Prescription drug abuse has dramatically increased over the past several decades. While some of the drugs are being used in an effort to get high, much of the misuse is due to students attempting to balance a demanding workload. Medications meant to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sold under the names Ritalin and Adderall…
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In families with a significant track record of substance addiction, parents face additional challenges when it comes to educating their children about drugs and alcohol. But by warning young people about their family history of addiction, is it possible to actually increase their risk of substance abuse? Many studies over the years have confirmed that…
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Physical and psychological dependence refer to the hold that a substance or behavior has on the addict’s body and mind. While there is much overlap between the two, and they typically occur in tandem, it helps to see some of the differences between them. Physical dependence has to do with the condition of the body…
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If you’re having a hard time keeping up with the many street names for common illegal drugs, you’re not alone. After all, they were created to confuse, divert and otherwise dodge the suspicions of law enforcement, parents and teachers. Some street names have entered the common vocabulary, while countless others remain obscure. Even so, a…
DetailsProblems like substance abuse and mental illness are serious and far-reaching, impacting the lives of all around. The closer a person is to someone struggling with one of these conditions, the more they tend to be affected, with spouses, parents and children bearing the brunt of the fallout. For children, having a caring adult who…
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Stereotypes of drug addiction are changing. People may expect that an addiction started due to drugs being passed around at a high school party, or a young adult’s drug-laced family environment drew them in. But today it’s just as likely that a craving began due to surgery experienced by an older person. The Centers for…
DetailsIlana Zivkovich has an inner beauty that radiates through and is visible to everyone around her. Some might say this is because she sees the inner beauty in others. “All people have an inner truth that is beautiful,” says Ilana. “So often we feel we’d be good enough ‘if only’ we could make certain changes.…
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Often, the very problem a person is attempting to escape through substance abuse can become magnified through their habit. In the case of cocaine, a new study indicates that chronic users harm their ability to interact socially. In which case the person seeking to intensify life’s experiences winds up isolating themselves from one of life’s…
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Substance use addictions became intricately interwoven with sex at an early age for Lewis, a man who was starved for attention by his parents. Such co-occurring addictions do complicate recovery, but they can be overcome. Lewis grew up in large, spacious homes—his family owned more than one—with hired caregivers and tutors, but without much in…
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For most married couples communication is a constant work in progress. Add alcoholism to the mix and this delicate dance becomes much more complicated. You may be nervous or simply not know how to talk to your alcoholic spouse about their drinking. It will take work and forethought, but it is possible to have an…
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