As healthcare professionals and researchers have watched the opioid epidemic sweep through the country, the use of needles has also increased dramatically, bringing a host of additional problems. According to new research conducted by scientists at USC, not only is the number of people administering their drugs via needles is increasing, but the amount of […]
Deaths caused by drunk driving used to be the biggest cause of accidental deaths in our country. However, in recent years, accidental overdoses have climbed to the top, and so has car crashes where one or both of the drivers were under the influence of drugs. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association is working with other
Drugged Driving Deaths Outnumber those Caused by Alcohol Alone Read More »
Among the rise of opioid-related overdose deaths throughout the U.S. in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of synthetic compounds as well, often being added to heroin and making it more potent. New York State’s Erie County is one of many locales that has seen a number of fatal heroin
In the constant effort to create effective and safe treatments for people addicted to opiates such as heroin and prescription painkillers, researchers may have found a new way to prevent against further abuse. While medications geared towards reducing heroin abuse have proven successful in many circumstances, a group of researchers recently uncovered a new path
New Research into Opiate Addiction Seeks Non-Opioid Medications Read More »
There can be many different signs and symptoms to watch out for to find out if your loved one has a substance abuse problem. Do they seem more withdrawn? Did they used to have money and now they seem to always be coming up short? Are they associating with new people? Are they keeping their
Strange Indicator Someone May Have an Addiction Problem Read More »
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has introduced the Clean Start Act. As the name implies, it will give a second chance to recovering addicts who have a criminal record for nonviolent federal offenses. This legislation will give them a chance to build themselves up in their new lifestyle without being held back by their past
Legislator Introduces Clean Start Act for Recovering Addicts Read More »
The opioid crisis is a serious matter in the United States, which has seen considerable coverage in the press recently. The epidemic is being approached from many different angles, including prescription drug monitoring programs for doctors and pharmacists. However, people addicted to drugs are often resourceful in finding other ways to obtain them, and according
Addicts Found Using Pets to Obtain Drugs from Veterinarians Read More »
One of the most challenging barriers to overcome when it comes to handling an addiction is the stigma and misunderstandings attached to being an addict. People who have substance use disorders are often viewed as poor, uneducated, minority males who are also criminals. However, this is simply not true. In fact, according to JAMA Psychiatry,
Viewing Opioid Addiction as a Public Health Problem Read More »
New information may shed light on how best to help women break free of their cocaine addictions, while also highlighting the fact that treatment centers may need to develop different approaches to men and women. Traditionally, men and women enrolled in treatment programs have received pretty much the same treatment. They are detoxed the same,
A Case for Gender-Specific Needs in Addiction Treatment Read More »
With opioid abuse having become a national epidemic, employee benefits plans are using their resources to take on this issue, according to a survey conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Its results found that more than 22 percent of employers have carried out a prescription claims analysis to look for possible abuse.
Employers Tackling Issue of Prescription Drug Abuse Head-on Read More »
Most people understand that the physical signs of drug abuse are apparent in an intravenous drug user’s skin. There are other signs of addiction that are apparent to a dermatologist who examines their patients’ skin. These trained medical professionals can determine when a patient may be having a problem with chemicals and can suggest they
The results of a new study reveal that high school students are not using opioids like prescription pain medications and heroin as much as adults. The rate of opioid use and overdose deaths has reached epidemic proportions, but has continued to decline among high school students recently. Over the past five years, the rate of
