The media frenzy around synthetic or designer drugs is constant, but drug use isn't a new phenomenon. There are records of ancient cultures using plants for their psychedelic properties as early as 10,000 years ago. Cannabis, cocaine, heroin and LSD are all substances our parents and grandparents will have at least ... Read More
Intelligence and Substance Abuse
Creative and highly intelligent people tend to have a lot in common. Their unique gifts help them push the boundaries of art, music, business and science. Their work often drives strong views and even controversy. Both because of and despite their intelligence, many experiment with drugs and alcohol. Sometimes they ... Read More
Gambling and Suicide: The Hidden Story
Gambling is often seen as harmless entertainment — a night out, a chance to win big or just a fun way to pass the time. For some, however, it becomes much more than that. Gambling addiction can spiral out of control and lead to serious consequences, including gambling-related suicides. The financial strain, ... Read More
Is it an Addiction or a Compulsive Behavior?
Addiction occurs when a person becomes physically or psychologically reliant on a rewarding behavior or substance. Substance use disorder, a common kind of addiction, affects 21 million Americans. The dopamine released by addictive behavior or substances gives the brain a faulty sense of satisfaction. Over time, a ... Read More
How to Forgive a Parent with an Addiction
Loving an addict is difficult at any age, but being the child of a drug-addicted parent can be downright devastating. Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family, and when you're a kid in a household controlled by drugs, you're often faced with situations nobody should ever have to deal with. Maybe you missed ... Read More
How Self-Esteem Can Affect Mental Health
Self-esteem is widely regarded as a component of good mental health. However, while the benefits of being confident and limiting self-deprecating behavior might seem obvious at first glance, the truth is that these traits could be a sign of positive well-being. Why is self-esteem important? An appropriate sense of ... Read More
Weight Loss in the New Year: Eliminate One Thing From Your Diet
It's the time of the year again to set New Year's goals. This year, you may once again try to lose weight. While that may be beneficial, it's important to think about why you might not have succeeded in the past. For some people, alcohol and weight loss go hand in hand. Read on to learn about the benefits of a ... Read More
How to Protect Your Sobriety in Early Recovery
The Best Steps to Take in Early Recovery to Protect Your Sobriety There's only one goal in early recovery: Stay sober. While recovery should be taken one day at a time, the more days you get, the stronger you'll be in the long run. Although relapse is always a risk, there are things you can do in early recovery to ... Read More
