Alcohol use in older adults is relatively common. Still, as a rule, most people drink in smaller and smaller amounts as they age. But this is not always the case. Some people develop serious alcohol problems in later life. Others experience worsening effects of their existing alcoholism. In both cases, the result may be an …

Many people aged 65 and older drink beer, wine, or liquor. And unfortunately, significant numbers of these older adults develop problems that require enrollment in alcohol addiction treatment. Some seniors in need of treatment have been affected by alcohol addiction since earlier stages of their lives. However, others develop new, late-onset alcohol problems. There is …

If you’re familiar with the basic concepts of addiction treatment, you’ve likely heard about relapses. This term refers to renewed substance use in someone who has established drug or alcohol sobriety. But what actually happens when you relapse? And does a relapse permanently interfere with your drug or alcohol addiction recovery? The answers to these …

In any given year, hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo some form of bariatric surgery. A number of procedures fall under this general heading, including gastric bypass operations. Some bariatric procedures won’t affect your future risks for alcohol problems. However, certain surgical options can significantly elevate your risks. As a result, you may eventually need …

Behavior changes are common in people affected by all forms of addiction. That includes people affected by alcohol use disorder and dysfunctional alcohol abuse. One common change is an increase in the tendency to lie, deceive and blame others. Why do people with alcohol problems do these things? There is no single answer to this …

Tranq is a common slang term for the animal tranquilizer xylazine. This tranquilizer is used every day in veterinary clinics throughout the country. Unfortunately, it’s also sometimes diverted for non-approved use in human beings. Involvement in substance abuse comes with some very serious risks. That’s true if you take the medication by itself. It’s also …

America’s decades-long opioid crisis is ongoing. In recent years, a new substance abuse danger has been added to this crisis. That danger comes in the form of xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer sometimes known as tranq. On its own, tranq can have a serious, negative impact on your health and well-being. This impact is worsened …

N-dimethyltryptamine, better known as DMT, is a naturally occurring hallucinogen found in certain trees and plants. The drug is illegal in the U.S., largely because its consumption comes with significant risks for substance abuse. Concern about DMT also centers on its ability to produce a wide range of significant side effects. Some of these effects …