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.

Anxiety and the Risk for Valium Misuse

Nature Road Through Redwood National Park

Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for some, the symptoms of anxiety are difficult to control and can prevent them from leading a fulfilling life. In addition to talk therapy, these individuals might be prescribed medication to help manage their anxiety symptoms. Valium is one [...]
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Pleasurable Cocaine Memories Can Trigger Cravings

Woman on ledge thinking about Banning Fentanyl

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug [1]. Relapse isn’t uncommon, and neuroscience is starting to have answers about why this may happen [2]. Drug use changes the brain in ways that make it harder to stay sober. One of the ways that the brain is changed involves memories. Research shows that even just remembering past [...]
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How to Have a Healthy Conversation with Your Teen About Substance Use

Contributor: Staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center Getting your teen to talk about, well, anything can be tough. But if you’re concerned that they might be experimenting with drugs, that’s a conversation worth having. About half of teens today have misused drugs at least once in their life, with alcohol, marijuana, and vaping products [...]
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Substance Abuse and Its Impact on Marriage

Contributor: Staff at Sierra Tucson Substance abuse can have so many negative effects on the life of the individual who is struggling, many of which extend to their loved ones. Substance abuse is frequently listed as one of the top reasons for divorce. While lack of commitment, general conflict, and infidelity are typically the three most [...]
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Tanning & Substance Abuse Linked

Researchers and healthcare professionals are always trying to figure out ways to decrease the number of people struggling with substance abuse. Part of this is understanding which people are more likely to start abusing drugs or alcohol. A recent study found that often people who use tanning beds are more likely to do other risky [...]
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