Addiction Blog

Substance use disorders (SUDs) can ripple through families, creating patterns of addictive behaviors that pass down through generations. Generational addiction, when drug and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) recur in families over decades, can be influenced by genetics, family dynamics, and environmental factors.

Intermittent sobriety, which involves taking regular breaks from alcohol, could be a game-changing strategy for those who struggle to control their alcohol consumption. Limiting alcohol use can have a range of health benefits, including improved liver health, strengthened immune system, reduced anxiety and depression, and extended lifespan.

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.

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.