The term ‘depression’ is often bandied about by those who are feeling down or are in a bad mood, but it is actually a mental health problem that can severely affect the life of those who suffer from it. It is perfectly normal to feel down or sad from time to time, but when those feelings of sadness or low self-esteem continue for extended periods they can begin to interfere with daily life, which can have a severe impact on the affected person’s ability to be happy. Those who often ask the...

Ecstasy, like many other illegal drugs, can lead to addiction in some people. There are many users who will never develop an addiction to this party drug, but for others, it can totally ruin their life. And even those who do not go on to develop an addiction to ecstasy, the drug could be putting their life at risk every time they use it. So, what is ecstasy addiction and how does it develop? What Is Ecstasy? It is important to know a bit more about ecstasy before tackling the subject of addict...

With so much stigma attached to drug addiction, most people believe that it is an affliction rather than an illness. Even though addiction is a recognised illness of the brain, it is viewed by most in a bad light. Negative stereotyping has helped to forge opinions and many believe that those affected by addiction are ‘bad’ or ‘weak’ individuals. This is not the case. So, who is affected by drug addiction and what are the negative consequences of this illness? Why Do Some Individuals Dev...

The first step on the road to recovery is deciding to get clean; for most people, this is not an easy decision. For those who have been abusing alcohol for a long time, it will be necessary to complete an alcohol detox before any other treatment can begin. It is vital to get the chemicals out of the body before the process of rehabilitation can start; this can be challenging for many affected individuals. If you are ready to turn your back on alcohol for good, you are probably wondering what is ...

There are many people in society who see alcoholism as a moral failing or a consequence of bad behaviour when it is, in fact, an illness of the brain. Some refer to addictions such as alcoholism as a disease because of the negative impact it has on the lives of those affected. The idea of alcoholism being referred to as a disease may go against the grain for some people who would prefer it to be known as an illness. One thing is certain though; alcohol addiction can destroy the lives of those di...

It is common for some people to assume that everyone who uses illegal drugs such as cocaine are automatically going to go on to develop an addiction, but this is not always the case. It is true that cocaine is a highly addictive substance but there are some individuals who manage to use it recreationally without ever becoming dependent on it. So what causes cocaine addiction and who is affected? It is important to remember that anyone can be affected by addiction. No matter what gender, age, ...

Although classed as an illness of the brain, drug addiction is very often viewed in a poor light. Negative stereotyping of this illness and of those affected usually prevents most people from seeing it for what it actually is. It is not uncommon for those affected by drug addiction to be judged or discriminated against, with many believing that they are weak or bad because they have an addiction. But why is drug addiction called a disease? Is Drug Addiction a Disease? The word disease also bri...

Cornwall’s Andy Kent of Perranporth is a fifty-year-old RAF veteran who recently spoke out about his battle with depression, drugs, and alcohol addiction. He has been sober now for five years and has recently completed a degree in psychology. It has not been easy, but it was a necessary battle. He is now helping other veterans adjust to life after the forces and helps those who face the same challenges as he does. How Did His Addiction Issues Come About? Andy sets the scene by explaining, â€...

Benzodiazepine addiction is on the increase, especially among youth. Recently, twenty teenagers from Wiltshire required emergency medical treatment after taking Xanax for recreational purposes. Xanax is a tranquiliser designed to relieve tension and anxiety in users. Its active ingredient is a benzodiazepine called alprazolam, and it is potentially highly addictive. Xanax is only available on private prescription from a medical professional, and the NHS does not offer it as a treatment option...

With technology being such an integral part of modern life, it is no wonder that internet addiction has become a growing concern. We spend more and more time surfing the net, clicking on sites, shopping, gambling as well as gaming online, and our lives are starting to suffer the consequences of this kind of lifestyle. What Is Internet Addiction? Before we can look at what an internet addiction is, we need to define what exactly addiction is. Addiction can be defined as not having control over ...