If you’re in recovery from a substance use disorder, your heart is likely saying thank you right about now. That’s because alcohol as well as the majority of illegal drugs can have an adverse impact on your heart health, ranging from irregular heart rate to heart attacks. In honor of American Heart Month this February, here’s a look at your heart on drugs. According to the American Heart Association, chronic drug use can lead to a variety of cardiovascular problems, including: Rapid or irregular heart beats (arrhythmia) Sudden increase in blood pressure Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) Dilated cardiomyopathy […]

Thanks to a growing body of research, we now know that addiction and addiction recovery is different for men and women alike. In fact, women face some unique challenges including having a harder time quitting and a greater chance at relapse. Differences between women and men also include how they develop a substance use disorder, experience consequences of use and what they need in terms of treatment and lasting sobriety. Men and women experience addiction differently and often wrestle with different societal pressures and emotions. Here’s a look at a few key differences: Women become addicted faster with smaller amounts than […]

Mental illness and substance use disorder often go hand in hand – in fact, there’s even a name for it: co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 8 million people in the U.S. experience both a mental disorder and substance use disorder simultaneously. Either disorder — mental illness or a substance use disorder — can develop first. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows high rates of cooccurring substance use disorders and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder) as well as  mental disorders such as depression and […]