Substance Abuse

No one turns to drugs or alcohol for the same reason as anyone else. But several common factors have been documented among numerous users, leading to a basic list of possible causes.

People recovering from alcohol and drug addiction have to live in the real world. This part of the recovery process challenges sobriety because people have to face some of the same temptations...

Ecstasy pills were originally created by a pharmaceutical company as an experimental treatment over twenty years ago. However, it did not take long before this hallucinogen caught the attention of...

If you are one of the millions of people who have had to deal with an alcoholic parent or spouse, you may feel like there is no way out. There are many steps to take in order to heal and begin...

To quit drinking can prove to be one of the most challenging things some people ever have to do. Here's some ideas to get you started moving in the right direction.

Facing tempting situations can be agonizing for someone trying to abstain from substances. Being one of the few or only one at a social gathering who is not using is challenging. Some of the...

Shopping addiction can be an enormously destructive force in a person’s life. Some people don’t believe that a person can be addicted to shopping, but alas, shopping addiction is a genuine...

Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can really run the gamut. Some people will see no real signs of withdrawal, while others will experience a myriad of issues when they stop drinking, especially...

Addiction is a brain disease. It is estimated that only 10% of the people who need alcohol or drug treatment actually get help. The stigma attached to being an addict is greater than that of...

There are seven clinical stages of alcohol intoxication; they are divided into either three or four groups, depending on the organization that is doing the classifying. While each stage has very...

Excessive alcohol consumption can affect a person's life in many ways. Alcohol can be destructive to one's physical, mental and emotional health. Alcohol can even adversely affect a person's...

Some people do not realize they have a drinking problem until something dramatic happens that facilitates this realization. It is best to understand the risks associated with alcohol abuse and...

Step Eight is fairly simple, in that most of the work has already been done in the Fourth Step. No additional action is usually required.

One of the first recommendations made to newcomers at Alcoholics Anonymous is to change the people, places and playthings that you used during your drinking. We get accustomed to the company we've...

One reason that many alcoholics have trouble staying away from a drink is because they tend to stay isolated. Without supportive and understanding friends, it is nearly impossible to fight the...