Substance Abuse Articles, Blogs and Resources

Man on mountain thinking about Substance AbuseAddiction 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.

How Scripture can Deliver You from the Grasp of Addiction

Three crosses with sunset behind it There have been volumes written on how to beat addiction, and while much of it is helpful and has merit, so many of the strategies lack power for any real lasting change. Could it be seeing the way forward is as simple as looking back? Let me suggest that, perhaps, in our zeal for “self-help” [...]
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Recreational Use of Xanax: A Slippery Slope to Addiction

Woman struggling with Addiction in the Modeling Field Xanax has emerged as nothing short of a life-altering prescription drug for many individuals battling anxiety. It has allowed them to regain some control of their life, allowing them to live a more independent and active lifestyle. From 2005 to 2013, Xanax was the number one prescribed psychiatric medication in America. Yet, this popularity was [...]
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Addiction Treatment Alumni: Staying Connected to Community

Woman seeking medical-aided recovery for opiate addiction Contributor: Staff of  Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center One of the bigger changes made in addiction recovery revolves around lifestyle. People, places and things will all need to change in order to thrive in sobriety. So, what tools can be used to stay involved in the local community after addiction treatment? The lifestyle change, in [...]
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Tapering Off Opioids to Improve Pain Management

Woman researching how to Improve Pain Management Contributor: Megan Wilson, BS, CADC Timberline Knolls Residential Center There is no question that opioids are negatively affecting countless individuals across the country, particularly when it comes to abuse and addiction. However, for many people, opioids are pain medications needed to help effectively deal with chronic pain, which may be the result of injury or [...]
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From the Privilege High Life to the Pit of Alcoholism

Woman sitting in window sill Privilege, wealth, and living the high-life are a part of our culture. Many affluent individuals in today's Westernized societies live lives of overindulgence and immediate needs are filled. Alcohol and drugs are becoming an increasing issue among upper class adolescents. News reports over the past decade show increases in underage drinking, injuries leading to fatalities, [...]
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