Most people do not associate alcohol with being harmful, and a lot of this has to do with the fact that it is a legal substance. However, despite alcohol being an extremely addictive substance that can be as dangerous, if not more so, as many other mood-altering substances, most people consider it safe and harmless. The reality is that when consumed in moderation, alcohol is considered relatively safe. But there are many negative consequences associated with alcohol when it is consumed in exc...

Overcoming a drug addiction is always going to be tough and it requires both commitment and motivation to succeed. Those affected by addiction must want to get better as no programme in the world will help a person who does not want to quit. How drug treatment works is a remarkably straightforward process that combines a comprehensive recovery programme with a real desire to get well again. If you are an addict and have both, you will have a high chance of permanent recovery. Before you learn...

An unhealthy attitude to eating can potentially lead to devastating consequences for those affected. In many cases, it can result in a cycle of bingeing and purging, known as bulimia nervosa, or bulimia for short. Most people have heard of bulimia, but few really understand the impact it can have on mental and physical health and wellbeing. While treatment is available for this condition, those affected often live in denial about their condition or try to hide it from others for long periods ...

There are certain medications that can only be accessed when prescribed by a medical professional. These are known as prescription drugs and are usually much stronger than over-the-counter medications; they also carry certain risks. It is necessary for doctors to evaluate a person’s mental and physical health as well as any other medications he or she is taking before prescribing any drugs. This is to ensure that the person is safe while taking them. While there are often risks associated w...

Most people have heard of the eating disorder anorexia, but the majority believe it is a lifestyle choice rather than a mental health problem. And many believe that it is something that affects just teenage girls; in fact, it can affect individuals of all ages and of both genders. Anorexia is a serious mental health problem and one that can have terrible consequences on health. What anorexia does to your body is devastating and without treatment, it is an illness that can end up being fatal. ...

It is hard to come to terms with the presence of an alcohol problem. Most people who develop an addiction to alcohol will take a long time to admit they have a problem because, to them, alcohol is not a harmful substance. After all, it is not as bad as taking drugs, right? Unfortunately, most people do not realise that alcohol is actually a toxic substance that, when abused, can be just as harmful as certain illegal drugs in terms of the damage it can do to mental and physical health, relatio...

The term ‘drug addiction’ is often associated with illegal substances such as heroin or cocaine, but the truth is that it is much more than that. It is also used to describe a pattern of prescription drug abuse that has a negative impact on the life of the user. However, the very idea of being classed as a drug addict or needing drug rehab is something that many people baulk at; particularly those who have never touched an illegal drug. The thoughts of where to go for drug rehab might be the...

An eating disorder is a serious mental health problem that can, in some circumstances, be deadly if left untreated. But which eating disorder is most deadly? This is a question that is regularly asked by family members and friends of those with such a disorder. The reality is that all eating disorders can be dangerous to health, but perhaps one of the deadliest is anorexia because many of those who suffer from it never recover. Anorexia has a high mortality rate due to the impact it can have ...

In the UK, alcohol consumption is acceptable for adults. Most drink to some extent. It is considered sociable to drink alcohol with friends and family members, but while most people drink in moderation, there are many who drink more than they should. Those who do drink excessive amounts, have a higher risk of developing an addiction, as well as many health problems. It is hard to understand what alcohol addiction could mean for you until you actually experience it. Many assume that addict...