Drug Abuse

Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP – Chief Clinical Officer The cannabis plant has myriad chemical compounds (literally hundreds), and various cannabis strains tend to have these compounds in different amounts.  Perhaps the most well-known chemical in cannabis is Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, most commonly referred to as THC.  This is the primary psychogenic compound that causes the… Read On »

  Opioid Addiction in 5 Days: Process and Recovery The term “opioid addiction” or “opioid use disorder” refers to when individuals are unable to stop the use of the opioid after the prescribed amount of time by a medical professional. In most cases, opioids are prescribed to treat high levels of pain that occur after… Read On »

In 2018, over 48,000 people committed suicide, making it a leading cause of death with incidences more than doubling the number of homicides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people age 10 to 34, and the fourth leading cause of… Read On »

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year. IOAD aims to raise awareness of drug overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.  The United States accounts for over 25% of the estimated number of drug-related deaths worldwide, including overdose deaths. From 1999–2018, almost 450,000 people died… Read On »

By Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP – Chief Clinical Officer  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and addiction may have a cozier relationship than many realize, at least according to much of the scientific literature. Recent studies have presented estimates that the prevalence of ADHD in adults with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) might be around… Read On »

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 »