American Addiction Centers Blog
What Does Crack Look Like? How to Identify Crack Cocaine: Look, Feel, and Smell
April 25, 2024
What Does Crack Cocaine Look Like? The process of turning cocaine into crack cocaine produces crystals, called “rocks.” These range in color from clear-white or opaque white to off-white or yellow. They vary in size and shape, too. Changes in color may be related to adulterants, including caffeine, sugar, lactose, or other drugs like levamisole, […]
If you’ve been thinking about cutting down or stopping your alcohol use, you might be wondering whether you can quit drinking without rehab. Quitting alcohol can be difficult, and you may encounter many obstacles along the way that could hamper your efforts to get sober. Keep reading to learn more about why it’s often not […]
Steven Tyler is one of the most well-known rockers alive. Since first rising to fame in the 1970s as frontman for the band Aerosmith, he’s responsible for a long list of iconic songs, from “Dream On” and “Sweet Emotion” to “Walk This Way,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” and “Love in an Elevator.” But for all […]
Entertainment celebrity Andra Day opened up publicly in a recent post. Star of “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” Day realized she needed to tackle her addiction before taking on this leading role. She knew that “any element of sexualization” would interfere with her work. So she dealt with her disorder. Now in recovery, this […]
If your friends use opioids, you’re right to be concerned. Opioid abuse is a serious problem that can not only cause addiction, but can also lead to overdose and death. Having a friend who uses opioids can be stressful and emotionally draining, and you might not know what to do to help. While your friend […]
Everyone wants to be seen a certain way by the rest of the world. And although that comes with varying degrees of discretion, it boils down to simply wanting to be respected and seen as an equal. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, research has shown that the news and […]
Becoming sober is a significant accomplishment and one that you should feel proud of. It’s not an easy task to quit drinking alcohol, especially when you are dependent on it. Going through an alcohol detox program helps you manage the withdrawal symptoms and gives you insight into why you may have started drinking. However, what […]
Relapse prevention is a key part of staying sober from alcohol. Whether you just completed your alcohol detox treatment program or did it years ago, there is always the risk of a relapse. What are the alcohol relapse warning signs, and what can you do to prevent it? Signs That You May Be Close to […]
For many people who struggle with addiction, substance use serves as a coping mechanism to minimize the emotional pain of past trauma. Whether it be a physical issue, such as a car accident or military injury, or psychological trauma, such as verbal abuse or the death of a loved one, recovery from addiction is difficult […]
“Just stop drinking or just stop using drugs.” This is not helpful advice to those battling an addiction. According to the Director of News in Health’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Dr. George Koob, the “common misperception is that addiction is a choice or moral problem…” The fact is that having a substance […]
For many people, the use of methadone to aid in recovery from an opioid use disorder is truly life-saving. With years of research backing its use, methadone can be an effective tapering drug in substance abuse treatment. However, the stigma of methadone treatment is something that people on methadone must fight against, and it can […]
Are you thinking about having a few drinks before going to sleep? Think again. If you’re looking forward to a restful night, even moderate drinking may undermine those plans. As it turns out, research shows that alcohol negatively affects sleep patterns. But doesn’t alcohol induce calmness and contentment? Having a couple of drinks to dampen […]
Myriad factors can lead people to use and ultimately misuse substances. However, childhood trauma appears to be a key factor related to substance use disorders. Childhood trauma can stem from any number of things, but some causes include neglect along with physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. These traumatic experiences can make the individual more susceptible […]