Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, speed, or crack, is a powerful stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. While some drugs slow down the body, meth speeds it up by triggering a burst of energy and an intense rush of euphoria. It also boosts alertness, reduces appetite, increases activity and talkativeness, and offers …
What is the most important information I should know about opiates? Opiate medications such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Dilaudid, and Percocet are often prescribed to treat pain. Such medications can be habit-forming and may lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal even when taken as directed. Opiates, sometimes known as narcotics, are a type of drug that …
Your brain, in all its complexity, relies on an intricate balance of chemicals and interactions. When the brain is working correctly, we adapt and behave appropriately within our environments, learning and adjusting as necessary. When stressors upset this balance, the brain adapts to them in a process called allostasis. Addiction is one such stressor, causing chemical …
Melissa Godsey credits the medication Suboxone, also known as buprenorphine, for her recovery from a years-long struggle with opioid and meth addiction. As she told me, the medication has let her “live a normal life.” But for a while, the 35-year-old from Seattle feared that she would be cut off from the treatment. This week, Godsey …
How America’s prisons and jails perpetuate the opioid epidemic Read More »
Q: What is opioid use disorder? A: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is not just an individual using a lot of opioids to get “high”. It refers to a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down opioid use, making a lot of efforts …
Opioid addiction and withdrawal: What you should know Read More »
A long-sought tool in the fight against America’s opioid crisis is becoming available later this year: Narcan, the nasal spray that can stop opioid overdoses as they are happening, will finally be sold over the counter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the change on Wednesday, a regulatory overhaul that patient advocates and community health groups …
What is Narcan? The opioid overdose spray, explained. Read More »
Double doctoring, also known as “doctor shopping,” is the deliberate use of more than one physician in order to obtain prescriptions for a greater amount of medications than would be prescribed by a single physician. Doctor shopping can also refer to the act of seeking a doctor who is known for being generous with medication …
Precipitated withdrawal is a sudden onset of withdrawal symptoms such as fever, cramping, and sweating, brought on by medication-assisted treatment to manage substance use disorders, particularly opioid dependencies. Unlike withdrawals from substance dependencies, precipitated withdrawal is caused by the use of medication and not the deprivation of a substance. Another key difference between precipitated withdrawal and typical withdrawal …
Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that works like codeine to relieve moderate pain. It is often prescribed in combination with other compounds in products like Vicodin or Lortab, which contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is the most widely available opioid in the United States, which means that it is inexpensive and easy to come by. Many victims of …
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) refers to the withdrawal symptoms that newborns experience at birth when they’ve been exposed to opioids in the womb. When a person uses opioids during pregnancy, the drugs can cross the placenta and affect infants. Babies are then born dependent on these drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms. As …
