Nicotine dependency remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease, disability, and premature death worldwide. Whether delivered through traditional cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, or electronic nicotine products, nicotine is a highly addictive substance that alters the brain’s reward system and can make quitting extremely difficult. To reduce the global burden of tobacco-related disease, the … Read more
Gambling addiction, also known as gambling disorder, is a behavioral addiction that can have devastating effects on an individual’s financial stability, emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Many people who struggle with gambling experience feelings of shame, isolation, anxiety, and hopelessness, making it difficult to seek help on their own. Group therapy has … Read more
Digital technology has become an essential part of modern life, influencing how people communicate, learn, work, shop, and build relationships. Smartphones, social media, online gaming, streaming services, and digital platforms offer many benefits, but they have also raised concerns about excessive and compulsive technology use. The concept of the social embedding of digital addiction recognizes … Read more
Regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, offering numerous benefits for physical fitness, mental health, and overall well-being. It can improve cardiovascular health, build strength, reduce stress, enhance mood, and help prevent many chronic illnesses. However, like any behavior, exercise can become harmful when it becomes excessive, compulsive, or continues despite injury, … Read more
Interest in using magic mushrooms, which contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin, as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction has increased as researchers search for new approaches to treating substance use disorders. Cocaine use disorder remains challenging to treat, and there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically indicated for this condition. Early clinical studies suggest that … Read more
The concept of food addiction continues to generate discussion among researchers because eating behaviors are influenced by a complex interaction of nutrition, brain chemistry, emotions, and environmental factors. Although scientists are still investigating whether highly processed foods trigger addiction-like responses similar to substances such as nicotine or alcohol, many agree that some individuals experience powerful … Read more
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affects far more than the brain and behavior—it can have serious consequences for nearly every part of the body, including the mouth. Severe oral deterioration is a common yet often overlooked complication of substance use and may include extensive tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth, oral infections, broken or missing teeth, … Read more
Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders, refers to the presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in the same individual. Common combinations include depression and alcohol use disorder, anxiety and prescription medication misuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder, bipolar disorder and stimulant use disorder, or schizophrenia … Read more
Many individuals living with anxiety attempt to manage their symptoms by using alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, prescription medications, or other substances without medical guidance. This behavior, known as self-medication, may provide temporary relief from feelings of worry, fear, or emotional distress, but it does not address the underlying cause of anxiety and can increase the risk … Read more
Workplace burnout has become an increasingly common concern across many professions as employees face growing workloads, staffing shortages, constant connectivity, and prolonged job-related stress. Burnout is more than simply feeling tired after a demanding day—it is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that develops when chronic workplace stress is not successfully managed. While … Read more