Drug addiction is a chronic disease that has disruptive effects on a user’s brain, behaviors, and self-control. When a person uses drugs regularly for a period of time, functional changes will happen within the brain – impairing that user’s ability to control impulses, to manage stress effectively, and to make rational decisions. These changes can […]

Anorexia. Bulimia. Binge eating. Not only can these eating disorders harm a person’s body, they can also affect a person’s mind – co-occurring alongside other psychological and dangerous disorders, like substance addiction, and leaving lasting emotional effects. Body: Physical Effects of Eating Disorders Eating disorders can lead to an array of physical effects, both minor […]

Drugs can affect men and women in very different ways. The genders also have very different experiences when it comes to their drug use. Men, for example, are more likely to use all types of illicit drugs, and therefore have much higher rates of illicit drug use. Women, however, statistically progress from drug use to […]

Parenting a troubled teen is not an easy undertaking. It can be emotionally draining, particularly for those parents whose teenager is dealing with drug problems – You may be constantly worried about his or her whereabouts, or incessantly fearful of the physical harm your teen is doing to his or her health. You’re likely heartbroken […]

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease. Recovery is a lifelong journey. None of it is easy. And singer-songwriter Demi Lovato knows this first-hand. We’ve shared Demi Lovato’s story and struggles with addiction before – The beloved musician has been battling substance abuse, mental health, and eating disorders since she was young. And from the start, […]

Recognizing the need for professional help is one of the biggest steps a person can take in their recovery journey. If you are struggling with drug addiction and in need of treatment, you may be scared of what comes next. Will you be isolated to a far-away rehab center? Will you go through a painful […]

There are many causes that can lead a person into drug and alcohol use – stressful situations, external pressures, difficult emotions, and trauma are just a few. When a person does not know how to cope with these feelings or situations in a healthy way, he or she may use drugs to feel some relief […]

As much as addiction is a physical disease, it is equally as mentally and emotionally crippling. Yes – it takes a toll on a person’s body, but it also affects their mental stability, emotional capacity, social aptitude, and more. Everything is integrated. Addiction touches all aspects of a person’s life, and therefore, can be very […]

A recent study found that only 14 percent of parents believed their adolescents had tried marijuana. Their teenagers were then surveyed. In actuality, 42 percent of these teens admitted to smoking pot – three times more than their parents had presumed. Unfortunately, parents are often left in the dark about their teenagers’ drug and alcohol […]

Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die from overdosing on opioids, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). And, according to new research, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are involved in 50 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths – up from a mere 14 percent in 2010 – taking the place as […]