Substance Abuse Articles, Blogs and Resources

Man on mountain thinking about Substance Abuse Addiction Hope is dedicated to providing timely and helpful information on the dangers of Substance Abuse as well as alcohol abuse.

Drugs are a chemical substance that can be used in the prevention, cure and treatment of an ailment or disease. Often, medications can be used to help an individual’s emotional and psychological well being, and they can enhance one’s physical abilities or well being.

Medicines can help heal a person or destroy a life. They can be naturally derived from plants or synthesized in some type of laboratory. A drug addiction can ruin a man or woman’s existence. It is disappointing that many of the medications that were originally developed to help heal people will be abused and devastate the life of someone with a substance abuse addiction.

Substance abuse is when a person begins using a drug in a way other than its intended use as prescribed by a doctor. A drug addiction can be created when a man or woman continually abuses drugs in order to get high (an intense euphoric feeling). Some drugs are so addictive that someone using for the first time can become instantly addicted.

When someone has developed a drug addiction, they can build up a tolerance to the drug and need more and more of the substance to have the same effect. The person will sometimes begin smoking, snorting, or injecting the drugs so as to reach a quicker and more intense high. This leads to constant repeated use and, thus, the creation of a drug addiction.

Substance abuse addiction is outstandingly difficult to quit. Often one substance is abused with other drugs or alcohol. Sadly and frequently, substance abuse co-occurs with other mental disorders such as mood disorders, mental disorders and eating disorders.

This adds to the complexities of stopping the drug abuse. However, it is imperative that the drug addiction is ended because constant substance abuse can be deadly. Heart attacks and strokes often occur. Some of the more common drug types include opioids (heroin, morphine, hydrocodone), hallucinogens (LSD, DXM, PCP), stimulants (cocaine, Ecstasy, meth), and depressants (alcohol, Quaaludes).

Please continue reading below to see our latest blog posts on substance abuse. Under the “Substance Abuse Navigation” menu, you can click on the drop-down arrow to see evergreen, general information on dozens of individual drugs, including prescription substances.

ADHD & Substance Abuse Vulnerability

Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically have symptoms such as impulsivity, difficulty concentrating, and overactive temperaments. Practically, this means a person with ADHD may procrastinate, appear disorganized, have trouble staying on topic or on task, and be easily distracted. In addition to these symptoms, according to recent research published in the Journal of [...]
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Coping Strategies for Parents of a Teen Struggling with Substance Use Disorder

Trying to cope with a teen’s substance use disorder (or SUD) is one of the most difficult challenges in life. It can be mentally, emotionally, physically, and even financially taxing. Parents of teens who are struggling with a SUD are often scared, feeling concerned, and fearful of the consequences of their drug or alcohol abuse. [...]
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Motivation Tips for Substance Use Disorder Recovery

Guy in mountains thinking about Substance Use Disorder Recovery

The majority of my experience as a mental health professional has been in the context of treatment centers. My guess is that less than 30% of the clients in these settings came to treatment because they were motivated for substance use disorder recovery. Instead, they came because of one or more of the following reasons: [...]
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The Best Attitude to Approach Substance Abuse Treatment

Boy concerned about Gaining Weight After Anorexia treatment

Deciding to pursue substance abuse treatment is difficult, and the day you admit to the treatment center will likely bring many mixed emotions. In light of the challenges of going to treatment, it is wise to make the most of the experience by developing a recovery-minded attitude. Start with the End in Mind It is [...]
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Pain Relievers & Substance Abuse – Do You Have a Problem?

Very sad youg man sitting on the floor crying due to his grief

Asking yourself, "Do I have a problem with pain relievers and substance abuse?" is one of the first steps to getting help. Because addiction to pain relievers usually begins through the use of a prescription given by a doctor, and for those misusing pain relievers, it can be difficult to tell when the problem first [...]
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