Much of what we hear on the news regarding drug use today centers around opioids, but millions of people struggle with other substance use disorders. Cocaine, including crack cocaine, are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that block norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporters, causing a build-up of these neurotransmitters in the brain’s pleasure centers and producing […]
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The illegal drug trade is a dark and dangerous world where people are constantly developing newer, more potent, and more hazardous substances in the pursuit of making money. Often, “new” drugs are variants of existing ones that have been altered to be cheaper to increase profits. A significant danger of these drugs is that the
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If you or someone you love is struggling with meth addiction, you understand the devastating nature of this disease. Living with meth addiction can make life seem unbearable and out of control. Because meth is so highly addictive, recreational use can quickly spiral out of control, wreaking havoc in all areas of life. At The
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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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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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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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Trauma includes the emotional, psychological, and physical responses resulting from exposure to a distressing event or series of events. Most people will experience trauma at some point. Typically, the brain processes a traumatic event in due time, and the impacts naturally resolve. Still, for millions of people, trauma can remain unresolved and have significant implications
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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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