If you’re reading this, you’ve already overcome the most difficult barrier in seeking help: admitting that you need it. Many individuals who struggle with an addiction of any kind will never reach the point that you have, because they choose to handle their problems without the help they need. This decision prevents them from a…

For years, most substance abuse studies focused on men. In fact, in the earliest stages of addiction research, men were the only participants. Not only did this paint a particular stereotype of substance abuse, but it sometimes caused women to suffer from medical biases when seeking help. Addiction and women seemed to be two worlds…

Adderall is a medication that contains four amphetamine salts. It is considered a stimulant and is often prescribed by doctors to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When used according to a medical doctor’s directions, Adderall can significantly improve quality of life and day-to-day interactions. However, Adderall abuse is on the rise and can have catastrophic,…

While the way alcoholism is currently defined makes it difficult to determine how many alcoholics are in the United States, the statistics are revealing. According to how the DSM-V defines alcohol abuse disorder, 6.2% of adults have an alcohol abuse disorder. The more unsettling fact is that fewer than seven percent of people with alcohol…

More and more people in the United States are suffering from prescription pain medication abuse. Far from being just a personal problem, substance use usually impacts friends and family as well. For example, children of parents with substance use problems are less likely to behave in an age appropriate manner, while parents of adult children…

Substance use and drug addiction are becoming more common across the United States. In a given year, around 65% of people who are 12 years of age and older have consumed alcohol, while almost 18% have used illicit drugs. Now this does not always lead to abuse issues; however, some individuals are more susceptible to…

Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam, a sedative that is commonly prescribed to control the symptoms of acute anxiety and panic attacks. This drug is categorized as a benzodiazepine and is often prescribed for its quick efficacy. With misuse, however, benzodiazepines become rapidly addictive. Awareness of the signs of sedative dependence and withdrawal can…

The untimely death of Tom Petty in early 2018 once again brought widespread attention to the dangers of prescription painkillers. The Los Angeles County medical examiner revealed that the musician had died from an overdose of several different prescription painkillers.1 Petty’s family asked that the news of his accidental overdose be made public to serve…