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 ...

The impact that alcohol addiction can have on the affected individual is immense, but the damage this illness causes does not stop with the drinker. In fact, many other people are affected by alcohol addiction including the family members and friends of the person with the issue. Moving on from that, entire communities and society in general also suffer. Read on to find out more about how alcohol addiction impacts society and what could be done about it. The Impact of Alcohol Addiction on Socie...

Overcoming an addiction to alcohol is never easy, but the hardest part is coming to terms with the fact that the addiction exists in the first place. Many people struggle to accept that they have allowed their use of alcohol to impact on their everyday lives. They prefer to pretend that nothing is amiss rather than face up to the fact that they may actually need treatment in an inpatient facility. But what is inpatient alcohol rehab like, and who needs it? Do You Have an Alcohol Problem? If yo...

There is a very strong link between drug addiction and crime, but it is not a crime to be a drug addict, despite what many people believe. The issue of why drug addiction is a crime is one that many individuals question, but there are those who firmly believe that drug addiction is a health issue and not a criminal one and that it should be treated as such. Having said that, there are so many misconceptions surrounding the issue of addiction, and particularly drug addiction. The fact that man...

How does alcohol treatment work? To understand this, it is important to learn more about how addiction works. If you are addicted to alcohol, then you should understand why you became addicted and how this substance affects your brain. This will make it easier when it comes to understanding how alcohol treatment works. How Does Alcohol Addiction Develop? It is hard for many people to cope with the realisation that they are addicted to any type of mood-altering chemical. This is particularly so...

Mood-altering substances such as alcohol and drugs are commonly used among young people; when it comes to illegal drugs, cannabis tends to be one of the more popular choices. Although cannabis is officially classed as an illegal drug, many individuals see it in the same light as alcohol and do not believe it to be harmful. This has a lot to do with the fact that cannabis grows naturally. There are even those who believe that cannabis addiction is not a real problem. However, just as alcohol can ...

The question of why does alcohol addiction occur is one that is often asked not only by those affected with the illness but also by their family members and friends. Wondering why some people develop this illness while others do not can consume the mind. The reality is that experts have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of addiction. What they do know though is that there are many factors that can increase the risk of someone developing it. If you have been pondering the question why ...