Because alcohol use is so pervasive and widely promoted, many people remain unaware of its addictive nature and connection to serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, and liver disease. In addition to the physical impacts, alcohol use disorder (AUD) has far-reaching effects in every area of life, including […]
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Cocaine is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that peaked in popularity during the 1980s, known as the “cocaine boom.” While cocaine use has significantly decreased since the ‘80s, it remains among the most commonly abused drugs within the U.S. and throughout the world. Cocaine is typically cut with a variety of substances, from
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Many drugs have legitimate medical uses for which they are highly effective, while others are notorious for their potential to cause harm, including addiction, overdose, and death. Fentanyl is both. Fentanyl was originally developed for pain management among cancer patients, and it worked to bring relief. However, today, fentanyl is best known for its illicit
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Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium are four of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines, a type of drug classified as a depressant because of the sedative effects they have on the central nervous system. Benzos, as they are commonly called, are highly effective in treating conditions including insomnia, anxiety, and panic disorders. However, their addictive nature
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Addiction, now clinically referred to as substance use disorder (SUD), impacts millions of Americans of all ages, races, and walks of life. For years, alcoholism and other forms of addiction were viewed as character flaws in people who had no willpower, resulting in stigmatization that, unfortunately, remains today despite the knowledge that SUD is a
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Heroin is one of the most potent drugs available, second only to fentanyl. In recent years, heroin use has been on the rise across all demographics.1 Heroin dependence and addiction are complex conditions that require professional interventions for successful recovery. The heroin addiction treatment program at Hill Country provides comprehensive medically assisted detox and therapy
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Methamphetamine, or “meth,” is a powerful stimulant drug that is highly addictive and has far-reaching impacts on physical and mental health. Prolonged meth use causes damage to multiple organs and body systems and the chemical changes in the brain can lead to mental health conditions, including anxiety, severe depression, and meth psychosis. At Hill Country,
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Benzodiazepines, typically referred to as benzos, are among the most prescribed medications in the United States. They are highly effective for treating anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. However, they can be addictive and carry risks of abuse, addiction, and overdose. Benzos are frequently used recreationally, which is a dangerous practice, particularly when combined with alcohol or
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Americans have a long and complex relationship with alcohol. Going as far back as the 1820s, the temperance movement advocated for moderation or abstinence from alcohol. Very recently, the surgeon general said that alcoholic beverages should include cancer warnings akin to those on cigarette packaging.1 Because alcohol is legal and its use is heavily marketed,
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Cocaine has a long history in America, including being an ingredient in Coca-Cola and widely used for medical purposes until the early 1900s. Cocaine use was at its peak during the 1980s. Powder cocaine was expensive and associated with wealth and prestige, while crack cocaine was cheap and poured into the inner cities. The crack
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