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Drugs of all types can cause unavoidably visible symptoms in the user. While some signs of drug use are more prominent than others, the eyes can show much more than the user would ever want to disclose to friends, family, or law enforcement. Police officers are trained to detect drug use through a series of tests—and are often tipped off by abnormal eye function and pupil size. So what do the experts look for when Read More

There are many paths to substance use disorder (SUD). Some become addicted to opioids after taking them for a legitimate medical condition; some find it impossible to sleep and rely on sleeping pills or benzodiazepines to the point of extremes; some start using cocaine or stimulants because they think it will enhance their professional and social lives; and some simply start taking drugs because of trauma, mental illness, or just dysfunctional curiosity. There also exists Read More

Marijuana is an unquestionably polarizing substance and a deeply political issue that has occupied virtually every aspect of American culture, including the household, the classroom and the workplace. While it may be less harmful than other illicit substances like heroin, cocaine, pure methamphetamine and, frankly speaking, legally available ones like prescription opioids and benzodiazepines, marijuana still poses considerable risk to users’ health and quality of life. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports Read More

The reality of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is there is no “easy” way for those struggling with the condition to simply stop their excessive or problematic drinking. The good news is, however, that, while it might not be “easy” for everyone to reclaim their lives from AUD, there are multiple steps one can take to make the process easier. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that over six percent of American adults Read More

The four stages of alcoholism represent a natural progression from casual drinking to full-blown addiction. Stage One: Infrequent Binge Drinking The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. For men, this level is usually reached by drinking five or more drinks within two hours; for women, it’s usually four. Although the Read More

Addiction is a toxic and destructive force that destroys the sufferer’s life and rips through their family and circle of friends. While it can be a slow and excruciating decline, the most painful part of dealing with addiction is when your loved one has finally crossed the point of no return and suffered a fatal overdose. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that over 72,000 Americans died from drug Read More

Detoxification, or “detox,” is a fundamental part of the drug and alcohol addiction treatment process. It is the means by which recovering addicts expel the toxins that have built up in their systems through a prolonged and untreated course of substance use. Along with behavioral rehab, it is one of the two primary pillars of modern addiction treatment and Is vital to long-term recovery. The unfortunate reality is, however, that many people suffering addiction are Read More

A quick search on the internet regarding the state of the Philippine drug war reveals a shocking reality. Bystanders describe the bloodied bodies of victims lying callously in the street after encounters with police force; families recall husbands and fathers being taken from their homes by masked vigilantes. If the tales of the widows and children left behind aren’t enough to paint a horrifying picture, the devastating photos that emerge certainly do. In a country currently experiencing our own Read More

  Addiction is a life-shattering illness. It rips families apart and destroys lives. It is historically defined as a physical and/or psychological dependency on a mood-altering chemical (e.g. alcohol, heroin, prescription drugs, etc.) or behavior (sex addiction, gambling addiction, internet addiction), although it can also be viewed as a continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the negative consequences associated with it. It often starts with experimentation and social use coupled with the thought Read More

Long-term abstinence may resolve many of the neurocognitive deficits associated with alcoholism Alcoholism can cause neuropsychological deficits.   A new study looks at alcoholics who have been sober for six months to 13 years. Results indicate that long-term abstinent alcoholics can recover many of their neurocognitive deficits, except for spatial-processing abilities. Alcoholism can cause neuropsychological deficits, that much is clear. There is much less clarity, however, concerning to what degree recovery may occur with abstinence Read More