However, they are likely struggling with uncontrollable cravings, unsuccessful attempts at quitting, and obsessive thoughts about their next drink—all hallmarks of an alcohol use disorder. The notion that an individual who meets the research classification of a functional alcoholic does not have a serious disorder is a myth. Several misconceptions that can be derived from…

Crack cocaine is usually smoked, often in a glass pipe, although it can also be injected. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. Long-term cocaine use can cause auditory and tactile hallucinations, causing you to hear and feel things…

If you think your teen is using drugs, there are teen addiction treatment options available. Experimenting with drugs or alcohol is tempting for teenagers because they may not know or understand the dangers of using substances—even just once. Academic pressure, low self-esteem, and peer pressure are just a few factors that increase their risk of…

Integrating activities that promote well-being and joy into the recovery process can also uplift spirits. Continuing education on the topic of addiction and its recovery process plays a crucial role in sustaining a support system. This ongoing education can take many forms, from attending workshops and seminars to reading up-to-date literature on addiction science. Advocacy…

Alcohol dependence is a previous (DSM-IV and ICD-10) psychiatric diagnosis in which an individual is physically or psychologically dependent upon alcohol (also chemically known as ethanol). This change was made to challenge the idea that abuse was a mild and early phase of the illness and dependence was a more severe manifestation. In some people,…

If you find it hard to stop drinking once you have started, you could also have a problem with binge drinking and possibly alcohol dependence. If you binge drink, you are putting your health at risk even if you’re drinking less than 14 units per week in total (as advised by the Chief Medical Officers’ low…

Here, they often complete up to 30 days or longer of treatment, working on goals created with their medical team. Once the detox process is completed, the individual can live in residential treatment on-site in a substance-free location, typically for 30 to 90 days. Here they will learn more about recovery principles and receive proper…