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 […]…
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 […]…
New Study Reveals Certain Personality Traits May Lead to Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that is characterized by psychotic symptoms and greatly affects how an individual feels, thinks, behaves and perceives reality. Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) and delusions (false beliefs) are the hallmarks of this disorder. Unfortunately, like many other mental health disorders, there is a severe stigma associated with schizophrenia. […]…
World Bipolar Day March 30th
World Bipolar Day March 30th “The vision of World Bipolar Day is to bring world awareness to bipolar disorders and to eliminate social stigma. World Bipolar Day (WBD) – an initiative of the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD), the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) – will be […]…
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 […]…
The Deadly Effects of Quitting Alcohol
Approximately 16 million people in the United States have an alcohol use disorder, defined by the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as “compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using.” Many individuals believe that alcohol abuse is dangerous because of the long-term effects on […]…
Understanding Mental Health Through Literature
Whether you are fighting a continuous battle with drugs and alcohol, currently receiving treatment for an eating disorder or struggling with daily anxiety it is common to feel like you are the only one struggling with a difficult disease. Personal accounts written by fellow survivors can be a great way to find comfort, learn about […]…
National Drug and Alcohol Week
National Drug and Alcohol Week is an awareness week that was started by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2010 to raise awareness for teenagers about the myths and dangers of alcohol and drugs. This campaign focuses on using science to educate young minds how drugs and alcohol affect both the mind and […]…