America’s rapid explosion of prescription painkiller abuse has put health officials across the country on the defensive. Nowhere is this truer than in Tennessee, where a virtual epidemic of addiction is stressing the state’s health care system to the breaking point.
It’s hard to be objective when it comes to figuring out whether you or your loved one has a problem with drinking. Emotions run high, rationalizations and denials lead to confusion and it can seem hard to draw the line between what’s acceptable and what’s going too far. Although the boundaries are fuzzy, issues with
Are You an Alcoholic? 10 Warning Signs of Addiction Read More »
A new report has investigated the growing heroin epidemic in Pennsylvania, finding – among other things – that heroin is both easier to get than wine and cheaper than beer in the rural regions of the state. Heroin is a growing problem all across the U.S., and the rise in use of the drug is
Every year, millions of Americans abuse an opioid medication normally prescribed by a doctor as a treatment for specific types of moderate or severe pain. Some prescription opioid abusers live in cities or nearby suburbs, while others live in rural areas relatively isolated from large population concentrations.
Prescription Drug Abuse: Does Urban Differ From Rural? Read More »
Southeast Texas is in the midst of a gumbo epidemic, and it isn’t the Creole classic you may be thinking of. The “gumbo” causing problems is a combination of drugs: usually marijuana mixed with ecstasy, cocaine and PCP (phencyclidine), with some even adding synthetic marijuana into the mix. Although the drug is causing problems in
Drug Combo ‘Gumbo’ Wreaks Havoc in Southeast Texas Read More »
Wax is the most potent form of cannabis available today. The drug first appeared in California but has rapidly spread across the country over the past decade. Named for its waxy consistency, marijuana wax is extremely concentrated and offers an intense high that can take even experienced users by surprise. While wax (or cannabis concentrate)
Addiction is often measured, in part, by the impact it makes on a person’s quality of life. In instances of substance use, it can also be measured by intensity and frequency of use. In other behaviors, such as compulsive gambling, the behavior can also be measured in the frequency of the behavior. However, without any
Study Finds Similarities in Sex Addiction and Drug Addiction Read More »
As sex addiction expert and author Robert Weiss argues in PsychCentral, the connection between addiction and shame is well established. Those prone to addiction often feel ashamed of themselves; it’s an inward-facing criticism with the potential to lead to problems such as anxiety and depression, which in turn creates a desire to escape through the
The Link Between Sexual Shame and Addiction and Why It Should Be Addressed Read More »
The onset of alcohol use disorder (alcohol abuse/alcoholism) is one of the most likely diagnosable mental health consequences of military service. Just like full-time military personnel, risks for the disorder affect National Guard personnel called up for active duty. In a study scheduled for publication in 2014 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers
Stress at Home, Not Combat, at Root of Alcoholism Among National Guard Vets Read More »
An addiction to drugs or alcohol is acknowledged by the American Psychiatric Association as part of a larger diagnosable mental illness known as substance use disorder. In many cases, people who qualify for a substance use disorder diagnosis also qualify for a diagnosis of at least one other form of mental illness. Psychological trauma resulting
How Much Do Addiction, Other Forms of Mental Illness and Psychological Trauma Overlap? Read More »
