People who build up a tolerance to a drug develop drug dependence. They face the difficulty of going through withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopping use of the drug. Drug dependence can result from abuse of illicit drugs or prescription...
There are a wide variety of treatment approaches for alcohol and drug dependence, each of which can be effective for different people. People looking for a program for substance abuse should find a treatment center that offers an approach best...
The primary differences between drug abuse and drug dependence revolve around withdrawal and tolerance. Other distinctions exist as well. Most drug assessments such as the CAGE and the AA 20 assess whether someone has a problem with drugs or...
Drugs to treat alcohol dependence aim at keeping recovering alcoholics sober following detoxification. Sedatives and other medications may be used while an alcoholic goes through withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, confusion or hallucinations....
Drug addiction is a complex neurobiological disease that leads to profound drug cravings and abnormal behavior. Drug addicts typically suffer from several effects of their disease: loss of employment, financial difficulties and the loss of healthy...
Drug abuse harms your body in two ways: the drug's effect on the body itself and the bad eating habits and poor diet that accompany the lifestyle. People with alcohol or drug dependency who don't eat adequately are at risk for undernutrition....
In the past, heroin and other opiate addictions were generally treated like a disease of the brain rather than a complex behavioral and psychological condition. Fresh directions in treating opiate addiction in holistic drug rehabilitation centers...
Drug abuse is an increasingly common problem in the United States that affects up to 8 percent of Americans. According to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, drug abuse is a "maladaptive pattern of...
Chemical dependency entails a counterproductive pattern of of substance use which causes significant impairment or distress. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders clarifies that to diagnose chemical dependence, additional signs...
Chemical dependency is indiscriminant. It can strike the suburban mother-of-four just as viciously as the low-income mother spending rent money on illicit drugs. The drug of choice doesn't matter, nor does the socioeconomic position of the user....
Substance dependency during adolescence can have devastating effects on a teenager's life and future development. Effects vary depending on the specific drug used, the severity of the addiction, the potential legal ramifications and the individual...
The National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health reported that 5.3 million Americans 12 or older abused cocaine at some point in 2008. Cocaine produces an immediate pleasurable effect that makes the user energized for a brief time. Cocaine causes a...
Fentanyl is a potent and potentially dangerous synthetic opiod. When used in the transdermal patch form, it is applied to the skin where it releases fentanyl into body fats and then into the blood stream. Fentanyl patches are for patients...
Opiates, pain-reducing medications, can chemically induce the sensations of euphoria, decrease anxiety, reduce tension and relax the body and mind. Chronic use or abuse of these drugs can cause physical dependence, addiction and tolerance. Opiate...
According to the Mayo Clinic, addiction is a drug dependency to street drugs or medications. They maintain, "Drug addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences including problems with physical and mental health, relationships, employment and...
Adderall is the commercial name for a medicine that combines two active drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It stimulates the central nervous system by acting on chemicals in the brain and nerve cells linked to hyperactivity and impulse...
Ambien CR is an extended-release version of the sedative-hypnotic drug, zolpidem tartrate. Prescribed for short-term sleep disorders such as insomnia, zolpidem corrects the underlying chemical imbalance and allows the brain to relax and rest....
Opioids, such as morphine and heroin, are addictive drugs that bind to brain receptors and give you a feeling of euphoria. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that acts on the same brain receptors and helps addicts break their drug dependency....
Drug addiction is typically managed as a chronic illness, which means that it requires lifelong treatment. Although the effects and risks of stimulants, opiates, depressants and hallucinogens are different, the overall approaches for treating...
Soma, a prescription muscle relaxer, treats musculo-skeletal pain. Your doctor may prescribe Soma for sprains, strains or muscle spasms. Known by the generic name carisoprodol, Soma works by centrally acting on the nerves. It's possible that Soma...
Ritalin, the brand name for methylphenidate hydrochloride, is a prescription drug used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. This medication is a central nervous system stimulant, which consequently is effective in...
Carisoprodol, which is the generic name for Soma, is a prescription muscle relaxer used to treat pain usually associated with the muscle discomfort from strains, sprains or other injuries. However, your doctor may prescribe this medication for...
Adderall is a prescription drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. It works on the central nervous system to control impulse and hyperactivity. Adderall is not a suitable treatment for everyone with ADHD. For example, you...
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are man-made variants of the male sex hormone testosterone. The word anabolic is used to define muscle-building, while androgenic is a term that...
Perhaps the most critical factor about cigarette smoking is the likelihood of addiction. Becoming addicted to nicotine causes smoking to overshadow the other priorities in life. The urge to smoke can supersede everything from the threat of health...
Addiction recovery requires patience, inner-strength and community support. In the medical community, spiritually-oriented group therapy and one-on-one psychiatric intervention represent two classic "roads to recovery" from drug dependency. While...
In recent years, prescription drug addiction has been on the rise. Vicodin is a prescription pain-reliever that is frequently abused. As with any opiate, Vicodin can become addictive over a relatively short period of time. If you suddenly stop...
Zopiclone is a short-term treatment for insomnia. It is a hypnotic drug designed to help a person fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer, notes Patient UK. Zopiclone is usually taken for 7 to 10 days; it should never be taken for more...
Senna is an herb whose leaves and fruit are commonly used to make medicine or herbal remedies. Medications made from the senna fruit are usually less toxic than ones made from the senna leaves, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National...
Often, those who have ADHD have drug dependency problems. Learn tips for coping with ADHD and other habits in this free video clip from a medical professional.
Medical shock is a serious circulatory condition not to be confused with emotional shock or surprise. Learn more about shock health in this health video.
Ankle sprains are extremely painful and can take a long time to heal. Get expert tips and advice on medical treatments in this video.
