There’s no denying the surge in heroin abuse and opioid addiction. More Americans die every year from drug overdoses than they do in vehicle crashes. The majority of those deaths can be traced to opioids, both heroin and prescription painkillers. In October 2015, President Obama […]
Violence is not an easy subject to talk about. It is the darkest aspect of human behavior with the ability to destroy the lives of those victimized by it, as well as those who perpetrate it. No one comes out unscathed. In too many cases, […]
Making sacrifices to stay clean and sober is an aspect of life that most, if not all, people in recovery identify with. For some, this means ending toxic relationships with friends or loved ones. Others might struggle with activities that they previously enjoyed while using […]
An explosion of synthetic cannabinoids, going by names like “K2,” “Spice” or “synthetic marijuana,” on the market claim to offer a “legal high.” Manufactured overseas, or in underground backyard labs, these dangerous chemicals are slightly altered enough to skirt federal and state-controlled substance regulations. Synthetic […]
The epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction, which has led to some of the highest accidental death rates in two decades, has just been struck another blow. In August 2015, law enforcement in Calgary, Canada served a search warrant and seized 110 pills. After analysis, […]
Marijuana has always made the news, but these days the headlines are much different than a decade ago. Across the United States, efforts to reform or repeal what advocates see as antiquated pot laws are gaining momentum. There are five states, including the District of […]
Addiction to prescription painkillers is believed to be the reason for death rates that rival the AIDS epidemic of more than 20 years ago. Fatal overdoses have risen in almost every county in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Founded by Congress in 1992, SAMHSA’s mission is to make research, services and information more accessible to healthcare providers, as well as the general […]
Just like alcohol, heroin and cocaine, nicotine is a drug that leads to addiction. In the brain, it increases levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward that often develop into cravings. Research has shown that 95 percent of adult cigarette […]
Being unable to sleep after a long and exhausting day periodically happens to everyone. Even though our body craves rest, we’re unable to turn off the circus in our head and a good night’s snooze becomes impossible. Experts have long known that depression, anxiety and […]
