By Jennifer McDougall GHB, short for γ-Hydroxybutyric acid, is another drug wreaking havoc on today’s club kids. It is popular among teens, young adults, and those in the bodybuilding community (used to increase muscle growth and athletic performance). So what exactly is it? GHB, otherwise known as “G,” was synthesizedContinue Reading

Malibu, Calif. (May 17, 2012) Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura, the world’s leading drug and alcohol rehab centers, are proud to support the first annual National Prevention Week, held from Monday, May 21, 2012, through Friday, May 25, 2012. This health observance is an opportunity for community members and leaders to learn moreContinue Reading

The abuse of and eventual dependency on drugs and alcohol is merely a mechanism to cope with physical, mental, or emotional pain. To stop your addiction, you must first find the underlying causes of your behaviors and why you are choosing to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in the firstContinue Reading

Effects of Cocaine Addiction and Brain Chemistry | Passages Rehab

Repeated use of dangerous and addictive stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, often causes a powerful physical and mental dependency. It is rarely easy to overcome without attending an inpatient rehab program. A new study has recently found that stimulant drugs change and manipulate the brain’s circuitry, making a recovery followingContinue Reading

Food addiction is a condition that many people find difficult to understand.  Many people have unhealthy eating habits and difficulties with food. Still, it can be tricky to determine whether an individual merely struggles with eating or whether they are addicted to food.  Food addiction is a pathological disorder characterizedContinue Reading

Many of the articles we read and the studies we observe discuss drug and alcohol abuse in the United States.  However, drug and alcohol abuse is a worldwide problem and has been an issue in numerous countries for centuries. Research studies show that specific drugs used vary from country toContinue Reading

Numerous studies indicate an alarming trend of drug abuse increasing amongst younger and younger individuals. Some social issues amongst teenagers have been decreasing and improving. However, drug and alcohol abuse remains prevalent and hard to control. • Teenagers are most likely to use alcohol, marijuana, or cigarettes. • Approximately two-thirdsContinue Reading

Many people often hear the term “denial” or the phrase “being in denial” when discussing an individual with a substance abuse issue. Unfortunately, many individuals who have been abusing drugs or alcohol for an extended time get very good at hiding and covering up their actions and have a hardContinue Reading

Cannabis (more commonly known as marijuana, weed, or pot) is a viral and prevalent drug in the United States. It is even legal for medicinal purposes in some states; however, marijuana is highly abused. When an individual smokes or ingests marijuana, the individual will experience distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficultyContinue Reading

Many holistic, non-12-step rehab centers are now incorporating various non-traditional, cutting-edge treatment modalities into their programs.  When someone enters a rehab center for drugs or alcohol, typically, their body, mind, and spirit are all in need of help and healing.  After getting through the initial difficult physical withdrawal, repairing theContinue Reading

Numerous non-traditional, cutting-edge forms of treatments are becoming popular in rehab centers to heal dependency on drugs and alcohol. By incorporating types of one-on-one psychotherapy sessions, treatment centers ensure a more complete, well-rounded and total recovery. Some of these “non-traditional” forms of treatment include acupuncture, physical training, Equine Assisted PsychotherapyContinue 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

If you’ve never attended a private inpatient drug rehab program before, you may worry about what the experience will be like. Due to inaccurate media portrayals, urban legends, and incorrect assumptions, some of your views on the inpatient drug rehab experience may be based more in myth than fact. SevenContinue Reading

Drug addiction happens for complex reasons—some of them physical, while others are psychological, emotional and highly personal. Because of the intricate nature of drug addiction itself, breaking physical dependency to drugs can be best handled at a private inpatient drug rehab center, due to the varied and deep work thatContinue Reading