Author name: Dr. Vahid Osman

In March 2020, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 was a pandemic. This had serious implications for people’s mental health, but it also complicated matters for people experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs). In order to recover from such disorders, people must meet regularly in support groups.

If you have a substance use disorder, you are not alone. The use of drugs and alcohol is prevalent in America, with some areas seeing epidemic drug and alcohol use. One example is Indiana. In 2021, Indiana had the ninth highest rates of drug use behind Washington D.C., West Virginia, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Delaware, and Michigan. At First City Recovery Center, we believe that addiction to drugs and alcohol is a disease, and we must treat the disease with compassion and respect.

Seizures are a possibility if someone snorts the prescription medication Adderall. This is a psychostimulant that belongs to the amphetamine drug class. As such, it stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Coping skills are one core mechanic behind how an addiction functions. Most of the time, people with substance abuse disorders have poor coping mechanisms. A lot of people don’t learn how to deal with emotions and setbacks in a healthy way as children. Learning to develop new ways of handling emotions can help people develop a new outlook on life as well.

As researchers gain more insight into alcohol’s effect on the body, increasing numbers of people are questioning and evaluating their drinking habits. While there aren’t ironclad standards for what constitutes alcoholism, there are some general guidelines regarding social drinking, binge drinking and over-drinking behaviors.

It takes courage to ask for help under any circumstances. It is an especially brave choice to seek assistance for an alcohol or substance use disorder.

Methadone is a legal opioid used for both pain treatment and as a therapy for people recovering from an opioid addiction, such as one to heroin. Methadone is, however, like most opioids, extremely addictive. When prescribed in a professional treatment facility as a maintenance therapy, any addiction formed is curbed and ended.

Alcoholics Anonymous was formed in 1935 as a group of people committed to maintaining sobriety. It’s an international fellowship that hosts meetings worldwide, completely free to join and attend.