, life events and…
When a person is struggling with an addiction and decides to seek professional help from a drug rehab facility, there are a few options to consider. For example, he or she may choose to be treated inside of a center or on an outpatient basis. It is important to compare…
While a pandemic gripped the U.S., another kind of epidemic also swept the country. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 107,375 deaths from drug overdoses and poisonings in 2021. Approximately 67% of those deaths involved fentanyl or other synthetic opioids. In some cases,…
Made out of oxycodone and acetaminophen, Percocet is designed to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever, so it affects the way the body responds to pain. Unfortunately, this means that some people use Percocet for recreational purposes. Over time, recreational use can lead to…
In the past several years, the use of kratom has become more common. However, it is still a fairly new term to many people. Because of the effects it produces, people often use to self-treat pain, anxiety, depression or fatigue. Because it is not regulated and its risks are still…
The central nervous system includes your brain and spinal cord and controls the functions of your body. Through the spinal cord, signals from peripheral nerves travel to the brain to provide information about what is happening in other bodily regions. The brain sends signals back through the spinal cord and…
As you move toward a sober lifestyle that is free of drug and alcohol use, you will walk through the detoxification process. This transitory step involves cleansing the body of all traces of drugs and alcohol. It can be a challenging process, and many people may fall back into their…
Drug addiction costs a person many things. From valued relationships to actual cash, it’s hard to rack up the total value lost on a drug habit. However, we’re going to take a dive into determining the actual cash that an addict may spend on particular drugs to support their habit.
Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction includes a comprehensive range of treatments. Attending an inpatient rehab program that offers a variety of therapies can help you work toward complete health and wellness. One popular form of treatment that some programs offer is equine therapy or other animal-assisted therapies. A…
When people are fighting a drug addiction, what’s the best living environment for them? Maybe they’ve just finished an inpatient treatment program, and they’re looking for a safe place to live. Maybe they’re making use of outpatient treatments, such as one-on-one counseling, and they’re worried that their current home has…
In the Adderall vs Dexedrine debate, people wonder which one is better. Adderall and Dexedrine are similar, and they cause similar side effects, but they are not exactly the same. One thing that both medications have in common is that they can be addictive, and it can be extremely difficult…
According to recent research, nearly 20% of American adults admitted to using illegal drugs at least once during their lives.[1] The drug problem in the United States is growing, and it is getting worse in New York City and other big cities. Since the start of the pandemic in…
Are you worried about developing a drug or alcohol addiction? The truth is that there have been more than 700,000 overdose deaths since 2000, and 19.4 percent of the United States population has tried illicit substances at least once in their lives. When alcohol and tobacco are included in the…
Deciding to get help with drug addiction is one of the hardest things you may have to do in your lifetime. Fortunately, there are many different options that can help, such as inpatient and outpatient therapies. By understanding the differences between the two, you can get a better feel for…
Residential treatment is a necessary step for many people to overcome their drug or alcohol addiction. During your inpatient rehab program, you’ll receive extensive medical and psychological support in a safe, stable environment. However, this form of treatment can be expensive, which leads some patients to forgo rehab or wait…
