Awareness and Hope Are The Message on World Hepatitis Day 2012
Hepatitis is a disease of special concern for women, and especially women who suffer from substance abuse or alcohol problems. There are many types of hepatitis and each can be transmitted differently. Women are at higher risk than men for some of these strands, especially those that are sexually transmitted. This Saturday, July 28, is […]
Coping with Anxiety and Depression After Drug Rehab
Anxiety and depression are two common illnesses that affect women with substance abuse and addiction problems. Neither illness causes the other, so we call these co-occurring or dual diagnosis disorders since they often occur side-by-side. According to a report published by the American Medical Association, thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers and fifty-three percent of drug […]
Drug Abuse for Athletes
Prescription drug abuse is common among athletes. The history of athletes using substances for artificially increasing performance dates back to ancient Greece, where athletes would use substances to enhance performance. Unfortunately, performance enhancing substances often have addictive qualities and eventual health consequences.
The Effects Of Drug Abuse On The Stomach
Drug abuse can have a significant impact on the human body. Most anti-drug campaigns focus on the interpersonal and overall physical damage caused by drug abuse, but the public is rarely made aware of the specifics concerning the effect drugs have on your body. Your gastrointestinal, or GI, tract is a dynamic system of organs including the mouth, stomach, intestines and esophagus that work to break down, digest and expel food. But, the trauma to the GI tract caused by introducing large amounts of drugs to your system is something that can last well beyond active drug use.
The Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Your Stomach
Alcohol abuse can effect just about every bodily system, from the brain and the nervous system to the digestive system, including the stomach. We’ve explored the effects of alcohol abuse on the brain, the liver, the heart and the lungs, but how does alcohol abuse effect the digestive system? Unfortunately it may be more harmful than you think. Alcohol abuse can lead to increased risk for gastritis, ulcers and potentially even stomach cancer.
Inside Drug and Alcohol Rehab: Lessons from Mary Kennedy
Drug and alcohol rehab has helped many people overcome substance abuse and addiction. For those that have graduated from rehab programs, the day they first went into rehab may be the most poignant turning point in their life. Unfortunately, recovery is not a one-stop process, and others find that the challenges they face once they […]
Court-Ordered Treatment May Be the Only Way to Recovery For Some
Court-ordered treatment may be the only way to help someone to stop using and start recovery. The court-ordered treatment theory is that a substance abuser may lack the internal motivation necessary to stop using drugs. If a judge orders the treatment, it is an outside motivator to move toward behavior change. If the substance abuser […]
A Blueprint for Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention is not as simple as avoiding drugs and alcohol. In fact, preventing relapse requires a strategy and a plan for handling risky situations. Many people relapse during the course of recovery, especially as an individual’s situation changes. Each situation we face may require a different aftercare strategy, but if we’re armed with the […]
Drug Abuse and Your Lungs
Drug abuse more frequently affects the lung than any other organ. Why? Well, the impact of drug abuse on our lungs depends on two things: 1) the direct chemical impact of the substance itself and 2) the method in which we consume the drug. Both ways have an impact on the lungs, lung function and lung tissue. Let’s take a closer look at how drug abuse affects our lungs.
Opiate Addiction: How Do We Find Balance?
Opiate addiction is a hot topic these days. According to the CDC, between 1997 and 2007, the use of prescription opioids more than quadrupled. With prescription drug abuse reaching all-time highs, the nation is embroiled in a policy discussion- how do we balance pain management with the growing drug crisis? According to an opinion piece […]