Addiction relapse rates vary considerably, depending on the person and the drug. A commonly cited statistic from The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that relapse rates are between 40 and 60 percent, while other estimates put the rate of alcohol and opioid relapse at closer to 90 percent in the first year. The…
Relapse rates after treatment can be very high. Depending on the drug, how long you’ve used it, and which studies you consult, the relapse rate might be as low as 40 percent to as high as 90 percent in the first year. What’s more, relapse is much more likely if you’re a man. One study…
Most people who develop substance use disorders have some kind of dual diagnosis. They don’t just have an addiction; they have an addiction and something else. That ‘something else’ might be an anxiety disorder, a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or schizophrenia. A very common dual diagnosis is addiction and depression. For most…
There’s a common belief that drugs and alcohol make you more creative. This is perhaps understandable, since many of the great writers, artists, and musicians have used drugs and alcohol, too often to the point of addiction and self-destruction. Also, drugs and alcohol make people feel more creative. However, studies have shown feeling more creative…
Safe injection sites, or supervised injection sites, are a harm reduction strategy that’s gaining attention in many US cities. Right now there are at least 100 safe injection sites worldwide. Most of those are in Europe, Canada, and Australia. The idea of safe injection sites and other harm reduction strategies is to minimize the damage…
Over the past 60 years or so, marijuana has been associated with creativity. Writers, artists, comedians, and musicians have been known to use it regularly. Marijuana is especially associated with the counterculture of the 1960s and all the new art, ideas, and music that emerged from it. Many people feel like marijuana is essential to…
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. They are typically prescribed to treat acute anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia related to stressful events. They work well when used for very short periods. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines are also extremely addictive. Even two weeks of regular use can lead…
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects about two million Americans. It’s best known symptoms are auditory and visual hallucinations, but other symptoms include delusional thinking, disordered or incoherent thinking or speech, social withdrawal, or diminished affect in speech or facial expressions. Although most people know something about schizophrenia, many people misunderstand the condition, leading…
More than half of people with substance use disorders also have a mental health issue. Common dual diagnoses include depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. Many people with these disorders will try to mask the symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This works temporarily, but in the long run,…
Anyone who has spent too much time on social media knows what it’s like to come away feeling anxious, irritable, despondent, or angry. Interacting with friends, acquaintances, and strangers online can provoke emotions ranging from envy to outrage. Many people often lament that social media platforms have replaced meaningful social interaction with superficial sharing, which…
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