Don\’t Drink and Drive: Getting Home Safely
There are safe alternatives to driving home while under the influence of alcohol. Know what works for you. If you plan to drink alcohol at a party, plan on taking a cab home or some form of public transportation, if possible. However, drinking responsibly also means not drinking to excess, to the point where you [...]
When You\’re the Adult Child of an Alcoholic Parent
When a parent abuses alcohol, the whole family suffers. Children are especially at risk. Growing up in an alcoholic home can seriously interfere with the normal stages of childhood. Later, adult children of alcoholic parents often have problems with trust, control and fear of intimacy. Growing up in a disruptive home Alcohol abuse interferes with [...]
The Dangers of Steroid Use in Teens
About three million athletes in the United States use anabolic steroids to boost their performance or shape their bodies. About one out of four started using steroids during their teen years. The use of anabolic steroids by teen athletes is on the rise, experts say. And it\’s not limited to boys on the football team [...]
Helping Kids Say \”No\” to Drugs
Teens have a way of making their parents feel pretty useless at times. But whether you know it or not, you are the biggest influence in your children\’s lives when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Two out of three kids ages 13 to 17 say that one of the main reasons they don\’t do [...]
Hooked on Pornography: Is it Controlling Your Life?
An interest in viewing nude bodies and sex acts is probably as old as mankind. But even in recent years, access to sexual images was limited. You had to buy a "dirty" magazine or rent an XXX-rated video. Now, because of the Internet, pornography is more available and more varied than ever. For some people [...]
When You Quit Smoking: A Timeline to Better Health
You know that quitting smoking provides long-term health benefits. But did you know that the positive changes kick in as soon as 20 minutes after your last cigarette? And as few as five years after giving up smoking, your risk of stroke is back to the level of a nonsmoker. Better yet, it\’s never too [...]
Help for the Compulsive Gambler
For millions of people, the Super Bowl is a chance to gather with family and friends. Super Bowl Sunday is also one of the biggest days of the year for gambling. And for some, it\’s the day when they finally admit that they or someone they care about has a gambling problem. Many people who [...]
Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse
Schizophrenia affects the way a person thinks, acts and feels. Adding alcohol or drugs to the mix creates even more problems. Compared to those with schizophrenia alone, people with both schizophrenia and substance abuse problems are: Less likely to benefit from their treatment Less likely to make good choices More likely to become violent More [...]
Kicking the Habit: How to Choose a Quit Date
Congratulations! You\’ve decided to quit smoking. Now you just need to decide when. Many smoking cessation programs suggest that the first step to quitting is choosing a quit date. But how do you make that choice? Does when you quit have an impact on how successful you\’ll be? If you\’re ready to make the commitment, [...]
Smoking During Pregnancy: How Harmful Is it?
You know smoking is bad for you. And, you likely know it\’s not healthy for your unborn baby. Still, it can be a challenge to stop smoking, but here are even more reasons to quit. Quitting smoking cuts your risk for miscarriage, preterm delivery and stillbirth. Your baby starts getting more oxygen after just one [...]