Adults who identify as a “sexual minority” are more than twice as likely as their heterosexual peers to use illicit drugs over the course of a year, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Even worse? Substance abuse doesn’t exist in a vacuum. LGBTQ addicts are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, as…
Sixty percent of American children are exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in their homes, schools, and communities, according to statistics shared by the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. Unfortunately, the impact of childhood trauma can continue to play out well into adulthood—often in the form of substance abuse issues. Here’s a closer…
Codependency can be a direct impediment to recovery from substance abuse problems. In order to stop these behaviors, we must first understand them. Here’s a closer look at codependency, along with why family therapy is a vital part of substance abuse treatment. What is Codependency? “Codependency is characterized by a person belonging to a…
Life isn’t pass or fail. Rather, it’s a series of chances to learn from the past in order to embrace a brighter future. For many addicts, however, letting go of past mistakes and moving on is easier said than done. Unfortunately, this can be an impediment to living well after recovery. Luckily, there are some…
Mixing drugs and alcohol is always a recipe for disaster, but one combination, in particular, is especially dangerous: benzos and alcohol. Here’s a closer look at these two substances, along with why using them together can lead to life-threatening results. Dangerous Effects… People often drink alcohol as a way to socialize, relax, and/or celebrate; however,…
The most recent data is in from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and it’s not good news for Missouri residents. Not only have synthetic opioid overdose deaths undergone a significant increase in recent years, but the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in Missouri exceed the national average. Here’s a closer look at the…
Research indicates that members of the LGBT community have disproportionately high rates of substance abuse. In fact, a full 25 percent of gay and transgender people abuse alcohol, compared to just five to 10 percent of the total population. And while group meetings offer the same important benefits to LGBT individuals as they do to…
Heroin use in the US has been on the rise for more than a decade, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In fact, just under 948,000 Americans reported using heroin according to the most recent figures from 2016, and countless others will begin using this lethal drug in the near future. The…
Think you’re safe by sticking with the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption? Think again. According to recently published research, the current thresholds for lowest risk pertaining to alcohol use may be too high. In fact, researchers are suggesting that thresholds for safer alcohol should potentially be lowered. Here’s a closer look at the data, along…
Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent out an emergency health alert about the dangers of a particular strain of synthetic cannabinoids which has been linked to deadly bleeding disorders. This is just one of many reasons why synthetic cannabinoid products are a threat to public health. Here’s a closer look…