Addiction

This is a physical condition. It's a change in your brain after you use a drug over and over again. Nerve cells in your brain, called "neurons," get used to the drug. They adapt to it. These cells begin to need the drug to function normally. And taking the drug away causes discomfort or pain. We call this "withdrawal."

Many people who have a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder. A person with depression may also abuse alcohol. A person who has schizophrenia may also be a drug user.

Addiction is a complex issue that involves the brain and the body. It also leads to a lot of poor choices, secrets and lies. For some, it's hard to understand why we call addiction a "disease." So let's take a few minutes to learn about it.

If you are concerned you may be addicted to alcohol, watch this video to ask yourself 10 questions and get the help you need.

Watch this video to learn to recognize the physical changes such as weight loss or weight gain and behavioral changes that come with an addiction to alcohol.

Watch this video to learn what defines Alcohol Addiction and the long-term effect of alcohol use on your brain and nervous system.

Watch this video to learn how to recognize the signs of an alcohol addiction.

Watch this video to learn more about what a functional alcoholic is and the resources available if you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction.

Watch this to understand some of the symptoms, both physical and behavioral, of someone using Methamphetamine.

Support is key for someone in recovery from an opioid addiction. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to understand what your role is. Your loved one's healthcare provider can help you.

This video is a patient story about Katie, who overcame opioid addiction.

For many, occasional gambling is a fun way to relax and enjoy some mild risk-taking. But for some, the urge to gamble is uncontrollable. If you have this disorder, you can't stop gambling. It is an addiction. Losing makes you want to place riskier and riskier bets. This can destroy your life.

Watch this program to learn how addiction affects the brain and the most common types of addiction.

Watch this program to learn about recovery person Dr. Gadhia-Smith's journey from addiction to sobriety.

Watch this video to learn the long-term and short-term health risks caused by Alcohol Use Disorder or Alcoholism.

Watch this video to help you or someone you know suffering with alcohol addiction reach out and get help.

Opioids are addictive drugs. Whether it's medications prescribed by doctors, medications purchased illegally or the 'street drug' heroin they all have a direct impact on a person's brain. People can work with a healthcare team to manage their addiction.

When someone who is addicted to opioids starts recovery, the symptoms of withdrawal take effect immediately. There are mild to severe physical and mental symptoms that should be monitored by a healthcare professional.

This is when you use alcohol or drugs in a way that harms you or puts you in danger. Abusing a substance can cause you to become dependent on it over time. You may feel powerless to stop using it. This can cause problems for you and your family. It can severely impact your life. It can be life threatening.

When starting recovery from opioid addiction, it's important to first consult a healthcare provider. They can help you create a treatment plan for your symptoms of withdrawal that will include a combination of therapy and medication.

There are resources for people who are struggling with an opioid addiction. It's important to reach out to a healthcare provider and to your loved ones for support.

Lately, something just doesn't seem right. You think your loved one could be abusing opioids. But how can you tell? Keep an eye out for these subtle signs of opioid abuse.

Life after opioid addiction treatment can be managed with a combination of therapy, medication and support of family and friends. Finding a treatment plan that works for you can lower your risk of relapse.

This is a mental and physical need to drink alcohol. We also call it "alcohol dependence." It makes you want to drink alcohol even when it hurts you and others. This can cause chaos in your life. It can cause health problems.

Watch this video to learn where you can get support to help you stop drinking including different treatment options.

Opioid addiction is overwhelming. It robs you of happiness and health. It can steal away your family and friends. But it is treatable. With the right support, you can beat opioid addiction. Let's learn about treatment options.

Overcoming addiction takes help. Find help for you or a loved one battling addiction.

These days, many of us are connected online more often than we aren't. Smartphones, smart watches and laptops. Emails, instant messages and alerts. The internet is a part of everyday life. And for some people, it can become an addiction.

You have a substance abuse problem. You feel like it's taking over your life, and you need help. So let's learn about treatment.

When you become dependent on alcohol or a drug, you need to have it just to feel normal. If you abruptly cut your use (or stop taking it completely), your brain and body need time to adjust. This process can be difficult. You can have very unpleasant symptoms. These can be dangerous, and even life-threatening. We call this process "withdrawal."