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All addictions go through stages, from experimentation to regular use, on to high-risk use and eventually, dependence. It’s no surprise then that unravelling uncontrollable behaviour is also not instantaneous. The addiction recovery process isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a set of learned coping mechanisms that need to be implemented over a lifetime for a…

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Up to one hundred times more potent than morphine, fentanyl is a strong narcotic opioid that is frequently abused (1). Often prescribed for chronic pain due to an accident, surgery or cancer, fentanyl is widely considered safe and effective when prescribed by medical professionals. It was originally used as an anaesthetic as it offers fast-acting…

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When you give up alcohol, having been a dependent drinker, you’ll move through various stages of recovery. There are always going to be individual variations to these but broadly speaking we can make some assumptions about what we expect to happen and when.

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Amphetamines – more commonly referred to as ‘speed’ – are stimulants that impact the central nervous system. Like most stimulants, they’re known to provide a surge in energy and confidence and provide a euphoric ‘high’ when using. This is why they’re so popular at raves, parties and in club settings. As well as being used…

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Psychedelic therapy is a technique that involves the use of psychedelic substances to aid the therapeutic process. Hallucinogenic substances have been used in holistic medicine and for spiritual practices by various cultures for thousands of years, yet their efficacy is still somewhat inconsistent and relatively unknown. In the ’50s and ’60s, research on psychedelics began…

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It might be a term of endearment in Latin America, but “la flaca” means something entirely different in the international drug world.

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Abuse and misuse of prescription painkillers is a growing problem. In fact, it’s estimated up to 12% of people who take strong opioids misuse them and as many as 29% develop an addiction. Known by the brand names Roxicodone®, Oxynorm® and OxyContin®, oxycodone is an opioid usually prescribed for severe or chronic pain following an accident, surgery or for advanced cancer. As well as delivering effective pain-relief, it also provides a euphoric effect, which can put users at high risk of developing an oxycodone addiction.   Dependence…

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Codeine withdrawal symptoms - like withdrawal symptoms from most drugs - can be a pretty nasty experience. Withdrawal symptoms are the effects felt by a substance-dependent individual after a prolonged period without the substance in their system. It’s their body’s response to not getting what it needs to function as a result of the dependency…

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We all have a different relationship with alcohol. For some, it’s a means of loosening up after a hard week’s work or celebrating big life events. For others, alcohol can become something much more destructive. Some people are more susceptible to becoming substance dependent than others and people can build a dependency on alcohol for…

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Substance misuse affects millions of people around the world every year and can be extremely harmful to our health. Misusing substances can quickly lead to dependency and addiction, where cognitive, behavioural and physiological problems develop. Being on substances to get you through the day can make you feel lost and powerless. Like your life is…

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