Pop star Demi Lovato has just suffered from an overdose and at the time of this writing, there are reports that her condition is stable. There were some initial reports that she had overdosed on heroin, although there are some suggestions that may have been misleading. Whatever the drug was, we wish the absolute best ... Read More
Learning Center
FHE Health is dedicated to educating the American public—especially individuals, families, and communities—about mental health and substance abuse topics. In our Learning Center, you'll find articles on alcoholism, substance abuse, behavioral and mental health, and other treatment-related issues. Our articles are written both for the person in need of treatment as well as loved ones seeking more information. We also provide information for those who have gone through treatment and are building a new life in recovery.
Overdoses Can Happen To Any User
What Is Self-Medicating?
Many people have depression or chronic illness. Unfortunately, many people do not seek or have access to adequate mental or physical healthcare. As a result, many people develop bad coping strategies for their pain using alcohol, opioids, or other drugs. This can complicate things and build bad habits which are ... Read More
The Troubling Connection Between Substance Abuse and Veterans
The challenges facing uniformed service members when they come home is enormous. They risk so much and get so little in return. Many vets return to America with trauma to their bodies and their mind. Untreated PTSD and/or chronic pain is a recipe for trouble vis-à-vis substance abuse, depression, and ... Read More
Components of Self-Care
Depression, and compulsive behavior often all feed into each other. A self-perpetuating cycle, they are two sides of the same side, making each other worse. The good thing is that we can interrupt the flow with self-care. Importance of Self-Care There was a line in a book where the lead character could "smell ... Read More
What’s the Difference Between Opiates and Opioids?
The terms "opiate" and "opioid" are often used interchangeably. There is a difference, but both a similar in how they work and both are quite addictive. Natural Opiates Opiates are derived naturally from the poppy plant. Some opiates include: Morphine Codeine Thebaine And, of course: opium Although ... Read More
A Short History of Opiates
America has an opioid crisis and its causes and solutions are complex. In our efforts to find a solution to our current problems, it may help to take a look back at the past. An Ancient Drug Many people seem to think of drugs as being a recent phenomenon. This is far from true. The poppies that opium comes ... Read More
Xanax Is Useful…To An Extent
People live with different forms of mental illness every day and some of them require medications in order for them to be able to manage them successfully. Different mental illnesses can be caused by various chemical imbalances in a person’s brain and these medications are used to stabilize these chemical imbalances. ... Read More
Don’t Let the House Win!
Let's take a second and look at two common expressions which explain with great accuracy the condition and problematic goal of gambling. "The Deck is Stacked" The entire paradigm of gambling is a racket designed to create an addiction. As with any addictive substance, of course there are some people who escape an ... Read More
