While using drugs like LSD and mushrooms is generally safer than harder drugs like heroin or methamphetamine, it is still important to be aware of the long-term effects of hallucinogens that can occur from using these types of substances. Hallucinogens distort one’s perception of reality by changing the way the brain’s prefrontal cortex processes information.…
Prescription pill addiction affects individuals of all ethnicities and genders—here are the long-term effects of prescription drug abuse. When prescribed for you by a doctor, these medications can indeed be helpful or even life-saving. It’s when these drugs are taken without a prescription or not as directed that they become dangerous and addictive. At higher…
Generally speaking, there are currently three types of medications that are U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved to combat opioid addiction: Methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol. These medications come in different forms: pills, dissolvable films, and liquids. Studies have shown that these forms of medication-assisted treatment when used in conjunction with addiction recovery treatment can raise…
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies for the treatment of substance use disorders and is one of the many different forms of addiction treatment programs clients may experience during their time at a Huntington Beach rehab. A combination of medication and behavioral therapies is effective in…
Crack was a scourge throughout the eighties and nineties and while the problem still persists, there are addiction treatment programs and rehabs in Orange County to help those who have fallen victim to this dangerous drug. But, how did crack cocaine emerge? To get a better understanding of the differences between crack vs cocaine, we…
Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, affecting the reward and motivation centers, and it is also a genetic problem. Indeed, scientists have argued about the genetic and hereditary influences on addiction for decades. To truly understand the influence of genetics and heredity, we must understand the difference between the two. Alcohol use disorder,…
Drinking alcohol affects everyone in different ways. There are many variables, including your tolerance to alcohol and your ability to moderate your alcohol consumption, that can influence the range and severity of alcohol’s side effects. Both the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol can vary from person to person. While many of the long-term effects…
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, anger, and loss that disrupt everyday activities. According to CDC data, roughly 8% of adult Americans suffer from a major depressive incident during any given fortnight. People tend to have very different experiences of depression, but regardless of the specifics, constants include problems at work,…
With an estimated 40 million Americans suffering from an anxiety disorder and over 20 million diagnosed with substance use disorder, both anxiety and addiction are widespread. The conditions are also inextricably linked. ADDA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) data shows that 20% of Americans with an anxiety disorder or mood disorder also have a…
The 12 Step Recovery Program List of Steps One cannot talk about recovery without discussion about the 12 Step Program. Even casual observers are familiar with the term. In essence, it is a set of tenets and guidelines to help move people through the process of recovery. In case you’re curious, here are the 12…