Most of us have had people in our lives who have experimented with drugs. Some people we know have kept it at the experimental stage and decided they wanted nothing more to do with it. However, an increasing number of people have become addicted. Drug addiction is a physical dependency on a chemical substance. However, [...]
Do you or someone you know take prescription medications? Do you know how to recognize the signs of prescription drugs abuse? The definition of prescription drug abuse is taking medications that have psychoactive, or mind-altering properties for reasons or in amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone other than who the medicine [...]
Perhaps there was a time in your life when you realized that you needed to take control of your addiction problem. You got the help you needed and you followed the program to the letter. With each of your accomplishments in your journey toward healing, you celebrated. You vowed that you would never again return [...]
Just about everyone has seen a television show or a movie starring Robin Williams. The actor won several awards for his work in various films, but he was more than just a great performer. Robin Williams was also giving and kind. He was always eager to make people laugh and provide the entertainment [...]
If you are struggling with an addiction, like many people, you have probably been able to maintain that balance fairly well for a period of time. In fact, when you first began using your preferred substance(s) or began engaging in problematic behavior(s), you may not have thought that you had an addiction problem at all [...]
Cross-addiction occurs when one addiction (chemical or behavioural) is swapped for another. For example, a recovering cocaine addict may start abusing prescription drugs. Often substance abusers will gravitate toward another substance that simulates the effects of their original addiction (euphoria, mental stimulation, increased energy, etc.). However, they may also develop a behavioural addiction such as [...]
It is a very traumatic experience when you discover that your partner is struggling with an addiction. Whether it's a substance abuse problem, or a sexual addiction, the shock you experience is unparalleled; especially if you find out that it has been going on for a long time without your knowledge. Perhaps that's the situation [...]
It's extremely difficult to have a partner who is an addict. Whether your partner suffers from a substance abuse problem, or his or her issues center around a behavioral addiction such as sex or gambling, you're constantly feeling confused, helpless and alone. You may want so desperately to be able to help, but you're not [...]
According to recent epidemiological studies, as many as 50% of individuals with mental health diagnosis also suffer from co-occurring substance abuse disorders. While substance dependence and withdrawal can actually be the cause of psychiatric symptoms, such as paranoia, hallucinations, delusions and panic attacks, many psychiatric conditions are pre-existing and are exacerbated, or even quieted momentarily, [...]
It is not easy for someone who struggles with an addiction to a substance (such as alcohol or drugs), or a behavior (such as sex or gambling) to admit that he or she needs counselling. In fact, most people who have an addiction, experience a great deal of fear and trepidation when they think [...]