How to Tell If Someone Is An Alcoholic
The trembling hands at 7 AM tell a story. So do the perfectly maintained professional appearances, the carefully hidden bottles, and the masterfully crafted excuses. Learning how to tell if someone is an alcoholic means looking past the surface, where addiction often lurks behind success, charm, and seemingly normal behavior. Every year, millions of Americans walk this precarious line [...]
Can You Force Someone to Go to Rehab? A Guide for Concerned Families
The phone rings at 3 AM. Your loved one is in trouble again, and you're out of options. Addiction has transformed someone you cherish into someone you barely recognize, leaving you with an impossible choice: respect their autonomy or take drastic action to save their life. While forced rehabilitation exists as a legal option in 37 states, it's a [...]
How Long Will Suboxone Block Opiates?
When it comes to breaking free from opioid dependence, timing is a huge part of the equation (but certainly not all of it!). A 170-pound male might experience full blocking effects for 60 hours, while others may need dose adjustments within 36 hours. Understanding this variance can help you match the medication's rhythm to your body's needs. Many patients [...]
Breaking Down the Chase the Dragon Meaning
"Chasing the dragon" emerged from 1950s Hong Kong's opium dens, but today it marks a deadlier pursuit. For those wondering, “what does it mean to chase the dragon?,” the ritual involves heating heroin or fentanyl on aluminum foil, creating toxic vapor trails that users desperately follow with makeshift straws. The name itself reveals a dark truth: like the mythical [...]
A Complete Guide to Halcion vs Valium: Effects and Uses
Choosing the right medication can feel overwhelming, especially with options like Halcion and Valium on the table. Both are benzodiazepines, but they serve different purposes and come with unique effects. Halcion, primarily used for short-term insomnia, acts quickly, but its effects can fade just as fast. Valium, on the other hand, is a versatile option for anxiety, muscle spasms, [...]
Is Zoloft Addictive? Myths vs. Medical Facts
The conversation around mental health medications is often clouded by misconceptions, particularly when it comes to addiction. Zoloft, a widely prescribed antidepressant, can many times be at the center of this debate. With an estimation of over 8 million people in the US taking it (based on a 2022 study), understanding its safety profile (as well as the signs [...]
Does Cocaine Have a Smell? Recognizing the Signs of Drug Use
For parents, friends, and community members, being able to spot the signs of drug use can make all the difference. One often-overlooked clue? The smell. Yes, cocaine carries a distinctive chemical odor that can serve as an early warning signal. But recognizing this smell is just the tip of the iceberg. In this article, we’ll break down the unique [...]
Involuntary Rehab: What Families Need to Know About Court-Ordered Treatment
The moment you realize your loved one needs more help than they're willing to accept is heart-wrenching. So when voluntary treatment attempts have failed and the situation becomes dire, court-ordered rehabilitation might be the lifeline your family needs to have more hope for your loved one struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. Involuntary rehab, often referred to as involuntary [...]
How to Talk To Your Kids About Drugs
Talking to your kids about drugs can be a hard conversation. Whatever age your child is, it is never too early to start the conversation. Here are some steps/tips on getting the conversation started and flowing. Keep the lines of communication open for you and your child: having an honest conversation is one of the most powerful ways of connecting [...]
Addiction Relapse Driven By Drug-Seeking Habit
Addiction Relapse Driven By Drug-Seeking Habit,Not Just Drug Published in 'Biological Psychiatry' journal PHILADELPHIA (12/17/2021) – Why are some individuals able to use recreational drugs in a controlled way, whereas others switch to the compulsive, relapsing drug-seeking and -taking habits that characterize substance use disorder (SUD)? Despite more than six decades of extensive research, the question remains unanswered, hampering [...]