• Young woman sitting on sofa at home feeling sad tired and worried suffering depression in mental health.

    Is It Normal to Miss Substances Even When They Ruined My Life?

    760 words|3.8 min read|

    If you are in recovery and find yourself missing substances that caused real damage in your life, you may feel confused, guilty, or ashamed. You [...]

  • Man desperate and alone in the dark

    How People Are Testing Their Drugs Before Taking Them

    802 words|4 min read|

    The drug supply today is more unpredictable than ever. Substances are frequently mixed, altered or contaminated without the person’s knowledge, increasing the risk of overdose [...]

  • Shot of stressed businessman sitting at his desk and holding head with hand. Overworked businessman sitting in front of laptop and holding head.

    When No One Knows You’re Struggling: The Hidden Reality of Addiction

    742 words|3.7 min read|

    When most people picture addiction, they imagine homelessness, job loss, or someone visibly falling apart. We tend to think of addiction only in its most [...]

  • Profile view of a young homeless male - in his late 20s or early 30s - sitting in a dark, damp subway tunnel, his knees drawn up and his hands covering his face in desperation and despair. He is hungry, lonely and desperate addicted to fentanyl and xylazine. The man has short cropped hair and an unkempt beard. There is a look of sadness, loneliness and desperation in his eyes. He is sitting on a piece of old cardboard Horizontal image with room for copy space.

    What Pennsylvania Families Should Know About Fentanyl Mixtures, Xylazine, and New Drug Trends as We Near the End of 2025

    633 words|3.2 min read|

    The drug landscape in Pennsylvania is changing quickly. Substances are becoming more potent, more unpredictable, and more frequently contaminated with dangerous additives. These changes affect [...]

  • Vodka and redbull energy drinks in a can on a table

    The Risky Mix: Energy Drinks and Alcohol 

    531 words|2.7 min read|

    Energy drinks are designed to wake you up. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant that slows you down. On their own, each can [...]

  • Man holding and breaking cigarette with sherm

    Sherm: The Dangerous Street Drug You Need to Know About 

    533 words|2.7 min read|

    In the world of illicit drugs, slang terms often mask the true dangers of a substance. One such example is Sherm—a street name for cigarettes [...]

  • Prescription Medication Medicine Pill Tablets quaaludes

    The History and Lasting Impact of Quaaludes on Drug Use 

    511 words|2.6 min read|

    Quaaludes, once known as the “disco drug” of the 1970s, were originally developed as a sedative and sleep aid. The brand name for the substance [...]

  • From Herbal Tonic to Trendy Threat: The Story Behind Feel Free 

    458 words|2.3 min read|

    Not long ago, the name Feel Free might have sounded like a vague motivational slogan. Today, it’s the label on one of the most talked-about [...]

  • What Is Pink Meth?

    933 words|4.7 min read|

    Understanding the Risks of a Dangerous and Misunderstood Drug Every few years, a new drug—or a rumor about one—makes headlines or spreads across social media. [...]

  • Cannabis, marijuana or weed and brain. Influence (positive and negative) of smoking marijuana on human brain, nervous system, mental activity and functions, cognitive functioning, development

    Marijuana and Mental Decline: What You Need to Know 

    605 words|3 min read|

    As marijuana becomes more socially accepted and legally accessible, many people assume it's harmless. But research increasingly shows that long-term or heavy cannabis use—especially in [...]

  • Close up of woman holding cigarette she is breaking in half to signify quitting cold turkey

    Where Does the Expression “Cold Turkey” Come From? 

    643 words|3.2 min read|

    We've all heard the phrase "quitting cold turkey" at some point, especially in discussions about quitting habits or addictions. But where did this curious expression [...]

  • Young adult woman volunteer high fiving a child participating in national prevention week activities

    National Prevention Week: Raising Awareness About Substance Use and Mental Health 

    842 words|4.2 min read|

    National Prevention Week (NPW) is a nationwide observance held every year in May. For 2025, NPW will take place from May 11–17. This important week [...]

  • Cannabis leaf on green traffic light.

    Legalization and Increased Use of Cannabis in PA: Is It Linked to a Rise in Other Substance Use? 

    820 words|4.1 min read|

    The legalization of cannabis has been a hot topic across the United States, including Pennsylvania. While medical marijuana has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2016, [...]

  • Gas station often where the gas station drug is sold

    The Rise of “Gas Station Heroin” and Why Seeking Treatment is Crucial 

    639 words|3.2 min read|

    In recent years, a dangerous substance known as “gas station heroin” has gained attention due to its availability, potency and potential for serious health consequences. [...]

  • A man looking at himself in the mirror struggling with narcissism

    Are Addicts Narcissists? Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Addiction and Narcissism 

    1098 words|5.5 min read|

    When discussing addiction, one question that often arises is, “Are addicts narcissists?” The association between addiction and narcissism is frequently misunderstood. The relationship between these [...]

  • Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Nasal Spray Dependency

    636 words|3.2 min read|

    Nasal sprays are a common remedy for congestion caused by colds, allergies, or sinus infections. While they provide quick relief, overusing certain types of nasal [...]