Resources
North Carolina Opioid Overdose
How Has the Pandemic Increased Substance Abuse? While 2020 has been a difficult year overall, it has also been a particularly bad year for opioid overdoses in North Carolina. The increase in substance abuse and overdoses stems from the social isolation brought on by lockdowns. Not being able to see…
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Morphine Sulfate Addiction and Abuse
What is Morphine Sulfate? Morphine is a prescription drug used to relieve ongoing pain. Morphine sulfate affects how the brain interprets and responds to pain. Morphine sulfate is generally used for moderate to severe pain caused by ailments like cancer, severe accidents, or other serious medical conditions.1 Is Morphine an…
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Meth in North Carolina Still a Problem
What is Meth? Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant drug that is highly addictive.1 Meth is a party drug that comes in clear crystal chunks or shiny bluish-white rocks. It’s commonly used by smoking, snorting, swallowing, or injecting it into a vein. When used, meth produces a very intense rush that lasts…
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CBT Therapy for Addiction Treatment
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? According to the American Psychological Association, cognitive behavioral therapy is a compelling psychological treatment method for various issues, including:1 Depression Anxiety disorders Alcohol and drug use problems Marital problems Eating disorders Severe mental illness Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in…
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Schizophrenia and Addiction | Dual Diagnosis
Introduction Schizophrenia was identified more than a century ago. Still, it remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized illnesses today. Some aspects of schizophrenia are well-known to researchers, including the most common types of schizophrenia, their causes, and the connection between schizophrenia and addiction. Symptoms of schizophrenia are usually…
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Depression and Addiction | Dual Diagnosis
What is Depression? Depression is a common mood disorder that negatively impacts thoughts and emotions. Depression causes feelings of sadness, lethargy, and a loss of interest in once-enjoyable things. Depression has been linked to emotional and physical problems that affect the ability to function at work or home. Depression has…
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Anxiety and Addiction | Dual Diagnosis
The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction What is Anxiety? Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, and everyone experiences it in life.1 If someone has an anxiety disorder, though, then they will have anxiety more frequently or more intensely than others. Anxiety disorders can greatly interfere with someone’s life and…
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Drug Use in North Carolina High Schools
School Drug Use in North Carolina The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2018/2019 outlined various drug use in North Carolina. For the age group of 12-17, 65,000 (8.18%) youths had used illicit substances in the past year.…
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Mixing Alcohol and Prescription Medications
Introduction According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol is often used and abused with over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and illicit drugs. Alcohol can produce a range of negative side effects by itself. It can enhance the side effects of other drugs in unpredictable and life-threatening…
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Alcohol Poisoning and Binge Drinking
Alcohol consumption is a common occurrence for many individuals. When alcohol is absorbed into the body faster than it can be metabolized, however, then dangerous effects can ensue. But how much alcohol is too much? It’s important to be aware of the detrimental health effects drinking can have on the…
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