Taking ecstasy can trigger intense feelings of happiness and energy. When you stop taking it, this can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as low mood, feeling anxious or struggling to sleep. Getting the right support can help to make these symptoms easier to manage so you can focus on your recovery. What are the symptoms […]
Category: Addiction Advice
The side effects of vaping: what you need to know
Vaping has become common over the past decade. It’s often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking or a tool to help people quit cigarettes. While e-cigarettes don’t produce tar or burn tobacco, they come with their own risks and side effects. Learn what vaping does to the body, why it can be difficult to […]
How to celebrate an alcohol-free St Patrick’s Day
An alcohol free St Patrick’s Day is possible, even if it may not feel that simple. More people than you might expect choose not to drink on St Patrick’s Day, for all kinds of reasons. Some are in recovery. Some are cutting back. Some are pregnant, on medication, or simply do not want to drink. […]
Menopause and Addiction: Understanding the Link with Alcohol and Drugs
Many women in Ireland going through menopause experience emotional and physical symptoms that can be difficult to manage, from low mood and anxiety to poor sleep and brain fog. For some, these challenges can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking alcohol more frequently or using medication or drugs to get through the day. […]
Can Alcoholics Drink Casually?
The terms ‘Alcoholism’ and ‘alcoholic’ are outdated and not used in professional circles. The term ‘Alcohol Use Disorder’ is the correct term used among substance misuse professionals, but for the purposes of our audience and their familiarity with the term, we have referred to the term ‘alcoholic’ in this article. For many suffering from alcohol […]
Are you addicted to social media? 12 ways to stop scrolling
In today’s digital age, it’s become all too easy to fall into the habit of mindless scrolling on social media. With the rise of smartphones and social platforms, many people find themselves addicted to social media, endlessly swiping, scrolling, and consuming content without realising how much time has passed. For some, this behaviour develops into […]
7 Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms in Addiction
Addiction, including alcohol and drug addiction, is a brain disease that impacts various brain functions to do with reward, pleasure, memory, and motivation. It doesn’t just ‘happen’, instead it typically develops over a period of time. If you’re wondering what are the stages of addiction, they can be broadly characterised as initial use, which leads […]
Low Self Esteem and Addiction – How Are They Related?
Does it matter what others think of us? Apart from people affected by certain mental illnesses such as psychopathy, almost every one of us is affected to some extent by the opinions of others. Low self-esteem can lead to addiction and it can also reinforce it. Let us understand how low self esteem and addiction […]
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Addiction – Is There a Link?
At this time of year, as the seasons change, people start to talk about the seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and its links to addictive behaviour, particularly substance misuse. The two conditions can be treated concurrently. Symptoms of SAD should never be ignored. What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder and Addiction? SAD is a mental health disorder […]
Can Social Media Help Addiction Recovery?
Can Social Media Help Addiction Recovery? These days, Twelve Step programmes are available to help recovery from any addiction. They have several defining characteristics: Acceptance, Self-help and Spirituality being notably significant. Perhaps less appreciated is the concept of Community that they all contain. The Power of ‘We’ The power of addiction cannot be overcome alone; […]
Citizen’s Information for Free Drug Addiction Services
Where to Find Information for Free Drug Addiction Services If you require free treatment for drug addiction, various options are available to you – however, it will depend on your needs and severity. In the public health service, non-residential treatment is free of charge. You can claim free addiction treatment services provided by HSE Drug […]
The Irish Rehabilitation Centre That Offers the Most Patient Facilities and Services
Irish Rehabilitation Centre: Smarmore Castle Smarmore Castle is the third rehabilitation centre opened by Peter and Dr. Margaret McCann that has been designed to help people recover successfully from drug, alcohol, and behavioural addictions. We define addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterised by compulsive acting out, substance abuse, or drinking. Untreated alcoholism or drug […]