From a plethora of past research we know that excessive drinking has countless negative impacts on human health and well-being. One of these issues is a link between type 2 diabetes and binge drinking. Up until now, researchers and physicians knew the two issues were related but did not understand the biological mechanism behind how … Continue Reading

Can a few simple questions help avoid years of struggle and possible premature death? According to the United States Preventative Services Task Force, it can. After analyzing recent research on the topic of alcohol misuse in the US, they are recommending that primary care doctors and nurses screen all adult patients for their drinking habits. … Continue Reading

The Internet is making more and more things feasible from your living room sofa, a concept that many classify as the beauty of modern technology. The next wave of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs has taken advantage of this technology in an attempt to revamp how the treatment process functions for some. A new online … Continue Reading

An astonishing 75 percent of Americans admit to drinking excessively during the holiday season, and a huge number of them choose to over imbibe at formal holiday functions, like office Christmas parties. But it’s not just the holiday season that can cause problems at work. Drinking too much alcohol at work functions throughout the year … Continue Reading

One of the biggest risks of overdose occurs when patients mix their medication with an alcoholic beverage. The surprise is that it doesn’t even have to be an addictive medication – an over-the-counter cold medication can be deadly in the wrong amounts when mixed with spirits, says the National Institute on Aging. What Can Happen? … Continue Reading

Just when you think you’ve heard of every conceivable way for people to use and abuse drugs and alcohol, along comes a new idea to make parents cringe – “butt chugging.” Essentially an alcohol enema, butt chugging is a form of alcohol abuse that has been in existence for years but recently gained in popularity … Continue Reading

Most people’s idea of a vacation does not include being caught in small spaces with people who are constantly drunk or hungover. Nevertheless, this scene may become a reality as one major cruise line tests drives the idea of an “all-you-can-drink” cruise option. The benefit is that passengers will be able to budget an all-inclusive … Continue Reading

The morning after excessive drinking, an individual may not remember explicit details of the night before, but they may remember the way they felt at certain periods throughout the evening. For instance, they may recall being very happy and dancing at a club but not the song that was playing, or they may remember they … Continue Reading

Historically, research has demonstrated that binge drinking leads to higher rates of unemployment, however, it remains unclear if the reverse correlation is true. Does a jobless period in someone’s life and the associated stress that goes with it drive some people to engage in problem drinking more frequently? The studies that have been done on … Continue Reading

Papo and Yo is a new video game designed by Vander Caballero based upon his own childhood experiences growing up in South America with an alcohol- and drug-addicted father. Caballero is not new to the video game industry and has been making games for years. However, this time, instead of making the typical violent, “shoot … Continue Reading

The Federal Trade Commission, the agency in charge of protecting consumers from fraud, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office received $700,000 in a court ruling from the Alcohol Cure Foundation (AFC). The AFC was found to be marketing a bogus alcoholism cure to unsuspecting customers suffering from substance abuse. The company in question went by … Continue Reading

According to the Center for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), there is no established safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women likely due in part to the fact that drinking while pregnant remains the leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. However, public opinion on the topic shifts … Continue Reading

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published results for studies from the Atlas entitled “ATLAS on Resources for the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders” (ATLAS-SU) on their website. The findings included data collected from 147 countries worldwide, which accounts for 88 percent of the global population and is compiled in order to monitor … Continue Reading

The idea of “community” is one that is extremely powerful in all aspects of healing and recovery. A quick look at the 12-step model, one of the primary traditional treatment models used in most programs across the country, is a positive demonstration of the role the support of others plays in recovery. Even those who … Continue Reading

Weight loss surgery is generally believed to benefit the health and wellness of the patient who undertakes it. By inhibiting the consumption of an obese patient, it can mean a serious amount of weight loss that would otherwise be deadly. There are a number of different types of weight loss surgeries, also called bariatric surgery, … Continue Reading

According to Yahoo!, Paul McCartney recently said that after his band The Beatles broke up in the 1970s, he turned to alcohol to cope with his feelings of loss. In fact, he reports that he began to drink heavily during the last years that the band was together, a fact he blames for what The … Continue Reading

New research published in the journal Atherosclerosis from the University of Rochester Medical Centre in New York is the first to demonstrate definitively the health benefits and drawbacks of different patterns of drinking. Dr. John Cullen is a lead researcher for the study. He says: “People need to consider not only how much alcohol they … Continue Reading

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can lead to serious risks during and after surgery if the physicians attending to the patient are unaware of the issue. The use of alcohol can lead to confusion, hallucinations, excessive bleeding and microbial infections as well as a host of other complications. This can lead to worsening health conditions, increased … Continue Reading

After a difficult day at work or a busy week taking care of the family, many people de-stress by sipping a glass of wine or going to the bars with friends for a round of beers. But why does alcohol have this type of relaxing effect on our bodies? Surprisingly, despite all the research surrounding … Continue Reading

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports the National Survey on Drug Use and Health each year to monitor statistics and trends in substance abuse. Recently, SAMHSA averaged data from the last five years and discovered that 7.5 million minors in America are living with parents who currently have an alcohol problem … Continue Reading

Often a rise in addiction rates for a specific drug like crack or heroin is connected to an increase in crime. The result? A crackdown on that particular drug, usually in the form of stricter distribution and possession regulations. With increased news coverage that connects alcohol to deadly accidents and violent crime, a new study … Continue Reading

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recently reported that 11.7 percent of deaths for both Native Americans and Alaska natives over a four-year period were a direct result of excessive alcohol consumption. Advocates for Native American tribal health are taking these numbers as a “call to action” for an issue that has long … Continue Reading

Binge drinking is a common habit among Americans, as the latest research demonstrates. It’s as dangerous as full-blown alcoholism, thanks to the health effects and dangers associated with drinking more than four or five alcoholic drinks in a sitting – the definition of binge drinking. About one in six Americans indulges in the practice, according … Continue Reading

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health, it may actually be a move in the direction of sobriety to allow heavy drinking homeless people to drink when they stay in shelters. Sound counterintuitive? If you think so, you’re not alone. But the results of the study were clear: The … Continue Reading

Your head is pounding like a punk rock drummer is living inside your brain, your mouth is as dry as the desert in summer and the room hasn’t stopped spinning from the moment you opened your eyes. Worst part is you’re not sure you’ll be able to make it to the bathroom in time if … Continue Reading

  Use this Infographic in your site. Copy & paste the code below. <a href="http://www.rehab-international.org/blog/drug-addiction-by-region" title="Drug Addiction by Region – by Rehab International"><img width="600" height="3359" alt="Drug Addiction by Region" src="http://rehab-international.org/mainsite/media/RL-Addiction-by-Region-IG-02-JCA.png" title="Drug Addiction by Region" border="0"></a><br>Source:<a href="http://www.rehab-international.org/blog/drug-addiction-by-region"> Drug Addiction By Region</a>

Everyone’s heard about drug and alcohol rehab, but there are dozens of rehab types that usually go under the radar. While some address addictions, others work to help people repair physical, emotional, or mental issues as a result of life events. Here are 4 types of rehab you may not know much about. Sex rehab … Continue Reading

What is it about fame that causes people to go over the edge? Excessive drinking, drug use and self-destructive behavior seem to go hand in hand with those who get even a small dose of popularity. Does fame cause it? Do famous people begin their own press and decide they don’t need to follow the … Continue Reading

Celebrity drug addict news floods the media, and there have been entire shows dedicated to the topic of Hollywood’s darlings’ drug use. But what about politicians? Election time usually sparks more revelations about people in politics, and while some politicians have been open when questioned about previous drug use, other’s pasts have gone under the … Continue Reading

What can $80,000 buy you…? a Porsche, 80 weeklong cruise vacations, or one month at a rehab center. That last option doesn’t sound very glamorous, but people are shelling out the money to break their addictive habits. How can these rehabilitation programs cost so much and still get business? Well, we’re going to show you … Continue Reading

A recent study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) has found that general practitioners in the United States are failing on a wide scale to screen for problem drinking in young adults. Young people age 18 to 25 are the most likely to engage in binge drinking and their physicians are … Continue Reading

When considering some of the greatest historical figures and their contributions to the world, we rarely let our minds wander to their personal lives and trials. Like every other human being, these talented people had strengths and weaknesses in their character, and they fell into addictive habits, as well. Here’s a list of some of … Continue Reading

We’ve all witnessed someone when they have had too much to drink appear as though every muscular movement in their body is out of sync. They stagger as they walk, slur their speech when they talk and fall over easily; in other words, they are a motor skills mess. It was always assumed that these … Continue Reading

Having an addition can really negatively affect someone’s life, and celebrities are no exception. It can impact your career, your relationships, and your daily life, and for the rich and famous, these influences are documented by the media. Here are some of the most recent and most notable losses celebrities have faced because of their … Continue Reading

In a recently completed study, researchers found that alcohol actually disrupts an individual’s ability to get quality sleep. The findings, which may be counterintuitive to many, will be published in the journal of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research later this year, where they demonstrated that alcohol actually creates insomnia over time. Most believe a nightcap … Continue Reading

There is often some confusion among those who drink heavily and family members who want to see them stop as to whether or not alcohol abuse requires treatment – or if a diagnosis of alcoholism or alcohol addiction is required. Determining whether or not treatment is necessary when alcohol abuse and not addiction is the … Continue Reading

There are a number of things one shouldn’t do while abusing alcohol. Drive. Have unprotected sex with a stranger. Operate heavy machinery. Care for young children. Make life changing or financial decisions. Enter into contracts. The list goes on. In New York, one pet store has decided that you should add something to the ever-growing … Continue Reading

It was a drunk driving accident that ended the life of Jackass star Ryan Dunn. Always a fan of fast driving and alcohol, the combination of the two proved deadly. About a month ago, Dunn died while driving a Porsche 911 GT3 in West Goshen, Pennsylvania. According to police who reconstructed the accident, he may … Continue Reading

In traditional alcohol rehab programs, patients have the opportunity to begin 12-step treatment as part of their treatment plan. Meeting regularly with peers in the program and learning how to work the 12 steps and remain sober with the sponsor and share system, created by Bill W. in 1935, can help patients to take advantage … Continue Reading

When Miss Teen USA 2002 Kari Ann Peniche showed up on Dr. Drew’s Sober House and didn’t exactly do a bang-up job of staying clean and sober, the spotlight turned to the problem of teen drug addiction. One of the pertinent questions that has punctuated the discussion of teen drug rehab and treatment is this: … Continue Reading

Drug and alcohol addiction almost always means malnutrition of some kind. Whether it’s because the drug decreases the appetite or because the cost of the drug sucks up the food budget, few active drug and alcohol addicts get the nutrients they need through food. Dehydration is also a common issue. Without enough water, the body … Continue Reading

Reports are coming in that the rate of drug and alcohol addiction among older adults is on the rise, and family members and caregivers are having a hard time figuring out how to deal with the problem.  Prescription drug addiction and alcoholism are the biggest culprits for this age group due to the easy access … Continue Reading

Caffeine and cigarettes – they are the mainstay of tens of thousands in recovery. During 12-step meetings, coffee is always available and breaks are given during meetings so everyone can go outside and smoke. The problem is that both caffeine and nicotine can cause serious problems in the long and short term. On the other … Continue Reading

Police misconduct is a common cause of dropped charges of all kinds – police don’t follow procedure when making arrests or taking statements or they mishandle evidence. It happens in every part of the country, and can often mean that those who need help or treatment for drug addiction are being released without that care. … Continue Reading

Dual diagnosis means pretty much exactly what it sounds like – the patient is diagnosed with two, or dual, disorders at the same time. If you or someone you love is that patient, this can be a pretty scary, especially when alcohol addiction is one of the two disorders – but you are not alone. … Continue Reading

After you have lived through drug and alcohol addiction, healing from the damage starts with learning a few key facts about the nature of addiction and the nature of treatment. Here you can read about some of the most common drug dependence FAQ. By knowing what you’re dealing with, you give yourself a head start … Continue Reading

Maine is having a serious budget crunch and it looks like state officials are thinking about cutting one of the most essential health services they have: inpatient substance abuse treatment programs. Forget that Maine has a drug and alcohol addiction rate that is eight times the national average; in a move that is typical of … Continue Reading

If you’re considering 12-step treatment after – or before – drug rehab but have been avoiding going to a meeting because you’re thinking it might be a waste of time, consider this: those who attend and continue to attend 12-step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in addition to drug and alcohol … Continue Reading

According to a press release on PRWEB, “Michael Lohan [is] alarmed with our nation’s growing rate of adolescent drug use and the subsequent tragedies occurring as a result of teen drug abuse. Michael Lohan [is] fulfilling [his] mission to speak about the dangers of teenage substance abuse and reach out to parents who are desperately … Continue Reading

The biggest problem that many recovering alcoholics have with alcohol rehab, support groups and 12-step meetings is attitude. Whether it’s the drama at meetings – one person says something that another doesn’t like or one member consistently whines about the little things like getting cut off in traffic – or personal issues at work or … Continue Reading

From eating couch cushions to obsessive tanning to wearing fur suits in public, there is no behavior too bizarre for The Learning Channel’s show My Strange Addiction. Most of each episode highlights the behaviors of each individual: how it started, how it developed, the severity of the addiction and the dangers associated with continuing the … Continue Reading

There is no shortage of movies and television shows devoted to the topic of drug and alcohol addiction, and everyone has their favorite. From celebrity drug addiction to literary and historical figures with addiction issues, if you’re looking for a drug addiction movie you only have to hit up Netflix or turn on the TV. … Continue Reading

Throughout history there have been brilliant men and women who seemed incapable of balancing the demands of their personal lives with their contributions to history. Today, we are able to recognize that many of history’s most fascinating figures were in fact in need of professional help. Many of these historical figures self-medicated themselves in order … Continue Reading