You've heard about the dangers of "binge drinking." That's when you have many alcoholic drinks at one time. But when is drinking a lot actually considered a "binge"? And how is this harmful?
If you control pain with an opioid prescription, you may have been warned about the dangers of misuse. But what is misuse, exactly? Let's take a few minutes to learn about opioid misuse and how to avoid it.
This is a physical condition. It's a change in your brain after you use a drug over and over again. Nerve cells in your brain, called "neurons," get used to the drug. They adapt to it. These cells begin to need the drug to function normally. And taking the drug away causes discomfort or pain. We call this "withdrawal."
Many people who have a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder. A person with depression may also abuse alcohol. A person who has schizophrenia may also be a drug user.
Addiction is a complex issue that involves the brain and the body. It also leads to a lot of poor choices, secrets and lies. For some, it's hard to understand why we call addiction a "disease." So let's take a few minutes to learn about it.
It's painful to watch a family member or friend struggle with substance abuse. It can be frustrating and scary. But don't lose hope - it can get better. Here are things you can do to make the journey to recovery easier for you and your loved one.
No matter how it begins, dealing with addictions is difficult. The program "Alcohol and Drug Addiction" explains what addictions are, different treatment options and ongoing recovery tips.
Most people don't realize what is considered "at risk" drinking. In Part 2, find out how to recognize when someone has a problem.
Once a drug or alcohol problem is evident there are many different types of treatment that can assist with recovery. In Part 3, you will find that treatments include medications, behavioral counseling and psychotherapy.
Drug and alcohol recovery is ongoing and can cause problems for family and friends. In Part 4, discover what support is available and the best way to help the addict.
Support is key for someone in recovery from an opioid addiction. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to understand what your role is. Your loved one's healthcare provider can help you.
For many, occasional gambling is a fun way to relax and enjoy some mild risk-taking. But for some, the urge to gamble is uncontrollable. If you have this disorder, you can't stop gambling. It is an addiction. Losing makes you want to place riskier and riskier bets. This can destroy your life.
This videos shows the 13 steps to give an emergency dose of naloxone nasal spray for an opioid overdose.
Here are the steps for giving an emergency dose of Narcan for a drug overdose.
This video shows the 13 steps for giving an emergency shot of naloxone for an opioid overdose.
This drug is a nasal spray used for the fast treatment of opioid overdose. It reverses the effects of opioids for a short time. It can be given to people who are passed out and having breathing problems because of an overdose of opioids. It can wake them up and get them breathing again.
This is when you use alcohol or drugs in a way that harms you or puts you in danger. Abusing a substance can cause you to become dependent on it over time. You may feel powerless to stop using it. This can cause problems for you and your family. It can severely impact your life. It can be life threatening.
Opioids are addictive drugs. Whether it's medications prescribed by doctors, medications purchased illegally or the 'street drug' heroin they all have a direct impact on a person's brain. People can work with a healthcare team to manage their addiction.
When someone who is addicted to opioids starts recovery, the symptoms of withdrawal take effect immediately. There are mild to severe physical and mental symptoms that should be monitored by a healthcare professional.
When starting recovery from opioid addiction, it's important to first consult a healthcare provider. They can help you create a treatment plan for your symptoms of withdrawal that will include a combination of therapy and medication.
Lately, something just doesn't seem right. You think your loved one could be abusing opioids. But how can you tell? Keep an eye out for these subtle signs of opioid abuse.
There are resources for people who are struggling with an opioid addiction. It's important to reach out to a healthcare provider and to your loved ones for support.
Life after opioid addiction treatment can be managed with a combination of therapy, medication and support of family and friends. Finding a treatment plan that works for you can lower your risk of relapse.
This is a mental and physical need to drink alcohol. We also call it "alcohol dependence." It makes you want to drink alcohol even when it hurts you and others. This can cause chaos in your life. It can cause health problems.
Opioid addiction is overwhelming. It robs you of happiness and health. It can steal away your family and friends. But it is treatable. With the right support, you can beat opioid addiction. Let's learn about treatment options.
These days, many of us are connected online more often than we aren't. Smartphones, smart watches and laptops. Emails, instant messages and alerts. The internet is a part of everyday life. And for some people, it can become an addiction.
Overcoming addiction takes help. Find help for you or a loved one battling addiction.
