Although substance use is widespread, it is not always openly discussed due to social stigmas. There are a wide range of addictions with devastating effects, from gambling to food addiction, but substance use tends to be one of the main addictions people shy away from addressing head-on. When people do discuss substance use, it is…
Recovering from a substance use addiction is a complex process. Although relapse is a common occurrence with a reported relapse rate of 40-60%, it is not the end of someone’s recovery journey – if anything, it can often be a stepping stone to greater healing and self-compassion. It is important to recognize that relapse can…
The opioid epidemic in Ohio has taken a devastating toll on communities across the state, with deaths caused by the misuse of opioid medications such as oxycodone and fentanyl rising almost every year. There are many factors that have contributed to the opioid crisis in Ohio, including widespread poverty and the unregulated prescription of painkillers…
Families affected by substance abuse disorder may find a family therapy program to be particularly beneficial. The entire family is impacted by addiction, and some family members may adopt particular roles (enabler, overachiever) as a coping mechanism. Family counseling can help mend strained bonds and give members of the family constructive coping mechanisms. According to…
Entering the world of addiction recovery means being introduced to new information and terms you may not have been familiar with before. Whether you are struggling with a substance use disorder yourself or want to help a loved one who is, it’s important to know as much as you can about the world of recovery…
Cocaine, a white powder derived from coca paste, is a highly addictive stimulant drug that causes the user to feel pleasure. When cocaine is boiled with water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), it becomes a hardened, crystalline, rock-like substance known as crack or crack cocaine. What is Cocaine? Cocaine, also known as cocaine hydrochloride, is…
Anxiety disorders can have negative emotional and behavioral consequences. They can become crippling at times, preventing you from completing the most basic tasks. Millions of people suffer from anxiety, and some will need medication to control it. Extreme cases may involve panic attacks which cause the sufferer to disassociate. They must remove themselves from any…
Cocaine use was considered socially acceptable until the 1980s, when cocaine addiction took hold of the national consciousness. All of a sudden, society considered people who used cocaine to be selfish, whereas before, people who used cocaine appeared glamorous. Cocaine was the drug of choice of Hollywood and celebrities in general. Cocaine users even touted…
When people use cocaine, they are solely interested in the short-term effects. The alertness and euphoria they feel only last for so long, and then they use more to achieve the same high. It is highly addictive and dangerous. Overdoses happen due to the cocaine in a person’s system reaching toxic levels, essentially poisoning them.…
Heroin withdrawal can be very severe and even fatal. Dehydration due to persistent vomiting and diarrhea can lead to elevated blood sodium levels, which can cause heart failure. This is not a common occurrence, but it is a possibility if you attempt to detox on your own without proper medical supervision. When done under the…
