5 Stages of Substance Abuse

Substance misuse rarely appears out of nowhere. For most people, problematic use follows a predictable progression: from initial experimentation to routine use, risky patterns, dependence, and — for some — full-blown addiction (substance use disorder). Understanding those stages helps family members, teachers, clinicians, and the person using substances to detect trouble early, choose the right … Read more

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual Diagnosis,” also called “Co-Occurring Disorders,” means that a person has both a mental health issue and a substance use problem at the same time. These two conditions influence each other — one can make the other worse, and they often keep each other going. For example: A person with severe anxiety may drink alcohol … Read more