A substance use disorder is a chronic disease. Are you its victim? Is a loved one struggling with it? What are the signs of drug abuse? Here are the signs that may help you make that determination. Evaluating the Signs of Drug Abuse and Understanding the Condition Pain pills, alcohol, cough medicine, and street drugs…
Debbie became a teacher because she wanted to help other people, especially kids. On a typical weekday, she would drop her son off at the high school then go to her own classroom of fourth-graders, where there’s no typical other than the subjects. Well respected by their small town and church, Debbie’s son had his…
Let’s face it, change is hard for most people—this reality can be observed each year in the weeks before and after January 1st, as countless numbers of people either forgo making a New Year’s resolution or give up on their goals shortly afterward. For someone struggling with a substance use disorder or other form of addiction, the…
What is Marijuana? Cannabis, also called marijuana, pot or weed, is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded pieces of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The main compound of marijuana, THC, is what is believed to alter chemicals in the brain to produce a “high.” Addiction…
Two million people over the age of 12 abused prescription pain relievers in 2015. This prescription drug abuse is a growing public health concern that is considered part of the opioid crisis or opioid epidemic. In addition to the harms of drug abuse, prescription drug withdrawal symptoms can be difficult and potentially lethal. Therefore, you…
A drug overdose is a scary and often life-threatening situation. An overdose can happen to anyone, whether you’re a first-time user or someone suffering from a prolonged substance use disorder. Overdose deaths are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50 years old. It is a medical emergency, and drug overdose symptoms require…
For centuries, society viewed addiction as a moral failing. People with substance use disorders were told they did not have the desire or willpower to quit. In fact, some people still do not believe that addiction is a disease. Addiction, however, is not a moral failing. It is a chronic disease that often requires medical…
Opioid addiction is now a public health emergency in America, with the crisis directly impacting hundreds of thousands of people. More than 115 people die from opioid overdoses every single day. In 2016, 42,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses, more than any year on record. And this crisis isn’t just about heroin: prescription drugs were…
Too often, people who need alcohol or drug rehab don’t receive appropriate care because it would mean taking extended time away from their work or family. With the flexibility of Gateway Outpatient drug rehab programs, adults and adolescents can work through drug addiction treatment without putting their lives on hold. Programs are ideal for people with a strong support system, stable…
Completing treatment and returning to everyday life might seem like the most difficult thing you’ve ever done, but right now — as you are reading this — 10% of Americans are one some stage of their recovery journey. You can join them. As challenging as it may be for those in the beginning stages of recovery, there…