Substance Abuse
Talking with Kids About Alcohol & Drugs
The issue of drugs can be very confusing to young children. If drugs are so dangerous, then why is the family medicine cabinet full of them? And why do TV, movies, music and advertising often make drug and alcohol use look so cool? We need to help our kids to...
Stress and Alcohol Facts
How does stress influence drinking patterns? Research and populations surveys have shown that persons under stress, particularly chronic stress, tend to exhibit unhealthy behaviors. Stressed persons drink more alcohol, smoke more, and eat less nutritious foods than...
Drug Abuse and Dependence
Definition Drug addiction (dependence) is compulsively using a substance, despite its negative and sometimes dangerous effects. Drug abuse is using a drug excessively, or for purposes for which it was not medically intended. A physical dependence on a substance...
Understanding Addiction in Laymen’s Terms
Addiction summed up is: Compulsive behavior despite negative consequences Many researchers believe that addiction is a behavior that can be controlled to some extent and also a brain disease. And since some testing with functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI)...
Is Nicotine an Addictive Drug?
Nicotine. It's a colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid with the formula C10H14N2. Nicotine sulfate has been used as an insecticide. According to an authoritative chemical reference, nicotine has an "acrid burning taste." That could explain why tobacco companies have...
