With so many harmful and illicit substances available, it can be hard making distinctions between them. One of the hardest to keep separate are opiates vs opioids. Many believe the terms to be interchangeable, when in reality, there are differences between the two. Knowing these differences is key to seeking out substance abuse treatments for…
As with many harmful substances, developing a dependence on opioids will lead to experiencing withdrawal once the use ends. For this type of drug, opioid withdrawal symptoms can begin only hours after the last use. These symptoms can last for a week or more, and range in how severely they impact an individual. Opioid withdrawal…
When it comes to substances that require professional help to stop using, alcohol is often off the list. Because it’s a legal and easily accessible substance, many of us forget how harmful and addictive the substance can be. In fact, attempting to detox from alcohol alone can be quite dangerous. Most people who drink don’t…
Before the opioid crisis hit the United States, prescription opioids were commonly prescribed to treat anything from chronic pain to post-surgery pain relief. However, as these substances grew in popularity, they also led to increases in dependence and addiction. Many people received OxyContin, and thus struggled to manage Oxycontin side effects they experienced. What Is…
Because people perceive alcohol use as “normal,” our society often underplays its dangers. While some people can drink socially without it becoming a problem, others are unable to control their drinking. Many even use the substance to self-medicate for unpleasant feelings or mental health issues. Once drinking becomes problematic, it can be hard to stop…
As we all know, alcohol consumption is extremely common and prevalent in our society today. Because alcohol is a legal substance that individuals can buy easily, consuming alcohol isn’t thought to be a taboo. However, abusing alcohol or forming an addiction is a very serious issue that many choose to ignore. With alcohol being the…
In 2017, the United States government officially declared the opioid epidemic as a public health emergency. After decades of uncertainty on the dangers of opioids, the United States now faces the reality of over two million Americans with opioid-related substance use disorders. Although the country is taking steps to undo the damage of prescription painkillers…
First launched in 1999, by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) is an outreach, education, and screening program meant to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of problem drinking. NASD can also connect individuals who are at risk with different treatment options. Held annually, on the first Thursday of April,…
For the first time in 50 years, the life expectancy in the United States has declined two years in a row. The culprit is the increase of drug overdoses due to the opioid crisis which is plaguing the U S. Drug overdoses killed 63,600 Americans in 2016, an increase of 21% over the previous year.…
President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare a 90 day public health emergency in an attempt to combat the U.S. opioid epidemic. With 91 Americans dying daily from opioid overdoes, Mr. Trump has been under pressure for months to accelerate the federal government’s response to the crisis.…