Around 1 in 100 Americans suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and about half of cases are classed as severe. Living with OCD often means taking medications in addition to navigating the anxiety and obsessive thoughts that characterize the condition. As a result, some OCD sufferers turn to alcohol as a form of “self medication.” However,…
Mephedrone is a relatively new stimulant that has been making waves in India, particularly the Mumbai area, over the last few years. It is typically swallowed or snorted and gives users an hour-long high followed by an intense crash. It was banned in India in 2015, but until then it was cheap and readily available.…
Major depressive disorder is the term doctors use to officially describe one of America’s most common mental health issues: major depression. Research indicates that women may have substantially higher chances of developing this condition than men. That’s true, in part, because women have gender-specific risks for a condition called postpartum depression, which sometimes meets the…
How Marijuana Makes You High The THC chemical in marijuana is responsible for the high people feel from marijuana. THC activates areas of the brain responsible for pleasure. When it enters the brain, it may produce: Relaxation Euphoria Distorted perceptions Poor coordination Difficulties with thinking, learning and memory Social acceptance of marijuana use has spiked…
Medications containing the opioid painkiller propoxyphene were banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010. Prescribed for long-term chronic pain, drugs that mixed propoxyphene and acetaminophen (Darvocet, Darvon, etc.) were long believed to be safer and less addictive than stronger opioid painkillers like OxyContin or Vicodin. However, studies uncovered a significant risk of…
The process of recovering from addiction can be very challenging. It generally requires learning new coping mechanisms, and getting help and support from health care professionals as well as family and friends. While there are a variety of resources available to aid individuals in recovery from addiction, help and support for the family members of…
Rave parties are well known for loud, thumping music, vibrant light shows and the eccentric costumes they inspire. However, there’s another side to rave parties that can have catastrophic effects on concert-goers: illicit drugs. If you’re planning on attending a rave party, know the lingo, behaviors and hazards to watch out for. Know the Phrases…
How a particular drug affects the body often depends on the type of drug being used. For instance, stimulants tend to affect the brain in a way that increases alertness, energy levels, heart rate and blood pressure. On the other hand, depressants generally inhibit brain activity causing drowsiness, lethargy, decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and…
Many physicians face heavier workloads and more stress than the average employee. Medical professionals have to juggle their personal lives with demanding schedules. At the same time, they are addressing various patient health challenges. All of this can take a toll on a physician’s mental and behavioral health. To cope with the stressful nature of…
Along with non-addicted substance abuse, addiction is the driving reason for seeking substance treatment. People affected by addiction commonly have an underlying condition called physical dependence. However, in addition to physical dependence, you may also experience a problem called psychological dependence. Interestingly, not all people who are psychologically dependent on a drug develop physical dependence…
