When people hear the word “addiction,” they often think of a personal failure or moral weakness. However, addiction is a medical condition and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, our society often stigmatizes those struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs), making it harder for them to seek help. Addiction in the LGBTQIA+ community is even…
Marijuana is often treated by frequent users as a means to alleviate, even if temporarily, moderate to extreme anxiety. This connotation is popular, especially among adolescents and young adults. However, anxiety and marijuana interact in more ways than just reduction—and not always beneficially. Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders…
Addiction is, like many other harmful habits, easy to start and hard to stop. In the case of young adults especially, the earliest stages of forming an addiction are the most vital when it comes to response and prevention. As a parent, friend, or partner of someone who you suspect may be engaging in alcohol…
Seeking treatment for addiction can be a tremendous challenge. There are so many different approaches to recovery care, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. How can you tell which approach is right for you or your loved one? Behavioral therapy is one of the commonly used methods of treating addiction and can work well…
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) are often experienced at the same time. The link between PTSD and addiction can be strong, making it complicated to treat clients who are dealing with both disorders. However, our understanding of the best ways to help people experiencing the aftermath of trauma and struggling with…
Lots of people these days have difficulty getting to sleep. Everyday life is full of little stressors that can add up, leaving us to toss and turn when we should be peacefully dreaming. Some people choose to take a sleep supplement like melatonin, while others may choose to have a few drinks in the evening.…
DMT is a strong hallucinogenic drug that has been utilized in religious and shamanistic ways for millennia. Other related drugs like psilocybin and ayahuasca have recently been in the media for their recreational or spiritual uses. DMT, unlike other hallucinogenic drugs, has a fairly short window of effect, causing it to earn the name ‘the…
Trazodone is a medication that is often prescribed to treat major depression but can also be given to treat other conditions. It can often be used as part of an alcohol or substance abuse treatment program to help clients who are experiencing difficulties sleeping. Especially for those who are concerned about addiction, questions such as…
The mental health effects of cocaine use have been well-documented since it was discovered to be habit-forming during the Victorian era. In fact, the current understanding of addiction itself includes a component of mental health. Additionally, people who are dealing with underlying mental health conditions often self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to try and relieve…
There are stages of addiction. It doesn’t just all happen at once. No one becomes addicted after their first sip of wine. There have been many people who have claimed after the first hit of a certain drug that they knew that was it for them. But that was not the first time they tried…