Some people addicted to alcohol show apparent signs that they have a drinking problem. However, others affected by alcoholism may be harder to recognize. That’s true because they still seem to remain generally functional in daily life. People in this second category are sometimes known as high-functioning alcoholics. But make no mistake, high-functioning or not,…
Excessive alcohol use comes with several serious risks, including alcoholism and serious, non-addicted alcohol abuse. They also include the possibility of developing alcohol poisoning. In addition, you may drink enough to become blackout drunk. An alcohol blackout can endanger your health in multiple ways. You can black out even if you’re not affected by diagnosable…
Many of America’s most widely prescribed medications are classes of sleeping pills. These medications include several benzodiazepines, or benzos. Increasingly, they also include members of the “Z drug” family. Z drugs are prescriptions that specifically relieve insomnia. Long-term misuse of a benzo or Z drug can lead to addiction. It can also lead to several…
Today, it’s legal to use marijuana and certain other cannabis products in much of the U.S. The increasing acceptance of these products has led some people to believe that marijuana use is generally harmless. However, this is not always the case. Like another legal substance, alcohol, marijuana can be a source of harmful dependence and…
If you’re a woman with substance problems, there’s a good chance that you also have certain additional mental health issues. When addiction and other mental illnesses occur together, you have a dual diagnosis. Women affected by this combined condition often develop it for different reasons than men. In addition, they often have different treatment needs.…
Many women affected by drug or alcohol addiction also have a history or significant dietary problems. Some of these problems are not serious enough to qualify as eating disorders. However, diagnosable eating disorders are also common. If you’re affected by a severe nutritional issue and addiction, you need treatment for both conditions. Nutrient guides help…
Transgender women face significant obstacles when seeking help for addiction. These obstacles can make it harder to find any form of treatment at all. They can also make it harder to get the additional support often needed by trans women. For these reasons, readily available addiction recovery resources are of crucial benefit. Resources of this…
Have you heard about addicts turning to anti-diarrhea drugs if they can’t get their hands on painkillers? If so, you may also have heard of loperamide. Some people refer to this medication as a poor man’s methadone due to its low cost and easy availability. Methadone has a proven place in opioid addiction treatment programs.…
Rohypnol, or flunitrazepam, is a potent sedative drug that has gained infamy. It is commonly known as a ‘date rape’ drug and is not legal in the United States. Flunitrazepam is classified as a Schedule IV drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and dependence. The drug has a number of serious side…
Compared to the general U.S. population, transgender women are far more likely to have serious substance problems. The same holds true for the wider LGBTQ+ community. People in these two groups may have difficulty finding quality drug and alcohol rehab for various reasons. Still, effective treatment is available in programs that consider trans and LGBTQ+…