Psychoactive substances run the gamut from benign to extremely life-threatening. In 2016, more than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdose. However, there are many more deaths, injuries, and health problems that are influenced by substance use. Taking into account physical, psychological, and social problems caused by drugs, alcohol has been proven to be the most…
Alcoholism is a destructive disease that entirely overtakes one’s mental, physical, and spiritual health. It reaches a point where a person is entirely unable to stop drinking despite any negative consequences they may face. It is difficult to determine at what point a person’s drinking crosses the threshold into alcoholism, but there are a variety…
Newcomers to the rooms of 12-step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous may hear the word “member” and think that there is some sort of process required to officially join. Fortunately, this is not the case. There are no dues, fees, secret handshakes, or passwords to become a member of a 12-step recovery group. All you…
Alcohol abuse seems, at first glance, to be less harmful than other drugs. After all, it is legal and most people can indulge without major consequences. When alcohol use turns into alcoholism, however, the damaging effects it causes to the body can be tremendous. Alcohol can lead to immediate death from alcohol poisoning, but more…
Society has led millions to believe alcohol is not a drug. Its legality tends to give false belief that it’s fun and everyone should enjoy the benefits. Yet, 17.6 million people suffer from alcoholism in the United States at any given time. A few more million also engage in risky and self-destructive binge drinking…
There is something inherently self-harming about addiction. Despite the ongoing pain our drugs of choice cause us, the drastic effects it has in different areas of our lives, we continue to use them. The pleasure we get out of our favorite drugs of choice and alcohol outweigh any of the negative consequences, until they…