Watching a loved one struggle with drug addiction can be an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking experience. Addiction is a complex issue that affects not only the individual but also their family and friends. While you may feel helpless at times, it's crucial to...
The holiday season, with its festive spirit and family gatherings, might seem like the least opportune time to consider entering a rehabilitation program for substance abuse or addiction. Yet, counterintuitive as it may sound, this period could be the most beneficial...
In today's fast-paced world, stress and pressure can take a toll on individuals, leading some to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism. While drug addiction can affect people from all walks of life, certain professions are more susceptible to substance abuse due to the...
The transition to college marks a significant phase in a young adult's life and it's a time of exploration, growth, and new opportunities. However, it also brings challenges, including increased exposure to drugs and alcohol. Let's examine the impact of the...
In the realm of addiction recovery, it's common for the focus to be solely on breaking free from the clutches of substance abuse. However, an equally crucial facet of addiction often remains in the shadows – the intricate interplay between addiction and mental health....
Observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, on September 10th, serves as a global platform to raise awareness about suicide, advocate for prevention, and support those affected by the devastating loss of loved ones to suicide. We recognize the intricate relationship...
Scottsdale Recovery Center is dedicated to supporting individuals in their journey towards a life free from alcohol and drugs. In our efforts to help those seeking help for their addiction issues, we recognize the critical importance of Suicide Prevention Awareness...
The devastating impact of substance abuse and overdoses knows no boundaries, affecting individuals from all walks of life, including public figures and their families. Most recently, the tragic news of Robert DeNiro's grandson's overdose highlights the severity of the...
The journey of recovery from addiction can be arduous, and the struggles of public figures often shed light on the broader issues surrounding substance abuse. Tatum O'Neal, a renowned actress, has faced her own battles with addiction, including a reported overdose and...
Back to school is a stressful time for parents and college students alike. We all know the challenges college students face when returning to school, particularly concerning binge drinking, drug use, partying, and the associated risks. The transition to college can...
Adderall, a prescription stimulant used widely in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has become a subject of discussion in the realm of substance misuse and addiction. As an addiction specialist, I want to delve into the complexities...
Drug addiction is a global problem, transcending borders, cultures, and social strata. It ravages communities, shatters families, and imposes substantial health and economic costs. While no country is untouched by this issue, some are disproportionately affected. This...
Ecstasy, scientifically known as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a synthetic, psychoactive drug popular in party scenes for its perceived ability to enhance empathy, euphoria, and sensory perception. However, behind the allure of the so-called "love...
Drug and alcohol addiction don't just shatter lives socially and mentally, they also have profound impacts on physical health, particularly heart health. One of the most severe cardiac complications associated with substance abuse is cardiac arrest, a medical...
Public health campaigns have long been a tool for combating societal issues, including drug use and addiction. Throughout the decades, various anti-drug ad campaigns have aimed to educate, prevent, and reduce drug use. Let's take a journey back in time and reflect on...
Addiction, no matter what the addiction is to, is a powerful thing. It can take hold of your life and consume it in an instant. No one wakes up and says “today I will be an addict.” That’s because addictions make everything else in life seem trivial. Many things take...
There has been a surge in the use of a deadly drug cocktail known as the "super speedball." This is a polydrug mixture that contains a stimulant and a depressant, usually an opioid, is commonly known on the streets as a speedball, powerball, or over and under....
"Speedballing," or the combination of stimulants and depressants, can result in serious health consequences. When stimulants like cocaine and depressants like heroin or fentanyl are combined, they can significantly affect the body's physical systems. They can also...
It’s almost time to celebrate all the prevention initiatives that take place all year long, each and every day, and the possibilities they open up with National Prevention Week! Created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to help...
Before we dig into the origins of speedballing, let's start by digging into what speedballing is - Speedballing is a dangerous practice that involves the simultaneous use of a stimulant, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, and a depressant, such as heroin or...
With every passing day, the trend of abusing opioids and alcohol is swiftly growing, raising the concerns of health regulating and narcotic controlling authorities. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism report over 16 million Americans suffering from...
What is Ritalin? Ritalin is a stimulant medication that affects the central nervous system in a way that helps people with ADHD. Ritalin comes as small pills with the imprint of its pharmaceutical co, Ciba engrained on the front. The dosage is color coded as follows:...
Fentanyl addiction has caused major chaos around the United States and in the midst of an opioid crisis - causing people to seek help from a number of treatment options. The issue at hand is opioid use disorder, which is a medical condition that happens when the use...
It was all a dream … the American dream for many is crashing down in wake of the economic recession. Many are struggling to make ends meet and find themselves unemployed, dealing with inflation, and trying to get by in the midst of the pandemic still looming. Our...
Economic recession and unemployment have cut deep into the American economy as well as the global economy. Even worse, there is a correlation between drug addiction, unemployment, and recession. So when people are out of a job or struggling to put food on a table in a...
A new "zombie drug" is wreaking havoc across the U.S. The drug, growing in popularity as “tranq” is formerly known as Xylazine. Primarily, it is used as a veterinary sedative and analgesic, to calm and immobilize animals for procedures such as surgery, diagnostic...
Teens are all too often subjected to drugs, alcohol, and smoking on the streets, in their homes, and even at school. Efforts to prevent substance abuse among teens have taken priority over the years as we’ve entered a global crisis with challenges in mental health and...
St. Patrick's Day is March 17th! This annual religious and cultural holiday is celebrated to honor St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. The day is full of celtic folk music, corn beef and hash, and plenty of green alcoholic beverages. In fact, the holiday has been...
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for spiritual, medicinal, and recreational purposes. In recent years, psilocybin has gained renewed attention as a promising treatment for various mental...
The short answer - Yes, ketamine can be addictive. Ketamine is a powerful dissociative drug that can produce feelings of euphoria and altered perception. It's important to note that while ketamine is used medically as an anesthetic and in low doses for the treatment...
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in plants belonging to the Apocynaceae family. This plants may include Taberanthe Iboga, Vocanga Africana and Tabernaemontana Undulate. However, the highest concentration of Ibogaine is usually found in...
Warning: this subject matter may be disturbing to readers. First off, let's address the question: What is Jenkem? Jenkem is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening hallucinogenic drug made from fermented human waste. It is not a legitimate substance and its use...
Stimulants are preferred by addicts due to their pleasing effects such as heightened energy levels, improved focus and concentration, inflated self-esteem, and euphoria. Some use it for better alertness while studying or during a job, or some use it just to experience...
Most of us are aware that addiction is a huge issue in our world. Across the United States, we are constantly hearing about overdose rates, drunk driving accidents, and local drug problems. However, do we ever stop to consider just how bad the problems are for...
Meth is one of the most widely abused drugs these days. This drug takes an extreme physical and psychological toll on the body, making it one of the most dangerous drugs sold on the streets today. It can affect the user’s brain and body where the signs and symptoms...
Xanax may be a prescribed medication used to relieve anxiety, but it is also one of the prescription drugs that many people abuse. But what is Xanax and how do people become addicted to it? And what are the side effects of Xanax abuse? This article will shed a light...
Kratom is a substance found in the Kratom tree native to Southeast Asia. When consumed, it causes psychotropic (mind-altering) effects, yet it is not illegal. In fact, it can easily be found through the internet or sold in vitamin stores. Kratom also goes by other...
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs that enhance vitality and alertness by stimulating the activation of neural signals. To increase alertness and cognitive function, stimulants act on the central nervous system. Prescription drugs or illicit substances, like...
Studies suggest that hallucinogenic drugs alter a consumer’s perception by working on neural circuits of the brain, specifically in the prefrontal cortex, a region that actively includes vision, mood, and cognition. Although dissociative drugs are supposed to disrupt...
Fentanyl is a manmade narcotic used as pain reliever, generally, after a surgery or as a part of any medical treatment. In other words, it is a potent synthetic opioid drug used to relieve pain. Some branded drugs are composed using Fentanyl. It is stronger than...
No parent would want to see their child become an addict, but it’s sad to say that there are parents out there who are dealing with this kind of problem. What makes young people addicted to drugs and alcohol? If you are looking for answers, then this article can help...
The consequences of using substances for the long-term can be pretty devastating. It not only puts stress on the user but it affects the people around them as well. Physical and psychological effects can easily turn a healthy person into a frail version of themselves...
We can safely assume everyone reading this has heard of marijuana, especially considering the fact that the drug is becoming legalized across multiple states in the U.S. People are starting to legitimize this drug for recreational and even medical use. Though this...
Kratom is a plant that mostly germinates in Southeast Asia; it’s leaves have psychotropic and opioid-like pain-relieving effects. People who live in areas where kratom grows sometimes use it to treat pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and coughs. People living in the U.S. have...
All around the world, there are people that struggle with substance abuse. It has become such a rampant issue in this world, even more so in America. Annually, substance abuse costs this nation around $740 billion in costs due to crime, lost work productivity, and...
Drug addiction is something that can start with just an experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and then become a regular thing. For other people, especially with opioids, drug addiction begins with exposure to medications that are prescribed by...
Ketamine is a rapid dissociative anesthetic. It's said to be the chemical cousin to PCP (Phencyclidine). This drug was developed in 1962 and used in surgery. People need to be careful with the use of the drug because it is a very addictive substance. It’s now...
The use of the internet all over the world has given way for recreational drugs to be used worldwide; it’s now an issue that many countries are facing. For many legislators, taking away these substances is rapidly moving to the point where it’s out of their control....
50,000 airline flights a day in the United States 59,000 pilots in North America 300 air traffic facilities When most of us think of a DUI (driving under the influence) we equate the term to being caught under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving a motor...
Many people in active drug addiction only worry about the immediate high that they get when they use. They often don’t think about the long-term effects of their drug use. Unfortunately, using drugs can have negative effects on your body for years to come. The...
Sending your teen off to college can be an exciting and scary time in a parent's life. You are more than likely looking forward to the hustle and bustle of life slowing down when they leave, but will more than likely feel sad and nervous when they are gone. There is...
Retired athletes are especially susceptible to substance abuse. If you’re a current or former athlete, you know how much the love of the game can consume your life. This increases tenfold for serious and professional athletes who train almost daily. It can become...
Unfortunately, the elderly are one of the most neglected population. Aging can be tough on not only the person who is getting older, but their families as well. Older people can suffer from not only declining physical health, but poor mental health as well as the...
Many small business owners don’t realize how important having a drug-free workplace can be. Many customers like shopping in drug-free establishments because they feel like it is a safe environment and that the people working at the businesses will be able to focus on...
While nobody can say, ‘Oh, teens LOVE marijuana,’ the evidence suggests that teens will consume most any drug to which they can gain access. Alcoholic teens will reach for their (possibly alcoholic) parents’ stash. Some teens will be given marijuana joints in a social...
Carfentanil is a terrifying substance that can occasionally be found in hospital clinics as well as on the streets. Deadly powerful with an ever-widening availability, carfentanil has the power to take the already-lethal Opioid Crisis to a disaster-level epidemic of...
First responders deal with personal trauma as part of their careers. Many police officers have seen things in their jobs that defy description. There is no way for a person to experience crime scenes and dangerous situations for years at a time without taking some of...
The Opioid Epidemic isn’t the first drug epidemic that has harmed leagues of people in the United States. The first was perpetuated against the native nations on the continent. For years on end, Indigenous people and their leaders were regularly plied with alcohol...
Clearly, drug addiction is an issue that can deeply affect an entire country. As we speak, the Opioid Crisis is ripping through the United States, but the United States is far from the only country that’s been hit. Russia and much of Europe, Brazil, and Canada are...
The concept of addiction on a wide scale is nothing new, and will continue to happen for some time. Almost every time period in history has one or several drug epidemics. Over time, while healing has grown and improved, so have methods of finding and making medicine....
Drugs and crime typically go hand in hand. The face of addiction often looks like a poor non-white person living in an urban area. As more people become informed, the face of drug addiction has changed: the face of the opioid crisis is now rural and white, which...
The reason that a person becomes involved in the sex work industry can vary greatly. Some were kidnapped and forced into prostitution, some ran away and needed the money for food, and others made the conscious decision to enter the industry as a professional dancer....
There is no shortage of stigma still associated with people living with addiction to drugs and alcohol. From the assumption that their addiction is a choice to the assumption that every, or nearly every, homeless person is addicted to drugs, the stigma surrounding...
Meth is one of the most addictive drugs available today. It often comes in a crystallized form with a bluish tint, similar in appearance to stained glass. Meth is also available as tiny white rocks and colorless crystals. On the street, meth goes by many different...
Regardless of gender, age, or demographic, the use and abuse of drugs has become a universal problem. While many people start taking illicit drugs for recreational purposes, what they fail to realize is that this casual form of use can often be a stepping-stone toward...
Nobody missed when one of the most liberal states in the union, the State of California, legalized recreational marijuana. This move came after recreational marijuana was already legal in Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. All over the state, and...
Since a number of existing treatment models offer a dismal success rate, specialists around the world are always working on new and refined ways of treating addiction. Enhancing and broadening the parameters of successful addiction treatments have brought forth new...
Nearly 70% of people living with addiction to drugs and alcohol are employed at least part-time. This may come as a shock to many people: given the assumed condition of most people living with addiction, it seems highly unlikely that someone would be able to maintain...
Politicians and celebrities have in common that, often, life in the spotlight overwhelms them and takes them into the dark of substance abuse. This can present an enormous ethical problem - free use of drugs by politicians leads to shame and public disgrace, though...
Mexico’s drug cartels are a force to be reckoned, and the Mexican federal government has struggled against them for years. A society in and of themselves, it is estimated that close to a half-million people are working directly for drug cartels, with over three...
Addiction doesn’t discriminate - people from all walks of life, assuming they’re not living in an isolated indigenous nation, can fall victim to drug and alcohol addiction. Though this will always ring true, there are certain groups of people who are much more...
Humans (and human bodies) are far from the only beings that feel the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. What you don’t know about drugs and alcohol can hurt you, and the environment. From the smoke to the raw materials for the chemicals themselves, drugs and alcohol...
Think of all of the illegal drugs that you can. Which ones come to mind? What’s funny is that most of the drugs that come to mind have probably been around for a long time, and have been used medicinally for most of that time. It’s no secret that using any illegal...
Indigenous people in the United States were the first to grow, cultivate, and utilize tobacco. When these Indigenous nations first started using tobacco, tobacco had limited and sacred duties. When European colonizers arrived, though, the use for, amount of, and...
Drug addiction, though often found in those who have a family history of addiction, can affect anyone. Steering clear of drugs and alcohol is the best way to ensure that you won’t become addicted, but everyone has their guilty pleasures, and for some, drugs are a...
What makes a drug ‘worse’ than others? There’s no one way to say. The toll that addiction to drugs and alcohol can take not just on a person, but also on an entire community, is devastating. Drug addiction makes a nest for drug dealers, who often come with gangs....
Drug abuse is referred to as the non-medical use of drugs that may compel the person to develop physical or psychological dependence. People who are inclined towards drugs abusing often think that the only trouble they are going to get into is being caught by the law...
When there are dark clouds looming or it’s been raining for days, you may feel lazy and lethargic. On the other hand, you might feel motivated and focused on bright, sunny days. You can’t deny the impact of weather on your mood and overall health. However, it’s a...
There is nothing new about a war on drugs, or a national effort to curtail drug use in the United States. As early as 1784, ‘chronic drunkenness,’ what we call ‘alcoholism’ today, was labeled a disease. One of the first people to diagnose the disease was Dr. Benjamin...
Instagram has done wonders: the world has become a little smaller, and a little more magical. These days, it’s not hard to find beautiful pictures that glorify a life that centers around traveling, learning, and looking stylish while doing it. Traveling abroad has the...
Steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs have long been present throughout sports. An athlete’s career depends on their physical ability to deliver so it shouldn’t come as a huge shock that substances that heighten talent are abused, even if they’re banned. What...
Drug consumption by amateur and professional athletes is a major issue. In 2016, more than 1.81% of athletes tested by the world anti-doping agency had overdosed on drugs. In order to effectively control this growing problem, drug tests have become common in every...
The question of how much money people in the United States spend on drugs has two answers: a simple one, and one that’s more complex. The simple answer is, ‘more than anyone else in the world’: looking at both prescription and illicit drugs, the number of dollars...
What’s a party drug? The better question is: what’s not a party drug? Generally, drugs that are consumed intravenously don’t make huge waves on the party scene: this makes sense if you consider the monstrous inconvenience of preparing yourself and the drug for use in...
Virtually no one missed ‘X-Files’ creator Vince Gilligan’s runaway hit, ‘Breaking Bad.’ A story of a man at the crossroads of seemingly impossible decision after impossible decision, the show was timed perfectly, debuting around the time that use of methamphetamines,...
Think you know drugs? Think again. While it’s commonly accepted that street drugs are bad news, there is worse yet. Outside (and occasionally inside) the United States, there are drugs manufactured that might make an addiction to well-known drugs seem like child’s...
It’s 2018, and no one knows exactly how many drugs are on the market, or being consumed as we speak. New and more dangerous drugs seem to enter the market every couple of weeks, and while every region has their processes for securing and documenting drugs confiscated...
Drugs are some of the most powerful substances on this planet. Once addicted, an individual caters to the drug and its effects above all else. They put aside their families, loved ones, careers, finances, health; anything they can compromise in exchange for a fix...
There are very few people who aren’t aware of the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Early in the 20th century, there was far less public information available about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Drug addiction was something that was widely associated with...
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which helps fight and counter the effects of opioid overdose. To understand the importance and effectiveness of Naloxone, one must first realize the health risks associated with opioid overdose. Opioids, such as heroin, methadone, and...
It’s been around 20 years since the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse first reported on substance abuse among the nation’s incarcerated. Since that report, there has been little to no work on reducing the number of prisoners who are combating substance...
As stereotypes go, drug addiction is a problem that tends to be linked with poverty. While it is true that poverty is a risk factor for developing an addiction, there are quite a few other factors that have nothing to do with socioeconomic status, such as mental...
Did you know? Since 1998, the U.S government has spent more than one billion dollars on nationwide campaigns against drug use. This active campaign against substance abuse is a ‘war’ that has waged on since the early 1980s. Year after year, campaigns have directly...
The rate of synthetic drug consumption is steadily rising all over the world, especially in the United States where their popularity is increasing at an alarming rate. This is because most people assume that these types of drugs are naturally grown and are perfectly...
As far as substance abuse and addiction are concerned, it is clear that there is no single factor responsible. Individuals who struggle with drug addiction tend to have a variety of factors that contribute to increasing their susceptibility to substance abuse...
Whether you have ADHD yourself or know someone who does, the thought of help from a stimulant seems counter-intuitive. How could an upper help someone who’s already restless, impulsive and stymied by distraction? Interestingly, the revved-up symptoms of ADHD are...
It’s no secret that a lot of celebrities have a tendency for drug use. Famous singers, rappers, actors, and other in the entertainment industry are generally open about their habits, and this is made evident through their music and documented social behaviors. We’ve...
Up until recent years, drug addiction was often seen as something that only affects the unsuccessful and otherwise marginalized figures amongst us. However, thanks to the brave, bold efforts of the well-known pop singer, Demi Lovato, many people are now reconsidering...
Addiction rehab programs are subjected to several myths and misconceptions. It is commonly believed that the drug rehab is considered to be a 30-day program, but this is not always the case. The sobriety ratio is higher among the people who choose to enroll in longer...
Going through drug rehab is only the first step of recovery. There are many, many challenges that arise during the quest for a sober life. Your commitment to staying clean will be met with frequent obstacles, like triggers and stressors, that might compel you to...
Beating addiction is not easy. If anything, it can be daunting and extremely challenging. It also requires a strong sense of commitment and willpower. The chance of success for an addict trying to self-detox on their own is relatively low, which is why professional...
Here at Scottsdale Recovery Center, we understand that addiction recovery is a long and difficult journey. Not many people understand that addiction is a disease and because they lack this knowledge, they have a lot of misconceptions about what it truly is. You may...
The decision to admit yourself to rehab is often contemplated on the basis of what others have experienced. This is one of the most misleading factors that keep addicts from getting the help for recovery. It is helpful to get an insight into the process before making...
Codependency is a behavioral pattern in substance abusers and addicts. Almost all people who abuse drugs or alcohol are codependent. Codependency is sometimes referred to as love addiction, or relationship addiction. It’s an ingrained habit where a person focuses on...
The most essential component of successful addiction treatment lies in trauma therapy, or identifying the root cause of the compulsive behavior. As long as the primary reason for an addiction is not explored, it cannot be completely treated and there will always be a...
One of the biggest challenges many recovering addicts face is trying to rebuild relationships with the people closest to them. At Scottsdale Recovery Center, we encourage our clients and their families to enroll in our family guidance and counseling program. The...
How dangerous is Carfentanil? Let’s talk about Carfentanil and the severe effects of this extremely risky substance. What Is Carfentanil? Carfentanil is a substance related to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin. Carfentanil,...
The connection between past life experiences and addiction is irrefutable. This is why it is essential that an addict confront their past, and acknowledge its role in their addiction during recovery. At an early age, we tend to develop certain behaviors, and these...
Drug addiction, like any other disorder, comes with its own list of disturbances, including mental illness. It’s not just your physical health that’s at stake: your personal life, social relations, and mental health are largely affected by substance abuse. Compulsion...
Addiction is a compulsive, substance-seeking behavior found in individuals who show signs of withdrawal when use is stopped. There has been an ongoing debate over which drugs are considered the most addictive. According to a panel of experts, how addictive a substance...
In 2016, more than 63,600 Americans died of drug overdoses. Around two-thirds of these fatal incidents involved some type of opioid. Between 2015 and 2016, the fatal overdose rate from synthetic opioids, not counting methadone, more than doubled. Illegally...
