According to the 2008 national survey on drug use, reported by the Office of Applied Studies, an estimated 20 million Americans over the age of 12 engage in illicit drug use such as marijuana, cocaine and non-prescribed pharmaceuticals, in any...
Drug and alcohol abuse is a problem facing all ages, leading to serious physical and mental health problems. There is a fine line between abuse and addiction, and it is important to recognize the symptoms of abuse, in order to ask for help or...
Depression is a form of serious mental illness that affects children, teens and adults of all ages. According to teendepression.org, around 20 percent of teens will experience depression before the age of 21. A turning point and milestone in the...
Substance abuse can take its toll on the organs and the entire body. The liver and kidneys have to work hard to process toxins and filter the blood, which can lead to breakdown and disease. The brain can continually be impaired, which can lead to...
An occasional amount of anxiety is healthy and does not affect a person's behavior in a negative way; instead, it might provide the motivation needed to get a project done. The level in an anxiety disorder, however, is severe enough to disrupt...
You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you are recovering from an addiction, including drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions. Substance abuse, notes the World Health Organization, can lead to dependence syndrome -- a group of symptoms and...
Characteristics of substance abuse can be very vague or blatantly obvious. Not every person who uses a drug or substance will become addicted to it. It depends on the person. Knowing that person, watching his habits and observing the changes in...
Depression is a serious mood disorder that has a significant impact on the sufferer's health and well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 121 million people worldwide have depression; the organization adds that...
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that bipolar disorder affects about 5.7 million adults in the United States, with the average age of onset being 25. A patient with the disorder has mood shifts between mania and depression....
Dual diagnosis refers to people who are suffering from a mental illness as well as being a substance abuser. Drug Rehab reports that about half of people with a mental disorder use alcohol or drugs as well. Being dually diagnosed is essential to...
Anxiety symptoms can affect a person's mental, emotional and physical well-being. When anxiety levels reach a high point, the person's social, work or school life and relationships may begin to suffer. Below are some common signs of high levels of...
Many mental health professionals see depression as a chronic condition that necessitates long-term treatment, the Mayo Clinic reports. While some people may experience only one major episode of depression, often repeated episodes occur throughout...
According to the Mayo Clinic, a diagnosis of alcoholism or substance abuse must be made by a qualified medical professional. A doctor or psychologist will typically use a questionnaire or checklist that outlines many of the criteria and symptoms...
Depression is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans. Many people believe that depression is "all in your head" and that it can be controlled without the attention of a physician. However, depression is caused by a disruption of...
When adults withhold adequate food, water, medical care, shelter and life-saving necessities from children, it is called psychological child abuse, or neglect, according to the National Institutes of Health. Psychological child abuse takes other...
Dual diagnosis refers to co-existing problems of substance abuse and mental illness. According to Rebecca Woolis, author of "When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness," for most clients with severe psychiatric disabilities, any use of street...
The effects of teenage depression are real and can be detrimental. These effects can cause lasting physical and emotional problems, notes the Mayo Clinic. It is important to take depression in teens seriously and do what you can to prevent or stop...
Many children and teens who suffer from ADHD develop depression, reports MayoClinic.com. Adolescents with ADHD often become frustrated with themselves and their inability to control their symptoms, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and...
In psychology and mental health, the term "affect" (or "affective symptoms") refers to the mood, emotions or feelings displayed by the person experiencing the mental health disturbance. Variations in affect may range from intense displays of mood...
About 40 million adults age 18 and older have an anxiety disorder each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and...
Drug abuse is easily identified if you allow yourself to be aware of the individual’s behaviors. Many times, people in the drug abuser's life choose to remain in denial about the abuse until it becomes fully apparent. Drug abuse can control...
Although women are twice as more likely to be depressed, many men are diagnosed with depression---6 million, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Male patients experience the typical signs of depression, such as sadness, but also...
It is not uncommon for someone to suffer both from bipolar disorder as well as alcoholism. While can be difficult to determine which condition came first, the presence of both can further complicate the treatment plan. With proper diagnosis and...
Drug abuse takes a severe physical and mental toll on addicts, and its ripple effects spill over onto friends and family members. Being in a relationship with a drug abuser can be like a wild roller coaster ride. There are "ups" when times are...
Stress occurs occasionally for many people and leads to anxiety about certain situations. The anxiety often helps people deal with stressful conditions they are facing, but sometimes stress and anxiety can become overwhelming. Some causes of...
The difficult part of identifying drug use in a loved one or coworker is that so many signs can have other, more innocent causes. In teenagers, normal adolescent stress can create behavioral changes that might be mistaken for substance abuse. The...
Keeping an eye open for childhood drug consumption might help a parent stop their child from traveling down a dangerous path. Educate yourself on the signs of drug use. Snooping in your child's bedroom might seem dishonest, but uncovering drug use...
Someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder may cope with the feeling of anxiety by turning to alcohol, and someone who starts abusing alcohol might develop anxiety problems due to the drug use. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell which came...
Everyone struggles with getting to appointments and places on time, having meaningful relationships with their friends and family members and staying organized. It takes effort and healthy daily habits to reach these goals. For people with...
