As marijuana legalization expands across the U.S., researchers continue to investigate its potential health risks, particularly its impact on cardiovascular health. While many people perceive cannabis as a “safer” alternative to tobacco, several recent studies suggest that smoking or ingesting THC may contribute to [...]
Alcohol is a legal and socially acceptable substance, widely consumed in everyday life. Unfortunately, its prevalence has led to the misconception that it is safe. Alcohol is an addictive drug linked to numerous illnesses and deaths worldwide. If you regularly drink alcohol, you should [...]
For many people who have a loved one struggling with addiction, an intervention is the best tool available to help that person understand the importance of seeking treatment. These conversations aren’t easy, and if you’re considering having one with a friend or family member, [...]
If you’ve ever been prescribed medication, you know there are often times when you have leftover pills. Whether your prescription changed, you no longer needed to take the medication, or you misplaced the bottle only to find it a few weeks later, having unused [...]
According to recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the number of alcohol-related deaths increased by 25.5% between 2019 and 2020. The study analyzed causes of death for people 16 and older as reported from the National Center for Health [...]
According to a 2016 study, hospitalizations due to psychiatric issues have risen 74% since 2016, when police began cracking down on recreational cannabis use. The same data showed that hospitalizations for mental health or behavioral issues linked to marijuana consumption rose 74% in 2021. [...]
Every year since 1975, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) administers a survey assessing substance use among adolescence. This research, known as the Monitoring the Future survey, asks teenagers in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades to describe their drug use and alcohol consumption [...]
Over 75,000 people died from opioid abuse from April 2020 to April 2021. One of the keys to understanding how the prevalence of opioid use is so high is to examine how the brain reacts to opioid use. Opioids Create Feelings Like Love When using opioids, [...]
A study that has tracked substance use among college students since 1980, that is funded by the National institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has found that college marijuana use has reached historic levels. The trend has continued to increase over the past several years, [...]
Even though substances such as CBD and marijuana may be legal in some states, they can still be dangerous. It's essential to understand what these substances contain and why they are considered a health and safety risk, particularly for the developing brains of teenagers [...]
After a brief decline in the 1980s and 1990s, alcohol consumption is on the rise in the US once more. Many factors have contributed to this increase, including the fact that American drinking patterns are considerably different than those in other parts of the [...]
When you notice signs of substance use or mental health problems in your loved one, your first instinct is probably to try to find help for them. Often, family members become frustrated because they just don’t know what to do or where to turn. [...]
Marijuana has often been thought of as a harmless drug that does not lead to addiction. However, many recent research studies have determined that not only is cannabis addictive, but the teen marijuana addiction rate is a serious concern. One study in particular found [...]
Parents naturally want to raise their children to be successful and independent. Then, one day, the last child leaves the house and the parents become “empty nesters.” Many celebrate that day, enjoying their new freedom and lifestyle. However, some are challenged with adjusting and [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of virtually everyone’s life. The stress of economic uncertainty, the isolation of the pandemic-related restrictions, and the fear of the virus itself have created a significant strain on people’s physical and mental health. Unfortunately, COVID challenges have [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected virtually every person across the globe in some form. Those who are not identified as essential workers are either working from home or being laid off from their jobs. Everyone is focused on keeping social distances and staying safe and healthy. People with [...]
Early exposure and a brain that is still developing leave teens more vulnerable to substance abuse and addiction. The earlier a person begins to use drugs or alcohol, the more likely they are to progress to serious use and abuse. Behavioral neuroscientist and Bucknell University professor Judith Grisel [...]
Some addiction professionals describe substance use disorders as family diseases. This idea speaks to the many ways that addiction indirectly affects those close to someone with a substance use disorder. Addiction impacts families in many ways, and it can create feelings of abandonment, stress, [...]
Conventional wisdom says that a person with a substance use disorder can only become sober if they are willing to change. Managing an addictive disease is incredibly difficult, so this idea makes sense. However, as the U.S. struggles to deal with the toll of [...]
