Alcohol and drug abuse and addiction cause significant damage not only in the life of the addicted person but in the lives of their family members. Substance use disorders know no boundaries and affect people across all demographics. Luckily, the many stigmas surrounding substance abuse and addiction have lessened in recent times, as the medical…
Marijuana use has long been hotly debated. Its proponents have touted it as a harmless, natural, and even beneficial drug, but for every person who supports it, another opposes it. Historically classified as a Class I drug, the general perception of marijuana use has changed in recent years. It has been legalized for medical or…
Independence Day, commonly referred to as the Fourth of July, is the most popularly celebrated holiday in the United States. Declared a federal holiday in 1941, it’s a time of the year that people across the nation come together to celebrate with fireworks, parades, barbecues, and a lot of alcohol. Americans spend more than $1.5…
Substance use disorders impact tens of millions of Americans from all walks of life. The current opioid epidemic started in the early 1990s when the pharmaceutical industry began a massive marketing campaign promoting prescription opioids like Oxycontin as being minimally addictive. In addition to opioids prescribed for pain, there has been a significant increase in…
The impacts of drug and alcohol addiction are far-reaching, affecting not only the person suffering from addiction but their friends, family, and even society as a whole. People suffering from addiction are more likely to encounter legal problems than the general public because they are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors. Finding yourself involved…
The opioid epidemic has swept through our nation at an alarming rate. Opioids are drugs that impact the nervous system by blocking pain and creating feelings of euphoria. There are many drugs involved in the opioid epidemic, but because it is inexpensive to purchase and very easy to find, heroin is the most commonly abused…
Summertime: the days are long, skies are blue, and fun is in the air. Summer is a time of socialization full of parties, barbecues, concerts, vacations, and hanging out at the lake, pool, or ocean. For most people, alcohol is a central part of summertime activities. For those in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse,…
A partial hospitalization program (PHP), sometimes referred to as a “day program,” is a mental health and addiction treatment option that falls in between residential and outpatient programs. A PHP provides the structure and intensive approach of an inpatient program but affords patients the ability to return home or a sober living environment for nights…
Mental illness encompasses a broad range of health conditions that affect a person’s emotions, mood, thinking, and behavior to the degree that it negatively impacts their daily functioning. It can be acute, coming on quickly and lasting for a short time, or chronic, where symptoms are long-lasting and persistent. There is clear evidence to support…
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed the last Monday in May to honor and mourn American military personnel who have died in the line of duty. Memorial Day is widely considered the unofficial start of summer and is often celebrated with picnics, barbecues, and parties involving alcohol and possibly other substances. These social events…