Laced drugs are a combination of two or more addictive substances. Lacing illicit substances with bulking agents, also known as cutting agents, means the product becomes even more profitable. In most cases, drugs are laced by the manufacturer or trafficker of the product. The adulterants used as cutting agents can take the form of common…
Alcohol and anxiety are closely intertwined and there are no positive outcomes from using alcohol to address the symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, alcohol abuse can sometimes trigger anxiety, another adverse consequence of alcohol anxiety. Developing alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder in isolation is challenging, but when these two serious mental health conditions co-occur…
One of the common questions we are asked is “What is alcohol poisoning?” Alcohol poisoning, also known as alcohol overdose, is a serious consequence of drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short timeframe. In some cases, alcohol poisoning can even be fatal. If you drink too much alcohol too quickly – commonly classified as…
Psychological dependence, sometimes referred to as psychological dependency or psychological addiction, is an artificial construct used to describe a facet of addiction. The dualistic view of mind and body as separate entities is an unrealistic way of assessing most behaviors. All emotional processes and psychological processes have at least some physiological basis. Similarly, all behaviors…
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid painkiller used for the treatment of moderate and severe pain. Like all drugs in the opioid class, tramadol has the potential for both abuse and addiction. Classified under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule IV substance, this means there is only a moderate likelihood of tramadol abuse developing. Physical…
The popular myth of an addictive personality leads many people grappling with addiction to question whether there are specific drug addict personality traits. This is a nuanced issue as there are so many risk factors for addiction. Broadly, some people can be considered genetically predisposed to substance abuse. According to NIDA (the National Institute on…
Pet-friendly sober living homes allow you to step down from residential rehab or to engage with outpatient treatment if your living environment is unsupportive and you have a pet you need to bring with you. Animal-assisted therapy for addiction, when used in combination with evidence-based treatment, can help many people break the cycle of substance…
Addiction is defined as a chronic and relapsing brain condition, but how does the cycle of addiction unfold? Well, like most chronic diseases, alcoholism or drug addiction don’t just spring up overnight. Instead, the process of developing an addiction typically occurs over several stages. Much like other chronic diseases, a vicious cycle of addiction and…
You might be surprised to discover that cocaine withdrawal and cocaine detox is not as intense or challenging as withdrawal from alcohol, prescription opioids, or illicit drugs. Cocaine is a strong and powerfully addictive controlled substance that triggers a variety of withdrawal symptoms if you stop using cocaine after sustained abuse. If you develop a…
Have you been asking yourself “Am I a problem drinker” or “Do I have alcoholism?” When you start questioning your alcohol intake, you will encounter various terms used to describe drinking patterns. These include problem drinking, heavy drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol use disorder (the clinical descriptor for alcoholism). While these terms express different forms…