The abuse of stimulants has everything to do with dopamine production in the brain. In a comparison of cocaine vs meth, the latter came out as being more addictive and dangerous. It’s also the drug that’s easiest to get for adolescents and young adults. Of course, treatment is your best option when someone you love…
While all teen drinking is problematic, how do you know if you’re just experimenting versus developing a significant issue? If you’re wondering, “am I an alcoholic,” you probably know that alcohol is starting to have negative impacts on your life. To see if you have a problem, learn more about the signs and symptoms of…
One of the common misconceptions among teens is that drinking is entirely normal and not a problem. While it’s true that many teens will experiment with alcohol, many end up struggling with alcohol abuse. Teens are much more likely to experience dependence on alcohol when they abuse it. This can lead to difficulties quitting, and…
When it comes to party drugs, few are more well known than cocaine. This drug, which some people call coke or blow, comes in rock and powdered forms. Regardless of the type, it’s highly addictive and very dangerous. Here are some cocaine addiction signs that you need to look out for in friends and family…
A vast majority of people don’t know how to label addiction. So is addiction a disease or a lifestyle choice? It often shocks people to learn that most medical associations list addiction as a disease. Below is a closer look at addiction and why experts consider it a disease. So, Is Addiction a Disease? According…
For anyone over the age of 21 beer, liquor, wine, and other spirits are widely available for purchase in the United States. This availability is not meant to provide teens with alcohol. Unfortunately, even the best efforts to control teen drinking do not stop many young people from engaging in teen alcohol abuse. But how…
Experiencing personal challenges as a teen can be painful and confusing. Some kinds of struggles are invisible to others, but they still deeply affect the way you think and feel, even how you feel about yourself. In the midst of these private battles, you may truly want help, for someone who can lend a hand and…
Whether or not your child has struggled with substance abuse or addiction in the past, sending her off to college is a prospect you, like many parents, may find more than a little terrifying. According to a study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, more than two-thirds of the eight million college students in 2003…
Addiction in teens is viewed by the medical and mental health communities as a chronic and relapsing disease of the brain that causes compulsive drug seeking behaviors and use of drugs or alcohol despite negative consequences. Initially, the decision to take drugs or alcohol is voluntary, but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,…
Staying sober isn’t easy when your peers and friends are experimenting or are abusing drugs and alcohol. In this post, we offer some helpful tips and reminders on how to stay sober and clean, even when you may be tempted or pressured to experiment. 1. Tell your friends about your decision to stop using drugs.…