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Cocaine addiction is a tough topic to tackle, but it’s one that urgently needs to be addressed – especially here in the UK, where the numbers have been on the rise and the consequences are hitting home in every walk of life. If you or someone you care about has been affected, you’ll know firsthand…
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What Are Mutual Aid Recovery Groups? If you’ve ever known someone who’s wrestled with addiction. Or perhaps you’ve found yourself fighting those battles. Chances are you’ve heard whispers about mutual aid recovery groups. These are communities built not around expert advice or paid counselling, but around ordinary people helping each other stay sober. Sounds simple,…
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The Reality of Alcohol Addiction in the UK Alcohol addiction, or alcohol dependency as many professionals call it, doesn’t just hit the news in headlines or grim government reports. It’s woven through the fabric of everyday life for countless individuals and families across the country. When I first started working with people struggling with addiction…
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The first time I walked through the doors of an addiction rehab centre in the UK as a support worker, I carried a jumble of hope and doubt. Would the people seeking help here find what they desperately needed? Across the country, thousands face the same daunting question every year. Let’s pull back the curtain…
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What Really Drives Us: Breaking the Cycle of Dopamine and Addiction Let’s be honest. Most of us have heard about dopamine being called the “feel-good” chemical, but the real deal is way more complex. I still remember reading about dopamine for the first time during my psychology studies and thinking, Wow . No wonder we…
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The Complex World of Heroin and Opiate Addiction: Causes, Symptoms, and Where to Find Help in the UK Let’s not sugarcoat it. Heroin and other opiates have a powerful grip, tearing through families and communities. In the UK, the conversations I’ve had with people in recovery or their loved ones always highlight the same haunting…
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Understanding Cannabis Addiction: Signs, Causes and Treatment Options The conversation around cannabis is changing in the UK. No question about it. It’s everywhere, from university halls to festival fields and even whispered about in office corners. For a long time, people thought weed couldn’t possibly be addictive. “It’s just a bit of green, how bad…
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Shedding Light on Ecstasy and Amphetamine Addiction Let’s face it. When it comes to recreational drugs in the UK, ecstasy (MDMA) and amphetamines often get swept under the rug, labelled as “party pills” or “uppers,” without enough real talk about their dangers. Having seen the impact of both substances firsthand through volunteering in youth outreach,…
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Dopamine and the Brain’s Reward Circuit Let’s start at the roots. Dopamine. A chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter. Runs the show when it comes to the brain’s reward system. You’ve probably heard it hyped up as the “feel-good” chemical, but its real job isn’t quite so simple. Dopamine helps us learn which actions lead to positive…
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The Unseen Threat Lurking Behind a Night Out Ever wondered why some combinations pack a heavier punch than others? Mixing cocaine and alcohol isn’t just a recipe for a wild night. It’s an entry ticket to a world of risk, particularly from a silent, sneaky compound called cocaethylene. That name doesn’t roll off the tongue…