Addictions blog articles

People turn to addiction for a multitude of reasons, driven by the desire to be in a physically and/or mentally altered state. The constant need for that altered state results in unhealthy and abusive patterns of drinking, drug taking, gambling, internet use, or whatever the person’s behaviour or substance of choice is.

Valium – which is a trade name for diazepam – is an anti-anxiety medication. The benzodiazepine is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders or episodic anxiety, giving a sedative effect after around 30 to 60 minutes. Misusing the drug can lead to a person developing a Valium addiction.

More than half of adults support raising the UK’s legal drinking age to 21 to help reduce the burden on the NHS and society at large of ‘binge drinking’, according to a poll.

If you're worried that you or someone you're close to has a painkiller addiction, here are some common signs and symptoms of dependency.

Advice on what to say and do to help a functioning alcoholic.

We have taken a look at the effects that alcoholism can have on a family, how to deal with addiction in the family and the support that Priory can offer as a person embarks on recovery.

We look at how best to manage an alcoholic parent or alcoholic parents to make sure that the entire family doesn’t have to live with the effects of the addiction.

How alcohol addiction physically affects different parts of your body.

Research shows that nearly half of UK adults still don't know the government's weekly recommended alcohol limits.

Do you find yourself waking up covered in sweat after drinking? You might be experiencing night sweats due to alcohol.

If you are abusing fentanyl or are worried about someone you care about, there are common signs and symptoms that can indicate addiction. We list them here alongside available treatments.

Exploring the effects of codeine abuse, from withdrawing to developing a dependency.