Feels So Good...Hurts so Bad: Risk Factors Related to Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is an engrained part of our society. Fifty-two percent of Americans drink, many responsibly without threatening their health or relationships. In Europe, where the use of alcohol is part of the ritual of life it is uncommon to see adults dri...
Feels So Good...Hurts so Bad: Put Down That Cigarette: Difficulties and Rewards
Two genetic indicators may influence whether or not people are successful in their attempts to quit smoking: dopamine and serotonin transporters. Because the process of withdrawal is difficult, counselors often recommend that patients try the patch ...
Feels So Good...Hurts so Bad: Support of Twelve-step Programs, The
Twelve-step programs such as the support offered by Alcoholics Anonymous is based on the idea that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no cure. The alcoholic takes responsibility for the things they did when they were drinking, makes amends f...
Feels So Good...Hurts so Bad: Smoking: A Chronic Relapsing Disease
Addiction is a chronic relapsing disease. People who try to quit smoking may fail 7 to 10 times before succeeding. People contend it is more difficult to stop than heroin or cocaine use, perhaps because of the biology of nicotine addiction or simply...
Web of Addiction: Commonly Used Drugs
Besides alcohol and tobacco, both legal drugs, there is a wide variety of compounds that are addictive, from hard drugs like heroin and cocaine to therapeutic drugs like sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquilizers. Drugs such as marijuana and caffeine a...
Web of Addiction: Breaking the Hold of Drug Dependence
When people are addicted to drugs like alcohol or heroin their brain is saying, "Danger, don't stop this drug!" It takes a lot of help to kick the habit because of the pain of withdrawal. Some programs use substitute drugs, such as methadone for her...
Web of Addiction: Destructive Effects of Cocaine, The
Cocaine is a reinforcing stimulant drug that is extremely addictive. Users are not satisfied with the same dose day after day; they must have more. The rapid high associated with cocaine can cause disturbances in heart rhythm, heart attacks and stro...
Web of Addiction: Victims of Drug Addiction, The
The use of illicit drugs is increasing in many parts of the world along with the social and health problems related to it. Drug use is as familiar to suburbia and the corridors of big business as it is on the streets. Addictive behaviors tend to be ...
Web of Addiction: Sedating with Heroin
Heroin use is on the rise, in part because of the increased purity of the drug and a decrease in price. Exposure to heroin is the opposite of cocaine. It produces a subjective dream euphoria, a kind of sedation that lasts an hour or so. If heroin is...
Web of Addiction: Behavior Therapy and the Withdrawal from Drugs
Medications used in addiction treatment are almost always used in conjunction with psychosocial therapy that teaches people what triggers their addiction. People discover that they do have a choice, and that by learning different routines and how to...