Substance Dependence: Signs, Symptoms & Effects
Signs and symptoms of substance dependence, and detrimneal effects of substance use on health.
What Is Marinol?
Glossary definition of Marinol.
Glossary definition of Marinol.
Ten Most Addictive Pain Killers
These are 10 of the most addictive painkillers on the market today. They are all synthetic or semi-synthetic opiates. Most are usually prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain. Please note, this is not a complete list, and there are many more addictive pain killers and other prescription medications on the market. If you want to know about whether a medication is addictive, talk to your p…
These are 10 of the most addictive painkillers on the market today. They are all synthetic or semi-synthetic opiates. Most are usually prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain. Please note, this is not a complete list, and there are many more addictive pain killers and other prescription medications on the market. If you want to know about whether a medication is addictive, talk to your p…
Take Painkillers
Why the new generation of painkillers are so addictive.
Why the new generation of painkillers are so addictive.
What Is Demerol?
Glossary definition of the prescription drug Demerol®
Glossary definition of the prescription drug Demerol®
How Painkiller Addiction Happens
No-one takes painkillers with the intention of getting addicted. Usually, we are popping an over-the-counter pill because we are tired and have a headache or backache, but don't have time to lie down, or we have an injury and our physician has recommended a painkiller. So how do some people get caught in the grip of painkiller addiction?
No-one takes painkillers with the intention of getting addicted. Usually, we are popping an over-the-counter pill because we are tired and have a headache or backache, but don't have time to lie down, or we have an injury and our physician has recommended a painkiller. So how do some people get caught in the grip of painkiller addiction?
What Are the Official Criteria For Addictions?
DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance dependence
DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance dependence
How Much Alcohol is in a Standard Drink?
How much alcohol is in one standard drink? This frequently asked question is answered in terms of common alcoholic beverages.
How much alcohol is in one standard drink? This frequently asked question is answered in terms of common alcoholic beverages.
How Much Alcohol Is In a Standard Drink or Unit?
We talk about alcohol in terms of drinks, but how much alcohol is actually in a standard drink?
We talk about alcohol in terms of drinks, but how much alcohol is actually in a standard drink?
What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?
Details of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
Details of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
Number of Drinks and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
In calculating how many drinks you can safely consume, it is helpful to know about your blood alcohol level (BAC). This can be estimated based on your weight and how quickly you drink. This article provides information for men.
In calculating how many drinks you can safely consume, it is helpful to know about your blood alcohol level (BAC). This can be estimated based on your weight and how quickly you drink. This article provides information for men.
Number of Drinks and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
In calculating how many drinks you can safely consume, it is helpful to know about your blood alcohol level (BAC). This can be estimated based on your weight and how quickly you drink. This article provides information for women.
In calculating how many drinks you can safely consume, it is helpful to know about your blood alcohol level (BAC). This can be estimated based on your weight and how quickly you drink. This article provides information for women.
Are Heavy Drinkers Always Alcoholics?
I drink a lot, but I don't think I'm an alcoholic. Is it denial, or is my active social life OK?
I drink a lot, but I don't think I'm an alcoholic. Is it denial, or is my active social life OK?
I Drink a Lot. Does That Make Me an Alcoholic?
Many people who drink a lot are concerned that they might be an alcoholic. But is it the same thing? And are there other issues that drinkers should be more concerned about?
Many people who drink a lot are concerned that they might be an alcoholic. But is it the same thing? And are there other issues that drinkers should be more concerned about?
Is Having a Drink Healthy?
Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol has been promoted as healthy. However, the evidence for the positive health effects of even small amounts of alcohol is patchy, while the overwhelming evidence for the negative health effects of alcohol is crystal clear.
Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol has been promoted as healthy. However, the evidence for the positive health effects of even small amounts of alcohol is patchy, while the overwhelming evidence for the negative health effects of alcohol is crystal clear.
Why Drinkers Decide To Reduce Their Alcohol Intake
Heavy drinkers tend to get into the habit of drinking a lot on a regular basis. But most of them change at some point, with or without help. What makes them want to change?
Heavy drinkers tend to get into the habit of drinking a lot on a regular basis. But most of them change at some point, with or without help. What makes them want to change?
When Is It Unsafe to Drink?
Sometimes it is just plain unsafe to drink alcohol, but there are also times when caution should be exercised.
Sometimes it is just plain unsafe to drink alcohol, but there are also times when caution should be exercised.
Should I Drink Low Alcohol or Alcohol Free Beverages?
Low alcohol beverages are widely available -- but are they a good idea?
Low alcohol beverages are widely available -- but are they a good idea?
Alcohol and Drug Information
About.com's alcoholism site, with details of alcohol and drug addiction, binge drinking, youth substance abuse, how to quit and more.
About.com's alcoholism site, with details of alcohol and drug addiction, binge drinking, youth substance abuse, how to quit and more.
Need Help Quitting Smoking?
About.com's quit smoking site, with reasons to quit smoking, help with quitting, dealing with relapse and more.
About.com's quit smoking site, with reasons to quit smoking, help with quitting, dealing with relapse and more.
Health Effects of Marijuana
Often considered to be a benign drug, marijuana has detrimental effects on health. Read about the health effects of marijuana on about.com's alcoholism site.
Often considered to be a benign drug, marijuana has detrimental effects on health. Read about the health effects of marijuana on about.com's alcoholism site.
Lung Cancer Risks
You have doubtless heard of lung cancer and it's relationship with cigarette smoking, but alcohol can also increase your risk of this disease. Find out more about the risks and how to avoid them from about.com's lung cancer guidesite.
You have doubtless heard of lung cancer and it's relationship with cigarette smoking, but alcohol can also increase your risk of this disease. Find out more about the risks and how to avoid them from about.com's lung cancer guidesite.
Signs of Adolescent Drug Use
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to substance use, both in terms of their developmental stage (immature, seeking independence, seeking peer approval), and in terms of their potential to suffer from long-term effects of substance addiction (health effects, criminal involvement, unemployment).
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to substance use, both in terms of their developmental stage (immature, seeking independence, seeking peer approval), and in terms of their potential to suffer from long-term effects of substance addiction (health effects, criminal involvement, unemployment).
Collapsed Vein Risks
Injecting yourself with drugs poses a high risk of collapsed veins.
Injecting yourself with drugs poses a high risk of collapsed veins.
Tooth Decay Risks
Substance use cause tooth decay through direct damage, lack of self-awareness which can affect people's ability and will to care for their teeth properly, grinding of teeth, and vomiting. Far from being simply a cosmetic issue, tooth decay can be extremely harmful to health.
Substance use cause tooth decay through direct damage, lack of self-awareness which can affect people's ability and will to care for their teeth properly, grinding of teeth, and vomiting. Far from being simply a cosmetic issue, tooth decay can be extremely harmful to health.
Stroke Risks
Smoking, alcohol and drug use, as well as numerous lifestyle factors common among substance users, all increase the risk of stroke.
Smoking, alcohol and drug use, as well as numerous lifestyle factors common among substance users, all increase the risk of stroke.