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More than half of motor vehicle accidents are due to someone’s driving while impaired. In high-speed traffic, a moment’s distraction can mean the difference between a near miss and a
If you’re considering entering inpatient rehab for a drug or alcohol addiction, you might not realize you’ll need to undergo medical detoxification before starting your treatment program. What is detox,
The opioid epidemic has made nationwide headlines because of the thousands of deaths attributable to this health crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it has
You’ve likely heard some information about methadone used in treating substance use disorders. Maybe you have concerns about the drug based on things you’ve heard. If your treatment provider
You’re contemplating quitting drinking or realize that you’ve become much too dependent on prescription painkillers. Yet, getting off them may not be so easy, especially if you’ve tried and
Detoxing off methadone can be a highly uncomfortable, and in rare cases, even fatal process that ideally should be undertaken in the context of medical supervision. Since methadone is
You want to get off opiates, but have some concerns about painful withdrawal symptoms that you’re likely to experience as prescription painkiller drugs or illicit opiates such as heroin leave
Narcan is a popular brand name version of naloxone— an opiate antagonist used to treat and reverse the symptoms associated with opiate overdose. Although Narcan is considered a prescription
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate agonist derived from the opium poppy plant. The drug—designated a Schedule 11 narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—has been popular in America since the
Understanding how quickly Xanax addiction develops and recognizing the warning signs can help prevent long-term consequences. While Xanax is highly effective in treating short-term anxiety, its calming effects make it
The opiate painkiller tramadol is less potent, and has less potential for abuse, than most drugs in its class. This does not, however, make it completely safe or non-addictive.
Have you ever wondered how to change your life for the better? Changing your life for the better can be challenging for any individual to undertake, especially on their own.
Amphetamines belong to a class of synthetic psychostimulant medications originally developed by Japanese scientist Nagai Nagoyoshi in the late 19th century. Chemically designed to target the central nervous system
Kratom has been dubbed “a drug of abuse” by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, because its consumption can lead to addiction. The drug comes from the leaves of a
As the loved one or friend of a user, it can be challenging to support them without falling into enabling them. An enabler, in a general sense, can be a
Sleeping pills is a term that is often used to describe both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications used to help individuals that have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout
Methadone is a long-acting, synthetic opiate that was first synthesized by German scientists in the mid-20th century. Methadone is considered a chemical derivative of morphine and was popularized over the
Benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, can be highly addictive. Discontinuing these medications requires careful management due to potentially severe withdrawal symptoms. Understanding the benzo withdrawal timeline is crucial
Methamphetamine is a hydrochloride salt and like the appearance of common table salt, it takes a crystallized form. Therefore, it is called crystal meth. Crystal meth is most commonly
Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive Schedule 11 narcotic prized for its potent psychostimulant properties. The synthetic drug—which is illicit in every form other than legitimate, non-refillable prescriptions, is produced
Methamphetamine (meth, crystal meth) is a synthetic stimulant designed to target the central nervous system (CNS). The illicit and wildly popular narcotic is mass produced in underground laboratories and frequently
Morphine was the first opiate drug to be widely used as a painkiller in the United States, and was the cause of the nation’s first major opiate addiction epidemic in
The drug behind the first opiate-addiction crisis in mainstream America, morphine is still prescribed today. And it’s still a frequent cause of addiction disorders. In 1805, German scientist
Methamphetamine (meth) is an extremely potent, highly addictive psychostimulant with chemical properties resembling amphetamine. Although methamphetamine is legitimately used to treat behavioral disorders such as (ADHD) and incorporated into short-term
The name morphine is derived from the Greek god Morpheus, “the god of dreams.” Ironically, the debilitating effects of the drug often become a living nightmare—especially for chronic users.
Morphine is a potent opiate used for the treatment of severe pain, usually post-surgical or cancer-related pain management. Due to its highly addictive, psychoactive properties, morphine is classified a Schedule
Millions of Americans are addicted to alcohol or drugs, and some take the proactive step of seeking treatment to overcome their addiction. However, addiction experts say that recovery is a
Fentanyl. The most potent of prescription painkillers, 100 times as strong as morphine. Potentially deadly and flooding the black market, yet still legally available on doctor’s orders. Fentanyl overdose kills
Morphine is a powerful synthetic opiate with a lengthy history of medicinal use. The fast-acting, short-lasting narcotic, which is derived from the opium poppy plant, initially appeared in the early
Methadone is a synthetic, pain-relieving narcotic medication that, in addition to treating severe pain, has been used to treat heroin and opiate cravings since the 1960’s and 1970’s. When
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive and extremely toxic stimulant drug with a high potential for abuse. Meth addiction is one of the most heartbreaking and devastating substance use
Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate analgesic considered 50-100 times more potent than morphine. The drug was first synthesized in the early 1960s by Belgian chemist Paul Janssen, later exploding on
Millions of Americans struggle daily with pain. Whether the pain is from a sudden injury or trauma or chronic pain from debilitating and/or terminal disease, seeking pain relief often drives
So, what is morphine? Morphine is a potent opiate analgesic that is clinically used to manage pain, mostly pain that occurs after surgery and for patients with terminal cancer.
“Alcoholic” is a term used to describe someone suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD)— a medical and psychiatric condition defined by a compulsion and inability to control excessive drinking. In
One of the most powerful painkillers available, fentanyl has profound effects on the body, both when used in a hospital setting or as prescribed by a physician, and when used
Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance, a highly addictive and extraordinarily potent synthetic opiate narcotic drug with a high potential for abuse. Prescription fentanyl, 50 to 100 times more
Hydrocodone (trade names include Vicodin, Lortab and Vicoprofin) belongs to the class of long-acting opiate painkillers. Like other opiates, it is responsible for many addiction disorders. This article offers tips
Fentanyl addiction is a national health concern of serious import that has racked up an alarming death toll— especially in the northeastern United States where it is considered an emerging
The personal and societal impact of addiction is unparalleled. According to the National Survey on Drug Health and Use (NSDUH), approximately 22 million Americans aged 12 and older suffered from
Fentanyl is classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule II substance, meaning it has “a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has become a leading cause of overdose deaths across the United States. Its potency is staggering, with even tiny amounts capable of causing fatal respiratory depression.
Suboxone (buprenorphine) has been a life-saving medication for many people addicted to opiate prescription drugs, as well as illicit opiates such as heroin and synthetic opiates including fentanyl. Yet, in
The fact that you’re asking this question suggests you may already be experiencing negative life consequences from using cocaine. These problems may have convinced you that you need to get
If you can’t get through the day without lighting up, inhaling from a bong, pipe, water pipe, dabbing or other forms of marijuana use, and are experiencing difficulties at home,
Methamphetamine addiction and dependence on crystal meth may not be as headline-grabbing today as it was a few years ago, overshadowed by the deadly opiate epidemic that continues to rage.
The short-acting benzodiazepine Xanax (generic name alprazolam) has been prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders since 1981. While many find it helpful for short-term relief, it is highly addictive and
In the rapidly expanding universe of addiction, success stories always offer a welcome light through a dark and seemingly endless tunnel. Overcoming addiction to any substance is, at best, difficult—
Heroin is a dangerous, unpredictable opiate that continues to claim lives and wreck families despite its illicit, Schedule 1 status. The black-market drug, once sold almost exclusively in inner cities
No longer a pure derivative of the opium poppy plant, modern-day heroin is a killer of epidemic proportions, resulting in 8,260 deaths in 2013 and continuing its deadly ascent into
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive use and drug seeking that persists despite mounting negative consequences. Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect millions of Americans. Heroin addiction
The frightening statistics of heroin addiction and misuse, not to mention the increasing number of heroin overdose deaths, is enough to strike fear into parents of adolescents and teens. Being
Even with the staggering increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017 linked to heroin (15,858), other synthetic opiates, predominantly fentanyl (29,406) and drug combinations including heroin, the signs of heroin
Heroin is classified as an illicit, Schedule 1 narcotic by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of its incredibly dangerous, unpredictable nature. Despite its reputation for being highly damaging
Heroin is an illicit opiate and central nervous system (CNS) depressant that works by binding to opiate receptors in the brain. This binding process alters both the perception and physical
Heroin is a derivative of morphine naturally found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) plant but considered approximately three times more potent. Classified as a Schedule 1 illicit narcotic by
Cocaine is a potent psychostimulant derived from the coca plant indigenous to South America. Originally used by natives until the 19th century, and erroneously assumed to be safe, cocaine’s highly
TABLE OF CONTENTS Synthetic drugs are an increasingly popular category of addictive substances derived from chemical compounds. Illicitly manufactured by “street chemists” using technically legal chemicals, they are considered far
Methadone is a synthetic opiate painkiller commonly used to treat individuals suffering from opiate addiction—especially to heroin and prescription painkillers. A long-acting opiate, methadone was originally introduced in the mid-1900s
Oxycodone belongs to a class of narcotic drugs known as opiate analgesics. Frequently prescribed for the management of moderate to severe pain, Oxycodone is classified as a Schedule 8 Substance
Methamphetamine (“meth” for short) is classified as a highly addictive stimulant by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Also known on the black market as “ice,” “crystal,” “chalk,” “blade,” “quartz,” “glass,”
In 2016, approximately 2.1 million people had an opiate use disorder (OUD) involving opiates, drugs such as painkillers like hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl, or the street drug heroin. Overcoming chronic
Klonopin (Clonazepam) belongs to a class of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines (benzos), which are sedatives commonly used as anti-anxiety and anti-convulsant medications. Klonopin was originally designed by chemist Leo
Fentanyl is an extremely potent, synthetic opiate prescribed for the management of severe pain. Popular on the street and profitable on a growing black market, it is illicitly manufactured in
Codeine is an opiate medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of pain. Classified as a Schedule 11 narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in pain relief products containing codeine
Adderall, a popular stimulant combining amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is used primarily to treat attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (less commonly) narcolepsy. The drug also appears on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s
Two of America’s most recreationally abused substances, alcohol, and cocaine, form a particularly dangerous combination when mixed. Alcohol is, without a doubt, America’s most prevalent recreational drug. Enormously popular and
Cocaine and Xanax are two popular drugs of abuse that are even deadlier when used in combination with one another. Even so, the practice of mixing “uppers” like cocaine (a
The most popular intoxicating drug after alcohol, marijuana has been exalted and vilified, used in ancient religious ceremonies and twenty-first-century medicine, demonized and dismissed… Records from ancient China show that
Although heroin has been feared for two generations as an addictive drug of the worst kind, it originally was marketed as a cure for other opiate addictions. Heroin was first
Hydrocodone, a pain killer commonly prescribed in combination with acetaminophen, is the most popular opiate (narcotic) available in the US. Hydrocodone abuse is rampant, with illicit distribution and immoderate use
Treatment of opiate addiction, or “opioid use disorder” (OUD), is a complex and comprehensive process that involves assessment, diagnosis, medication, psychosocial support, planning a treatment program, monitoring and numerous other
Naloxone vs Naltrexone. They are two must-have tools in the fight against today’s opiate epidemic but what’s the difference? Learn all about them here: The scourge of opiate addiction and
Starting higher education is stressful for both the new student and the family left at home. Parents, especially, worry about the influences their child might encounter. All those horror stories
Xanax, a benzodiazepine medication introduced in 1981, is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. In the early twenty-first century, it was the most commonly prescribed psychotropic (mood-altering) drug in
Leaves of the coca plant, native to Central and South America, release a stimulant and are chewed by rural laborers to keep their energy up. Pure cocaine powder was first
In the 1970s and 1980s, drug-addiction concerns focused primarily on teenagers who got high for fun because “all my friends were doing it.” Even where it was acknowledged that many
With all the talk today about painkiller addiction, people can get a little uneasy about accepting any painkiller prescription—especially when they have everything to lose. Someone who’s old and terminally
For the first decade after electronic cigarettes were introduced to the international market in 2006, they were largely unregulated—even adolescents under 18 could legally purchase e-cigarettes throughout much of the
Although two-adult households where both partners have addictions are in the minority, just one parent’s being chemically dependent multiplies eightfold each child’s risk of developing a similar problem. Everyone has
Could genetic testing help reduce the opiate epidemic? The question is more than academic. Eradicating the opiate scourge has proven difficult since the epidemic began in 1999 with the explosion
When you’re dealing with chronic or acute pain as the result of an injury or illness, taking a doctor-prescribed pain medication may be unavoidable. This is where understanding what doctors
Drug addiction is a major albatross around the neck—as much for the stigma surrounding it as for the direct physical, relational and functional problems it causes. Everybody makes mistakes, but
Benzodiazepines, called “benzos” for short, besides their therapeutic effects, have another notable effect that quickly captured public fancy among some demographic groups and facilitated a deep dive toward abuse: euphoria.
In the case of any chemical dependency, whatever the substance, there are physical and/or psychological symptoms of withdrawal that can occur upon quitting the drug. “Detox” is the term that
If the obvious stresses and traumas of addiction haven’t convinced you to get treatment, consider what other harm you may be doing to your health. Carrie Fisher, who made the
Drug abuse and pregnancy don’t mix. Period. An unborn child is at the mercy of its mother’s decisions. If a pregnant woman sees her doctor regularly, puts the right substances
Xanax (also known by the generic name “alprazolam”) is a fast-acting benzodiazepine medication that is prescribed for a wide variety of conditions—but especially panic, anxiety and insomnia, because of Xanax’
According to estimates from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 25 million Americans live with chronic pain daily, and more than 40 million adults experience severe pain levels.
Prescription drugs are big business, both in America and globally, forecast to reach nearly $1.5 trillion globally and as high as $610 billion in the U.S. by 2021. While projections
It’s the latest dangerous new drug trend among today’s teens, with as many as one in four having tried it. Learn what every parent should know about dripping and its
The heyday drug of the 1960’s that’s still in use today poses some dangerous health risks that everyone should know about. Explore what they are here: LSD remains one of
What’s one community solution to tackling the addiction epidemic that’s enjoying tremendous success at reducing rates of relapse? Explore what it is and how it’s making a difference in a
How long it takes for opiates to leave your system is a question that anyone considering treatment for a prescription painkiller or heroin addiction asks—and the answer may surprise you.
It’s a more common form of prescription drug abuse in today’s spiraling epidemic, but just because it’s “more common” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Get a whiff of the dangers here:
How do two X chromosomes make you more susceptible to cocaine? Explore the latest findings from scientific experts and what they may mean for the future of cocaine treatment and
If you’re in early recovery looking for a job, don’t let the prospect of an employer drug screening psych you out. Get everything you need to know in order to
More and more Americans aren’t just taking their lunch to work … the three most popular drugs of choice among U.S. workers may surprise you. Learn what they are here,
Effective stress management is central to lasting freedom from substance abuse, but many don’t know where or how to begin in managing stress without drugs or alcohol. Discover 10 invaluable
While it may improve focus and energy levels when taken as prescribed, long-term Adderall abuse can have devastating effects on the body. Misuse of this stimulant can lead to serious
Drug abuse has a new face among today’s younger professionals … learn how to recognize it and why getting immediate help can be so critical: So, what are smart drugs?
When sleep eludes you, taking a prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pill can be “just what the doctor ordered” to get relief … it can also be dangerous. Discover why here:
Getting out from under the oppressive, debilitating and often quick downward spiral of opiate addiction is never easy. It’s understandable that a great deal of medical research and attention centers
Fentanyl is the most potent prescription painkiller currently on the market, and its classification as a Schedule II substance means it also has a high potential for abuse. The narcotic
Drug overdose is the fastest-growing cause of death in the United States. The majority of fatalities—as many as 125 a day—are from prescription or illegal opioids, with one in three
Can you get hooked to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and develop an unwanted addiction? The answer depends on a number of factors. The drug in question and its particular qualities are
Being a parent is a tough job. You want the best for your children, yet wonder at times if you’re doing or saying the right thing. When it comes to
America’s latest emerging opiate drug threat has a funny name, “carfentanil,” but there is little about this new danger on the streets that warrants laughter. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Actress Carrie Fisher died of heart failure on December 27, 2016, two months after her 60th birthday. Medical experts theorized that years of self-medicating with cocaine and other drugs contributed
The fight against America’s opiate addiction epidemic has a new adversary to contend with: the reemerging drug threat known as fentanyl (Carfentanil), which recently became the latest opiate to send
“Speedballing” refers to the process of mixing and imbibing both a stimulant (“upper”) and a depressant (“downer”). Examples of a speedball include Xanax and crystal meth or alcohol and cocaine.
“Bath salts” once meant epsom salts (magnesium sulfates) and other substances that were sprinkled into bath water for a more soothing soak. Today, however, “bath salts” can as easily mean
Percocet is the brand name of an addictive painkiller medication that combines the opiate oxycodone with acetaminophen (the ingredient in the over-the-counter pain reliever, Tylenol). As a member of the
Percocet is the brand name of oxycodone, and as an opiate, belongs to a class of drugs commonly prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. This commonly prescribed
Benzodiazepine tranquilizers, commonly called “benzos,” belong to the CNS (Central Nervous System) category of depressants. Benzos bind to the brain’s GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter receptors, which helps reduce neuron activity
Vicodin is the name brand for a popular prescription painkiller medication that is a combination of the addictive opiate hydrocodone plus acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). In recent years,
Vicodin is a pain-relief medication that combines acetaminophen (the over-the-counter pain reliever used in Tylenol) with hydrocodone bitartrate, a semi-synthetic opioid. Like all opioid-based pain relievers, Vicodin attaches itself to
Cocaine addiction is a serious public health problem in this country, having accounted for more than one in three (40 percent) of all drug abuse-related emergency room visits, in data
Benzodiazepines—or benzos, for short—are a tranquilizing class of doctor-prescribed medications that, in addition to being widely administered to treat anxiety and insomnia in the U.S., can lead to abuse, addiction,
Designer drugs are the result of adding chemicals to naturally occurring plant-based drugs like marijuana, morphine and cocaine. Commonly used designer drugs include club drugs such as ecstasy, LSD and
Gateway drug theory is a medical hypothesis or, in lay terms, a hunch based on studied trends around first-time drug use. The theory posits that the use of one habit-forming
At the center of today’s drug abuse epidemic and the U.S. government’s effort to combat it, is a group of highly addictive drugs known as opioids, which includes heroin and
Addiction treatment in America certainly has had its low points, including history’s scariest addiction treatments. These ranged from Frankensteinian forms of aversion therapy, from dropping bird dung or live eels
“Stigma” is a common phenomenon with drug or alcohol addiction. The term stigma refers to the negative, often false stereotyping and discrimination that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) receive,
For adult children of drug or alcohol addicts who may be wondering what they can do about a parent’s substance abuse problem, there can be solace knowing you are not
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