Updated September 29, 2023 How much alcohol is too much? When it comes to indulging in a drink, moderation is key — but knowing how much that is can be a challenge. When this limit is exceeded, the effects can be expressed in a variety of ways. It’s best to be familiar with the signs of alcohol poisoning, both for ... Read More
What Is an Overdose and What Causes Them?
Updated September 12, 2023 What does overdose mean, exactly? Learn possible outcomes from drug overdose, including heart attack, and find out if you can die from overdosing. What does an overdose mean, and can you die from overdosing? An overdose isn't always fatal, but even nonlethal overdoses can lead to ... Read More
State of the Debate: Probing the Needle Exchange Question
The subject of needle exchanges for IV drug users has been controversial since Tacoma, WA, adopted the first such program in 1988. Advocates urged local governments to allow people who inject drugs to get fresh needles as a harm-reduction approach to HIV and other epidemic diseases. Opponents resisted legitimizing the ... Read More
Drug Profile: What Is a Depressant and What Does It Do?
Depressants, also called central nervous system depressants, are a type of prescription medication used for treating anxiety, acute stress reactions, or panic disorders. They work to slow down the brain’s activity and include sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers. Here's a closer look at what depressants are and how ... Read More
Benzedrine: Drug Profile
Benzedrine is a type of amphetamine that was a prescription drug used as a decongestant as early as 1932. Often used as an inhalant, Benzedrine works well to clear the nasal passageways. At first, no one recognized the high risk of addiction that came with the use of this drug. Made popular for many reasons, including ... Read More
How Stigma Prevents People from Seeking Treatment
Updated August 2023 Substance abuse treatment is an effective way to break free from drugs or alcohol, but the stigma that surrounds seeking out treatment might prevent some people from getting the help they need. A recent research review published in the journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation looked at the ... Read More
Egosyntonic and Egodystonic Behaviors in Psychotherapy
Updated June 12, 2023 Addiction is a complex disease that impacts all aspects of your life. It affects you physically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically, causing you to change how you think, feel and act. When you're struggling with addiction to a particular substance like heroin, alcohol, opiates, or ... Read More
Alcohol Relapse Rates & How to Get Off the Merry-Go-Round
Updated May 2022 According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), over 15 million American adults have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) at any given time, marked by frequent drinking with the inability to control the amount consumed or stop easily. When a person receives treatment for ... Read More
