Addiction |

This is the final article in a three part series on opioids in Georgia. A patient goes to see a doctor about back pain. Or, maybe he just needs some minor surgery. The doctor wants to help him manage the pain, so a strong pain reliever is prescribed (Vicodin, Oxycontin, etc.). The patient takes the...

Part two of a three part series on opioids in Georgia. Last week we explored the history of opioids. They have been present in human communities almost since the dawn of civilization. Today, we better understand their addictive qualities and destructive powers. Unfortunately, in recent years and despite this knowledge, opioid misuse is still on...

Part one of a three part series on opioids in Georgia. Reading about drug addiction can be an emotionally draining exercise, especially when you’re researching on behalf of your own substance use disorder or a loved one’s. While we try to gather as much information as possible, it can be productive to take a step...

The signs of heroin addiction can manifest in different ways. There can be changes in the physical appearance and actions of the addicted individual. Since heroin is ingested by smoking, snorting, or injection, different usage methods may be present. Changes in Appearance: After use, the addicted individual will have flushed skin, labored breathing, and tiny...

Addiction treatment for professionals: staying discreet can be difficult. Although medical professionals have long accepted addiction as a disease, it is still seen by many as a weakness, an inability to control oneself. But when someone finds themselves at the end of that rope and seeks treatment, the last thing they need is to feel...

Heroin falls into the class of drugs called opioids and is derived from the same type of poppy plant that is used to produce similar drugs, such as morphine. More About Heroin While the drug has been around (in the United States) since the last decade of the 1800s, its impact has increased over the...

Addiction can happen not only with alcohol and drugs. You can also be addicted to sex, food, shopping, and many other activities or substances. There are reports of as many as 160 12-step programs to support people who identify as needing to fight off some type of addiction. For the purpose of our discussion, we...

Addiction specialists dedicate their careers to helping those with substance abuse and chemical dependency reclaim their lives. There are many approaches to addiction treatment, including pharmacotherapies (drug intervention) and behavioral therapies. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), behavioral approaches help engage people in treatment, provide incentives for them to remain abstinent, and...

Recovering from alcohol abuse can seem like a long and arduous journey at the beginning. The truth is, millions of men and women have recovered, which means it is possible for anyone who is willing. Willingness is all it takes to get started on this pathway to a sober lifestyle. Even though not drinking is...

Addiction as a disease is often a difficult concept for not only the addicted individual but also for their friends and loved ones. At one time, addiction meant a sentence to asylums and mental institutions. People saw addiction as failure of will or an issue of insanity. Today, fortunately, science has helped shift this attitude....