Gender Differences in Substance Use
During all the phases of drug abuse–initiation, escalation of use, addiction, and relapse, there are sex differences. According to the National Institutes of Health, research has shown that women often...
View ArticleDangers of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic Cannabinoids, also known as “synthetic marijuana” are manmade chemicals that are both mind altering and falsely marketed as safe and legal alternatives to marijuana. According to the National...
View ArticleIn The News: A Community Pulls Together
The citizens of Carbon County, Utah have come together in an effort to fight against opioid addiction. According to state health department data, Carbon County has the highest rate of prescription...
View ArticleSubstance Abuse and Homelessness
In many situations, substance abuse can begin as a result of homelessness or can also be a cause of homelessness. Sometimes, addictive disorders can cause people to lose their jobs or send their...
View ArticleHow Substance Abuse Affects the Family
When one member of a family experiences an addiction, it is common that all members of the family will be affected. The sometimes devastating effects can cause weak attachment bonds between parent and...
View ArticleIn The News: Officers Armed with Naloxone
On April 19, 2018, the LoudounNow newspaper published an article about the Purcellville Police Department in Loudoun County, VA equipping its officers with Naloxone (often referred to as Narcan). They...
View ArticleSubstance Abuse in the Aging Population
Approximately one in five older adults have one or more mental health or substance use conditions. Misusing drugs can sometimes be a special concern amongst this population because they receive a high...
View ArticleSubstance Use Disorders in Jail and Prison
While it is estimated that 8.5 percent of the general public aged 18 or older have substance use disorders, jails and prisons have a higher and disproportionate percentage of people with substance use...
View ArticleStudy: Examining Codeine Misuse Across Countries
A study was conducted among pharmacists in South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom to analyze their opinions and expertise regarding codeine misuse. Codeine is one of the most widely available...
View ArticleSpecific Needs of Women in Substance Abuse
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published a Quick Guide addressing specific needs that women may have when undergoing substance abuse treatment. It also suggested...
View ArticleTherapeutic Communities
Therapeutic Communities (TCs) began in the late 1950s as a form of long term residential treatment for substance use disorders. In its beginning stages, TCs were run solely by peers in recovery, and...
View ArticleComorbidity and Drug Addiction
Comorbidities are two or more disorders or illnesses that occur in the same person. Many people who are addicted to drugs are also diagnosed with other mental disorders and vice versa. According to the...
View ArticleIn The News: Warnings of Counterfeit Oxycodone
On May 7, 2018, police issued a press release in Gulfport, Mississippi to make the public aware of counterfeit oxycodone tablets. Although those illicitly purchasing these tablets believe they are...
View ArticleSubstance Abuse in the Military
According to the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Active Duty Military Personnel, 2.3 percent of military personnel were past-month users of an illicit drug, compared...
View ArticleDrugs and Driving
When one uses illicit drugs or misuses prescription drugs behind the wheel, driving can be unsafe just as drunk driving is unsafe. Drugged driving puts all who share the road at risk, including the...
View ArticleAlcohol Use Disorder
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. SAMHSA defines heavy drinking as drinking 5 or more drinks on...
View ArticleSubstance Abuse in the Workplace: Why It’s Never a Good Idea
Is your addiction affecting your job? You’re not alone. Thousands of addicts consider themselves “functioning addicts“. Meaning, they go to work intoxicated or high. You may be considering doing this...
View ArticleWhat Are the Risks of Underage Drinking?
For some parents, the thought of their child drinking is preposterous. However, it turns out that young people aged 12 to 20 drink 11% of the alcohol consumed in the country. Adolescents often have to...
View ArticleDo You Abuse Opiates? The Opioid Side Effects You Should Know
If you have abused or are currently abusing opiates, you’re not alone. In fact, opioid use in the United States is an epidemic and was a top contributor to the life expectancy of Americans dropping in...
View ArticleTime to Clear the Debate: Is Addiction a Disease or a Choice?
As more than 23 million Americans struggle with addiction to one substance or another, there are many critics decrying medical intervention. They wonder “Is addiction a disease or a choice?”, and in...
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