It is estimated that at least 90% of Americans have been exposed to at least one form of addiction in their lives, whether behavioral or substance addiction. Behavioral addiction, or non-substance-related addiction, is a recurring behavior or compulsion where an individual participates in a particular activity, despite the negative effectsContinue Reading

By Jennifer McDougall Drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with dependency—it impacts everyone around them, including friends, family, and colleagues. For employers, managing an addicted employee can be both challenging and uncomfortable. The repercussions of addiction in the workplace are far-reaching, leading to decreased productivity, increasedContinue Reading

Animal-assisted therapy (particularly equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and canine therapy) is one of the most effective experiential therapy forms. It has proven fun, nurturing, and therapeutically beneficial for clients in inpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers. Rather than talking to a therapist, clients interact with a horse or dog in aContinue Reading

What are the Early Signs of Alcohol Addiction

By Jennifer McDougall Alcohol addiction is a pervasive issue that affects millions worldwide, with significant impacts on health, relationships, and responsibilities. Recognizing the early signs of alcohol abuse is crucial for timely intervention, which can prevent the devastating trajectory toward full-blown addiction. Passages Malibu, the leader in innovative addiction treatment,Continue Reading

A Major Underlying Cause of Addiction

Abandonment and substance abuse are extremely complicated issues when considered separately, but most people don’t realize that abandonment is one of the key underlying causes of addiction. Depending on the age, gender, and background of the person experiencing the abandonment, the damage may vary. Common forms of abandonment reported byContinue Reading

Also known as “uppers,” stimulants refer to drugs that increase alertness and energy, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and their derivatives. Stimulants work in the body by acting upon the brain’s chemicals—known as “neurotransmitters”—such as norepinephrine and dopamine. These naturally-occurring brain chemicals are associated with the body’s “fight or flight” crisisContinue Reading

Addiction to Psychedelic Mushrooms

What Are Psychedelic Mushrooms? Psychedelic mushrooms are varieties of mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Psychedelic mushrooms can either be cultivated or gathered in the wild. When consumed through a process known as “shrooming,” these fungi produce a vivid, psychedelic trip with effects similar to those of LSD—butContinue Reading

Are Psychedelic Mushrooms Physically Addictive? Although psychedelic mushrooms have not been found to be physically addictive, users can become psychologically dependent on psychedelic mushrooms. The mind-altering experiences that psychedelic mushrooms create can create a psychological escape from depression, boredom, stressors or emotional problems. Whether used to escape reality or augmentContinue Reading

What Does a Psychedelic Mushrooms High Feel Like? A psychedelic mushroom high is a hallucination-fraught, highly emotional experience that distorts perception and reality. Psychedelic mushrooms’ effects tend to last four to six hours and are collectively referred to as a “mushroom trip” or “shrooming.” Depending on the variety of psychedelicContinue Reading

What Does a Nicotine Buzz Feel Like? The nicotine high can sometimes be imperceptible, as it eliminates withdrawal symptoms and fills nicotine users with a sense of calm. Some users experience a “nicotine buzz,” most common in first-time nicotine users or after a period of abstinence. The main nicotine highContinue Reading

Is Nicotine Physically Addictive? Nicotine is a powerful drug resulting in physical addiction on par with that of cocaine. As with any chemical dependency, there can be both physical and psychological addictions that develop, serving to promote addiction. What Causes Nicotine Addiction? The most common forms of nicotine addiction areContinue Reading