One of the biggest concerns many teens and parents find themselves facing is alcohol and drug use. An estimated 1.3 million adolescents in the United States have a substance use disorder. Equally as worrisome, the majority of people who have a teen substance abuse disorder started doing drugs before the age of 18 and people who start drinking before 15 are four times…
Details
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…
Details
Staff and friends celebrated the Gateway Foundation Chicago River North opening with a ribbon cutting August 23. The new Gateway Foundation River North site is located at 415 N. Dearborn St., blocks from Merchandise Mart and Illinois Center and less than a 20-minute walk from Union Station and Ogilvie transportation centers to accommodate busy schedules with Outpatient care.…
Details
The most important thing you can do if you think your teen is struggling with teen drug use is to talk to them about it. Even if you aren’t worried about teen drug use yet, drug and alcohol prevention should start early. Research indicates that when parents talk to their kids openly about drugs and drinking,…
Details
At McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition‘s first Ride for Recovery on August 12th, about 25 motorcyclists stopped to cool down at Gateway Foundation Lake Villa. McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition works with community stakeholders to reduce and change attitudes about substance abuse. About Gateway Foundation Lake Villa Located in Northern Illinois, Gateway Foundation Lake Villa offers a…
Details
World Book Day Today is World Book Day, and another day to celebrate addiction recovery. Here is our list of good reads about struggling through and overcoming addiction, recommended based on what you care about. FOR THE POP CULTURE EXPERT Recovery: Freedom From our Addictions by Russell Brand While sharing his own battles, Brand reaches out to…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
There’s a strong correlation between trauma and addiction. Learn why you or a loved one should immediately seek help for both issues to experience dual recovery. What is Trauma? Trauma can occur following any highly stressful or life-threatening event. Traumatic events can fall into several categories including, natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, man-made catastrophes…
Details