There are differences between social drinking vs alcoholism. Depending on the extent of our social drinking, these differences may be small and hard to detect. Social drinking implies that you do not drink all that often. Some social groups do drink quite a lot and often, where you stand in a situation like that could…
There are more men in the United States struggling with drugs and alcohol addiction than women, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The reason behind this is that men respond differently to seeking help compared to women. Men, therefore, tend to suffer more effects and struggle in their recovery process. As we celebrate…
Cocaine and alcohol are two substances that people commonly use together in cases of addiction. Alcohol is a suppressant, while cocaine is a stimulant. There are many reasons why a person might become addicted to this combination. One of the more popular reasons is that individuals use cocaine as a way to sober up from…
Historically, the phrase “gateway drug” has most often referred to the use of marijuana, as it was seen as a softer drug that heightened the probability of people trying more dangerous and addictive substances. The concept of gateway drugs is somewhat controversial as it hosts a variety of oppositional factors. In the general sense, gateway…
National Mental Health Awareness Month is an annual event that occurs throughout the month of May. Its purpose is to spread awareness about mental illness and break surrounding stigmas that can disrupt a person’s well-being. With the help of campaigns and open discourse, the general attitude and associations toward mental illness have seen a shift…
As an outreach, educational, and screening initiative focused on increasing public awareness about the destructive consequences of alcohol use dependence, National Alcohol Screening Day takes place this year on April 11. What is National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) First launched in 1999 by the National Institutes of Health, NASD acts as a nationwide public health…
One of the biggest myths surrounding alcohol or drug dependence is that a person eventually hits rock bottom, which ignites a call for help. Either they themselves decide they’ve had enough or a loved one organizes an intervention. The problem with this belief is that it can lead many people suffering from drug or alcohol…
When it comes to drugs or alcohol dependence, there are many different terms or phrases we use: addiction, substance abuse, physical dependence. While these terms all tend to mean similar things, there are differences. For instance, chemical dependency is specific to how the physical body responds to a chemical. Whereas, addiction is much broader and…
Despite it being legal and, in general, culturally acceptable in America, alcohol can be one of the most lethal and dangerous substances available. It’s easy to think a drink used to celebrate with friends is harmless, but drinking in excess can prove lethal, which makes it crucial to know common alcohol poisoning symptoms. According to…
We all know that physical exercise is a critical component to enhance or maintain physical health. But did you know that physical activity offers exceptional benefits for people in recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction? In light of this, some substance abuse recovery programs offer recreational therapy. What is Recreational Therapy? Depending on the treatment…