With such a large variety of drug rehabilitation centers that offer different types of treatment, choosing the best drug rehab center can be a daunting task. When searching for the best drug rehabilitation facility, it is important to research the options and consider what best fits the needs of the individual. Not all drug rehab facilities offer the same level of care nor do they all necessarily … [Read more...]
How Not Drinking Can Improve Your Health
With the arrival of the new year, many people are following through on their New Year’s resolutions, including drinking little to no alcohol. This resolution is common and often difficult to adhere to in a society where alcohol consumption is ubiquitous. While many people safely consume alcohol without becoming dependent, casual alcohol consumption can still be the cause of normal short and long … [Read more...]
At What Point Does Substance Use Become Substance Abuse?
Every individual’s reaction to drugs and alcohol is different. Each person has a different genetic makeup and has had unique social experiences that influence the development of substance abuse and addiction. Due to varying factors, not every individual who uses drugs and alcohol becomes addicted. Substance abuse becomes an addiction when an individual no longer has any control whatsoever over … [Read more...]
The Top 10 Misconceptions About Recreational Drug Use
Drug addiction is a choice. While at first drug abuse may be a choice, it quickly develops into an addiction that alters the way in which the chemistry of the brain and body function. This change in functionality leaves individuals with intense cravings for their drug of choice and the urge to seek more extreme highs as their tolerance builds. Addiction is a side effect of substance abuse and is … [Read more...]
How Movies About Drugs Affect Today’s Teens
Drugs and alcohol have become common themes in today’s pop culture. From movies to music, from theater to TV, regular references to illicit substances are made. Sometimes the viewer is even unaware of these references, and they enter the audience’s minds subliminally. Approximately $25 billion is spent every year on advertising for alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs. TV shows and movies are … [Read more...]
Health Consequences of Intravenous Drug Use
Drug addiction can have many serious consequences, but some forms of drug abuse come with health risks that are undeniably tied to the form of intake. Intravenous drug abuse is accompanied by many dangerous side effects that are not associated with smoking, snorting, or oral ingestion. Many individuals who inject drugs never anticipate that they will come to use needles; however, as addiction … [Read more...]
The War On Drugs – Has It Worked?
The War on Drugs has been an ongoing struggle for many years, remaining an unsuccessful campaign with numerous consequences for individuals and societies alike. The term “War on Drugs” became popularized in 1971 when President Richard Nixon referred to drug abuse as “public enemy number one.” The term is applied to the national campaign that aims to prohibit drugs via legal policies. The military … [Read more...]
California Marijuana Laws: How have they changed in the last 10 years?
California’s laws regarding drug use, specifically marijuana, have undergone some recent changes, especially in the wake of the movement to legalize marijuana in several states. As the first state to legalize medicinal marijuana nearly two decades ago, California continues to garner national attention because of its changing laws surrounding drug use. The recent passing of Proposition 47, which … [Read more...]
U.S. Drug Statistics by State
Drug and alcohol abuse statistics by state are often influenced by factors such as geography, ease of access, and states’ laws. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) publishes a report detailing the top states for drug use, including marijuana, cocaine and alcohol. One contributing factor to substance abuse, especially alcoholism, is Seasonal Affective … [Read more...]