Determining if substance use has developed into an addiction requires an individual to examine their actions and habits. As a powerful, potent opioid, heroin can spur addiction after only one use. As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 626,000 Americans met the criteria for heroin dependence in 2016. Due to the ongoing opioid…

Infrequent substance use can often be misinterpreted as a harmless, recreational activity; therefore, the line between contained use and addiction is sometimes hazy. However, as an addictive stimulant, cocaine has a very high risk for abuse and dependency. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 913,000 Americans met the criteria for dependence or…

Unpleasant, painful, and sometimes dangerous side effects can occur once substance abuse is abruptly stopped. This event is known as withdrawal. Defined by the American Psychological Association, withdrawal is a syndrome that develops after cessation of prolonged, heavy consumption of a substance, with symptoms varying by substance but generally including physiological, behavioral, and cognitive manifestations. …

Once regular use of an addictive substance ceases, unpleasant, painful, and sometimes dangerous side effects may occur. This is known as withdrawal. Defined by the American Psychological Association, withdrawal is a syndrome that develops after cessation of prolonged, heavy consumption of a substance, with symptoms varying by substance but generally including physiological, behavioral, and cognitive…

Substance abuse develops into chemical dependence over time. If use of the addictive substance abruptly stops, unpleasant, and sometimes painful, side effects occur. This is known as withdrawal. Defined by the American Psychological Association, withdrawal is a syndrome that develops after cessation of prolonged, heavy consumption of a substance, with symptoms varying by substance but…

Medically Reviewed By Jodi Mabry, Nurse Practitioner (NP) Recently, there has been a surge in non-FDA-approved “gas station drugs”, or unregulated substances frequently found at small convenience stores or gas stations. One of the more recent drugs to appear on the scene is etizolam. Due to the lack of legal supervision, drugs such as etizolam…

All addictive substances cause an individual to develop a chemical dependence over time. Onceuse of the substance has stopped, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, side effects occur. This is known as withdrawal. Defined by the American Psychological Association, withdrawal is a syndrome that develops after cessation of prolonged, heavy consumption of a substance, with symptoms varying…

All addictive substances condition the body to expect continued use of a drug and produce unpleasant symptoms if use is abruptly stopped. This is known as withdrawal. Defined by the American Psychological Association, withdrawal is a syndrome that develops after cessation of prolonged, heavy consumption of a substance, with symptoms varying by substance but generally…

Drug abuse can be concealed for a while, making addiction both a dangerous and insidious disease. Indicators of abuse are mainly evident during advanced stages of addiction, however, they are noticeable earl;y on if you know what signs to look for. According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,…

Because many opioids are in prescription form, opioid addiction is both dangerous and insidious. Indicators of opioid addiction are typically evident during advanced stages of addiction, however they may be noticeable early on if one is aware of the signs to look for. According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse…