Is Alcohol a Downer or Upper?

Is Alcohol a Downer or Upper?

Is alcohol a downer or upper? Addictive substances are typically classified as either uppers or downers. These terms refer to the physical and mental reactions an individual experiences when intoxicated by a specific substance. As stimulants, uppers produce an increase in energy, focus, and confidence while downers act as depressants, causing lethargy, euphoria, and pain…

Dangers of Combining Alcohol and Opiates

Dangers of Combining Alcohol and Opiates

Opiates and alcohol affect an individual in unique ways. Although they are both considered depressants, which slow functions and interactions in the human body, these addictive substances are largely a danger to a person’s health and overall wellbeing. However, alcohol and opiates can become even more dangerous when consumed by an individual at the same…

How to Help an Alcoholic Parent

How to Help an Alcoholic Parent

Living with alcoholism is not easy. It can affect one’s health, occupation, and especially their social life. Sadly, alcoholism never affects just one person though. Oftentimes, an individual’s alcoholism will affect those around them; this can include their co-workers, friends, and worst of all, their family. In many cases, an alcoholic may also be a…

How Addictive is Alcohol?

How Addictive is Alcohol?

Many factors contribute to how addictive a substance is, and how likely it is that an individual will become addicted. Factors of addiction include potency and availability of the drug, a person’s genetic make-up, environment, mental wellbeing, and personal development. Once addiction develops, it can be extremely challenging to quit taking the substances because addictive…