In spite of what countless Facebook memes claim, there are adverse side effects of marijuana abuse. The drug isn’t as harmless as many people believe. Most importantly, it can create a use disorder that’s on par with other chemical dependencies. Here’s what you need to know. Health Risks Accompany Marijuana Use Smoking is dangerous to…
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At what point does drinking alcohol become dangerous? That’s the age-old question people ask when they suspect someone, perhaps themselves, has a drinking problem. As a point of reference, a person has a drinking problem when their drinking becomes destructive. Below, we discuss the signs of alcohol dependence and the onset of alcoholism. We do…
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The decision to stop using heroin is one that no one should take lightly. Still, it’s absolutely necessary or the addiction sufferer faces some potentially severe repercussions from their addiction. As the addict will soon discover, getting past heroin withdrawal symptoms might end up being the biggest challenge. That’s when you need drug addiction treatment…
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Our nation’s teens are particularly vulnerable to falling prey to drug and alcohol addiction. At the center of this vulnerability is the fact that most teens don’t know the truth about drugs and alcohol. They tend to operate around myths that their peers pass around. How can we combat this problem and better educate our…
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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…
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You’ve heard about the stereotypical alcoholic. This person lost a job, family, and home. In contrast, what is a functioning alcoholic? Do you recognize yourself as the individual who’s keeping a job, home, and family while struggling with chemical dependency and doesn’t even know they need an addiction treatment program? Alcohol Abuse is an Addiction…
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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…
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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…
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Vaping is the act of inhaling and then exhaling aerosol or vapor from a liquid that contains nicotine or other drugs, like THC. The vapor is produced by an e-cigarette or other device, like a vape pen or Juul. Juul and other e-cigarette companies have come under fire for deceptive advertising targeting their products to youth,…
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Although treatment for substance abuse and mental disorders takes place in centers, addiction recovery is a lifelong process. September is dedicated to the awareness and celebration of recovery. The theme for Recovery Month 2018 is “join the voices of recovery: invest in health, home, purpose and community.” To kick off Recovery Month, Gateway Foundation’s Director of Alumni Events Marty Cook speaks…
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