What Constitutes a Relapse

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The cycle of addiction has many ups and downs. An alcohol or drug relapse occurs after a person experiences recovery then returns to using their substance of choice. Addiction is a chronic disease, prone to periods of relapse. Triggers and other risk factors may increase the risk of using alcohol or drugs. A relapse is

Why Do I Keep Relapsing?

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The keys to avoiding chronic relapsing are a strong support system, planning, and knowledge of the signs of relapse. Remaining drug free can be a struggle, but you don’t have to work through everything on your own. You can rely on friends and family for support, as well as a medical professional or facility. However,

The Dangers of Overdosing on Crystal Meth

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You can overdose on crystal meth in either of two ways. First, you can experience an acute overdose in which you ingest such a large quantity or concentration of methamphetamine that your metabolism is overwhelmed by the drug; and second, you can experience a chronic meth overdose after a long period of regular methamphetamine ingestion

Signs That Your Son is Using Cocaine

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Maybe you have noticed something unusual in your son’s behavior or you have found unusual items in his room or among his possessions. Your observations have led you to  become concerned that he is using cocaine, but when you confront him directly he denies any and all drug use. Your parental instincts tell you that

Alcoholism Withdrawal Symptoms

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    Alcohol normally depresses a person’s central nervous system. When a person consumes large amounts of alcohol for a longer period of time, his brain and central nervous system adjust and rewire themselves to speed up and to accommodate that excessive alcohol consumption. When that consumption suddenly ends, the alcoholic’s central nervous system reacts

Risk Factors that Lead to Substance Abuse

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There are certain risk factors which contribute to the likelihood that someone will use drugs and subsequently abuse them. We call these “risk factors” because when they are exhibited by an individual or group of individuals, they are said to be at risk of developing a drug abuse habit or persistent addiction. Some of these

Putting a Stop to Your Self-Harm

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In their hard rock song, Hurt, the Nine Inch Nails sing the lyric “I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that’s real.” This lyric accurately depicts self-harm as a mechanism to cope with numbness and buried pain. If you have adopted this coping mechanism

An Introduction to a Traditional 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program

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Traditional 12-step addiction recovery programs have been endorsed by numerous public health organizations, including the U.S. National Institute of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the American Psychiatric Association, and the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as a cost effective approach to addiction treatment and recovery. They have been proven effective to

What Does Crack Cocaine Do To Your Body?

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Crack cocaine is the same chemical product as powdered cocaine, but with a different delivery system. Powder cocaine is a water-soluble “salt” form of the chemical, while crack cocaine is a fat-soluble form that is absorbed more readily and more quickly into a user’s body when it is smoked. Crack’s effects are felt more quickly

What Is Going Through An Addict’s Mind?

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Individuals who are fortunate not to suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism will have a difficult time in understanding the mind and thought processes of a drug addict or alcoholic. It will seem apparent to everyone, including a substance abuser, that drugs and alcohol are harming every aspect of the addict’s or alcoholic’s life, including