Drug Abuse

In the age of the opioid epidemic which focuses heavily on depressant drugs (which slow the systems of the brain and body) it can be easy to forget about stimulant drugs and stimulant drug addiction, which is still an ongoing crisis around the world. What Are Stimulant Drugs Stimulant drugs are any kind of drug… Read On »

The idea that mental health and physical health are intricately related is not new. Some of the oldest medical practices, such as Ayurvedic Medicine and acupuncture, use the mind-body connection as a foundation for healing. Today, advanced disciplines such as psychoneuroimmunology and health psychology understand that many factors – including psychological and behavioral factors – contribute… Read On »

No matter what stage of life you are in, addiction can take hold. For many seniors, significant life changes such as the loss of a loved one, illness, or chronic pain can send a person spiraling into unhealthy behaviors and substance use. Learn more about addiction and seniors below. Why Older Adults Turn to Self-Medicating … Read On »

Here, we will discuss and unpack the myth of “marijuana maintenance” by answering the question: Can Abstinence Include Marijuana? First, it’s important to understand the framework behind this common and controversial inquiry. Abstinence can be defined as the process of avoiding or not engaging in addictive substances and/or behaviors. Abstaining from the use of illicit… Read On »

You are more likely to die from an accidental opioid overdose than a car accident, as a human being living in America in 2019. Look at that sentence again. You are more likely to die from an accidental opioid overdose than a car crash. For the first time in history, a different accidental cause of… Read On »

There’s an old saying that the difference between medicine and poison is the dose. That’s more true now than ever. Many people make the mistake of believing that if a drug is prescribed by a doctor, it must be safe. While drugs prescribed by a doctor are typically safe when taken as directed, they are… Read On »

Xanax is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. It’s a fast-acting benzodiazepine that’s typically prescribed for anxiety or insomnia. While it works well when used occasionally for stopping an anxiety attack or getting some sleep during a stressful time, regular use can quickly lead to dependence and addiction. As little as… Read On »

Heroin bought on the street is almost never pure heroin. The actual heroin content can vary widely, usually between about 50 percent and 80 percent. It is almost always cut or laced with something else. When heroin is “cut” that means whatever is added to it is just filler with little or no psychoactive effect.… Read On »

The opioid crisis in the US has mostly overshadowed another growing problem: cocaine is back. Nearly a million Americans struggle with cocaine use issues every year and cocaine is responsible for about 40 percent of drug-related emergency room visits. Fatal overdoses from cocaine have been increasing exponentially in recent years. In 2016, more than 10,000… Read On »

With opioids making daily headlines for the past four years it might be possible to become immune to the severity of the problem. But the problem persists and in fact, has become more deadly. And now, a synthetic opioid—fentanyl—has come to the forefront as the leading killer in the class of opioids. The National Vital… Read On »