About teenagers and college students additions
Reality dating programs such as The Bachelor combine romance, competition, rejection, social status, physical attraction, and dramatic uncertainty into an emotionally intense environment. For viewers, the repeated cycle of anticipation, conflict, romantic validation, and cliffhangers can make these programs particularly engaging. But does that make The Bachelor a “recipe for addiction”? And does hypergamy—the preference … Read more
The phrase “addicted politician” can easily become a sensational label, but substance use disorder (SUD) is a health condition that can affect people in every profession and level of society—including elected officials. A politician experiencing addiction may face many of the same challenges as anyone else: cravings, impaired control, secrecy, relationship difficulties, health consequences, relapse, … Read more
Youth vaping has become an important public health concern, particularly because of its relationship with mental health and nicotine dependence. Adolescents experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or social pressure may be more likely to use vaping as a way to cope with uncomfortable emotions. At the same time, repeated nicotine exposure can lead to dependence, … Read more
Bradley Cooper’s experience with addiction demonstrates that substance use disorders can affect anyone, regardless of talent, ambition, career potential, or eventual success. Before becoming an internationally recognized actor and filmmaker, Cooper has publicly described struggling in his twenties with cocaine addiction, problematic alcohol use, depression, and extremely low self-esteem. He has explained that professional uncertainty … Read more
GLP-1 receptor agonists, including medications such as semaglutide, have gained attention not only for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity but also for their potential role in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers are investigating whether these medications may influence brain pathways involved in reward, motivation, and craving, potentially reducing the desire for alcohol or the … Read more
Underage drinking can affect a teenager’s physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, academic performance, judgment, and future risk for alcohol-related problems. Because adolescence is an important period of brain and social development, helping teenagers recover requires more than simply telling them to stop drinking. Effective recovery involves understanding why alcohol use began, identifying triggers and peer … Read more
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) provide an important level of care for individuals managing substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health conditions. These programs offer intensive, structured treatment during the day while generally allowing participants to return home or to supportive housing in the evening. PHPs can combine addiction treatment, individual and group therapy, psychiatric … Read more
Gaming has become a major source of entertainment, competition, creativity, and social connection for people of all ages. For most individuals, playing video games is an enjoyable activity that can be balanced with school, work, relationships, sleep, and other responsibilities. However, gaming can become problematic when a person develops difficulty controlling how often or how … Read more
John Belushi was a remarkably talented comedian and actor whose rapid rise to fame was accompanied by increasingly serious struggles with substance use. Best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, Animal House, and The Blues Brothers, Belushi became one of the most recognizable comedians of his generation. Behind his professional success, however, cocaine, … Read more
Steven Tyler, the legendary lead singer of Aerosmith, has publicly discussed a long history of struggles with alcohol and drug addiction that developed during the height of his music career. During the 1970s and 1980s, substance use became deeply intertwined with the rock-and-roll lifestyle surrounding the band and eventually affected his health, relationships, performances, and … Read more