When suffering from a medical health problem such as severe pain or a chronic illness, it is natural to visit a doctor for a remedy that can provide relief. While over-the-counter medications are available to help relieve pain, there are certain instances where they may not be effective. For severe pain, stronger painkillers are usually necessary, but these medications are only available on prescription due to the various risks they have. Prescription medications tend to carry the potential f...

Cocaine is a Class A drug that is extensively used for recreational purposes. It is often referred to as a party drug because of the way it makes users feel; it is a drug that induces feelings of confidence and euphoria. Those who take it tend to feel on top of the world and full of confidence, and they will be alert and want to party all night. However, the effects of cocaine do not tend to last for very long and because of this users are often tempted to take more of it to prolong the high....

Addiction is an illness of the brain. Unlike other illnesses that are spoken about honestly and openly, addiction tends to be one that is swept under the carpet or hushed up so that others do not find out. There is a huge amount of stigma attached to addiction, and most people will feel a sense of shame or embarrassment about being affected. It is usually only when they learn more about the illness and realise that it is not a lifestyle choice that they become more willing to accept their dia...

Most people have an opinion about sex addiction that has little to do with fact. There is a common misconception that sex addiction is a label that people give themselves to excuse their bad behaviour, but the reality is quite different. For some individuals, sex addiction can be enough to destroy their life and leave them suffering mental health problems. Those affected are often embarrassed about their condition and would rather pretend it didn’t exist than even consider the question of who ...

The issue of how to choose an alcohol treatment programme is one that many of those who have realised that their use of alcohol has reached a stage where they no longer have control face. It is also something that the family members of alcoholics think about before they tackle broaching the subject of addiction and treatment with their loved one. When it comes to treatment for alcohol addiction, there are many different options. Therefore, it can be a struggle to find the one that is right fo...

Many people ponder the question of who can bulimia affect, especially those who believe they might be at risk themselves even though in their eyes they do not meet the profile of a stereotypical bulimic. The truth is bulimia is not an illness that affects a specific type of person. You do not have to be a certain age and you do not have to be female to be affected by bulimia. To understand the question of who can bulimia affect, it is important to know a bit more about what the illness actual...

For most people, gambling is something to be enjoyed. It is a way of having fun on occasion and is never anything more serious than the odd bet on the horses or a football accumulator. For others, the extent of their gambling is to play a line or two on the lottery each week. However, there are those for whom gambling becomes a major problem.  It develops into an obsession that takes over their life. Every spare moment is spent either engaging in gambling or thinking about doing so. When you...

Many people wonder if depression is linked to substance abuse, but the answer is rather ambiguous in that the two often, but not always, go hand-in-hand. There are definitely those that suffer from mental health problems such as depression and who self-medicate with harmful substances like alcohol or drugs. Since these chemical substances can alter the way the mind functions, those struggling with feelings of depression might be tempted to use them to help them forget about their troubles. Bu...

Many people wonder why prescription drug abuse is so dangerous while others do not even know, or understand, what it is. The very idea that prescription drugs can be abused or are dangerous is hard for most to comprehend. After all, if a doctor prescribes medication to treat a legitimate medical condition, that medication must be safe, right? The reality is that while prescription medication is safe when taken exactly as prescribed and over a short period, there is no doubting the fact that s...

There are many reasons people take drugs. Some do so for recreational purposes while others do so in a bid to block out painful memories. No one ever takes drugs with the intention of becoming addicted to them, despite many people believing that drug addiction is a lifestyle choice. But while some individuals can take drugs without it becoming a problem, others will go on to develop a crippling addiction that threatens to destroy everything they hold dear. If you are interested in learning more ...