If you’re in recovery from a substance use disorder, you already know how much work it took to get there, and you’ll want to do everything possible to avoid having a relapse. It may seem that relapse is the last thing that could happen to you, but the truth is they are very common for …
Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid addiction. When used as directed, it relieves the symptoms of opioid withdrawal without getting you high. Suboxone also reduces opioid cravings, which goes a long way toward preventing relapse. Many recovering addicts take it for months, or even years, after they stop getting high. While it doesn’t …
Substance abuse disorder—which is referred to as substance use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)—is a chronic and complex disorder involving the continued use of drugs or alcohol (substances) despite significant substance-related problems. Quitting is not a matter of willpower, nor is it a simple choice. This is because …
Opioids (or opiates) are a class of drugs that are either made from the opium poppy or are artificially synthesized to function like these “natural” opioids. Opioids work by binding to specific protein receptors in the brain and spinal cord, significantly diminishing the pain signals being sent to the brain and dampening the perception of pain. …
Certain strong medications that are typically only available by prescription can run the risk of addiction if misused. Prescription drug misuse is using a drug in a way that was not intended by the person who prescribed it, or using it without a prescription. Misuse becomes abuse when a person experiences consequences of drug use. This article discusses …
Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Addiction Read More »
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by a variety of toxins (such as drugs or alcohol), autoimmune conditions, or pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, or parasites). Viral hepatitis is caused by a family of viruses labeled A, B, C, D, and E. To learn more about the route of transmission and prognosis for …
Viral Hepatitis—A Very Real Consequence of Substance Use Read More »
Last week, we got some terrible news: In 2020, the number of drug overdose deaths in the US reached their highest point ever recorded — more than 93,000, according to preliminary federal data. And then this week, we got some more terrible news: Life expectancy in the US fell by 1.5 years — the worst decline since World …
It’s not uncommon for people who struggle with addictions to relapse at least once during recovery. Some even fall off the wagon several times before getting sober for the last time. In fact, despite FDA-approved treatments for opioid addiction, more than two-thirds of individuals will relapse after initiating treatment. Understanding what might trigger you to relapse as well …
Opiate addiction is a growing problem in the U.S. as evidenced by the 2015 outbreak of HIV in Indiana, which was attributed to the injection of prescription oral painkillers. In the face of a widening epidemic, a prescription drug called Suboxone (buprenorphine + naloxone) is being increasingly used to treat opioid. Understanding Opiates Opiates are a …
People have become addicted to opioids for centuries, however, opioid use has escalated since 2000 with the development and marketing of powerful painkillers that are highly addictive and carry an enormous risk of overdose. Opioid addiction has become a serious global problem, with opioid epidemics occurring in the United States and other parts of the world. Prescription …
