Featured News

• Exercise may be effective at reducing marijuana cravings

  Among the greatest challenges for drug rehab facilities are individuals who don't want to stop their drug use. This attitude can make breaking a habit particularly difficult. more...

• Researchers find two genes associated with heavy drinking

  While individuals have ultimate control over their behavior, their genetic makeup may be responsible for urges to drink excessively, according to a new study from the University of Maryland. more...

• Addiction costs remain high even if drug rehab programs are cut

  In a climate where several states are considering cutting funding for drug rehab programs, lawmakers will have to weigh the cost of continuing addiction treatment programs against the expense of dealing with the consequences of unchecked substance abuse. more...

• Marijuana shown to affect male sexual function

  Cannabis use is known to lead to a number of neurological side effects. However, a new study now shows that smoking marijuana may also cause sexual side effects in men who are addicted to the drug and fail to seek substance abuse help. more...

• National anti-drug campaign shows promising results

  While the number of people who seek drug rehab treatment for marijuana addiction remains high, a new study has found that federal efforts to reduce drug use in children may be paying off. more...

• Amphetamine use may increase risk of Parkinsons disease

  Certain amphetamines that are prescribed for attention deficit hyper activity disorder, but are also frequently abused, may cause damage to the brain that increases the risk of developing Parkinsons disease later in life, according to a new study. more...

• New medication could improve opiate addiction treatment

  Individuals who struggle with opiate addiction may soon have a new treatment option. A team of Norwegian researchers is reporting that the non-addictive medication naltrexone may be effective at blocking cravings for heroin and other opiates. more...

• Depression increases dropout risk

  Depressed individuals are much more likely to drop out of college, according to a new study from Michigan State University researchers. more...

• Peer support helps depressed patients improve

  Mental health and drug rehab facilities that provide their depression patients with opportunities to engage with others who are struggling with similar problems may be an effective option for severely depressed individuals. more...

• Binge drinking can cause heart complications

  Long-term moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing dangerous cardiovascular problems, according to a new study from a team of Boston University Medical Center researchers. more...

• Research uncovers causes of fetal alcohol syndrome

  Drinking during pregnancy is a well-established risk factor for birth defects. Yet researchers have been unable to pinpoint the specific causes of these deficiencies. more...

• Experts warn of the dangers of prescription drug abuse among teens

  Experts are increasingly warning parents and pediatricians to watch for the signs of prescription drug addiction in their children. Public health officials have reported that this type of drug abuse is increasing among this demographic. more...

• Greater availability of drug rehab needed to slow spread of infectious diseases

  Strengthening drug rehab programs and making substance abuse help more available to injection drug users may lead to a reduction in the spread of infectious diseases, according to a new study from Australian researchers. more...

• Communities battle rising rates of opiate addiction

  In the early part of the new century, public health authorities reported decreases in the number of people using drugs like heroin, morphine and prescription painkillers. more...

• Many sports fans are drunk after games

  Attending a professional sporting event may pose a serious threat to the relapse prevention efforts of recovering alcoholics. A new study has found that liquor permeates these events and a high percentage of fans leave games legally drunk. more...

• Availability of energy drinks may encourage alcohol abuse

  Recent legislation to restrict the marketing and sale of caffeinated alcoholic beverages may help keep these potentially dangerous drinks out of the hands of many people. more...

• Bartenders may play important role in identifying post traumatic stress disorder sufferers

  For individuals who have experienced trauma, particularly former military personnel, a bartender may not be able to replace a therapist, but the person serving the drinks may be able to help them seek treatment from a drug rehab and mental health facility. more...

• Impulsivity in childhood linked to adult substance abuse

  A child's self-control may predict their future risk of substance abuse and potential need for drug rehab, according to a new study from Duke University researchers. more...

• Meditation causes beneficial structural changes in the brain

  Mindfulness meditation may be more beneficial to individuals who have suffered trauma or have developed an anxiety disorder than previously thought. A team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital has found that the practice causes changes to the structure of the brain. more...

• Imported drug may increase the risk of addiction

  Using the drug khat can have a major impact on an individuals ability to control impulsive behavior, according to a new study from Dutch researchers. The findings indicate that users may be at risk for a range of complications, including addiction that may force them to seek substance abuse help. more...

• Internet gaming sites help feed gambling addiction

  Even in states where gambling in casinos or on sporting events is illegal, many addicts have still found a way to feed their habit. The main channel for these individuals has been the Internet. more...

• Caffeinated alcohol drinks offer little protection against intoxication

  Mixing alcohol and energy drinks has grown into a dangerous trend. A new study has found that it encourages over-drinking, which may lead to addiction and the need for substance abuse help. more...

• Certain antioxidants may protect against PTSD

  For the many of those with post traumatic stress disorder, the memory of traumatic events is the most difficult aspect to deal with, particularly when those memories start to become associated with normal, every day events. more...

• Researchers find high prevalence of PTSD among Word Trade Center survivors

  As far as trauma goes, few events can surpass the horrors of the attacks on the World Trade Center towers. However, nearly a decade after the events of September 11, little research has been conducted into the impact of these attacks on the mental health of those who survived. more...

• Study affirms genetic link in depression

  An individual's ability to rebound from trauma and avoid depression may have a lot to do with their genes, according to new study published in the Archives of General Psychology that challenges previous skepticism of a genetic link to depression. more...

• Illicit drug users may face many consequences

  Opiate addiction can have a significant impact on an individual's life. Dependency on the drug can make it difficult to continue with daily routines and adolescents who use it may be unable to finish their degree. This may seriously jeopardize their long-term health. more...

• Children should be sent to drug rehab programs as early as possible

  Parents who notice that their children have a problem with alcohol may benefit from quickly getting them into drug rehab programs. A new study from Spanish researchers has found that poor lifestyle habits often present themselves early and worsen over time. more...

• Quitting menthols may be a difficult task

  Individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes may need more substance abuse help than those who smoke regular cigarettes. A recent review of published data on smoking habits indicates that these tobacco products may deliver higher levels of nicotine, making them harder to quit. more...

• Veterans face tough road in battle against PTSD

  Earlier this year, Veterans Affairs (VA) officials announced that they plan on clearing a backlog of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims by 2015. However, some have called this a daunting task. more...

• Colleges work to reduce drinking

  This month, millions of young adults are packing up their belongings and heading off to college. While this may be an exciting time, it is also when many students develop dangerous dependencies on alcohol, which may require treatment at a rehab facility. more...

• Busy schedules may lead teens to self-harm

  In today's fast-paced society, people often jump straight from one activity to the next with little time for relaxation. This trend has even spread to teenagers and adolescents, who are often involved in sports, theater productions and other extracurricular projects. more...

• Man shows it is possible to recover from painkiller addiction

  Addiction to painkillers and prescription drugs can be extremely difficult to overcome, and some individuals may be tempted to give in to their dependencies. However, drug addiction treatment can provide positive results that often enable addicts to kick their habits. more...

• Teens look to medicine cabinets for addicting intoxicants

  Teenagers who are looking to get high no longer have to turn to the streets to score powerful drugs that are capable of causing devastating addictions that can necessitate help from rehab facilities. Many teens now simply look to their family's medicine cabinet to achieve that. more...

• Shorter periods of treatment may help patients with depression

  While it is normal to feel down every once in a while, depression is another matter entirely. The problem affects millions of people every year and can be difficult to overcome without help from treatment facilities. more...

• Study shows alcohol use is on the rise

  The number of individuals who consume alcohol in the U.S. is increasing due to social, economic and ethnic factors, according to a new study from researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. more...

• Acne treatments may lead to depression and suicide attempts

  Individuals who have bad acne may benefit from checking into a rehab facility if they begin to feel depressed. A new study has found that the presence of severe acne may predict suicide attempts. more...

• New study finds teens may be more prone to addiction

  Adolescents may be more prone to drug use than older individuals, according to new research presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. The findings underscore the importance of substance abuse treatment for young people who have started using drugs. more...

• Interest in rehab facilities for sex addicts grows

  Despite the fact that sex addiction is not widely recognized by the medical community as a diagnosable mental illness, rehab facilities are booming, as a growing number of individuals are seeking treatment for the problem. more...

• Researchers discover physical structure of dopamine receptors

  Despite the fact that the neurotransmitter dopamine is central to many of the brain's functions, scientists knew relatively little about the brain's receptors for it. However, a team of investigators from the Scripps Research Institute recently observed the physical structure of these receptors more...

• Young people are receiving more prescription medications, which contributes to addiction

  Despite the fact that adolescents are more likely to abuse prescription drugs and develop addictions that require therapy from rehab facilities, doctors are increasingly offering these individuals prescriptions for powerful medications. more...

• Underage individuals continue to turn to caffeinated alcoholic drinks

  Caffeinated alcoholic beverages have gotten a lot of attention in recent months. In the wake of several highly publicized cases of underage children blacking out after drinking them, outcry from parents and health experts resulted in the removal of the products from store shelves. more...

• Job loss causes depression, but few long-term effects

  Following the loss of a job, many individuals become depressed. Especially given the fact that the economy is so weak, this depression can force some job seekers to use drugs as a coping mechanism, eventually requiring drug rehab treatment. more...

• As internet addiction becomes more common, risk of addiction grows

  Society's obsession with staying connected at all time may be turning a large number of individuals into internet addicts who are unable to step away from the keyboard. This may cause many professionals to bring their work home with them, which can increase stress and the risk of burnout. more...

• Researchers discover connection between immune response and depression

  An individual who is feeling blue during a time of sickness may not just be down because of their physical condition. A team of researchers from Vanderbilt University has found that some of the immune system cells that respond to infection may also contribute to depression. more...

• Holidays are a difficult time for alcoholics

  Most individuals who struggle with addiction will say that the holidays are a particularly difficult time of year. Addiction in families can cause tremendous stress, which may lead individuals to destructive behavior. more...

• Socially isolated children may turn into depressed adults

  Children who lack friends may be at significantly greater risk of developing depression later in life, according to a new study published in the journal Development and Psychopathology. more...

• Finding could lead to improved PTSD treatment

  Following emotional or physical trauma, a particular part of the brain begins to associate the circumstances of the incident with fear, according to a new study from University of Iowa researchers. The findings could have major implications for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder more...

• Genetic variation common to Caucasians increases alcohol related-cirrhosis risk

  Caucasian alcoholics may be at a greater risk of developing liver diseases, including cirrhosis, according to a new study from German researchers. The findings underscore the importance for alcoholics to seek substance abuse help. more...

• Smoking increases risk of arthritis

  Individuals who do not seek substance abuse help for their smoking addiction may be at greater risk of developing a severe case of arthritis, according to a new study published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. more...

• Facial effects of smoking may be enough to motivate women to quit

  If the risk of health consequences isn't enough for women who smoke to seek some kind substance abuse help, the effects the habit has on their face may be. more...

• Depression during pregnancy may jeopardize childhood development

  Pregnant women with depression who do not seek treatment from rehab facilities may risk serious development problems for their children, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. more...

• Researchers develop new drug to prevent PTSD

  A team of researchers from Northwestern University believes they have found two new drugs that, when administered immediately following a traumatic event, may be able to prevent the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reduce the need for treatment from rehab facilities. more...

• New medication combined with addiction treatment may improve odds of quitting

  Recovering addicts say that cocaine dependency can be extremely difficult to overcome. Individuals must often seek help from addiction treatment centers in order to stop their habit of using the drug. more...

• Gambling addiction increases the risk of suicide

  Gambling addiction may not only be bad for individuals finances. A new study published in a recent issue of the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that gambling addicts who fail to seek treatment from rehab facilities also face a significantly higher risk of suicide. more...

• Female veterans commit suicide at high rate

  Young female veterans are three times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, according to a new study published in the journal Psychiatric Services. The findings underscore the importance of providing mental health services, such as those offered at rehab facilities. more...

• Binge drinking increases cardiovascular risk

  Individuals who regularly binge drink are at a significantly higher risk of acquiring an addiction that necessitates substance abuse treatment. Additionally, recent findings show that it seriously elevates an individual's chances of developing heart disease. more...

• Conditioning tests may help doctors diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome

  Alcoholics who fail to seek substance abuse treatment and continue to drink during pregnancy risk passing along a range of birth defects to their children. While these impairments can seriously hinder the childs ability to learn, doctors often have a difficult time diagnosing them. more...

• Physical activity may prevent binge drug use

  Physical exercise may significantly improve the chances of success for individuals who are undergoing substance abuse treatment for cocaine addiction, according to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. more...

• Heavy drinking leads to impulse control problems

  It is well known that drinking alcohol increases impulsive behavior during periods of drunkenness. However, new researchers suggests that heavy drinking during adolescence may cause structural changes in the brain that make a person behave less predictably, even when they are not intoxicated. more...

• Opiate replacement therapy may increase addicts' chances of overcoming drug use

  Providing heroin and prescription painkiller addicts with opiate replacement therapy may be one of the most effective substance abuse treatment programs, as a recent study found that it can reduce the addicts' chances of dying by up to 85 percent. more...

• Suicide risk is highest among students with the lowest grades

  The parents of children who consistently get poor grades in school may want to think about sending them to rehab facilities. A new study indicates that students who are at the bottom of their classes are up to three times more likely to commit suicide. more...

• Seniors may be at higher risk of addiction

  Painkiller addiction is becoming a growing problem among many groups of people. However the issue may be most severe among the elderly, as their bodies may be more susceptible to addiction, forcing them to seek substance abuse treatment. more...

• Report: Too few doctors counsel their patients on painkiller dangers

  Prescription pain medications have made it possible for individuals who are recovering from surgery or suffer from chronic pain to live their lives to the fullest extent possible. more...

• New treatment option may reduce relapses among opioid addicts

  Along with substance abuse treatment, certain medications may significantly increase an individual's ability to eliminate their addiction. The FDA recently approved one new drug, which officials believe will help decrease the chances of relapse in opioid addicts. more...

• Internet addiction may contribute to depression in teens

  Due in part to the growing ubiquity of high-speed internet, an increasing portion of the public is developing technology addictions. While the condition may be unhealthy in and of itself, a recent study found that pathological internet use may contribute to depression in teens. more...

• Addiction treatment medication may help children born with chemical dependency

  Children who are born to parents who use drugs risk many problems. They often go through severe withdrawal symptoms immediately following birth and are more likely develop addictions later in life that require substance abuse treatment. more...

• Study uncovers mechanism underlying addicts' responses to certain locations

  It has long been known that returning to certain places that have come to be associated with drug use may trigger relapses in individuals who are trying to eliminate their addiction through substance abuse treatment. Now, a new study may help shed some light on the mechanisms behind this process. more...

• Navy launches addiction treatment program to help sailors with recovery

  Veterans often have higher rates of substance abuse than the general population. They often develop addictions to prescription medication after being wounded. However, servicemen and women who struggle with addiction may have a new treatment option. more...

• Nurses do a poor job of spotting mental illness

  Individuals who struggle with depression may be better off seeking therapy from a treatment center rather than looking for help from their physician or at a hospital. more...

• Survey reveals misconceptions among doctors about prescription drug abuse

  Despite escalating levels of prescription drug abuse, a recently released survey has found that many doctors are unaware of the problem, which may be contributing to the rise in opioid misuse and addiction. more...

• Researchers test medication for benefit to meth addicts

  Dependency on methamphetamine has become rampant in America. Users are often unable to quit their habit without the help of rehab facilities, as meth is one of the most addictive drugs. more...

• Courts favor addiction treatment over jail for non-violent drug offenders

  With addiction to drug and alcohol continuing to rise, jails in many areas of the country are beginning to fill with substance abusers. In an effort to solve this problem, many communities are looking to alternative sentencing programs that send offenders to treatment facilities. more...

• Addiction to social media is growing

  As Americans become increasingly reliant on websites like Facebook and Twitter, a new type of Internet addiction is emerging. Large numbers of people are starting to show signs of addiction to social media sites. more...

• States crack down on prescription drug abuse

  Prescription painkillers are becoming the drug of choice for a new generation of teenagers who are looking for a cheap and accessible way to get high. However, these medications can lead to powerful addictions that often require substance abuse treatment to resolve. more...

• Groups celebrate recovery month

  For individuals who are struggling with drug addiction, the process of recovery may seem like a long road. Substance abuse can become a central part of addicts' lives, and giving it up can be difficult. more...