How to Say No to an Addict You Love
Over 23.5 million people in the United States suffer from some form of substance use disorder. This means that most of us know someone who is struggling with an addiction, and one in five of us will have a close family member or relation who is addicted. If your loved one is addicted to
Short Term Effects of Marijuana on the Brain
Marijuana is quickly becoming legalized across the United States, and polls suggest that more than 60% of the U.S. is in favor of continued legalization. This means that it is more readily available for both medical and recreational use, despite the fact that marijuana creates measurable changes in the brain, some of which are
What to Say to an Addict in Denial
Watching someone struggling with an addiction is a difficult and painful thing, especially when their substance use is hurting family relationships, study, career goals, and finances. This is even more true when that person fails to even realize they have a problem, instead either ignoring setbacks or attempting to push the blame for failure
7 Steps to Take After Finding Your Kid’s Drug Stash
Whether you’ve suspected it for some time, or discovered it by accident, finding evidence of your child’s drug use is never pleasant, or easy. However, the steps you take after finding your kid’s drug stash are crucial to their future health and happiness. Your approach to their mistakes and possible addiction could mean the
The Difference Between Hallucinations and Delusions
More than 23.5 million Americans are addicted to substances such as alcohol, opiates, cannabis, and benzodiazepines. Many of these substances are harmless in the short-term, or with moderate use, but over time, build up to toxic levels which strongly affect the brain and its ability to function. Drug-induced psychosis is a common side-effect of
What is OxyContin?
OxyContin is a brand name of Oxycodone, a semisynthetic opioid, and the most frequently prescribed painkiller in the United States. The drug, which is synthesized from an opioid alkaloid, offers fewer side effects than morphine and is commonly used to control moderate to severe pain from illness, injuries and surgeries. It’s also one of
How to Deal with the Grief of a Loved One’s Overdose
I had slept in that Saturday morning. When I got up, I saw that my husband hadn’t come to bed at all, again. As I made my way downstairs to get some coffee, I noticed that the house was strangely quiet. He should have been awake by now or had at least been awake
How Meth Damages Your Brain
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that works on the central nervous system, used recreationally because it creates a sense of euphoria, well-being, and empowerment. Many also use meth because it suppresses the appetite, speeds up the metabolism, and greatly increases the libido. While harmful, more than 1.4 million people, or about 0.4% of the United States
Heroin Addiction – Signs, Symptoms, Withdrawal, Treatment
Heroin is one of the most popular street drugs in the United States, with an estimated 900,000 people using or addicted to it in the United States. The drug, also known as diamorphine, is a product of the opium poppy and similar in nature to other opiates such as morphine and fentanyl. While used
6 Standard Roles in an Addicted Family
With over 24 million people addicted to drugs or alcohol in the United States, a surprisingly large number of families are home to addicts. Having an addict in the family, no matter their role, has a significant impact on the health, structure, and hierarchy of that family. Close-knit families often suffer the worst, especially