Mental Health Blog

Substance abuse describes the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of legal drugs that causes problems with a person’s day-to-day activities, work, relationships, and life in general. More than 20 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with substance use disorder last year. Understanding Substance Use Disorder Substance use…

Hallucinogens are drugs that cause distortions in people's reality while producing a euphorically good feeling. While under the influence of hallucinogens, some people claim to see, hear, and feel things that seem real but aren't.

Addiction is a chronic disease that profoundly affects your brain and how it operates. Understanding how addiction and the brain intercept is crucial to recognizing how substance and behavioral addictions hijack your brain.

Most people are familiar with the whirlwind of feelings that come with falling in love. You may make rash decisions, want to be with the person all the time, and deprioritize other things in your life during this stage of a relationship. But what about when the need to feel…

Perspective and research on what causes addiction changes over time, from the belief that addiction is an incurable genetic disorder to understanding that substance use targets the brain's reward system. The causes of addiction can include risk factors, past trauma, genetics, environment, and exposure. 1. Risk Factors Multiple factors contribute…