Opioid drug abuse is one of the biggest public health issues facing the country today. The harmful effects of opiates can have devastating consequences on every aspect of an individual’s life. Opioid abuse can result in legal troubles, family problems, financial hardships, long-lasting health problems and loss of life. What Are Opioids? Prescription opiates, as…
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For many people, leaving treatment presents a whole new set of obstacles to overcome. One way to face these obstacles is to get involved with a recovery community. A recovery community gives people the opportunity to connect with others who have shared experiences and helps them build connections with one another. Importance of a Recovery Community Marty Cook,…
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What is binge drinking? Binge drinking is the consumption of alcohol that raises a person’s blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 or above. For men, this usually takes five or more drinks in two hours, and for women, it usually takes four or more drinks. In contrast, the recommended amount of alcohol consumption for women is no…
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Nearly 70 percent of high school seniors have tried alcohol, 50 percent have taken an illegal drug and more than 20 percent have used a prescription drug for a non-medical reason. Research has found most people start misusing drugs and alcohol during this time. Learn more about adolescent substance abuse, and why teen drug abuse and teen alcohol…
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Out of the Ring, into Recovery Before he became a voice of recovery, Everett abused alcohol and crack cocaine for about 20 years. He let down his extended family, his children and their mother. He felt like he was in a boxing ring, fighting a 12-foot monster. “I’m in the ring and I’m not even swinging anymore…
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Many people perceive loneliness to be a problem that mostly affects older populations. However, a new Cigna study found that Americans, as a whole, are disconnecting from mental health, with adolescents and young adults reporting the highest rates of loneliness. So what’s behind this wave of isolation? While some people blame the younger generations’ fixation on social…
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According to a 2017 article in The Washington Post, one in eight Americans have an alcohol use disorder and a 2017 Pew Research poll found that nearly half of U.S. adults have a close friend or family member who has a substance use disorder involving drugs. Do you know the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction? Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol…
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It’s warming up (unless you’re in Chicago), finals are looming, bank statements are lowering, meaning one thing for high schoolers and their parents: prom. For many, prom marks the end of high school and a transition into uncharted territory. Students may be leaving home for college, entering the workforce full-time, or struggling to figure out…
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An outbreak of synthetic marijuana, starting in Chicago and fanning out in Illinois, has caused more than 50 cases of serious bleeding–including two deaths–and those numbers are rising. “This is the first time we’ve seen an outbreak of this magnitude in the area,” Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, announces. Its effects…
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Expert Insight Chief Medical Officer at Gateway Dr. Roueen Rafeyan explains the dangers of alcohol consumption and the effects of alcohol the brain. The effects of alcohol on the brain, in both the short- and long-term, are profound. As a solvent, alcohol passes to the brain very quickly and can cause damage to living cells.…
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