Robin Williams was an internationally celebrated actor and comedian whose extraordinary creativity and humor were matched by personal struggles with substance use. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Williams experienced problems with cocaine and alcohol before achieving approximately two decades of sobriety. He later returned to alcohol use and sought professional treatment, demonstrating that … Read more
Steven Tyler, the legendary lead singer of Aerosmith, has publicly discussed a long history of struggles with alcohol and drug addiction that developed during the height of his music career. During the 1970s and 1980s, substance use became deeply intertwined with the rock-and-roll lifestyle surrounding the band and eventually affected his health, relationships, performances, and … Read more
Romantic addiction, also referred to as love or relationship addiction, describes an unhealthy pattern in which the need for romantic attention, connection, or emotional reassurance becomes increasingly difficult to manage and begins affecting a person’s emotional well-being and daily life. Although romantic addiction is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, the term is sometimes … Read more
Rosalynn Carter left an extraordinary legacy as one of America’s most persistent advocates for mental health, behavioral healthcare, and the dignity of people living with mental illness. Beginning her advocacy in Georgia in the early 1970s and continuing for more than five decades, she worked to reduce stigma, improve access to community-based treatment, strengthen mental … Read more
Technology has become an essential part of modern life, providing convenient access to communication, education, employment, entertainment, healthcare, and social connection. However, constant notifications, social media, gaming, streaming, and endless scrolling can make it difficult for some people to disconnect and use technology intentionally. A digital detox is a planned period of reducing or temporarily … Read more
Fentanyl testing has become an important harm-reduction strategy as illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to appear in the unregulated drug supply, including counterfeit pills and substances sold as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Because fentanyl cannot reliably be identified by appearance, smell, or taste, fentanyl test strips can provide potentially lifesaving information by detecting fentanyl in some … Read more
Xylazine, commonly called “tranq,” is a non-opioid veterinary sedative that is not approved for human use in the United States but has increasingly appeared in the illicit drug supply, particularly alongside illegally manufactured fentanyl. People may be exposed to xylazine without knowing it is present, making its effects especially concerning. Xylazine can cause profound sedation, … Read more
Online sports betting and day trading have become increasingly accessible via smartphones, apps, and digital platforms, allowing people to place wagers or execute trades within seconds. Although sports betting and day trading are different activities—and day trading itself is not considered a behavioral addiction—both can become problematic when excitement, risk-taking, and the pursuit of financial … Read more
Can vaping trigger a hidden mental illness? The relationship is more complicated than a simple yes-or-no answer. Vaping is not proven to suddenly activate a psychiatric disorder that would otherwise remain permanently hidden, but nicotine dependence, withdrawal, disrupted sleep, chronic stress, and exposure to THC or other substances may worsen psychological symptoms or make an … Read more
Kate Spade was an influential American fashion designer and entrepreneur whose colorful, optimistic designs helped create an internationally recognized brand. Behind her successful public image, however, Spade experienced significant mental health challenges. Following her death by suicide in 2018, her husband publicly shared that she had struggled with depression and anxiety for years and had … Read more