New Law Bans Fentanyl-Related Drugs To Curb Opioid Abuse
The United States currently faces a devastating opioid crisis that has claimed thousands of lives and ruined communities throughout the nation. In response to this public health issue, lawmakers have recently passed a new law targeting fentanyl-related drugs, aiming to curb opioid abuse and save lives. There are several implications for this new fentanyl law […]
Horse Tranquilizer Found In Ohio Street Drugs: What To Know
In recent years, the use of horse tranquilizers in street drugs has become a growing concern. In Ohio, drug enforcement officials have reported an increase in the presence of xylazine, a horse tranquilizer, in illicit street drugs such as heroin. Xylazine is only authorized for veterinary use in the United States and can pose an […]
Exercise Can Help People Recover From Addiction, New Research Shows
A recent study published by the Public Library of Science (PLOS) shows that exercise has a positive impact on substance use disorder treatment, decreasing overall use and contributing to sobriety. This comes at a time when substance use and overdose deaths are on the rise worldwide. Among the many challenges facing addiction treatment, bolstering efficacy […]
‘Gamifying’ Addiction Treatment: Can Rewards Help In Recovery?
Recent headlines have brought attention to efforts to ‘gamify’ addiction treatment, a word that, in some cases, is intended as a pejorative. It refers to efforts by some cities, with encouragement from the Biden Administration, to create a rewards-based system for encouraging positive behavior in treatment. What Does ‘Gamifying’ Addiction Treatment Mean? ‘Gamifying’ addiction has […]
Why Are More Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs?
Over the years, teen drug abuse has steadily declined, but it has not disappeared altogether. Rates did drop dramatically in 2020 with the pandemic but now have largely normalized. One particularly troubling trend to emerge over the last decade is the increased use of prescription drugs among children between the ages of 13 and 17. […]
Can Using Cannabis During Pregnancy Harm My Child?
The short answer is “yes.” There is every indication that cannabis use after the first four or five weeks of pregnancy contributes to slowed growth and changes in neurological development. Understanding that it is not possible to correct for all environmental factors, major medical organizations continue to caution pregnant people against using marijuana during pregnancy. […]
Equine Therapy: Can Horses Help People Heal From Addiction?
Equine-assisted therapy involves the use of horses to help a person reconnect with themselves. This type of therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Using horses and other types of animal-assisted therapy is becoming increasingly popular for some people who may find it easier to connect with an […]
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Safe For Pregnant Women?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that utilizes methadone or buprenorphine is the suggested treatment approach for women who are pregnant and have an opioid use disorder. It is likely that children born to women who used MAT during pregnancy will be born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), but this condition is easily managed at birth. The Risk […]
8 U.S. Cities With The Highest Rates Of Drug Abuse
Drug addiction affects many of our major cities. The national increase in drug overdose deaths is reflected in many major cities. While some cities are trying to use settlement funds from lawsuits with prescription drug companies to make treatment accessible, others are still battling severe rates of drug abuse. Indicators For Rates Of Drug Abuse […]
States Increasing Alcohol Prices To Support Access To Alcohol Detox And Prevent Abuse
A recent proposal in the Oregon Legislature to raise the price of alcohol over five years to $.10 per bottle of beer and $.17 per glass of wine is the latest effort to address alcohol use disorders (AUD). Other states in the union have considered or are considering similar measures as a way to reduce […]