Addictions

Imposter Drugs
by SAMHSA
Imposter drugs are legal drugs that have effects and side effects similar to illegal drugs. Currently, there are imposter drugs for most types of illegal drugs, such as marijuana, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, speed, GHB ('date rape drug'), and many others.

I Only Meant to Wet My Feet
Say a Prayer For Me: One Woman's Life of Faith and Triumph
by Stanice Anderson
Stanice Anderson shares her inspiring story to show others they too can overcome even the most soul-destroying mistakes - and discover the lifelong assurance of peace and joy through a personal relationship with God. Stanice has lived through it all.

The Remembrance of Our Misdoings
The Black Veil
by Rick Moody
While still in his twenties, Rick Moody found that a decade of alcohol, drugs, and other indulgences had left him stranded in a depression so severe that he feared for his life.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hurts Everyone in the Family
by SAMHSA
Dependence on alcohol and drugs is our most serious national public health problem. It is prevalent among rich and poor, in all regions of the country, and all ethnic and social groups.

Children Experiencing Addiction in the Family
by SAMHSA
Alcoholism and drug addiction is taking a toll on the American family. As a result, 8.3 million children in the United States, approximately 11 percent, live with at least one parent who is in need of treatment for alcohol- or drug-dependency.

Prescription Drug Use and Abuse : Complexities of Addiction
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
NIDA, along with several health organizations, has launched a national initiative to educate the public about the dangers of the non-medical use of prescription drugs, and the potential for abuse and addiction.

Prescription Drug Use and Abuse
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Most people take medicines responsibly, but about 9 million Americans misuse prescription drugs to get high, calm down, or for other non-medical purposes. Physician supervision and appropriate use is critical for all prescription drugs.

Fight Against Heroin Addiction
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA and other government agencies are working with pharmaceutical companies in a new approach to finding anti-addiction medication. One result is the approval of Orlaam, an alternative to methadone, only 18 days after FDA received the application.

Substance Abuse In Cancer
by National Cancer Institute
Substance abuse is very uncommon among patients with cancer. The number of known patients with cancer who are substance abusers may be small because these patients do not seek medical help in hospitals, or they may not acknowledge to health care providers

Parenting Help: Teenage Addiction
by SAMHSA
If you are seeking treatment for a mental health or substance abuse problem, you can start by talking with people you know, such as family members, friends, school teachers or counselors, clergy, and your doctor.

Sespecially For Young People, Glossary
by National Institute of Health
You may be having difficulty handling some of your concerns about living with a person who abuses alcohol or drugs. Whether this person is your mom, dad, grandparent, brother, or sister, it is important that you talk about your problems, fears

Why Does Treatment Take So Long?
by National Institute of Health
Substance use disorders affect every part of a person's life. For that reason, treatment needs to affect every part of a person's life as well. Treatment involves more than helping someone stop drinking alcohol or using drugs.

What Happens in Treatment Programs?
by National Institute of Health
Many people with a substance use disorder also have emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Adolescents in treatment also may have behavior problems, conduct disorder, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

What Actually Happens in Treatment Programs?
by National Institute of Health
Although treatment programs differ, the basic ingredients of treatment are similar. Most programs include many or all elements presented below. As we discussed earlier, all treatment programs begin with a clinical assessment of a person's individual

What Is Substance Abuse Treatment?
by National Institute of Health
Many different kinds of professionals provide treatment for substance use disorders. In most treatment programs, the main caregivers are specially trained individuals certified or licensed as substance abuse treatment counselors.

What Is Substance Abuse?
by National Institute of Health
Alcoholism and drug dependence and addiction, known as substance use disorders, are complex problems. People with these disorders once were thought to have a character defect or moral weakness; some people mistakenly still believe that.

Questioning Our Assumptions
No More Letting Go
by Debra Jay
When addiction begins causing serious problems, a family's greatest fears turn into reality. They watch with disbelief as the alcoholic continues drinking while their lives are falling apart.

The Roots of Control
Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps
by Melody Beattie
The belief that we have power over other people is a powerful belief - a destructive illusion that many of us learned in childhood. Listen to how some recovering people were trained to believe they had control over others.

Other Stories of Unmanageability
Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps
by Melody Beattie
But I'm not in that much trouble, you might be thinking. My response is: good. You don't have to be in a lot of trouble to recognize unmanageability and begin recovering from codependency. It takes many of us much pain to become ready for recovery.

Step One
Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps
by Melody Beattie
I thought I was in complete control of myself and others. I thought there was no circumstance too overwhelming, no feeling so great that I couldn't handle it by sheer force of willpower. I thought being in control was expected of me. It was my job.