The University of Queensland in Australia explains that the limbic system is, “…Part of the brain involved in our behavioral and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviors we need for survival; feeding, reproduction, and caring for our young, and fight or flight responses.” The limbic system is greatly responsible for the way we […]
Category Archives: Addiction
18
Jun
Jun
People have used a variety of ways to consume drugs, and it’s mostly been dependent on the type of drug and the “high” that is produced. Drug injection is said to be the quickest way to achieving fast-acting euphoria, as the substance is entered directly into the bloodstream; with a fast peak comes a fast […]
18
Jun
Jun
It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has taken thousands of lives each year; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains that in 2017, a total of 11.4 million people abused prescription opioids – with over 130 people dying each day from this tragic occurrence. With so many people losing their friends, children, […]
17
Jun
Jun
The opioid epidemic has taken thousands of people’s lives and has sparked an increasingly high rate of concern for children and families affected by it, yet many Americans hold the belief that prescription medications are “less dangerous” than illicit drugs. Prescription medications are, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the […]
14
Jun
Jun
For over 4 centuries now, humans have studied the brain and the hippocampus; sources state that the name comes from the Greek word hippo, which means “horse” and kampo, which means “monster” – as the hippocampus is shaped similar to a seahorse. A part of the limbic system, the hippocampus is symmetrical and comes in […]
14
Jun
Jun
When we’re actively abusing substances, we surround ourselves with people that perpetuate the lifestyle we’re leading. We begin spending more time with other people who like to drink or use drugs, and it becomes harder to spend time with our loved ones who perhaps don’t partake in these activities. Over time, we become distant from […]
12
Jun
Jun
Traditional cigarettes are used by more than 34 million Americans – and tobacco continues to remain a staple addiction amongst those recovering from other substances. The rise of e-cigarettes, a battery powered device that converts liquid nicotine into a mist or vapor to be inhaled], has been deemed as a healthy alternative to smoking traditional […]
11
Jun
Jun
We hear of unfortunate cases all of the time; in the news, on social media, through friends and family – it’s devastating, and it happens more than we’d like to admit. Substances have a way of affecting a region in the brain that’s responsible for executive functioning (such as critical thinking skills, assessing consequences of […]
10
Jun
Jun
In the world of addiction recovery, it becomes an intense, complex dialogue when people begin discussing what constitutes as dependence versus addiction. It’s a rather highly debated topic – because some would say that they’re one in the same. If we turn to highly qualified resources, such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), […]
07
Jun
Jun
Abstinence is a common term used in addiction recovery, but there are often questions as to what constitutes as abstinence and what doesn’t. There are many situations that individuals may deem as “gray areas” – ones that, in certain circumstances, could appear to be opportunities that are okay for “only one drink” or two; for […]
