When people think of addictive substances, they often think of “hard” drugs like heroin, cocaine, or meth. However, nicotine, a substance found in tobacco products, is highly addictive – both physically and mentally. It changes the way the brain functions and feels. Once your body adapts to having nicotine in its system, withdrawal symptoms occur, […]
In my first week out of rehab, I met my first AA sponsor at a local meeting. I did not know who she was, and I had never heard her speak before. She approached me after a meeting, started a conversation, and offered to be my sponsor. Although I did not know anything about this
Before the rise of discrete e-cigarette devices, students had to sneak out of class and slip outside to smoke cigarettes without getting caught. Still, the pungent smell of cigarettes made smoking difficult to hide. Today, teen vaping has replaced teen smoking, and teens have moved from using nicotine in the bathroom or outdoors into their
How Teen Vaping is Affecting Teachers and The Classroom Read More »
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.” The above message is a simple directive: find a balance somewhere in between abstaining and bingeing. Practicing moderation, on the other hand, is a difficult process that is often not clearly-defined. As I look through the lens of addiction and compare moderation with abstinence, I see mostly gray area. For
Marijuana is one of the most abused substances in the United States. In 2018 alone, more than 11.8 million young adults reported using marijuana within the last year.[1] While many states have legalized marijuana for medical and even recreational use, it is still illegal on the federal level. Cannabis products contain two psychoactive compounds: tetrahydrocannabinol
Delta-8 THC Use is on The Rise, But What is Delta-8 and is it Safe? Read More »
Singer Demi Lovato has had a long struggle with addiction, mental health, and an eating disorder. Demi has also been very vocal about showing support for those in recovery and advocating for those affected by mental health. After facing a near-fatal heroin/fentanyl overdose in 2018, Demi Lovato eventually turned to an approach that involves drinking
California Sober: The Latest Recovery Trend or a Dangerous Path to Follow Read More »
In February 2021, Dr. Laura Berman, relationship expert and TV host, began speaking out and publicly grieving her 16-year-old son’s tragic, overdose death. Sammy, Dr. Berman’s deceased son, overdosed in his bedroom after purchasing Fentanyl-laced Xanax from a dealer via Snapchat.[1] Unfortunately, Sammy is not the only teenager this has happened to. In the past,
More Teens Are Buying Drugs on Social Media – Here’s What You Need to Know Read More »
Have you ever struggled with how to communicate with people you suspect may be abusing substances? Wondering about someone’s involvement with substance abuse is one thing; confronting them about it presents an entirely different conundrum. Red Flags There are certain signs that are observable in someone who is abusing substances. Let’s take a moment to
There is no question that Randall McFarland is a difference maker. Having lived in the community for most of his life, Randall is greatly involved in the community of Birmingham. He recounts that as a teenager he would find himself providing friends and family with advice, proving to be a trusted and wise resource to
How well do you really know your drug dealer? More importantly, how much do you trust them? Whether you are buying benzodiazepines on the streets or powdered heroin, take a moment to ask yourself how well you know your dealer – and how much you trust him or her. When you go and pick
The Deadly Fentanyl Epidemic: Hidden in Plain Sight Read More »
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