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Chemical Dependency Articles

• Researchers develop relapse prevention application for iPhones

  Struggling in your relapse prevention efforts? There's an app for that. more...

• Stigmas persist and stand in the way of recovery, new study finds

  Despite the fact that addiction is widely recognized as a disease, a new study has found that much of the general public still views individuals with chemical dependency problems negatively, which may interfere with their ability to seek substance abuse help. more...

• Drug use shown to cause specific type of brain damage

  Drug addiction, regardless of the substance abused, causes changes in the brain that impair an individual's ability to recognize certain facial expressions and leads to other psychological damage, according to a new study from a team of Spanish researchers. The findings show that failure to seek substance abuse help may result in serious long-term neurological damage. more...

• Federal funding enhances addiction research

  Thanks in part to a set of grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchers from one Texas-based university are continuing the search for potential cures for chemical dependency. The findings of their investigations may one day improve the ability of drug rehab programs to help addicts stay away from harmful substances. more...

• Parents pass on smoking habits to their children

  Parents who smoke cigarettes without ever seeking substance abuse help for their addiction may be increasing the risk that their children will also smoke, according to a new study from a team of European researchers. more...

• Research work to develop new pain management drug

  Individuals who are seeking chronic pain treatment but are worried about the risk of addiction that comes with many common medications may soon have a new option. Researchers from Stony Brook University are currently working on a new drug that promises to fight pain with little risk of dependency. more...

• Researchers develop treatment for personality trait associated with addiction

  Most people are aware of the long-term negative consequences of drug abuse. Yet many individuals continue to experiment with substances, eventually needing drug rehab treatment. However, a team of scientists from the Center for Addiction Research in Little Rock, Arkansas believes that identifying those who are at risk and training parts of their brains may reduce the burden of chemical dependency. more...

• Teenage brains are set up to seek pleasure with disregard for consequences

  Adolescent brains may be wired to seek rewarding stimulus, such as drugs, without concern for consequences, according to a new study from the University of Pittsburgh. more...

• Experts advocate for more drug courts

  As the nations addiction epidemic continues to spiral out of control, experts are increasingly saying that law enforcement efforts should focus on providing substance abuse help rather than simple punishment. more...

• Substance abuse help, not punishment, is more effective in dealing with nurses' addictions

  Medical professionals, particularly nurses, are significantly more likely than the general population to struggle with addiction. However, few of these individuals seek substance abuse help because they are concerned about what admitting to an addiction would mean to their careers. more...

• Highly invested workers more likely to experience excess stress levels

  Nearly everyone feels stress at their job every once in a while. However, for some, this stress can be overbearing, eventually leading them to substance abuse, which may require drug rehab treatment. more...

• Tobacco use increases breast cancer risk

  Seeking substance abuse help for smoking habits may be critically important for women, as research continues to connect tobacco to a range of health complications. Recently, a study from Harvard Medical School found that smoking increases the risk of breast cancer. more...

• Few addicts voluntarily seek substance abuse help

  While drug rehab facilities can help individuals overcome addictions, many users fail to take advantage of these resources. In fact, more than one third of drug-related deaths occur in habitual users who have never sought substance abuse help, according to a new report from Scottish authorities. more...

• Many weightlifters abuse performance enhancers and illicit drugs

  A high percentage of male weightlifters use human growth hormone, or HGH, to improve their strength, according to a new study from Harvard researchers. Not only does abuse of this substance cause a range of health complications, the investigation also found that users are more likely take illegal drugs more...

• Bullying causes depression, eventually leads to substance abuse, according to new study

  Children who are bullied are known to be a greater risk of developing depression. However, a new study from University of Washington researchers has shown that girls who become depressed as a result of bullying are more likely to abuse drugs, putting them at risk for addiction and the need for substance abuse help. more...

• Investing in drug rehab programs may help communities balance their budgets

  In this climate of intense fears of budget deficits, state and local governments across the country are looking for programs to cut. However, drug rehab treatment experts have warned that eliminating services that provide substance abuse help could be counter-productive when it comes to reaching a balanced budget. more...

• Few teens with mental disorders are treated

  Despite the fact that substance abuse help and other forms of rehab can improve the condition of those with addiction and mental illness, a new study has found that few adolescents receive treatment for major mental disorders. more...

• Brain chemical involved in signaling hunger may also trigger drug cravings

  A chemical in the brain that signals feelings of hunger during times of starvation may also play a role in triggering drug seeking behavior, according to a new study from Canadian researchers. The findings may have major implications for the relapse prevention efforts of opiate addicts and other drug abusers. more...

• High number of traffic fatality victims test positive for drug use

  The number of individuals killed in driving accidents while under the influence of drugs increased sharply over the past five years, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drug rehab programs may help addicts avoid becoming a part of this troubling trend. more...

• Bath salts provide legal high but also risk

  Chemically altered bath salts are growing in popularity among individuals who are looking for a legal way to become intoxicated. While they are sold as an ingredient to add to baths for a relaxing experience, reports have indicated that some people are snorting them to get high. more...

• Laws make it easier for some to seek drug rehab treatment

  Rehab facilities can help addicts recover from chemical dependency, but drug abusers are often reluctant to go for treatment. Families can have a difficult time getting addicted members to seek treatment. However, laws in some states may make it easier for families to provide the help that their loved ones need. more...

• Smoking while driving may be harmful to young passengers

  Smokers who have avoided seeking substance abuse help for their tobacco habit may want to consider the harm they are potentially causing to those around them. A new study has found that smoking in the confined space of an automobile can be extremely dangerous to passengers, particularly children. more...

• Researchers develop new understanding of dopamines role in addiction

  New findings about the role that the brain chemical dopamine plays in reward-based learning may be helping researchers come to a better understanding of why some people are prone to opiate addiction and other forms of chemical dependency while others are not. more...

• Anti-drug abuse messages becoming more scarce

  As the number of adolescents and young adults who use drugs goes up, an increasing number are requiring substance abuse help. A new survey has found that a lack of exposure to effective anti-drug messages may play a role in the climbing rates of drug abuse. more...

• Drug rehab facilities report higher enrollment in 2010

  Despite some recent encouraging numbers in the battle against addiction, drug rehab treatment centers are seeing higher numbers of patients than ever before, according to a recent survey. more...

• Parents who smoke may be risking their child's heart health

  Parents who fail to seek substance abuse help for their tobacco habits may be putting more than their own health at risk. A new study has shown that secondhand smoke can cause dangerous elevations in blood pressure among children. more...

• Lawmakers highlight cost of addiction

  Opiate addiction and other forms of substance abuse continue to strain state and local budgets, as law enforcement officials struggle to keep pace with the number of offenders who continue to commit crimes related to their addiction. more...

• Experts debate symptoms of addiction

  Addicts at drug rehab facilities would most likely say that cravings for drugs are a strong component of their chemical dependency. For this reason, "cravings" was recently added as a symptom of drug addiction to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders, which is commonly used as the basis for diagnoses of all mental problems. more...

• State lawmakers look to drug courts to control prison population

  In an effort to reduce the number of nonviolent drug offenders who have been incarcerated and bring down the cost of housing them, many state lawmakers are proposing drug rehab programs for those who struggle with opiate addiction and other chemical dependencies. more...

• Medication may boost smokers' chances of quitting

  Environmental cues that have been associated with drug abuse can jeopardize the relapse prevention efforts of any recovering addict, particularly those who are trying to stay tobacco free. However, a new study has found that medications can help addicts avoid these memory-associated cravings. more...

• Substance abuse help may enable smokers to keep New Year's resolutions

  Every January, millions of people across the country pledge to quit smoking. However, due in part to ineffective relapse prevention efforts, many fall back into tobacco use. Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that quitting is worth the effort and comes with many benefits. more...

• Researchers find possible clinical use for hallucinogenic drug

  A little known psychedelic drug may be useful in drug rehab programs, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University researchers. more...

• Addicted mothers get second chance to raise their children

  Many women mothers who struggle with opiate addiction end up losing their children to social services because they are deemed unfit to care for them. However, drug rehab programs may be able to help these women end their chemical dependencies and regain custody of their children. more...

• CDC distributes funds to help at-risk groups

  Individuals who are in high-risk groups for drug addiction - like young gay men and homeless individuals - may have a difficult time finding a treatment center that fits their needs and can help them begin their recovery. more...

• Meditation may help reduce depression symptoms

  Depression is often a difficult condition to treat. Antidepressants and counseling may provide assistance, but some individuals get little benefit from these services. Patients struggling with depression may benefit from looking into rehab facilities that offer mindfulness meditation classes more...

• Scientists discover molecular process underlying addiction

  Memories are among the strongest triggers of addictive behaviors. Places, activities and certain people can become associated with drug use. When an addict is exposed to these things, they often cause cravings. However, a team of European researchers may have found a molecular switch in the brain that could deactivate this process more...

• Substance abuse treatment programs help inmates recover

  Increasingly, prison systems are working to help inmates who are addicted to opioids recover from their dependencies before sending them back to the streets. When this therapy is followed up by substance abuse treatment after they are released, it can significantly reduce the rate of recidivism. more...

• Limiting tobacco advertisements may reduce the number of smokers

  While rehab facilities may be able to help young people who have become addicted to tobacco quit their habits, it may be simpler to prevent them from starting smoking in the first place. more...

• Public health agencies report troubling teen drug use trends

  In previous generations, opiate addiction was a problem that only affected older, more experienced drug users. However, it is increasingly becoming a problem among younger individuals. A growing number of teenagers are being admitted to drug rehab facilities for heroin addiction. more...

• Addicts turn to meditation to deal with holiday stress

  The anxiety of the holiday season can jeopardize many of the relapse prevention efforts of recovering addicts. However, there are many things that individuals can do to cope with the stress of family gatherings without resorting to drugs or alcohol. more...

• Study: Smoking may cause increased pain in cancer patients

  Following cancer diagnosis, many smokers feel as though they have nothing to lose, and therefore continue to use tobacco. However, a new study has found that these individuals may benefit from substance abuse help to eliminate their nicotine addiction, as smoking worsens pain for cancer patients. more...

• Support from family members may help addicts seek treatment

  Addiction in families can be a difficult problem to deal with. It can strain relationships and force some family members to accept more responsibility than they should have to. However, by providing support, parents and siblings may have a better chance of getting their loved ones into drug rehab, where they may be able to beat their addiction. more...

• Spirituality may not be necessary for recovery

  Many drug addiction treatment facilities feature 12 step programs that place a strong emphasis on the important role finding religion plays in beating addiction. While this may turn off some addicts, including agnostics and atheists, a new study has found that religion may not play such a vital role in these programs after all. more...

• Researcher seeks single remedy for addiction and mental disorders

  Individuals who struggle with addiction also frequently have mental health problems. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among addicts is particularly high. One researcher has speculated that these conditions may have a similar root cause in the brain more...

• New Surgeon General report highlights dangers of tobacco use

  A new report from the U.S. surgeon general states that all forms of tobacco cause damage to the lungs and DNA of exposed tissue. Officials pledged to make getting smokers into substance abuse therapy to lower the rates of tobacco use a top priority for the coming years. more...

• Quitting smoking improves mood

  Individuals may have a lot to gain from seeking substance abuse treatment to help them eliminate their tobacco habits. In addition to reducing the risk of cancer and other health complications, a new study has found that quitting smoking improves mood. more...

• Experts say addiction is a mental disease

  Individuals who seek substance abuse treatment for their addiction stand a much better chance of recovering than those who go it alone. However, too few people realize that drug addiction is a mental illness that is hard to overcome without treatment. more...

• Without appropriate treatment, co-occurring conditions can destroy lives

  Co-occurring mental disorders and drug addictions often require specialized treatment from rehab facilities to overcome. However, many people who struggle with these conditions rarely receive proper treatment. more...

• Addictions often worsen during the holidays

  During the holidays, stress and festivities may lead individuals struggling with addiction to increase their drug or alcohol use. Experts say that family members should watch for the signs of worsening addiction problems and be prepared to discuss sending their loved ones to rehab facilities. more...

• Communities grapple with teen drug use

  Drug and alcohol addiction affects millions of people across the U.S. every year. However, some experts say that the problem is greatest among high school students. Their warnings underscore the importance of seeking substance abuse treatment for any teen suspected of drug abuse. more...

• Parental instincts limit mothers' response to drugs

  While rehab facilities may be vital to helping expectant mothers quit their addictions before giving birth, the findings of a new study suggest that parental instincts may take over after mothers give birth and diminish their cravings for drugs. more...

• Marijuana found to impair cognitive ability

  Recent legislative efforts to either decriminalize or legalize marijuana have led to the perception that smoking a little pot may not be so bad for a person. However, the findings of a recent study from Harvard University researchers shows that the drug can lead to serious cognitive deficits, especially in individuals who begin smoking at a young age. more...

• Smoking rates continue to drop

  Thanks in part to legislative and educational efforts, experts report that the number of smokers may be decreasing. This could have a major impact on the respiratory health of millions of Americans and significantly reduce the number of people who seek substance abuse treatment for their addiction. more...

• Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of birth complications

  Despite the known risks of cigarettes, many people continue their smoking habits. However, the findings of a new study may be enough to convince expectant mothers to seek substance abuse treatment to help them quit. more...

• Holiday celebrations may lead to addiction and injury

  For many people, the holidays are a time to celebrate and enjoy time with family. However, some take this partying too far, which may result in a higher rate of substance abuse and drug-related accidents. more...

• Smoking bans reduce pregnancy complications

  Despite the fact that smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of birth defects and other complications, many expectant mothers still find it difficult to kick their habits. In addition to substance abuse treatment, public health efforts may help these women end their tobacco addictions, according to a new study from University of Colorado researchers. more...

• Hospitalizations for drug use skyrocket

  The number of individuals hospitalized for drug use saw a dramatic increase over the last decade, as a failure to seek substance abuse treatment caused many addicts to lose control of their drug use. more...

• Baseball star overcomes addiction

  By now, many people are familiar with Josh Hamilton's story. The slugger has led the Texas Rangers to World Series with his sparkling defense and heavy hitting. While it may seem like he is on top of the world right now, it wasn't too long ago that he hit rock bottom due to drug and alcohol addictions. more...

• Smokers with anxiety disorders may be less able to quit

  Addiction and mental illness often go hand-in-hand. The association even exists at the less severe ends of the substance abuse and mental health spectrums. For example, a recent study found that individuals who have a history of anxiety disorders are more likely to struggle with nicotine addictions. more...

• Drug courts help addicts turn their lives around

  It wasn't an easy two years for Matt, one of the recent graduates of a drug court program in the Midwest, according to the Daily Gate City. However, after taking part in the initiative, which included mandatory substance abuse treatment rather than jail time, he has managed to stay off of drugs and away from crime. more...

• Courts to decide on tobacco's addictiveness

  Despite overwhelming evidence to suggest that smoking cigarettes can cause addiction that requires substance abuse treatment, tobacco companies still maintain that their product is not addictive. more...

• TV and film star honored for raising awareness of addiction and mental health

  Hollywood is generally more likely to glorify drug use rather than an individual's efforts to seek substance abuse treatment or avoid unhealthy behaviors altogether. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration will soon honor those writer and directors who hold up sober living as a positive example. more...

• Grants help fund treatment program for veterans and Native Americans

  Army veterans and Native American are significantly more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol than the general population, studies show. However, the federal government is working to ensure that these individuals have access to substance abuse treatment that could help them end their addictions. more...

• Implantable medication may increase odds of successful addiction treatment

  The medication buprenorphine is becoming an increasingly popular substance abuse treatment option for individuals who are addicted to opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. However, care providers have noticed that misuse and abuse of the medication is common when it is administered in traditional forms. more...

• Co-occurring conditions may require new solutions, group says

  Addictions rarely occur in a vacuum. Many individuals who struggle with chemical dependency also have some type of mental disorder. These co-occurring conditions are often difficult to overcome, and may require special treatment from addiction treatment centers. more...

• Experts call for greater control over tobacco industry

  Tobacco dependency is one of the most prevalent forms of addictions. Millions of people across the U.S. are unable to kick their habit, resulting in many smoking-related deaths and increased need for individuals to seek therapy from treatment facilities. more...

• As drug-related crime rises, authorities work to find alternative solutions

  When Carl Cutro, of one Southeastern state, broke into a local pawn shop to steal jewelry, cash and guns, he wasn't looking for a quick way to pay his rent or put food on the table for his family. He was looking for a way to feed his drug habit, according to WVIR-TV News. more...

• Brain changes linked to addictive behavior

  Addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause major changes to the brain's circuitry that result in an addict's drug-seeking behavior. However, a new study has found that individuals may be able to reverse these changes with the type of therapy that is offered at addiction treatment centers. more...

• Events help support addicts' recovery

  Individuals who struggle with addiction often find it difficult to admit their problems publicly. This can make it difficult to seek help from rehab facilities, which could greatly increase their odds of kicking their habits. more...

• States consider cutting addiction treatment programs

  Most experts say that state-run addiction treatment centers and programs are a vital way for drug abusers to get the help they need to eliminate their habits. However, as states across the country struggle with falling revenues, many are considering eliminating their recovery programs. more...