Reading Time: 3 Minutes Many individuals often interchangeably use the terms “dependency and substance use disorder.” Although these terms share some commonalities, they are not the same and should always be differentiated, especially in the treatment setting. Defining substance abuse Substance use disorder is the formal medical term for addiction. It is defined as the compulsive misuse of a […]
substance abuse disorders
More Zoom Parties, More Alcohol Consumption: Substance Abuse Rise During COVID-19
Reading Time: 3 Minutes In late March, Newsweek reported that alcohol sales had spiked 55%. Compared with the same dates in 2019, hard liquor sales increased 75%, beer 66%, and wine 42%. People are out of work, staying home, and since bars and restaurants were closed for ten weeks, alcohol sales in stores skyrocketed. A plethora of alcohol at […]
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
Reading Time: 3 Minutes October is known as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month since 2011. It is time to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in individual lives and the community. It is also a month dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives to substance abuse and recognizing those in recovery and children, parents, and loved […]
A Parallel Between Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse
Reading Time: 3 Minutes National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAwareness Week) is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope, support, and visibility to individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDAwareness Week 2022 will take place during the week of February 21 – February 27, 2022. Studies suggest that […]
Substance Misuse vs. Substance Abuse
Reading Time: 4 Minutes Individuals often interchangeably misuse the terms “substance misuse and substance abuse” and although these terms are related on a spectrum, there are stark differences between them. Substance misuse often refers to prescription medication but also can refer to alcohol and other drugs such as marijuana. Substance misuse is defined as taking a drug for […]
Tik Tok and Substance Abuse Recovery
Reading Time: 4 Minutes Popular hashtags like #walkingsober, #sober, #mentalhealthawareness, #werecover, and #soberlife have taken to the airwaves of TikTok en mass, and in the process are destigmatizing addiction and celebrating recovery. Individuals have been sharing their stories of recovery, celebrating milestones, and supporting others on the path to addiction recovery through Tik Tok. What is Tik Tok? […]
Substance Use Disorder vs. Dependency: What’s the Difference?
Reading Time: 3 Minutes Many individuals often interchangeably use the terms “dependency and substance use disorder.” Although these terms share some commonalities, they are not the same and should always be differentiated, especially in the treatment setting. Defining substance abuse Substance use disorder is the formal medical term for addiction. It is defined as the compulsive misuse of a […]
Vivitrol in Substance Abuse Treatment
Reading Time: 4 Minutes Vivitrol is the brand name for Naltrexone-extended release, an injectable treatment for alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder. Naltrexone, the main ingredient in Vivitrol, is an opioid antagonist. It binds to the opioid receptors (pockets) in the brain. Once bound to the receptor, it prevents opioids such as heroin or morphine from binding to […]
Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Reading Time: 2 Minutes Substance abuse in the workplace affects both employers and employees with drastic risks to safety, productivity, and reputations. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) estimates companies lose $100 billion a year due to alcohol and drug-related incidents. Take a closer look 8% of the American adult and adolescent population is affected by […]
Substance Abuse is a Family Disease: How Does Substance Abuse Impact the Children?
Reading Time: 4 Minutes Substance Abuse is a Family Disease: How Does Substance Abuse Impact the Children? One of the biggest misconceptions about substance abuse is that it only affects and hurts the person who is drinking or taking drugs. The fact is, the immediate family — predominately the spouse and children — is usually affected most. Substance Abuse […]