Are crack and cocaine the same thing? Many people believe that crack and cocaine are the same. They are varieties of the same drug. The difference between them is essentially a matter of substance. Crack cocaine comes in small crystals. Regular cocaine is powdered. Crack cocaine takes the shape it does because it is powdered…
How long does cocaine stay in the system after you take a dose? It’s something many people who are curious about the drug or its effects on users want to know. How long cocaine stays in a person’s system depends on a few factors: body weight, metabolism, dosage, and how frequently the drug is used.…
Many different categories exist for classifying drugs. Two of the most common are stimulants and depressants. Is cocaine a stimulant or depressant? In Murrieta, California—and likely elsewhere, too—some drugs exist in more than one category. That is not the case for cocaine, as this drug is purely a stimulant. Understanding what it means for cocaine…
One of the most common inquiries regarding marijuana is related to what type of drug it is. Many people wonder, “Is marijuana a depressant?” Depressants are just one category of drugs, with the others being stimulants, opiates, and hallucinogens. People often begin with the question, “Is marijuana a depressant?” because marijuana user stereotypes fit the…
People often use marijuana to feel relaxed and achieve a mellow high. There are also some medically-valid uses for marijuana concerning pain management or chronic ailments. As a result, it may be tempting to think that marijuana use could benefit someone with depression. Beyond whether or not it could be helpful, marijuana is commonly used…
A dual diagnosis is when someone has both a substance use disorder and another mental health disorder. Treatment for dual diagnosis is designed to tackle both disorders at once. This approach is more complex than the traditional method of treating each condition independently. Yet despite its complexity, dual diagnosis treatment is vastly preferable for the…
“Is dual diagnosis right for me?” It’s a common question for people to ask before seeking substance abuse treatment. From the clinical perspective, it may seem cut-and-dried whether someone has a dual diagnosis or not. Many people seeking treatment, however, may not be formally diagnosed with a mental health disorder or may doubt whether their…
A simple dual diagnosis definition is any time a person is identified as having a substance use disorder and another mental health disorder simultaneously. This dual diagnosis definition also applies to another term: “co-occurring disorders.” In many cases, “dual diagnosis” and “co-occurring disorders” are interchangeable terms as they mean the same thing. Dual diagnosis treatment…
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders overlap at high rates. Treating both conditions together is more complex than treating one on its own. Yet failing to address these disorders simultaneously is a recipe for relapse. The benefits of dual diagnosis far outweigh the added challenges of implementing a dual diagnosis program. Whether mental illness…
Many people who struggle with substance abuse have lost track of how good life can be when sober. Changing habits and thought patterns is hard work. The prospect of getting sober may not sound all that enticing for people who know how difficult the path to get there will be. Yet the benefits of sober…