How Substance Abuse Increases the Risk of Infection, Even Coronavirus
While the coronavirus has yielded staggeringly high infection numbers around the world and even in the United States, the death rate has remained in single digits for most people and extremely low for healthy younger individuals. However, for the elderly and those with immunocompromising conditions, the risk of severe complications and even death is exponentially […]
Substance Abuse Treatment Must Continue Through the Coronavirus Outbreak
With coronavirus and related shutdowns dominating the headlines over the past few weeks, it can be difficult to see past that and remember that many of the societal crises that were top of mind just a couple months ago, still exist. One of these is the extreme rise in opioid addiction and overdose that the […]
How Common Is Addiction?
We hear heartbreaking stories of addiction, overdose and relapse virtually every day. In most cases, these stories relate to celebrities or otherwise well-known people that have succumbed to the disease. Alternately, we hear of truly shocking behaviors that happened under the influence. Sadly, the day-to-day stories about addiction are too many to cover and have, […]
When Does Substance Abuse Become Addiction?
When evaluating the statistics on substance use, whether it be alcohol, drugs or any other illicit or legal substance that has addictive properties, it can be shocking to see how many people use on a regular basis. And while substance use is certainly a precursor to substance abuse, not everybody who uses, ends up abusing. […]
3 Myths about Your First Time in Substance Abuse Treatment
1. It’s the scariest thing you will ever go through. It’s actually not. If you can muster up the strength to finally get your life on track, the rest is easy. Once you come to drug and alcohol treatment you are already bettering yourself and have the courage to face it. It’s not going to […]
Addiction Comes in Threes
Three wise men. Three stooges. Three ring circus. Many things come in threes and in the world of addiction, we see this time and time again. For example, it is not uncommon for a heroin addict to also have a food, gambling or sex addiction. Someone who is addicted to painkillers is likely to have […]
The Role of Trauma in Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and trauma are often closely linked, which is why high-quality addiction treatment programs offer integrated treatment to address both. Alcohol, as well as prescribed and illicit drugs, are commonly used to cope with negative emotions and symptoms associated with exposure to trauma. Commonly seen symptoms include (1):
Back with a Vengeance: Heroin in Florida
Addiction is all too common across the country, and Florida specifically is seeing an increase in heroin abuse. Though government and law enforcement agencies are attempting to crack down on substance abuse, many young people become drawn into the dangerous cycle of heroin use.
Substance Abuse: A Hidden Problem Among the Elderly
In the United States, people 65 years and older make up 13 percent of the population, yet they account for more than one-third of total outpatient spending on prescription medications. This totals over $500 million per year. Given the challenges and increased health complications that often accompany the aging process, this may seem unremarkable at […]
Diagnosed With Substance Use Disorder…Now What?
With any diagnosis comes hope for recovery, but for those on the outside looking in, it can be difficult to know how to react. If you have a loved one, a co-worker, or a friend who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, you may have questions about the diagnosis or the disorder, and […]