Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of their race, age, socioeconomic status, or religious affiliation. The problem of substance addiction is so prevalent in our society, yet some people still have a slight reluctance to call such addiction a “disease.” Substance addiction and abuse has been officially recognized…
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“Of all the substances of abuse, including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, alcohol produces by far the most serious neuro-behavioral effects in the fetus.” -Institute of Medicine 1996 Report to Congress Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading cause of mental retardation in the Western World. The prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in the U.S. is…
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Prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD, most commonly Ritalin, are the new drug of choice on college campuses and in high school hallways. Though legal and helpful when prescribed to people who actually have ADHD, these pills are more and more commonly being abused by students who don’t have the disorder. Ritalin stimulates the central…
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The power of positive thinking. Some people addicted to drugs and alcohol swear by it, and new science reaffirms the power of its effectiveness. Mauricio Delgado, a cognitive neuroscientist at Rutgers, led a study where participants were either flashed a blue or yellow card. Half the volunteers were told to associate the blue card with…
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Soldiers returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to have developed serious drinking problems, a recent study finds. Isabel Jacobsen, who has a Masters of Public Health and works for the Naval Health Research Center, led the study that surveyed over 48,000 servicemen and servicewomen both before and after their deployment over a…
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Crack cocaine is one of the most powerfully addicting drugs. While regular cocaine is produced as a white powder that is usually inhaled through the nose, crack cocaine is a different, freebase form of cocaine that has been made into a smokeable substance. Because it’s smoked, the effects of crack cocaine are more intense than…
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For people who are recovering from alcohol or drug addictions it can be difficult to find activities that don’t include these substances. This problem often arises during the summer months due to vacations and holidays. So what can family members do to help those who are struggling with the addiction? Here are some tips to…
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According to the American Medical Association abusing alcohol brings with it many health related issues including hypertension, gastro-intestinal bleeding and notably the most known problem, cirrhosis of the liver. But for both men and women, alcohol can also bring on problems with the heart and arteries, as reported by MSNBC. Heavy drinking, which is defined…
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According to a White House report teens who are depressed and who indulge in marijuana are creating an even more dangerous environment for themselves. When mixed with depression it is suggested that marijuana can cause dependence, mental illness or even suicidal thoughts. The report released by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy…
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College students may be walking into a CVS pharmacy drug free, but they certainly aren’t leaving empty handed. In a recent study conducted by Reuters, prescription drugs have become one of the most abused substances by college students. As a matter of fact, one-fifth of these students admitted to having bought prescription painkillers to get…
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