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. When heroin is “laced” that means something is added to either imitate the effect of the heroin or add to the effect. Cutting and lacing
Ecstasy is one of many party drugs your teen or college-age child may be exposed to on occasion. You may discover your son or daughter has even tried ecstasy more than once. How has it affected them and is it addictive may be two of the first questions you have at that point. We’ll answer those questions below, share some warning signs of heavy ecstasy use, and introduce some treatment options. Ecstasy is one name for a psychoactive drug that
Becoming pregnant while living with a substance use disorder creates a different kind of urgency for treatment. Expectant mothers and their unborn babies both face numerous risks when drug or alcohol use continues. Let’s look at some of the most significant risks and identify the unique needs of pregnant women with SUDs. Drinking or drug use during pregnancy can lead to serious health risks for both expectant mother and child. The risks can even include such serious harm to brain
We use the term “recovery” regularly. It’s even in our name. But, not everyone may understand what recovery means and what it involves. Today, we’ll help you understand how we define recovery from addiction and share some insight on the journey of addiction recovery from the Origins perspective. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Commission known as SAMHSA defines recovery as “a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to
If you have ever mixed drinking with prescription medication use, you have likely experienced some unpleasant side effects. But, this kind of combination actually can be dangerous for a number of reasons. Before you suffer any serious health consequences from this combination, let’s look at the risks associated with alcohol and prescription or over-the-counter drug use. The dangers of mixing prescription medications with alcohol can have a range of negative effects on a person. It can be as minor as
Knowing how to help someone with addiction doesn’t come easily. There’s no one path to recovery. But, you can find ways to begin a conversation about the harm caused by doing drugs or drinking. Today, let’s discuss a helpful approach to the subject—along with some important things to avoid. Talking to someone with a substance addiction can feel challenging. Learning how to help someone with a drug addiction can begin with the kind of research you’re doing right now. Part
When the pandemic began in early 2020, its potential impact on substance use disorders was already on the minds of many people. Now halfway through 2021, the trends emerging in SUDs is giving us a clearer picture of how the Covid era is creating a greater need for treatment. Today, let’s look at some current addiction trends and what to look for in family and friends who may have developed an addiction since you last saw them. Current addiction trends
If someone asked you to name the first few diseases you can think of, you’d probably mention the most familiar ones. Heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s may be on your shortlist. If given a second chance to add more types, would addiction even come to mind? If not, it’s a good starting point for a conversation today about what qualifies as a disease and why substance use disorders (SUDs) may get overlooked. For years, researchers have known that addiction is
The relationship of substance use disorders and mental health is important to understand in every person who needs treatment. But, can addiction itself be considered a mental health disorder? Today, let’s talk about how these two disorders come together and how a problem with substance use is different from other mental health concerns. Is Addiction a Mental Health Disorder? Substance use disorders are classified as mental health disorders due to the changes they make to the brain. These changes can
In the past year, we’ve seen much more attention put on virtual health services to keep patients and medical staff safer. Treatment for substance use is part of those essential services. With the post-Covid era coming thanks to vaccines, you may be wondering if Telehealth addiction recovery options are here to stay. Today, let’s talk about the benefits of treating addiction remotely and how it compares to starting a program in person. Telehealth addiction recovery use make healthcare providers more
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If you or someone you love has a substance use or mental health disorder, Origins Behavioral HealthCare can help. We will work alongside you to provide the most comprehensive treatment available.
