Health & Wellness

Unlike most others his age, 74-year-old Silver Lake resident and business owner Daniel Moneypenny loves climbing stairs. So much so that he recently raced up the 1,576 stairs of the Empire State Building to its 86th Floor Observatory as part of the Empire State Building Run-Up (ESBRU) in New York City. ...

Mindfulness and meditation are two ways of coping with life stressors. That means being fully present and aware of the here and now while keeping our minds quiet. ...

Caregiving can be a thankless and certainly exhausting job. But who's taking care of the caregivers? In most cases, no one. Here's ways caregivers can help themselves. ...

Cost is a leading factor in why some people don’t use hearing aids. If you’re over 65, you may wonder whether Medicare covers hearing aids. ...

What do stress and sleep have to do with diabetes? Plenty, according to a Cleveland Clinic doctor. Read what he has to say about reversing prediabetes. ...

Sometimes we assume that we must accept things as they are ("it is what it is"), when change is possible. At other times, we judge that situations can be changed when they cannot. This requires wisdom. All we can do is choose how to react when bad things happen. ...

Substance dependency risks affect people of all ages, presenting unique challenges at different life stages. Substance dependency, simply defined, occurs when a person relies on a substance to function physically or emotionally, which can escalate to addiction. Dependency risks vary across age groups due to distinct factors such as lifestyle changes, social pressures, and evolving health needs. Seniors might face dependency through prescription medications. On the other hand, teenagers often encounter risks through peer influence and curiosity. Each stage of life brings challenges that influence substance dependency patterns. Therefore, understanding these variations is essential for creating effective prevention strategies. By identifying the specific dependency risks associated with each stage, healthcare providers and families can recognize warning signs early. It will allow them to offer targeted support, promoting healthier outcomes across all age groups.

Early Adolescence: The Gateway to Dependency Risks

The teenage years are often when experimentation with substances begins, making early adolescence a significant period for dependency risks. This stage of life brings heightened curiosity and a strong influence from peers. Both can lead young people to try substances. Peer pressure plays a large part, as many adolescents feel compelled to fit in or seem “mature” among friends. Likewise, social media can intensify these influences by promoting unrealistic images of substance use as exciting or harmless. Teens’ exposure to social platforms can make experimentation appear more acceptable or desirable.

Another vital point is the importance of education during this phase. Teaching young people about the risks of substance use equips them with the knowledge to make informed choices. By providing clear, age-appropriate education on substance dependency, families and schools can guide teenagers away from choices that might lead to long-term dependency challenges.

Young Adults: Exploring Freedom and Facing Dependency Risks

Young adulthood brings newfound independence, often increasing the risk of substance dependency as individuals explore their freedom.

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Poor sleep can have an impact on your health, your immune system and also your mental clarity. Lack of adequate sleep can significantly impact your energy levels, concentration, recall and ability to make effective decisions. Perhaps some of your daily habits are impacting the quality of your sleep and may need to be modified. ...