Help With Substance Abuse

Marijuana is among the most commonly used substances in the United States, especially as legal use continues to become more widespread. Around 12 percent of the adult population smokes pot, a statistic that rises to 22 percent among those 18 to 29. Marijuana is also increasingly found in combination with other ... Read More

Lost in the headlines about the opioid crisis is the fact that painkillers can help treat serious health conditions and improve the quality of life for individuals experiencing moderate to extreme pain. Used properly, under the supervision of a physician, opioids have helped many people deal with chronic health ... Read More

Note: if you are concerned about an overdose, please contact poison control or immediately dial 911. Even over-the-counter sleeping pills can be dangerous in high doses. Sleep is among the most important bodily functions. Getting adequate rest is critical for brain and organ health and performance during the day. ... Read More

The "12 Steps" may be best known for their use in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. But in actuality the steps, principles and spirituality of the 12-step program have helped many, many people with other problems. Take smoking, for example. The versatility of the AA program means that it can help people with ... Read More

Many people take one or more prescription drugs as part of their daily regimen and worry about the long-term health effects of these drugs. The commonly prescribed, anti-anxiety drug Xanax is a case in point. This blog is the first in a series that examines popularly prescribed drugs for anxiety and depression and ... Read More

Cannabis is often pitched as a cure-all for many mental health conditions and as an alternative to "harder" drugs. What many people do not know, however, is that the drug can also exacerbate underlying mental health concerns. Anxiety disorders in particular can be aggravated by marijuana use, rather than improved by ... Read More

Some over-the-counter drugs such as Benadryl can mimic the types of high feelings that marijuana and other drugs produce. The active drug in Benadryl is diphenhydramine. When taken according to directions, this drug is meant to treat symptoms of colds and allergies, and it's sometimes used for motion sickness or ... Read More

Mixing meth and heroin poses an incredibly dangerous health risk. When smoked, snorted or injected together, meth and heroin overload the nervous system with stimulatory and depressant effects. Brain activity goes haywire as the nervous system is both suppressed and aroused. Neurotransmitters that are responsible for ... Read More