Addiction Blog

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.

Marijuana, also known as weed or cannabis, affects individuals in different ways and stays in the body for varying durations depending on a range of factors. The factors influencing the detection of marijuana in the system include dosage, usage frequency, THC potency, metabolism rate, body mass index (BMI), and the type of drug test. Some drug tests can detect THC for up to 90 days after use, while other tests can detect it within hours of use.

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.

Muscle-building drugs, such as anabolic steroids, SARMs, and growth hormones, are often used as a shortcut to gaining muscle mass quickly. The use of appearance and performance-enhancing drugs (APEDs) has become highly normalized, particularly among the fitness community and active individuals. However, these drugs can lead to a range of severe health and psychological issues, including drug addiction.

Studies show that men are more likely to use illicit drugs than women, resulting in more drug-related emergencies and overdose deaths in men. Ecstasy, also known as Molly or MDMA, produces stimulant and psychoactive effects that impact women and men in different ways.

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.