From the toddler gripping the colorful screen of a tablet, to the teen locked in their room attached to a computer, to the adult with their eyes glued to a phone during social interactions; we are aware of the pervasiveness of technology around us. Although technology addiction is not presently in [...]
We live in a society of quick fixes. Historically, people have always sought the miracle cure, but often found it to be more complicated than previously thought. We do have new and useful solutions like the so-called “cocaine vaccine” for overdose, but the roots of addiction go deeper than just [...]
Is there such a thing as an “addiction switch?” Recent scientific studies have identified DeltaFosB (ΔFosB) as a driving factor for addiction in the brain. This “molecular mechanism” is created in the brain by prolonged exposure to addictive drugs or compulsive behaviors. Over time, ΔFosB can cause addictions to become [...]
Energy drinks continue to remain very popular in the U.S. Drinks like Red Bull and Monster gross billions of dollars every year. And while their effects on health are in question, energy drinks are especially dangerous when combined with alcohol. Mixing stimulants with alcohol creates a state some call "wide [...]
Many people might use alcohol to help improve their mood. But when does “drowning your sorrows” in alcohol become dangerous? Can alcohol really cause depression? Having a drink or two to relax after a stressful day is certainly ok. But when alcohol becomes necessary dealing with painful emotions, Alcohol Use [...]
Why do people continue to abuse drugs and alcohol despite the negative consequences? Why would a person continue to use something that can inherently harm them? One explanation is that addiction is a consequence of falling victim to decision failures. An addicted person simply overvalues pleasure and undervalues consequences. While [...]
Is there such a thing as an "Alcohol Gene?" How responsible are your genes for a predisposition to alcohol abuse? How responsible is your surrounding environment? Simply put, there is complex relationship between genetics and environmental factors that contribute to Alcohol Use Disorder. Genetics and heredity are very closely linked. [...]
The term “self-medication” has trivial and negative connotations. Many would use it as a joke about using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. However, “self-medication” has become a household term that detracts from the real emotional suffering that accompanies addiction. Although the theory behind self-medication (Self Medication Hypothesis) has [...]
Undiagnosed ADHD Causes Higher Risk A recent study found that more than 15 percent of adults with ADHD struggle with drug and alcohol abuse and/or addiction. Trouble usually starts around adolescence. Before age 15, those with ADHD are no more likely to experiment with drugs or alcohol. After age 15 [...]
Prolonged substance abuse can greatly increase the risk of delusional thinking. Drug or alcohol abuse can cause breaks from reality that can worsen over time. These delusions can cause dangerous behaviors and can lead to manipulation of others to obtain drugs. Studies have found that there is a link between [...]
