Mental Health & Addiction Resources

Individuals with clinically significant mood disorders such as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are at risk of alcohol abuse and dependence. Periodic and problematic alcohol use such as binge drinking and alcoholism can sometimes be an indication of an underlying mood disorder.Some peopl...

The question, “Is alcoholism hereditary?” is asked frequently. The links between alcoholism, genetics and family history are complex. Research has yielded strong evidence pointing to a familial connection. Youth who start drinking before age 15 are six times more likely to develop alcohol depend...

Alcoholism can be misleading. Perhaps your spouse drinks excessively, but you don’t think he is an alcoholic. After all, he is responsible, takes great care of the family, is loving and more than competent at his job. Society in general would not consider this type of person to be an alcoholic due...

Cocaine is a highly stimulating drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant, which grows both naturally and under human cultivation in various highland areas of South America. An illicit and extremely addictive drug, the two chemical forms of cocaine that people abuse are a water-soluble hydrochl...

Methamphetamine (meth, crystal, chalk and ice) is an extremely addictive stimulant drug with chemical properties similar to amphetamine. Anyone who uses meth runs a high risk of becoming dependent on it. A white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder, meth is taken orally, smoked, snorted or d...

Every addict in recovery must endure two stages of withdrawal before they can truly move beyond dependency on drugs or alcohol. The acute stage begins as soon as an addict stops using and continues for several weeks thereafter. During this time, physical cravings will be intense and persistent becau...

A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from cultural and societal expectations, causes distress or problems functioning and lasts for a duration of time.1 While every individual experiences symptoms a little differently, people with personality disorders typi...

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that alters the body’s ability to respond to stress and is associated with a wide range of debilitating symptoms. Studies demonstrate biological and psychosocial differences contribute to the risk of developing PTSD. PTSD is characterize...

How do you know if inpatient or outpatient rehab is right for you? Choose your recovery journey and find out more details on your options here.

By Sara Schapmann
The decision to get addiction treatment can be life-changing, but it can also be fraught with anxiety over what to expect. Alianna Low and Dina Garcia have experience on the front lines of rehab drug treatment admissions, having taken those often desperate ...

For individuals recovering from alcohol abuse, managing alcohol cravings can be a daily struggle. Here are seven strategies to help prevent relapse. Experts recommend recognizing triggers, avoiding high-risk situations, communicating effectively, building a support network, eating a nutritious diet,...

The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists four stages of rehab: treatment initiation, early abstinence, maintaining abstinence and advanced recovery. These apply specifically to cocaine, although the same basic principles apply to all substance abuse.¹When you complete rehab for subs...

Behavioral science experts believe any source capable of stimulating an individual has the potential to become addictive. Behavioral or process addictions involve an individual repeatedly engaging in a normally harmless, non-substance-related pleasurable activity and subsequently undergoing lasting ...

You have made the brave decision to do something proactive about your substance abuse, or perhaps you are supporting a loved one’s decision to do so. The unknown can be scary, so to help ease these concerns, we have compiled a list of commonly asked rehab questions such as, “What to bring to reh...