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Trustworthy addiction resources all in one place. Our expertly curated addiction resources are designed to educate and provide guidance, so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your loved ones with information that’s clinically accurate, informative and accessible.
Drug addiction is challenging but treatable. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, it involves connections between brain circuits, heredity, the environment, and a person’s life experiences. The fact that people continue to use substances despite the adverse effects on their lives is a defining characteristic. Drug addiction affects all parts of a person... more
Opioids include prescription painkillers and illegal substances like heroin. When prescribed correctly, opioids usually treat conditions that involve pain effectively. However, powerful opioids like fentanyl are frequently abused due to their euphoric effects. In the U.S., opioid abuse has increased with devastating consequences. In 2022, a record-breaking total of 109,680 peop... more
Benzodiazepines (often shortened to benzos) are depressant drugs with hypnotic and relaxing properties. Benzos are used to treat patients with sleep disorders, relieve anxiety, and reduce seizures but can also be obtained illegally for substance abuse. Benzos are generally safe to use when prescribed by a doctor and taken for a limited time, but they are potentially addictive a... more
What is Meth Addiction? Methamphetamine (commonly known as meth) is a powerful stimulant. It works on the central nervous system and produces intense feelings of euphoria, well-being, and energy. Due to the intense high, long-lasting effects, and strong desire to take more, meth is highly addictive. Meth use is widespread and devastates users, their loved ones, and society in ... more
The opioid epidemic is a concern across the United States. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that heroin was responsible for nearly 20% of all opioid overdose deaths. Heroin is an illegal opiate made from morphine, a natural substance derived from opium poppy plants. Combining morphine with chemicals to make heroin means that heroin is three... more
Alcohol and drug addiction is a widespread problem. In 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 14.9% of people aged 12 or older (or 41.1 million people) needed substance use treatment in the past year. Unfortunately, only 1.4% (4 million) of these people received addiction treatment. There... more
Stimulants are often known as “uppers” because they make the user more alert, attentive, and energetic. Stimulating substances are used for various reasons, including performance enhancement, medical benefits, and recreational purposes. The most commonly used stimulant in the world is caffeine; other examples are amphetamines, cocaine, and prescription drugs to treat con... more
Problems with sleep are common. Insomnia, the condition of struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, affects up to 33% of adults and 20%-40% of children and teenagers at least intermittently during their life. The importance of a good night’s sleep to physical and mental health is well documented; therefore, it is no surprise that those with sleep problems often seek medical ... more
MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a synthetic drug that acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen. Ecstasy, often referred to as E or XTC, usually relates to tablets containing the active ingredient MDMA. MDMA is also available in powder form, commonly known as Molly. The combination of stimulants and hallucinogens, relatively inexpensive street value and easy acce... more
What Are Antidepressants? Antidepressants are prescription medications that are used to treat a range of mood disorders and chronic pain conditions, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In some cases, antidepressants are also prescribe... more
Alcohol is a legally controlled and widely available psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties. Due to the proliferation of alcohol in everyday life, it can be easy to underestimate the unfavorable social and economic impact of alcohol addiction. Excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control... more
Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that gives users energy, confidence, and a sense of euphoria. Consequently, cocaine is the most commonly used class A drug and is often taken in social settings. It has many street names, including Blow, Coke, Flake, Snow, and Basa. In a relaxed party setting where people openly use cocaine, it's easy to forget that it's dangerous, addictive, a... more