So, what’s the buzz on benzodiazepines, one of the most commonly prescribed types of sedatives in the United States? Benzodiazepines, or benzos, work by influencing specific brain receptors, desensitizing them to make them less aware of stimuli. The intended outcome...
Many remain unaware that addiction is a physical disease. They assume that addiction occurs from a lack of self-control or willingness to remain abstinent, but the truth is that addiction changes the way our bodies function. In particular, it affects the brain and the...
Many people struggling with addiction suffer from an array of health problems. Among them may be endocarditis, a cardiac disease that typically affects those with heart defects, heart valve damage, or a history of IV drug use. Let’s take a deeper look into...
You Are Not Alone Discovering that a family member has a substance use disorder can come as a shock. You may feel helpless. You may ask yourself: How can this have happened in my home, under my watch? You are not alone in your feelings or your questions. Drug and...
There are so many issues that go along with addiction that few people stop to consider that sexual dysfunction can be a side effect of the disease as well. Many addictive drugs can impair a person’s sex drive or sexual functioning. A person living with an addiction...
When talking about addiction, the words tolerance and dependence also get used often. Some people use these terms interchangeably, thinking they are the same. This isn’t the case. Knowing the difference between tolerance, dependence, and addiction could save your life...
