Risk Factors for Addiction

Addiction to substances can be influenced by a variety of elements. Addiction affects people in many different ways, some of which are life-threatening. For example, people who suffer from heroin addiction risk damaging nearly every organ in their body, including heart and brain damage amongst others. Accidental drug overdose is a leading cause of death among persons under the age...

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How Gambling Addiction Affects the Family Unit

Addiction negatively impacts a person’s life in many ways. These consequences can be emotional, physical, and/or social. However, the person who is abusing a substance isn’t the only one who suffers. Drugs and alcohol aren’t the only addictions that exist. When it comes to the effects of compulsive gambling on family members there are serious consequences to consider. A person...

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Is Your Loved One Showing Early Signs Of Alcoholism?

Perhaps your husband hasn’t been acting like himself lately. Maybe your sister has a strange demeanor about her. Your loved one is starting to forget important things and he or she is experiencing severe mood swings. Maybe the individual has even been engaging in an excessive amount of after-work drinking with coworkers. If your friend or family member seems to...

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Body Weight and Alcohol: Can You Drink Alcohol and Still Lose Weight?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, substance abuse is the excessive use of substances, such as drugs and alcohol, that causes a person to struggle from clinical impairments, as well as the dramatic loss of professional, social, and academic skills. Substance abuse has the power to significantly alter an individual’s diet. In the majority of cases, substance abuse holds the...

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Alcoholism and Personality Changes: How Does Alcohol Impact One’s Personality?

Perhaps, you’ve noticed your partner’s behavior has become aggressive and impulsive. Alcoholism and personality changes are, unfortunately, quite common. Alcohol is a popular substance, especially for social gatherings and gourmet meals. Alcohol use disorders are trending upwards, with the accessibility and isolation of the global landscape. It’s not much of a surprise to recognize that alcohol changes personality, particularly if...

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Is Alcoholism Considered a Mental Illness?

The term mental illness refers to conditions that prevent individuals from interacting normally with their environment and other people. When we pose the question: is alcoholism considered a mental illness? The answer is yes, it can be considered one. Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is also referred to as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The classification of alcoholism as a diagnosable mental...

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The Dangers of Quitting Drugs Cold Turkey

“Cold turkey” might not be the most effective way to quit using drugs or alcohol. Ending substance use quickly and abruptly can bring on uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Individuals may also experience a constant urge to start using the substance again. If you’ve thought about quitting drugs cold turkey or ending alcohol use suddenly, you might want to consider a safer...

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Binge Drinking Facts: Definition, Effects, and Dangers

Binge drinking facts for the United States are truly frightening. Every month, 1 in 6 adults indulges in binge drinking. Most of these binge drinkers are between 18 and 34 years of age and more men than women say that they are binge drinkers. This may be expected, but what is not as expected is the fact that over 50%...

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The Benefits of Cooking in Recovery

Recovery doesn’t end when someone suffering from Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) completes a treatment program. After getting sober comes staying sober. Skills, including establishing boundaries, emotional regulation, and coping strategies, must be developed to prevent the possibility of relapse from happening. One of these skills is cooking. You may be wondering why cooking is important in the recovery process. The...

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Developing Relapse Prevention Coping Skills

By far one of the most important things that rehab and treatment centers teach those who are suffering from addiction is how to avoid relapse once they leave and return to their regular lives. Relapse prevention coping skills are essential to remaining clean and sober after leaving treatment. It can also be the toughest part to deal with for a...

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