Game days have become heavily associated with excessive alcohol consumption as a means to celebrate or enhance the fun. Whether you are watching football, basketball, or any major sporting event this season, here are some ways to do so without needing alcohol to have fun.

Despite its vibrant appearance, pink cocaine is a dangerous synthetic drug that contains mixtures of ketamine, xylazine, fentanyl, MDMA, and methamphetamine. Pink cocaine's side effects can be life-threatening, leading to long-term physical and psychological health risks, including overdose.

"Drunkorexia" is a term used to describe the comorbidity of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and anorexia, where individuals restrict their food intake to "cancel out" the calories from alcohol. This dangerous pattern has begun trending mainly among college students and young adults, highlighting a growing demand for awareness, education, and intervention.

Treatment and recovery are two fundamental yet distinct stages in healing from substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health disorders. Addiction treatment, often including detoxification, therapy, and medication, focuses on addressing immediate substance abuse and mental health issues. At the same time, addiction recovery is a long-term process of prioritizing health and well-being.

Whether you are in addiction recovery or looking to pursue a healthier lifestyle, sobriety is a transformative commitment. While sobriety offers numerous rewards, it also comes with challenges. Understanding common drawbacks you may face on the road to recovery can help you stay resilient and focused when presented with them.

Dopamine deficiency occurs when dopamine levels are chronically low, which may lead individuals to seek alternative methods for achieving pleasure and reward. This mechanism can fuel drug and alcohol abuse and, eventually, the development of a substance use disorder (SUD).

Drug and alcohol dependence and self-esteem issues often co-occur, as both can exacerbate one another. Individuals with low self-esteem may seek out drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. In contrast, those with existing substance abuse issues may struggle with self-esteem as a result of their dependence.

Chroming, a dangerous new social media trend involving inhaling hazardous chemicals and substances, has devasted communities around the globe. Inhalant abuse is the practice of inhaling or "huffing" chemical vapors found in household and workplace items to get a temporary high. Chroming addiction has particularly affected younger populations, resulting in dependence, severe health risks, and even death.

From the constant demands of everyday life, social media, and work, it can be challenging to find moments of calm. We live in an anxiety-driven world, with anxiety disorders being the world's most common mental health disorder, affecting 40 million adults in the US.

Drug and alcohol addiction can affect individuals from all walks of life, but certain professions are at a higher risk of substance abuse. The demanding nature and high-stress environments of some jobs, as well as accessibility to substances, can all increase the chances of addiction.

"Sober October" is an emerging global initiative that began as a fundraising campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK. While this is considered a month-long challenge, it can represent a revolutionary approach to combating heavy alcohol consumption and dependence.

The term "California sober" is emerging as a popular yet controversial trend in the world of substance abuse recovery. Individuals in addiction recovery, as well as celebrities and others not in recovery, are weighing in on this approach to being 'semi-sober.' While some view it as an alternative path to sobriety, many view it as a potential risk for relapse.


