Facts & Stats Behind Xanax

Xanax, formally know as alprazolam, is a short-acting benzodiazepine, that is used to treat anxiety disorders including panic disorder. It is also used to help wean individuals from alcohol dependence in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal, which can lead to seizures. Benzodiazepines are also known for their strong addiction potential and have resulted in approximately […]…

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

A mental health disorder or a substance abuse disorder usually does not exist in an isolated vacuum. This means that it is quite common for these disorders to co-exist, a term known as dual diagnosis. It is often difficult to differentiate which disorder initiated first and if there was a direct cause and effect however […]…

What are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Updated 4/16/25 Substance abuse and addiction can mask a mental illness and vice versa. Many patients admit to an addiction treatment program only to find out that they are also struggling with a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety. This depression or anxiety could have developed to cope with the addiction, or the […]…

Working in the Food Industry with an Addiction

Whether it is chopping fresh vegetables, picking out raw meat, preparing a delicate chocolate dessert or serving a patron a delicious meal or a delicious drink, working in the food industry requires constant exposure to food and can potentially lead you to have an obsession with food and the development of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Immersing […]…

The Rising Cost of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the United States

The United States spends approximately $113 billion dollars per year on mental health care and $600 billion dollars per year on substance abuse. These figures not only include the cost of treatment but also account for lost wages, legal fees, the cost of imprisonment, prevention services, and the cost of medical complications resulting from these […]…

Oxytocin as Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

“Scientists at Scripps Research and National Institute on Drug Abuse discovered that oxytocin could block the desire to consume more alcohol in rat models. They believe that the hormone could be an effective pharmaceutical approach in treating alcohol dependence”. What is oxytocin? Oxytocin is widely known as the “bonding hormone” for its effects of love […]…

Street Names for Commonly Abused Drugs

Drug abuse has plagued the American continent since the 1800s when morphine, heroin, and cocaine were hailed for their amazing curative properties. In the 1960s many new and exotic drugs, such as hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and marijuana, became readily available and the street drug trend became a booming industry. The world of addiction is changing […]…

Closely Connected: Borderline Personality Disorder and Addiction

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and severe mental illness that is characterized by poor interpersonal relationships, mood instability, and unstable self-image and behavior. Personality disorders usually begin early in childhood or the teenage years and are often ingrained in early adulthood. Borderline personality disorder is the most prevalent and the most serious out […]…

A Broad Perspective of Hallucinogen Abuse

Hallucinogens are a class of drugs used to enhance or alter mood, perceptions, and emotions. They have a rich cultural history and have been used by the Hindu and Aztec culture for centuries to heighten religious or mystical experiences. Well-known hallucinogens include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), salvia, peyote, phencyclidine (PCP), and psilocybin (mushrooms). Ketamine can […]…

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) is held in March each year and is a national health awareness week that offers teenagers and young adults clinically researched facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction. This is also a national health observance to “Shatter The Myths” about drugs. The following are facts about alcohol and drug […]…