Pseudoaddiction and true addiction are two concepts related to substance abuse and medication use that can be easily confused but have distinct differences. Pseudoaddiction refers to behaviors that mimic addiction but result from inadequate pain management. In contrast, addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite the harmful…
Drug abuse of any kind can lead to a number of negative side effects on a person’s health and overall well-being. But is the development of bipolar disorder among these effects? Is it possible for drug abuse to cause bipolar disorder? To determine this, one must first understand what drug abuse is, how it impacts…
Both Ritalin and Adderall are prescription medications used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies have shown that, overall, Adderall has a higher rate of efficacy using lower doses. Regardless of their utility for practical medical purposes, both medications are commonly abused and have high rates of addiction. They are also considered gateway drugs to…
Watching movies about drug addiction can be a scary experience for some people. Not only do movies about drug abuse make viewers feel uncomfortable, but they also trigger emotions and memories that viewers can’t forget. But that’s okay. Because this list doesn’t just offer viewers a look at movies about drug addiction for their entertainment….
Family roles in addiction are present in even the most dysfunctional families since addiction is considered a family disease. Within any family unit, each individual has a certain job to do that keeps the family running smoothly and allows for equilibrium and harmony. When somebody in the family has a drug or alcohol issue, the…
“Upper” and “downer” are slang terms that refer to the way a substance affects the central nervous system. Most drugs fall into one of the two categories. Uppers, also known as stimulants, are drugs that increase energy and alertness. They also raise blood pressure and heart rate. In contrast, downers, also known as depressants, have…
People who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are generally prescribed one of two medications to help them with their condition, either Vyvanse or Adderall. As a result, many patients are curious what the differences are in Vyvanse vs Adderall.
Lori Arnold is a 61 year old material technician in Ohio, but thirty years ago she was the leader of a national drug ring, earning herself the title, ‘Queen of Meth’. When Lori was just 14 years old, she tried speed for the first time with her mom. Lori’s mother was already familiar with the…
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid painkiller. It’s usually used to treat patients with chronic cancer pain that is unresponsive to other measures. But this substance is also incredibly dangerous and addictive, leading the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to categorize it as one of the most dangerous drugs in existence at this moment. Although…
Heroin and pioid addiction has reached epidemic levels in the United States. In addition to the devastating effect opiate addiction has on the individual, it also has a devastating effect on the person’s friends and family members. Unfortunately, the family members of opiate addicts often feel as though they have no way of helping their…