Helpful Articles

Throughout college, Bill and his friends partied together, abused illicit substances together, and even suffered from some of the same negative outcomes caused by their use and abuse together. But there was one thing that separated him from the group: While his friends grew up and learned from their mistakes, Bill fell more...

Every year on Christmas Eve, good old Saint Nick delivers hundreds of millions of presents to children all around the world. That is quite a task to complete in just one day, and yet this rotund, jolly fellow somehow manages to get the job done each and every time. (more…) more...

Habitual users of the stimulant drug cocaine can experience a number of brain changes that decrease their ability to do such things as form memories, think logically and use language. Doctors can use tests called screening tools or screening procedures to detect the presence of these and other changes in brain function more...

Relapsing is a part of addiction. It is unavoidable for nearly every addict. An occasional setback is to be expected and should not make you feel like a failure or that you have sunk back to the bottom. You can get past a relapse and move on. When relapses get really frustrating is when they keep happening over and ove more...

Research shows that as many as half of all psychiatric patients also struggle with addiction, but less than 1 in 10 eligible patients receives treatment. Substance abuse and mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders are challenging to treat individually, but when a more...

Some days it seems like it doesn’t pay to get out of bed. You may have a series of small things go wrong, leaving you on edge. The car won’t start, your boss seems to have it in for you and you got in a fight with your significant other. You may find yourself reacting to little things—like several days of bad wea more...

Over 30 percent of American adolescents enjoy drinking beverages labeled as energy drinks. The high octane, high sugar drinks may also be an indicator of other likes, including alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. The study by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research was based on data from the annual M more...

A boy with a genetic predisposition for depression succumbs to the “black fog” and alcoholism before finding help in a dual-diagnosis recovery program. Before Cass was 10, he was a quiet boy and only sometimes sad. His father traveled a lot and his mother suffered long periods of depression that kept her in bed. B more...

The epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths in the U.S. is bringing legislators together from across the aisle. No matter the political leaning, all can agree that drug abuse and addiction are serious issues and that something needs to be done. Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Republican Rob Por more...

Like most crack addicts, Anthony Richards has experienced his share of hopelessness and despair. Fourteen years ago, he believed his life had been destroyed. But thanks to an organization called Teen Challenge Jamaica, Richards was able to turn things around, and today he is the executive director of the organization t more...