What Is Addiction?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines addiction as a “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by... well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal.”
read more
After graduating from the program in 2008, Matt works to help others find a new way to live life, free from drugs and alcohol. Matt is an Internationally certified drug and alcohol counselor and has written extensively on addiction and evidence-based treatment. You can follow him on Linkedin.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines addiction as a “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by... well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal.”
read more
When people aren’t aware or properly educated about a subject like addiction, they may adopt preconceived ideas about it.
read more
There is no doubt that drinking to excess creates harm and risk, both for the person consuming alcohol and for those around him or her. Unfortunately, young people are not only drinking more alcohol, but they’re also consuming alcohol at a younger age.
read more
When prescription drug abuse really began to take off in the U.S., causing unprecedented deaths and destruction, many Americans chose to blame the pharmaceutical companies which made the drugs. And this was the right place to lay the blame, or at least most of it.
read more
One of the crucial components in reducing drug experimentation and addiction is ensuring people do not have easy access to drugs. To that point, prescription drug take-back programs may be one of America's best efforts for reducing youth exposure to addictive pharmaceuticals.
read more
The drug is not too common in the U.S. (although that is difficult to determine because the U.S. does not record statistics on khat usage). However, about 20 million people worldwide use khat for its stimulant-like and mind-altering properties.
read more
While the number of cases of synthetic marijuana are declining, this drug isn't any less dangerous. Synthetic marijuana is a volatile and unpredictable drug.
read more
In 2020, Oregon passed decriminalization legislation to reduce the harmful effects of the addiction-to-prison pipeline and the failed war on drugs. However, new data shows that the implementation of the state’s program fell short of properly incentivizing addicts to seek treatment. The result was a less effective plan than intended and addicts continuing to use drugs.
read more
Researchers at the University of New England found that the rate of opioid-related cardiac arrests has risen dramatically and is now on par with the rate of cardiac arrest from other causes. The research sheds light on yet another major health risk connected to opioid addiction, i.e., the risk for suffering a potentially fatal heart complication.
read more
While the entire world experienced a drop in human life expectancy in the last two years, the drop in the United States was much more pronounced than the global average, leading many experts to believe overdose deaths had an alarming effect on American mortality rates.
read more
Most of the focus regarding impaired driving goes to drunk driving. But what about drugged driving? What about marijuana-impaired driving?
read more
When someone finds out they have a family member or loved one addicted to alcohol, the priority must be getting that person into a treatment center. But where does one begin? What is alcohol rehab, and what modalities of treatment are available? This page defines alcohol rehab, summarizes the common forms of treatment, and answers frequently asked questions.
read more
America's problem with addiction may have slipped from the headlines but it is taking more lives than ever before. Selecting the correct level of care in a drug rehab program needed by each individual is an essential part of returning Americans to sobriety.
read more
Ojai and Ventura County suffer from the problem of addicted residents just like the rest of California. More effective drug rehab facilities are needed to help individuals in this area break free from dependence on the river of drugs traveling through the state.
read more