There are thousands of things we know in this life. There’s probably double that that we don’t know. One of the ever so significant revelations that we have fortunately deduced is that alcoholism is a monstrous disease of sorts. It slinks into our livelihood ever so stealthily, destroying any and everything positive life has offered…

America right now has an opioid epidemic at large, can find booze on almost any corner, and marijuana is slowly legalizing. It’s kind of astounding to look at the intoxicated world we live in. Most of the U.S. isn’t far off from “The Wolf of Wall Street” wherein he explains that an upper is taken…

Imagine this: You miss the bus home after work, so now you have to walk back. You stroll a couple blocks toward your destination only to pass this cool little happenin’ bar that you used to frequent a bit. Being that you’re sober and in recovery now, this shouldn’t bother you. You have no business…

 The chances of you reading this article and having been affected by the current state of the opioid epidemic are incredibly high. Not high like that that the opioids give you, but high as in “if you haven’t been affected personally by the disease of addiction and the outbreak of deadly opioids plaguing our nation,…

After falling down the seemingly endless rabbit hole that alcoholism digs up, eventually we reach the bottom with a splat or we desperately cling onto something to stop from plummeting further. Upon falling, at this point our options are pretty limited. Unchecked alcoholic thinking will always be the catalyst that gladly shoves us into such…

Relationships are a beautiful thing. Think about it. When two living beings can coexist and provide happiness to one another, how is it not? Whether it be a platonic relationship or that with a lover, the idea of two people with completely different genetic makeups and opinions have the ability to care so much for…

They say love is what makes the world go around right? Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. To love somebody isn’t just a strong feeling. It’s a decision, a judgment and a promise. When we love our friends, family, or significant others, we are sharing a piece of ourselves with them. It…

Chapped lips are the absolute worst. Have you ever had those awful splits that form on the corners of where your top and bottom lips meet? They begin healing and then every time you open your mouth too wide to eat or talk, they just rip right back open. You can glob on chapstick, aquaphor…

At some point in time we’ve all heard the expression, “The grass is always greener on the other side”. The chances that somebody was retorting said cliche to you after you had just gotten done complaining are pretty likely. But hey, everybody needs to complain once in a while. If we don’t allow ourselves to…

When Does Intervention Become Necessary?     “Study the past, if you would divine the future”. This quote comes from the legendary Confucius and is as wise as it is simple in means of quotes regarding our existential timeline. It should really emanate for addicts and alcoholics. Without the past, alcoholism will always rule the…

Practicing Healthy Routines in Sobriety   Everything we do usually has a beginning, middle, and an end, not just story hour. We all come into this world more or less the same way, sprouting out of a pod and becoming programmed. No? Okay, well not all of us. Seriously thought, we start out from infancy…

What Do I Do After Rehab? What do I do after rehab? The first immediate response that comes to mind is “don’t go back”. But to not go back means not making the same mistakes. To not make the same mistakes means not creating the same problems. The point is that there is a lot…

John Lennon once sang, “Temperatures rising, fever is high, can’t see no future, can’t see no sky. Cold Turkey has got me on the run.” This was a hit single that the ex-Beatle dubbed “Cold Turkey”, and he wasn’t singing about a refrigerated deli sandwich. It was a raw set of lyrics that gave a…

Life is a strange conundrum that guarantees certainty about nothing being guaranteed or certain. It’s kind of like an “Alice in Wonderland” type of oxymoron. “Contrariwise, if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That logic”, exclaimed Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum…

In the great rat race of life, what is it that we are all racing to when there isn’t any finish line to end up at? We all meander through life with this diverse array of ambitions, values, and expectations. Some of us become sheep and adapt to the mentality of the masses. Then there…

5 Effective Ways to Cope with Stress After Rehab Life comes on life’s own terms and there’s no steering clear of it since that option would be death. We should just avoid that one altogether. Like it or not, we have to learn to cope in life and deal with everything that occurs as a…

Why Doesn’t Controlled Drinking Work for Alcoholics? A wise woman once said, “You may not be able to control every situation and it’s outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it”. Bold words that seem rarely understood. The thing is we are the creators of our own destiny. We manifest…

Learning to Love Yourself After Overcoming Addiction In this ever evolving life of unpredictability, most people tend to be a reaction to the bad parts of themselves. This can be a good and a bad thing- it all depends on how that person decides to harness their perspective on the situation. While focusing on our…

Disease and disorder often have a sneaky way of showing up in life. Sometimes they appear all of the sudden like an unwarranted magic trick, and then other times sickness will gradually show itself as it creeps out the woodwork. One way or another, all too many wake up one day and find themselves being…

Treatment is an ongoing process, one that may take an entire lifetime to be successful. Some people relapse with some relapsing several different times before finding the right treatment that works for them. It is important that you never consider a relapse to be the end of your recovery journey but rather a small detour,…

Having a partner who may be an alcoholic can be one of the most distressing situations to occur in a person’s life. Feelings of helplessness, fear, anger, and even guilt can overwhelm you to the point you’re not sure what to do or know if there is a way to help your loved one recover.…

The recovery process is all about making life-long changes. That applies to how you think about and cope with the world, and the role of drugs or alcohol as part of that coping mechanism. The lessons learned in rehab can apply to every aspect of your life and future success, not just sober living. Some…

When you’re considering rehab, it’s easy to be concerned about disrupting your life or possibly losing your job. The good news is that drug and alcohol treatment are viewed more favorably, and more employers see the need for rehab as a health issue. The length of your treatment should depend on your life circumstances and…

Deciding to take the right step and check yourself into a recovery center is not an easy task. But once you do, it is going to change your life forever. There are a few things you have to take into consideration when you are going to move into a recovery center. You are allowed to…

The idea of seeking treatment for an addiction can be frightening and stressful in many ways. Entering treatment for alcohol or drug use is a major decision that can be made even harder when you have a job. You may be worried about not just losing your job but people at work knowing that you…

You have a serious problem. You’re struggling with an opiate addiction. It’s a challenge that is too big for you too challenge by yourself. It’s going to take more than the support of friends and family to overcome substance abuse. Professional help at a rehab facility offers the best chance at successfully achieving recovery. Your…

If you are addicted to either alcohol or drug abuse, you need to receive help for you to recover from the addiction as soon as you can. But before you get help, it is crucial that you familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of recovery. The dependence on drugs is not a small problem because it…

If you’re considering going into a drug treatment program, you may be wondering if you should go to an outpatient rehab or a residential one. Here are some of the differences between each of these options. Residential Treatment You may choose to go to a residential drug treatment center regardless of your level of addiction.…

Getting through detox is the first step in the right direction to a new life in recovery. For some people, inpatient rehab is the next destination, but for others, inpatient rehab is infeasible due to employment, cost, family, etc. Intensive outpatient program are becoming more known about and respected by mental health professionals. If you…

In TV shows, movies, and other media, rehab always seems to occupy a certain point in the story of a person with a drug problem- right after an overdose or a similar low moment. The narrative of rock bottom pushes the idea that a treatment center is the last stop, the result of some kind…

Drug addiction can affect anyone and have fatal or devastating consequences. In 2016 alone, an estimated 66,000 people died from heroin overdoses, a 19.5% increase from 2015. Addiction is an epidemic that effects over twenty million people in the United States – more than anywhere else in the world – and continues to rise with…

If you are thinking about checking in for rehab at a detox center, then naturally you will have many questions. Do the centers use Suboxone to help with the pain and withdrawal effect symptoms? What is a Suboxone Maintenance program like? Are there any viable alternatives to using such a maintenance program after finishing detox?…

In seeking treatment for drugs and alcohol, it is possible that you may not find yourself completely without hiccups. In fact, sometimes some of us still have reservations about a new life of sobriety even facing the sobering consequence of our addictions and abuse. Shame and remorse might keep us from returning back to receive…

When you decide to stop using drugs and alcohol and decide to become sober your entire life changes. You stop hanging out with the people that you used with and begin to focus on your sobriety. A person in recovery needs to learn how to deal with cravings and triggers to stay on the right…

In the realm of drug and alcohol addiction, there are very few absolutes. The way substances affect each person is a little different based on the amount being used and the individual’s physiology. These differences also come into play once an individual decides to stop using their drug of choice. Knowing that absolutes rarely exist,…

Heroin addiction is a condition which causes the individual to impulsively look for and use heroin regardless of the consequences that accompany their drug usage. And because heroin addiction is an illness, the addicted individual must undergo treatment for them to get back to their normal lives. If the heroin addict does not receive appropriate…

You thought your drug and alcohol use was under control, that you could walk away from it any time you wanted. It didn’t seem like a major problem. Besides, it is your body, your choice, your business. That proved not to be true when you got a DUI in Pennsylvania. That moment was your wake-up…

Alcohol can affect all types of relationships and an addict will not necessarily “feel” the results they are leaving behind them. Even small statements made by families can seem accusatory rather than explanatory by the addict. This is why interventions by a group of loved ones, each calmly explaining how the alcohol has affected the…

Modern culture tends to portray drinking alcohol as a fun and harmless pastime, but the reality is that alcohol can be an addictive substance that results in dangerous mental and physical health problems. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is characterized by constantly drinking alcohol and being preoccupied with alcohol. Over time, the body develops…

Living with an alcohol or drug addiction is one of the hardest things to do. Recovery can sometimes seem like a battle, and it’s hard to know what your best choices are. Many people, when they first start the recovery process for an addiction, become overwhelmed when considering inpatient or residential treatment. A residential treatment…

Going to a rehab center was the most important experience of my life. Some people think that rehabilitation programs are a sign that you’ve hit “rock bottom,” but that wasn’t what I experienced. Instead, rehab was like a new beginning. I had struggled with drug addiction since I was a teenager, but I could pinpoint…

How to Let Go of Resentment During Recovery Resentment can be defined as ” the feeling of displeasure…at some act, remark, person, etc., regarded as causing injury or insult.” Moreover, resentment is a destructive feeling commonly harbored against others by those undergoing addiction recovery, such as people who rejected them or have not supported them throughout…

How To Cope with Alcohol and Drug Craving During Recovery Anyone who has experienced addiction will also encounter cravings and urges. These can be very powerful but normal feelings, and fortunately, they abate over time. drug craving When cravings onset, especially in early recovery, they can be quite intense. However, each craving and urge you…

Addiction is not ordinarily a condition that develops overnight. Often times, drug usage begins in a purely recreational manner, but as time moves on, the consistent, ongoing usage gradually creates dependency and addiction. The individual might find that they must continue using the drug in question even though it is negatively impacting their health, relationships,…

House Has Passed 25 Bills To Fight Opioid Epidemic The U.S. House of Representatives has recently approved more than two dozen bills that seek to offer support to government and public institutions to battle the opioid crisis in a variety of ways. The legislature aims to show support in the fight against the drug epidemic…

There are a lot of people that are suffering from alcohol addiction, and it is hard to blame them when alcohol is everywhere. Every gas station, every restaurant, bars on almost every street, in grocery stores, alcohol is everywhere. When you decide to enter alcohol rehab, whether it is in an actual rehabilitation center or…

Hospitalizations for Opioid-Related Overdoses in PA Increased Again in 2017 According to a report released June 13th by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, hospital admissions for opioid overdoses in 2016 increased to 3,500, up 17% from 3,342 the year before. The data analyzed in the report included both heroin/fentanyl and prescription painkillers. Although…

Women and Alcohol: Addiction Up 84% Since 2002 – But Why? Just a few decades ago, alcoholism and drug addiction were considered a “man’s disease.” Indeed, presently more men are affected by substance abuse than women. But recently, and somewhat abruptly, that gap has begun to close. Women and alcohol An extensive research project undertaken…

While there is no reason to be ashamed of your desire to treat your addiction, you may have reservations about seeking help due to the stigma that drug or alcohol abuse still carries with some people in society. Unfortunately, there are still some people in the world who just might not understand, which is why…

When a person’s addiction reaches critical mass, they have to start thinking about getting help in lieu of facing dire consequences. It’s difficult for anyone to step up and admit they have a problem. However, addiction isn’t just a problem, it’s an illness. Based on that information, there should be no embarrassment associated with someone…

Opioid Epidemic Continues to Impact the Health of Older Americans According to a recent report, the opioid epidemic has hit one group of Americans particularly hard – older Americans over age 50. Moreover, baby boomers and those on the upper end of Generation X, largely overlooked as the media tends to mainly focus on younger…

4 Reasons to Go to Rehab The first step in fighting addiction is acceptance – you must admit that you have a problem and need help. The next step is to seek treatment, despite your fear of being judged, overwhelmed, and frightened. It’s not easy, but participating in a rehab program, for many people, has…

It’s important to understand how inpatient rehab and detox differ. The two are different things that you will face at different points in your recovery. Most people will need to undergo both detox and inpatient rehab to have the best chance of success. Detox focuses on the physical aspects of the addiction while rehab focuses…

The 3 Main Challenges Families Encounter Following Addiction Treatment Addiction is frequently referred to as a family disease because it can severely impact both the user and their friends and family. Once a person has been admitted to treatment, loved ones often become hopeful that the stress, worry, and dysfunction is coming to an end.…

So, what IS a dual diagnosis after all? To understand what a dual diagnosis treatment center is, we must understand this term. Having a dual diagnosis means that one can be diagnosed with some type of addiction disorder and, at the same time, be diagnosed with a co-occurring mental illness, or mental health disorder. Some…

The Importance of Nutrition and Vitamins for Recovering Addicts Many substance abusers enter treatment suffering from malnutrition and vitamins (i.e., b-vitamins) and mineral deficiencies (i.e., Iron.) Nutrition is often impaired because both drugs and alcohol may serve as appetite suppressants and/or contribute to an inability to digest and absorb calories and nutrients. Vitamins for recovering…

Imported Fentanyl Increases Risk vs. Domestic, PA #1 in 2017 for Overdoses According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl made in countries such as China and Mexico is riskier than fentanyl medication diverted by those in the U.S. opioid supply chain. overdoses Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid as much as 50 times more…

Drug and alcohol addiction can make your life seem unrecognizable. Your job, relationships and everyday functions are falling apart. You’re hurting, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Drug and alcohol treatment centers are here to hold your hand on your journey through recovery. Entering treatment is nothing to be ashamed of.…

Coming to terms with the idea of going to a drug rehabilitation facility is a humongous step towards recovery. With that step comes preparations and getting certain things in order before you make your official leave for treatment. One of these things is having a sit-down with your superior(s) at work and explaining your need…

PA Sees Massive Drop in Prescribed Painkillers in Line With Rest of U.S. Recently, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced in a release that from 2013-2017 there was a 22% decrease in the prevalence of prescribed painkillers. The organization attributed this achievement to “physician leadership.”) This equates to about 55 million fewer bottles in 2017…

Relapse Prevention: Tips to Sustain Long-Term Recovery When you develop a comprehensive relapse prevention plan (usually following a stay at an addiction treatment center) you consider specific people, places, events, and emotional states that can trigger cravings and eventually, use. In your plan, you not only need to identify relationships with people who support you…

Four Most Common Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Withdrawal symptoms occur when someone who has used a psychoactive substance chronically, such as alcohol or heroin, then stops abruptly. Symptoms vary from drug to drug and person to person, but some symptoms manifest almost universally in substance abusers upon cessation of use. People who gradually wean…

Mental Illness and Addiction Require Simultaneous Treatment Multiple studies have revealed that there is a complex relationship between mental illness and addiction. Experts posit that more than half (55%) of people who suffer from an addiction a substance(s) will ultimately develop a mental health condition. Conversely,  20% of people with a mental health disorder have…

CBT Techniques for Addiction Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven useful therapeutic approach to distressing life events, mental health conditions, addiction, and behavioral problems. The concept that drives established CBT techniques is that our thoughts affect our feelings and ultimately shapes how we behave in any given situation or event. There is no doubt that…

If you’re seeking help for an addiction, you’ve already taken the first step toward recovery. It’s natural to have anxieties about treatment, especially when misinformation and stigma about rehab abounds. Many people put off going to rehab because they’re afraid of losing their jobs or being judged by friends and family members. When you’re seeking…

If you live in New York, you can find solace and confidentiality at a rehab center in Pennsylvania. Geographically, Pennsylvania borders the state of New York. Whether you live in the downtown metropolis of New York City or the rural beauty of upstate New York, Pennsylvania isn’t more than a few hours away. You’ll find…

It’s no secret that the United States suffers from an opioid epidemic. The epidemic has been the topic of news bulletins, fictionalized dramas, and even presidential candidate debates for the past several years. In 2015, more than 33,000 people were killed by opioid abuse. Individuals who have an opioid use disorder have a chance of…

Seeking help for an addiction is the first step to recovery. By looking for professional help, you’ve already established that you want to get better, which is the biggest part of a successful recovery. It’s easy for the information about treatment plans to become overwhelming, though. How do you know what type of treatment is…

If you are living with an addiction to heroin, you may have attempted to detox on your own in the past. Unfortunately, detoxing at home is associated with a high relapse rate because it does not offer the same benefits as a medical detox center in a rehabilitation facility. Heroin addiction is a disease that…

Alcohol is a commonplace part of American socialization. Most people don’t think twice about having a drink or two while they’re out with friends. But for people with alcohol use disorders, social drinking can lead to dangerous complications. If you drink and drive, you could end up seriously injured or killed. Driving under the influence…

Addiction is one of the hardest things for you or a loved one to go through. There’s an opioid epidemic in the United States; thousands of people succumb to this epidemic every year. If you or someone you know is addicted to opiates, it’s important to reach out for help as soon as possible. But…

If you’re concerned that someone you love has become addicted to heroin, the first thing you need to know is that help is available. There is hope. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed. You know little about heroin and drug addiction. You’re concerned that you may be wrong. Maybe the person will get angry if you try to…

If you know someone who is addicted to heroin or if you are trapped in the cycle of heroin addiction, you are not alone. Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs, and you can be hooked after trying it just once. Studies have shown that more than 500,000 people in the United States are…

The symptoms of opiate withdrawal are uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst. If you or a loved one is suffering from an opiate addiction, a medically supervised detox is the safest way to withdraw from these drugs. Following the detox, you can lay out a treatment plan to address the underlying causes of addiction.…

Your recovery requires a personalized treatment plan that helps you build a strong foundation for your new life that prevents relapse. Now that you’ve made the decision to enter a Pennsylvania rehab, one of your biggest concerns may be whether or not you can maintain important aspects of your current lifestyle. For example, you may…

When you’re struggling with alcoholism, it’s incredibly difficult to reach out for help. The idea of rehab can be frightening, especially if you’ve never been to rehab before. It’s hard to know what to expect, and it’s natural to want to know what level of comfort and care will be provided. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all…

On Shame and Addiction Many people hide their addiction problems from friends and family because of feelings of shame regarding their condition. Indeed, shame is one of the most common feelings that deter people from seeking treatment for substance abuse problems. Shame and Addiction Shame is a complicated emotion and it is not the same…

Addiction comes with many repercussions. If you are suffering from alcoholism, getting a driving under the influence (DUI) charge is a repercussion that is possible. Laws regarding DUI vary by state. In the state of Pennsylvania, the legal limit for individuals who are 21 and over is .08 percent. If you are under 21, the…

Opioid Crisis Accountability Act of 2018: Bernie Sanders Wants Opioid Makers To Be Held Accountable Last week, Bernie Sanders introduced legislation, known as the known as the Opioid Crisis Accountability Act of 2018, which focuses on opioid makers deemed responsible for the opioid epidemic by imposing fines and penalties for deceptive marketing practices. The bill includes…

Drug addiction is a crippling problem that can rob you of years of your life and create difficult financial and health issues. And sadly, an increasing number of people in Pennsylvania are falling victim to this disease and need to receive specialized care to stay healthy. That said, many of these people may not think…

6 Essential Coping Skills For Recovery Being sober requires learning to cope with the situations and intimacy with people that we used to avoid through the use of drugs or alcohol. Long-lasting sobriety can only be achieved when one can learn and employ healthier ways to deal with unpleasant circumstances. Dodging triggers is not enough…

If you have a friend or family member that may be struggling with a serious addiction to alcohol or drugs, determining when and how to take action can feel overwhelming. After all, if you lack concrete evidence that they are addicted to substances, you do not want to place blame or make accusations. Doing so…

Starting a treatment program can be daunting, especially when you aren’t sure how to pay for it. Many people struggling with addiction have difficulties with finances including bankruptcy and lack of health insurance. But it is possible for you to receive treatment at a rehab center even if you’re uninsured or underinsured. Many treatment centers…

Entering a rehab program takes faith, but the level of religious support you receive while in a treatment program depends entirely on your personal assessment. Just Believe Recovery Center provides secular care and is not associated with one particular religious belief system. We realize some patients benefit from being able to attend church services and…

Mortality Rate Of Substance Use Disorders, Self-Harm Increased Dramatically In Past 34 Years Mortality rates in the U.S. caused by drug use disorders have spiked nationwide since 1980. Rates caused by alcohol use and self-harm have decreased overall, but have been trending upward since the turn of the century. Mortality rate According to an analysis…

When seeking treatment for a drug addiction, you want to get the best care possible. It’s important to understand the qualification level of the professionals that you’re working with. In Pennsylvania, substance abuse counselors must go through a licensing process. All of the counselors in state-funded rehabilitation centers are licensed by the state of Pennsylvania.…

Seeking treatment for alcoholism can be daunting, especially when it’s your first time. It’s natural to want to know what to expect. What resources will be available to you? How does inpatient treatment differ from outpatient treatment? There’s no straight answer to the question about AA meetings in rehab, because every rehabilitation center is different.…

Checking into a PA treatment center is one of the hardest and most rewarding steps a person can take. You shouldn’t have to battle addiction alone. But choosing the best treatment center for you can seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been to one before. Misconceptions and fears about treatment abound in the media. It’s…

Overcoming Barriers To Addiction Treatment Each year, tens of millions of Americans who need treatment for a substance abuse disorder do not receive it. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2013), an estimated 22.7 million persons in the United States age 12 and older required treatment, but less than 11%…

Seven Essential Questions To Ask Before Entering An Addiction Treatment Program For many who suffer from addiction, the professional treatment is the best hope for recovery. For those people and their loved ones, it is essential to find a treatment facility that meets the needs of the individual and offers an evidence-based program shown to…

Addiction can creep up on a person. They may think that there isn’t a problem. It’s possible to stop at any time, but nothing could be further from the truth. Once that source of addiction makes chemical changes to the brain, the body will need that drug on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter what…

Drug treatment is an important part of recovery. However, many people who look for treatment find that the costs of entering a center are quite high. This is a serious obstacle to getting the care you need. In this post, we will talk about how treatment centers work and what you can do to try…

Fentanyl-Cocaine Combo Drug Causing Deaths In Western PA According to Pennsylvania officials, which include law enforcement and medical examiners, a fentanyl-cocaine combo drug has shown up in the western part of the state and is responsible for multiple deaths. This combination is a modern version of the heroin-cocaine mixture known as a speedball, a less…

Recovering from addiction is a much more complex issue than abstaining from your addictive substance. Addiction is a deep-rooted disease that affects the mind, body, and spirit. The use of the addictive substance is only the symptom of the disease, not the cause of the disease. In order to genuinely recover from your addiction, you…

Six Essential Factors For A Successful Addiction Recovery If you or someone you are close to has suffered from addiction, you probably know how challenging it is to get clean and sustain long-term sobriety. There is no cure for addiction, but there are a number of factors that foster recovery and improve a person’s chance…

Seventy-seven percent of people who are suffering from addiction are employed. That statistic may be shocking for those who picture an addict as someone who lives off the street and uses their substance of choice every waking hour. Addiction does not discriminate; a person of any ethnic group, social class, education-level, religion, and family background…

Early Addiction Recovery: Surviving The First 90 Days The first three months of addiction recovery are critical for several reasons – one, it is during this period that most relapses occur. And it’s somewhat understandable – you can’t erase years of substance abuse in just a couple months. You need time to become comfortable practicing…

The decision to get sober is usually followed by many questions about how to find the right type of drug and alcohol treatment center. While some people prefer to go to a treatment center that involves up to a year of therapy, others need something a little shorter. Fortunately, Pennsylvania does offer short term drug…

Drug addiction is one of the most difficult illnesses for a person to cope with. Addiction should never be faced alone – a support network and safe supervision are essential to a successful recovery. But seeking help for an addiction can be frightening, especially when you aren’t sure what to expect. The best way to…

Pennsylvania Launches “Opioid Data Dashboard” Online Resource For Prevention, Rescue, and Treatment Pennsylvania is launching a new “opioid data dashboard” that offers resources for people who are battling the ongoing drug epidemic. The online data dashboard is just one among several strategies being implemented by the Opioid Operational Command Center created by Gov. Wolf. With…

Medication-assisted treatment is a recent innovation in the addiction treatment industry. It is primarily used for addiction to opiates (e.g. heroin, prescription painkillers, etc.) because most of the medications are opiate replacements. There are addiction experts, recovering addicts, and the general population who oppose medication-assisted treatment. Their main argument for opposition is that is not…

The Importance of “Emotional” Sobriety In Recovery Physical sobriety occurs when your body is free from substances, and you are committed to remaining abstinent in the future. You have probably gone through detox, and begun or completed treatment for addiction, and you feel as if you are doing reasonably well. Emotional sobriety is a different…

Addiction slowly takes over your life until you may no longer recognize the person that you have become. Whether you are addicted to cocaine, alcohol or opiates, the lingering effects of addiction are often the same. Sadly, you may have watched relationships crumble over the years when the people that you love could no longer…

Breaking The Pattern Of Addictive Thinking Addictive thinking is a term that encompasses a variety of thoughts and feelings that accompany addiction. When present, these thoughts tend to downplay the negative consequences of substance abuse rather than focus on the benefits of abstinence. To maintain sobriety, a person in recovery must addresses these ideas mindfully,…

New Legislation Aims To Increase Opioid Treatment Providers By Wiping Out Student Loans Legislation introduced recently in the U.S. Senate, known as the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act, aims to expand the number of health professionals to curb the opioid crisis. Moreover, the bill will address the current lack of providers that offer…

Opiate addiction often requires professional care to help you get past the severest withdrawal symptoms that occur during the first several days of quitting. Now that you have made the decision that opiate detox is right for you, it’s time to take the next step of finding a rehab center that offers you the right…

If you have developed a true addiction to your prescribed pain medication, you doubtless feel confused. You probably don’t know what to do, and this feeling is only natural. You’ve probably wondered if you should go to a drug rehab, too. Just what is the best course of action for someone like you? The fact…

Commonly Used Psychotherapies: Why They Are Essential For Addiction Treatment The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes several assumptions regarding substance abuse, which form the basis of treatments that seek to improve person outcomes by ending alcohol or drug use, reducing the chances of relapse, and helping the person regain their lives and recovery…

Interventions are often talked about among family members and friends of people who are struggling with addiction. In fact, you may have even seen interventions performed on television or in the movies for dramatic effect. While there are many benefits to doing an intervention with someone who refuses to recognize that they a have a…

Had A Relapse? On Fostering the Motivation To Return To Healthy Habits, Rehab Sobriety is an ongoing process that comes with many challenges – for some, there is a real risk of relapse and returning to old habits and behaviors. But relapse doesn’t have to be the end of the line – learning from a…

There comes a time in the course of every addiction when the user or their family realizes that it’s time to seek outside help. This can come after losing a job or when a tragedy happens because someone was intoxicated again. Coming to this realization is difficult, especially for the person who is addicted. Reaching…

Making The Most Out Of Recovery: Set Goals, Be Active, Stay Inspired Addiction recovery is a long and challenging process that requires hard work, perseverance, and strict adherence to goals. There are many approaches you can take, however, that can make your recovery more enjoyable and purposeful. Moreover, staying engaged in your recovery and your…

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, there is help for you. Treatment centers in Pennsylvania offer: Compassionate, Confidential and Concerned Care The decision to face your drug or alcohol addiction head on is tough, but we’re here to help. At Just Believe Recovery, we are committed to making your recovery process a success,…

Exploring Options: The Different Forms of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs Due to advancements in knowledge and research, addiction treatment programs continue to evolve, and many modern programs are not neatly classified into traditional categories. However, most begin with a medically-managed detox in a clinical setting, allowing the individual to cleanse their body of substances. Detox…

Trying to end an addiction takes careful planning. After all, quitting drugs or alcohol can have serious effects on your physical and mental health if your body is dependent upon the substance. Yet, you have finally reached a point where you know that you cannot continue with your addiction any longer. In fact, you may…

7 Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center Each year in the United States, millions of people enter drug rehab programs. For many, however, this isn’t the first time around the block. Moreover, they have already been to rehab multiple times and relapsed after discharge. In fact, an estimated 10%…

Whether you’ve made the decision to go into treatment or you’ve convinced a loved one that it’s time to make a change, congratulations. The next step is deciding on the right type of treatment facility to help you affect that change. Most rehabilitation experts agree that in-patient residential treatment offers the best hope for lasting…

Alcoholism can be termed as a chronic disorder that is identified by compulsive drinking which leads to physical and psychological dependence. When alcohol is consumed excessively, it can lead to irrational behavior that brings about difficult issues in one’s life. If you start noticing signs of alcoholic behaviors in a loved one, they might be…

On Millennials And Addiction: Facing Unique Challenges In The Modern World According to Time Magazine, millennials, or Generation Y as they are often referred, were born between 1980 and 2000. Millennials have now overtaken baby boomers as the largest of all current generations – approximately 40% of adults 21 and over belong to this group.…

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, even getting through each day can begin to feel hopeless. While many addictions develop slowly, they often can leave you feeling as though you’re stuck: you can live without your drug or drink of choice (which often seems impossible), or you…

PA Health Insurer Highmark Enacts Strict New Limits On Painkillers In Effort To Reduce Prescription Opioid Abuse Health insurer Highmark recently announced that it would use analytical tools to assist Pennsylvania physicians in increasing the treatment safety of pain patients and help identify persons who are suffering from prescription opioid abuse. The insurer will enact…

If you find yourself in need of help for a drug or alcohol addiction, you probably have discovered that just recognizing the fact that you need treatment is exhausting enough. However, for many who want to confront their addictions and move toward wellness, having to pay for rehabilitation can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Thankfully,…

Profound Hearing Loss Yet Another Side Effect Of Opioid Abuse As the country battles the seemingly never-ending opioid epidemic, one largely overlooked, but regrettable effect of the crisis is that opioid abuse has been associated with progressive, possibly profound hearing loss, according to many medical professionals who specialize in ear care. Audiologists say that hearing…

Whether your own life has spun out of control or you can’t bear watching someone you care about suffer, getting into alcohol treatment is a priority. Your life has been on hold long enough, so it can be frustrating is there’s a waiting list for assistance. Fortunately, there are options available that may make the…

Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope As Future Treatment For Opioid Addiction Amidst the opioid epidemic that is killing tens of thousands of Americans each year, researchers are desperately trying to find new treatments for opioid use disorder. One such treatment, expected to be tested in clinical trials this year, is deep brain stimulation (DBS.) DBS…

9-Year-Old NY Boy Watches Father’s Death From Heroin Overdose Two days after Zack Swoyer’s 9th birthday, he uncharacteristically went over to his father Shawn’s house at 11 a.m. on a weekday, January 17th, due to a snow day. Death From Heroin Overdose Bobbie Perry, Shawn’s aunt and childhood caregiver, received a call from Shawn’s girlfriend…

Philadelphia Authorities Seize 250,000 Heroin and Fentanyl Doses In Huge Bust This week Pennsylvania state attorney general Josh Shapiro announced that law enforcement seized 250,000 heroin and fentanyl doses in a major drug bust – a street value of around $2.6 million. According to Shapiro, Cesar Guzman, 24, and Duagery Sanchez-Rosario, 30, were arrested last…

Drugmakers Spent $9 Million In Five Years Promoting Opioids To Pain Treatment Advocacy Groups According to a new report released by Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Purdue Pharma, who manufactures OxyContin, gave $4.7 million to pain-treatment advocacy groups from 2012-2017. Moreover, Purdue and other drugmakers promoted opioid painkillers to people who are the most susceptible to addiction. Millions…

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Found More Effective When Depression Also Successfully Treated According to new research, opioid use disorder treatment may be more effective when depression is treated to cessation. A research team from St. Louis University has discovered that depression is often a result of chronic opioid use. For the study, they found that…

Drug Found To Reverse Brain Damage From Alcohol Abuse Scientists at the Queensland University of Technology have discovered that a drug used to treat anxiety could help reverse brain damage from alcohol abuse by regenerating brain cells. Research on mice revealed that two weeks of every day treatment with the drug tandospirone negated the effects…

Decline In American Life Expectancy Driven By Suicide, Alcohol And Drug Abuse, Says Report The life expectancy for people in the United States has fallen for the second year in a row. According to a new editorial, these are the reasons why: an increase in suicides and alcohol and drug abuse – all especially prevalent among…

Finding a way to recovery seems impossible amid active alcoholism but many people suffering from the disease usually come to a point where it’s poisoning every aspect of their lives, and this often includes their health. Their personal lives are in despair, their career is likely affected, and the ability to function slowly declines. For…

New York Teacher Dies From Overdose Of Fentanyl-Laced Heroin In School Restroom Matthew Azimi, 36, was a much-loved and admired special education teacher in the Bronx. He already had three children and his wife was about five months pregnant with a fourth. The last item that he purchased before his death was a hypodermic needle…

Only One-Third Of People Who Suffer Seek Treatment For Depression According to the World Health Organization, 300 million worldwide suffer from major depressive disorder and is now considered to be the #1 cause of disability globally. A new study has found that among those newly diagnosed, only around one-third receive treatment – and that number…

Your struggling with an addiction to alcohol and you are not alone. Alcohol is a big problem for so many people of all ages because it is so easy to obtain. It’s everywhere. It’s at parties, in homes, and on store shelves. It’s legal and its affordable. If you are of a legal drinking age,…

Teens And Alcohol: Parents Who Offer Drinks To Adolescents Are Not Helping Them In many countries, parents give alcohol to minors as a means to introduce them to drinking responsibly, operating under the belief that it will help protect them from the dangers of heavy alcohol use. Teens And Alcohol. According to a new Australian…

Researchers Find Promising New Candidate For Depression Treatment At least 300 million people globally suffer from major depressive disorder, according to the World Health Organization. And regrettably, depression treatment-as-usual treat works for only about half of those affected. Recent research, however, has examined how a protein called CK2 which could be playing a critical role.…

You have become a victim of Adderall abuse. This prescription medication is a powerful stimulant that is actually a combination of drugs. It is typically prescribed for attention deficit disorders. However, it is also used to treat depression and sleep disorders. You may have started taking the proper dosage only to take more than the…

Not Just Opioids: NSAID, Ibuprofen Abuse Common, Many Unaware Of Risks Of OTC Pain Relievers We’ve all heard about the tragedies of the opioid epidemic – but underlying opioid abuse is another widespread crisis, of sorts – chronic pain. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (2006), more than 76 million, or one-quarter of…

Cocaine Mixed With Fentanyl: Unusual, Possibly Long-Term Amnesia Found Among Overdose Survivors A new disturbing side effect of the opioid epidemic has come to light – researchers have discovered new evidence that suggests those who experience non-fatal overdoses are at risk for a unique form of amnesia. Moreover, cocaine mixed with the potent opioid fentanyl…

Accidental Deaths In PA Led By Opioid Overdoses, Governor, Officials Continue to Take Action According to an examination of federal data by the National Safety Council (NSC), there were nearly 1,100 accidental deaths in Pennsylvania in 2016, a rise of 15% from 2015. More than three-quarters (78%) of those deaths were due to opioid overdoses.…

You have been battling with an addiction to pain pills. You began taking your medication after a sports injury. It was the only way that you could get past the pain so you could get back to your normal life. You thought you had it under control, but you found yourself turning to pain pills…

Distributors Delivered 20.8M Hydrocodone And Oxycodone Pills To WV Town Of 3,200 In the past ten years, nearly 21 million hydrocodone and oxycodone prescription painkillers were shipped to the small town of Williamson, West Virginia, which has less than 3,200 residents. That’s an average of 6,500 pills per person – and unfortunately, many of those…

Natural Painkillers: Nasal Spray Being Studied Could Replace Addictive Opioids Researchers at University College London say have shown they can relieve pain in animals using natural painkillers: a nasal spray that delivers millions of particles that encase a natural opioid into the brain. In clinical trials, animals did not exhibit signs of tolerance, indicated that…

Are Modern Perceptions Of Mental Illness And Substance Abuse As Diseases Reducing Stigma? In recent years, health professionals and the public alike have begun to accept that the causes mental illness and substance are biologically-based. However, a Baylor University study has found that there is also a widespread belief that other, non-biological factors may contribute,…

You’re struggling with an opiate addiction and it’s snowballing out of control. You can’t make it through a day without thinking about how you’re going to get your next dose. It’s getting to the point that you’re not sure you can get through the next hour. Everything else has been shoved out of the way…

FDA Cracks Down On Supplements That Claim to Treat Opioid Withdrawal And Addiction Last week federal regulators said they are cracking down on distributors selling products that illegally claim to treat opioid withdrawal and dependence. Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to marketers of products that…

Big Pharma Companies And Myths Perpetuated About The Opioid Epidemic Back in the 1980’s, doctors were routinely taught that opioids, although useful under some circumstances, were dangerous drugs that should only be prescribed after surgeries, serious injuries, or palliative care. In the 1990s, however, that all changed when Big Pharma companies began courting physicians, assuring…

Alcohol has become the main focus of your husband’s life. Family, friends, work, and his health have all been pushed to the back of his mind. He can’t concentrate on anything because alcohol is clouding his mind. What may have started as a casual drink after work has become a round the clock obsession. He…

Senate Committee Report Says Easy To Buy Opioids Online From China Investigators for the Senate Homeland Security subcommittee recently released a report that illustrates how easy it is to buy opioids online from China and have them delivered to the U.S. through the postal service. Specifically, in the past year, they found more than 500…

Defining alcoholic behavior is a difficult task because the ways in which alcoholism manifests can vary tremendously from one person to another. Working with a trained specialist from an alcohol rehab facility is a top way to determine whether or not you are suffering from alcoholism. As you’re deciding if this step is the one…

Stem Cell Therapy Found To Reverse Opioid Tolerance Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic and the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University in China have found that mesenchymal stem cell therapy (MSCs) can prevent or reverse opioid tolerance, as well as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The authors note that “opioid…

Alternative Therapies For Pain Less Likely To Be Covered By Insurance, Despite Effectiveness More than 12 million patients have become dependent on prescription opioids to manage chronic pain. If we are to effectively address the opioid epidemic, we need to improve patient access to alternative therapies that relieve chronic pain, such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and…

Drug and alcohol addiction is involuntary, and many Americans are affected by it. However, you don’t have to let it go from bad to worse. You can visit our drug recovery center in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, to receive personalized treatment. If you decide to check your loved one(s) into an addiction recovery center, you would like…

Opioid Misuse Predicted By Duration And Number Of Prescription Refills, Not Dosage Researchers found in a new study that the duration and number of opioid prescription refills that a patient receives following surgery is a significantly greater risk factor for dependence and overdose than the actual dosage taken. The study, which included data from over 560,000…

Myths Dispelled: Most Opioids Prescribed By Doctors, Not ERs, Post-Surgery Patients Do Not Abuse Opioid Medications A new study that examines the primary sources of opioid prescriptions reveals that while emergency departments have been cutting back on the prescribing of opioid medications for over a decade due to legislation and other restrictions, doctors continue to…

Experts Says North Korea Poised To Become Leading World Supplier of Crystal Meth An economist and author of the new book “North Korea: The Country We Love To Hate” cautions that the country could become one of the most high-profile dealers of crystal meth in the world if it feels strangled by the United Nations…

Are Adult Coloring Books Art Therapy? Maybe Not, But They Do Reduce Stress And Promote Mindfulness Over the past two years or so, adult coloring books have become nothing short of a phenomenon. In 2015, an estimated 12 million of these books were sold in the U.S., both increasing the sales of adult non-fiction by…

Walmart Releases New Product For Prescription Drug Disposal, Says Groundbreaking This week Walmart began distributing a new pharmaceutical product that the company states offers a safe method of prescription drug disposal. It’s called DisposeRX, and when combined with warm water it transforms any form of opioid into a biodegradable gel that cannot be separated or…

You have been struggling with addiction and you realize that you have hit a wall that you cannot climb by yourself. What began as something you thought was completely under your control has become the opposite. You can’t get through day to day living without thinking about how you are going to have more of…

The decision to enroll in a rehab program is one that can tremendously enhance your life. Instead of spending your time engaged in addictive behaviors, you can focus that energy on pursuing your goals. Some of those goals may connect to your current or intended career. The thought of careers can make you wonder what…

State Of Emergency: Gov. Wolf Declares Opioid Epidemic A Statewide Disaster State of Emergency: Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a statewide disaster declaration to bolster state response in the battle against opioid addiction and overdoses. The declaration is ground-breaking for a public health emergency in Pennsylvania and will use a command facility at the Pennsylvania…

250 Bricks Of Cocaine Valued At $22 Million Found At Port Of Philadelphia Philadelphia federal customs officials reported last week that they recently found 250 bricks of cocaine (over 700 pounds or 321.64 kilograms) stashed away inside bedroom furniture and kitchen cabinets shipped in from Puerto Rico. The drugs, which were confiscated in November, had…

Late Cranberries Singer O’Riordan Suffered From Depression And Alcoholism, Bipolar Disorder, Attempted Suicide Like so many talented musicians and artists in recent years, it appears that Dolores O’Riordan, long-time lead singer of the Irish rock group The Cranberries, may have intentionally ended her own life. At this time, however, it is worthy to note that…

Drug And Alcohol Addiction: Do You Know The Risk Factors? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there are several risk factors that can contribute to a person’s vulnerability to drug and alcohol addiction. Risk factors are traits at the biological, psychological, family, cultural, and community level that are linked to a greater…

Seasonal Affective Disorder Affects Women More Often Than Men, Study Finds According to new research from the University of Glasgow, women are more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder than men. Moreover, women’s variations in depressive symptoms, such as hopelessness, tend to peak during the winter months. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mental…

The Importance of Self-Care In Recovery While most treatment centers offer aftercare services, it is important to note that people in recovery are still responsible for their individual well-being. We are ultimately accountable for our own lives, happiness, and sobriety. This is why actively engaging in self-care throughout recovery is critical. Life has several dimensions…

To break free of an addiction to drugs or alcohol and achieve long-lasting recovery, it’s important to get the right kind of help. You need the knowledge and support of professionals who understand the steps to recovery. If your health insurance covers addiction treatment in Pennsylvania, then you are already at an advantage. There are…

In Pennsylvania, there are many drug rehab centers that can help you or a loved one recover from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Each drug rehab center in Pennsylvania has its own features and programs for its clients. Also, each drug rehab center has its own philosophy on how addiction should be dealt with. Look…

Do You Suffer From An Anxiety Disorder? Look For These Signs According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 2.6 billion people in the world, or more than one-third of the global population, will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. Among those who suffer, their experiences can range from everyday…

Chronic Pain Conditions, Mental Health Disorders Put People At Highest Risk For Opioid-Related Overdose Death According to a study of over 13,000 overdose deaths, more than half of the decedents who had overdosed on opioids had been diagnosed with chronic pain conditions, and many had a co-occurring mental health disorder. Interestingly, however, rarely had these…

An addiction to alcohol can happen to anyone at anytime. In fact, many people turn to alcohol in an effort to manage stress that comes from work or school responsibilities. Unfortunately, this type of behavior pattern often leads to you needing more and more alcohol to achieve the same relaxing effects, and it is possible…

Use Of Opioids and Gabapentinoids Greatly Increases Risk Of Obesity And Hypertension, Study Finds According to a new study, prescription painkillers such as opioids and gabapentinoids substantially increase the risk of obesity and hypertension. Opioids include drugs that treat moderate to severe pain such as OxyContin, and gabapentinoids such as Lyrica are indicated to treat chronic…

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome: If I’m Not Addicted, Then Why Do I Feel This Way? Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome occurs when a person abruptly stops or drastically reduces the use of antidepressants after an extended period time. The symptoms may not be as dramatic as withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs, but it is decidedly unpleasant and…

Suboxone is referred to as a replacement drug. It may be given to someone who is going through treatment for an addiction to opioids such as Vicodin, oxycontin and fentanyl along with others. Suboxone is designed to reduce the sickness and discomfort connected with detoxing from drugs. It can also decrease a person’s cravings for…

Depression and Anxiety Home Remedies: 15 Healthy Drinks By some estimates, as many as 40 million adults in the United States suffer from anxiety disorder. Depression often occurs along with anxiety, and nearly half of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Moreover, depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. Anxiety is also…

Are you struggling with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol? Or, do you have a friend or relative who is suffering with a powerful addiction? If the answer is yes to either question, there are many excellent detox centers in Pennsylvania. When looking at a detox center in PA for you or a loved one, it’s…

Amid Drug Epidemic, State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Use Bolstered Even before the opioid crisis, most states implemented a state prescription drug monitoring program – a database that pharmacists and doctors use to track the prescription drug use of patients. These programs can be used to warn prescribers that a patient may be doctor-shopping or taking high…

Addiction is an intricate brain disease that includes physiological and psychological components. Choosing to go to rehab is a courageous, yet difficult decision for you or your addicted loved one to make. Rehab will be most effective if you choose to go by your own free will and volition. If you are forced or coerced…

Suffering from an opiate addiction is not something to take lightly. Even if you have been using heroin or other opiates for years, it is not too late to take back control of your life and to do something about it. Even though the idea of getting sober and staying that way can seem overwhelming…

Cigarette Smoking Rising Among Americans With Substance Use Disorders Cigarette smoking has declined significantly in the United States in the past few decades, and yet the prevalence of smoking has spiked among those with illicit substance use disorders since 2002, according to a new study. Moreover, the odds of smoking cigarettes for Americans with a…

Drug Overdose Death Statistics Reveal 63,600 Fatalities In 2016 Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the final drug overdose death statistics for 2016, and the numbers were staggering – at least 63,600 deaths due any drug or alcohol – a significant increase of 21% from 52,400 in 2015. The data…

Treatment of alcohol and opiate and addiction includes many different methods. Addiction is a serious disease and needs to be treated with all the tools available. In addition to the traditional recovery options like twelve step programs and therapy, medications are now available to aid in the process. One of these medications, Vivitrol, has been…

Regular Exercise Found To Be Beneficial In Boosting Recovery And Reducing Need For Substance Use Multiple recent studies have shown that engaging in regular exercise can be critically beneficial to recovery, as well as lessen the use of substances. For example, one study examined how rats in recovery may be affected by exercise. The rodents…

Pharmaceutical Drugs Contaminating Great Lakes, Threaten Ecosystems Elsewhere Environmental scientists have been warning about a lesser-known problem related to the U.S. drug epidemic – streams, rivers, and lakes are becoming contaminated with both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs. Many chemicals are entering the water supply due to people flushing drugs, but they are also being expelled out…

If you are searching for a Pennsylvania drug rehab center, you will want to do some research and compare your options. You will quickly learn they aren’t all the same. Because of this fact, you’ll want to find out the differences and determine which one is the best fit for your needs. You should ask…

Pill Mill Doctor: PA Physician Arrested For Over-Prescribing Opioids, Five Patient Deaths Amid an ever-worsening opioid epidemic, a physician from Mount Carmel has just been arrested for allegedly operating his office as a pill mill and contributing to the death of five patients. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, 60, was indicted…

Those who suffer from the crippling effects of drug and alcohol abuse often need help in the form of medication in order to prevent relapse. Vivitrol is an injection that is taken once a month to stop cravings for opiates and alcohol. It is meant to be used in conjunction with treatment counseling to increase…

Dextromethorphan Abuse (DXM) Sends 6,000 Teens To The ER Each Year Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a substance found in dozens of over-the-counter medications, often under brand names such as Robitussin, Theraflu, and Vicks. It can also come in a variety of forms, including liquid, gelcaps, tablets, and more. Reports of abuse by teenagers of DXM reach…

Holiday Depression: Why It Happens, What To Avoid, How To Cope Since 1963, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” as recorded by Andy Williams has been a holiday staple. And indeed, that is a bold statement. But not everyone agrees with this sentiment, and certainly not when they are experiencing holiday depression. In fact,…

Clean And Sober During The Holidays? 13 Tips To Avoid Relapse Whether you have recently entered recovery or have been clean and sober for some time, holidays can be challenging to navigate for a variety of reasons. Number one – most people will encounter triggers when attending holiday parties and family gatherings. Number two –…

York County Latest To Sue Pharmaceutical Companies For Costs Related To Opioid Crisis Last week York County solicitor Glenn Smith announced that the county is pursuing a civil lawsuit against twenty-one pharmaceutical companies and four out-of-state physicians for financial damages related to their roles in the opioid epidemic that has plagued the area for years.…

Opioid Deaths During Hospital Stays Quadruped In Last Two Decades A new study published last week found that opioid-related deaths during hospital stays increased four-fold from 1993-2014 in the United States. While the rate of opioid addiction diagnoses tapered off during this time, the number of opioid deaths (including prescription painkillers and heroin) continued to…

OxyContin Abuse, Misuse of Opioids and Alcohol Down Among Teens, Survey Finds The latest results of an annual nationwide survey from the University of Michigan reveals that Vicodin and OxyContin abuse among American high school seniors has continued to fall and that prescription opioids have become more difficult for adolescents to obtain. For the University’s…

Low Back Pain Treatment: Changes To International Guidelines = Don’t Expect Pain Meds Recent changes to international guidelines for low back pain treatment suggest that family doctors may be much less likely to prescribe pain medication, which has been used previously as a first line of defense. The new guidelines, which include the UK National…

Benzodiazepines And Alcohol: Major Factors In the Drug Overdose Crisis That Are Largely Ignored Drug overdose deaths have been climbing significantly in the last few years, and opioids, such as prescription painkillers and heroin, have received the most blame. Other substances, however, such as benzodiazepines and alcohol, are often being used in conjunction with opioids,…

Drug And Alcohol Abuse Among Baby Boomers: Aging Adults Increasing Engage In Substance Use, Risk Overdose Recent research shows that Baby Boomers and older adults are increasingly engaging in drug and alcohol abuse and are a heightened risk for suffering a fatal opioid overdose. According to a new study, persons born from 1947-1964 have a…

Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure Treats Chronic Pain, May Eliminate Need For Opioids As the opioid crisis wages on, many doctors are trying out different approaches to treat pain – including procedures such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a safe and effective treatment that reduces pain signals using an electrical current to heat an area of nerve tissue.…

Opioid Prescribing Guidelines For Children Introduced By Task Force Pennsylvania’s Health Secretary and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine visited the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) last week to present new opioid prescribing guidelines for minors. The new guidelines recommend that opioids should only be given to children and teens for moderate to severe pain, and…

Cone Snail Venom Studied As Opioid Substitute, Research Receives $10 Million From Defense Department Last week researchers at the University of Utah announced that the school had received $10 million from the Department of Defense to expand their investigation into sea cone snail venom to determine if it may be viable as a non-addictive, safe…

Opioid addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. The lifelong recovery rates for opioid addiction are not very high. The worldwide recovery rate for all addictions is only a mere 20 percent. That statistic indicates that not even a quarter of the individuals who suffer from the disease of addiction all around…

Pittsburgh Doctor Charged In The Overdose Deaths Of Two Patients – One Was Doctor Shopping Pittsburgh area physician Dr. Michel Toret, 71, was charged last week for allegedly causing the deaths of two of his patients by over-prescribing them opioids, according to state prosecutors. Reports state that at least one of the deceased patients was…

The Drunkest Cities In Each State: Metro Areas With The Highest Rates Of Heavy Drinking 24/7 Wall St. recently compiled data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and identified the drunkest cities in each state – metropolitan areas reporting the highest levels of excessive drinking. To obtain these results, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the…

Neurontin is the well-known brand name for the prescription medication gabapentin. This medication is an anticonvulsant used to treat epileptic seizures. Neurontin is also prescribed to treat postherpetic neuralgia caused by shingles, restless leg syndrome, acute pain conditions and essential tremor. Neurontin reduces the activity of GABA neurotransmitters. It is for this reason that Neurontin…

PA: A Safe Haven For Recovering Addicts Pennsylvania has made a name for itself in recent years as a safe haven for addicts and alcoholics seeking recovery. There is a long list of reasons for why this might be so, and a quick look at the state’s rich history shows just why Pennsylvania is such…

Acupuncture, Yoga, And Other Alternative Therapies May Help Ease Both Acute And Chronic Pain Pain medicine specialists and anesthesiologists render more prescriptions for opioids than those in any other field of medicine. Many healthcare providers, however, suggest that using alternative approaches such as yoga acupuncture, and meditation can help to curb the opioid crisis. The…

Meth Storm: HBO Documentary Explores Meth Adiction In Rural America In many ways, the opioid epidemic has overshadowed a very real and systemic problem occurring in rural regions of the nation – methamphetamine addiction. And just like opioids, massive amounts of the drug are still entering the country, and much of it is landing squarely…

The increasing prevalence of addiction on a national scale has many individuals looking for treatment for themselves or their loved ones. The state of Pennsylvania has been steadily keeping up with the high demand for treatment centers while implementing the most modernly effective treatment tactics. Recovery centers help aid patients in a number of ways,…

PTSD And Alcohol Abuse: Researchers Study Effectiveness Of Lyrica Researchers from the University of Maryland say they have taken a promising step in treating two conditions that are often related: alcohol addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.) The team is studying the effectiveness of pregablin, also known as Lyrica, a drug currently used to treat nerve…

David Cassidy Dies Young At 67, Battled Chronic Substance Abuse, Dementia My very first memory of ANYTHING was of colorful partridges dancing across a black background. The Partridge Family, a television show about a singing family led by Shirley Jones, was as iconic as it was corny. It ran from 1970-1974 – I was born…

Concerned loved ones and addicts themselves face a crossroads at some point in the progression of the addiction. They wonder how to stop the addiction and then where they can go to stop the addiction. Few alcoholics or drug addicts have enough “willpower” to quit on their own. In reality, willpower itself doesn’t have much…

How To Stay Sober On Thanksgiving: 9 Tips For Recovery During the initial stages of recovery, people are still learning new coping skills and how to deal with everyday situations and the triggers they can bring. During the holiday season, maintaining good habits can be difficult, but if this is your first Thanksgiving in recovery,…

Suboxone And Naltrexone Equally Effective For Opioid Dependence, Researchers Find According to new research, the top two drugs indicated to treatment opioid dependence are equally safe and effective – naltrexone (Vivitrol) and Suboxone, a medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. These finding should assure both patients and health care professionals that either choice can be…

NSS-2 Bridge Device Approved By FDA To Reduce Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms A device indicated for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms, called the NSS-2 Bridge, has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration. The device, a percutaneous nerve field stimulator, is meant to reduce withdrawal symptoms during opioid addiction recovery, according to manufacturer Innovative…

Brain Activity In Prefrontal Cortex Protects Against Future Anxiety, Says Study A new study from Duke University finds that increasing brain activity in a region associated with thinking and problem-solving can also protect against worsening anxiety. Using brain imaging, investigators discovered that persons who were at risk for anxiety were less likely to experience the…

35 Essential Daily Affirmations For Recovery Daily affirmations are positive phrases that a person repeats to him or herself through meditation or prayer, each day, that compliments the thought process. Daily affirmations are beneficial because they promote a positive mindset and focus on intentions for a fruitful and healthy life. Words can be powerful, and…

Art Therapy: An Effective Treatment For Depression Art therapy is an expressive therapy that uses a “creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” according to arttherapyblog.com. Recent research from Christina Blomdahl, Ph.D., at the Sahlgrenska Academy found that after ten treatments, patients who experienced moderately severe or severe…

Alcohol Recovery Timeline: Extraordinary Benefits At Every Stage Deciding to become abstinent can be a very difficult decision for the chronic alcohol user. However, what if you were to consider how your life would be now if you had quit one year ago? Six months ago? Even just one month ago… But take heart. Making…

The addiction epidemic has brought to light the fact that addiction treatment is just as much of a medical necessity as treatment for any other health issue. The number of Americans who require addiction treatment has skyrocketed in recent years. This epidemic has raised the issue of making addiction treatment accessible for everyone who needs…

If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, it’s time to consider the type of help available to you. Whether you are looking for long term treatment that includes living in sober housing, or you want to detox from a substance, understand that addiction to any substance takes time to successfully overcome.   The Time…

Nearly Half Of All Americans Has Loved One Addicted To Drugs, Survey Finds According to a recent survey from Pew Research Center, 46% of adult Americans state they have a close friend or family member who is addicted to drugs currently or is in recovery. Men and women state this figure equally, as do those…

Veteran Suicide, Addiction, And Homelessness: The Sad Reality For Many Of Our Nation’s Warriors November 11 is Veterans Day, the day when Americans pay respect to the men and women who have served their country in the armed forces. Unfortunately, we must also address concerns posed by military personnel and their families regarding the lack…

Choosing to seek treatment for an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is one of the most important decisions a person can make. If you, or a loved one, is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, consider going to a Pennsylvania treatment center for help with conquering your addiction. PA rehab centers have compassionate addiction specialists and…

Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Combo May Be As Effective At Relieving Injury Pain As Opioids Many opioid-dependent patients are first introduced to painkillers by emergency room physicians – but a new study finds that over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide the same amount of pain relief as opioids. Is this is true,…

Going to drug rehab might be the turning point of your recovery journey. However, making that choice can be intimidating if you are concerned about what the environment of the rehab center will be, especially when it comes to the other clients at the center. In reality, you have nothing to be concerned about and…

Alcoholism is a disease that is unlike any other. It is not a disease like diabetes or heart disease, where the treatment to cure or manage the disease is definitive and universal. Recovery is an extensive process that is full of emotions, readjustment, and learning through trial and error.   The Temptation to Leave Rehab…

Do you use heroin? Does someone you know use the drug? Maybe you aren’t sure whether someone you know uses drugs or not. How can you know for sure? And what are the signs? Heroin may be used in several ways, causing a quick rush for those who use the drug. For instance, heroin users…

Opioid Commission Releases Report With 56 Recommendations To Fight The Opioid Crisis Today the Opioid Commission, chaired by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, sent a list to the White House of more than 50 recommendations to fight the opioid crisis. They said that in order mitigate the crisis, the United States needs to increase funding…

Online Tool Exposes Physicians’ Payments From Drug Makers Ever wonder if your doctor has taken payments from pharmaceutical companies? The Dollars for Docs database is a new online tool that allows anyone to search for physicians and find how much money they have been paid by medical device and Big Pharma drug makers. The data…

Living in a neighboring state and going to a drug rehab center in Pennsylvania may just be the perfect choice for you or someone you love when treatment is needed. Drawbacks exist when a person goes to drug rehab in their hometown. The people and situations that tempted you into substance use and abuse remain…

You have been struggling with alcoholism for too long. You know that you are headed on the wrong direction on a one way road if you don’t take charge of your addiction now. Alcoholism has become the main focus of your life. You are simply living minute to minute until you can have another drink.…

1-Year-Old Pennsylvania Girl Died From Exposure To Carfentanil The Allegheny county medical examiner has determined that the drug carfentanil (carfentanyl), a powerful opioid used to tranquilize large animals such as elephants, was responsible for the death of one-year-old Au’Driana Cohen. Cohen was found unresponsive on August 6 in a home in McKees Rocks. According to…

Having to deal with drug addiction is something that nobody should go through. However, sometimes we find ourselves in this sticky situation whether as the addict or a loved one of the addicted. With an increase in drug addiction in the US, there has been a growth of many treatment methods and facilities to help…

FDA Wants Medically Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction Destigmatized Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb spoke to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday, stating that the agency wants to broaden the use of medically assisted treatment for opioid addiction and help end the stigma associated with the approach. Many in the medical…

You have tried to conquer your dependency on alcohol by yourself. What began as a social habit has gone beyond your control. When you attempted to stop having that drink after work, it only snowballed into too many drinks. It’s getting in the way of your everyday life. You’re having a tough time being punctual…

Neuromodulation For Chronic Pain: One Answer To The Opioid Epidemic? Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain, and a common way to treat it is through the use of prescription opioids. However, the long-term use of opioids can result in both tolerance and dependence. Given the ever-increasing rates of overdoses and addiction, many doctors have…

What Is Opioid Tolerance? Opioids are a class of medication used in the treatment of acute and chronic pain associated with injuries, surgeries, or long-term medical conditions such as cancer or palliative care. Opioid tolerance, most simply put, occurs when a patient who has taken opioids for a prolonged period begins to require ever-increasing amounts…

Toxic Relationships: 7 Signs You Are In One Toxic relationships can be loosely defined as relationships that may have healthy roots, but have devolved into a harmful pattern that can be detrimental to one’s well-being. While perhaps not hopeless, these relationships require a tremendous amount of work if they are to return to a healthy…

Naloxone Kits Worth $5 Million In State Funding, To Be Distributed Throughout Pennsylvania Officials from the Wolf administration announced this week that applications to receive naloxone kits, which contain an opioid overdose reversal drug, are being accepted statewide. Health Secretary and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine: “Getting first responders enhanced access to naloxone saves lives…

State Attorneys Urge Congress To Increase Medicaid Funding And Addiction Treatment Access A bipartisan coalition formed from a majority of state attorneys general is urging Congress to allow Medicaid funding for large addiction treatment facilities in the U.S. – an action intended to increase access to substance abuse treatment. In total, 38 states and Washington,…

Can You Overdose On Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers? The answer is, of course, yes – you can overdose on over-the-counter pain relievers. And it happens more often than you might think. One recent poll by the American Gastroenterological Association found that nearly 40% of Americans intentionally used more over-the-counter pain relievers than recommended. OTC pain relievers…

Drug Overdose Death Statistics Collected From Coroners On University of Pittsburgh Website, First Of Its Kind Overdose Free PA is a website operated by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Over the past year, 17 medical examiners and coroners have shared their counties’ drug overdose death statistics on the site, and thanks…

Pharmaceutical Companies, Distributors To Be Sued By Indianapolis For Fueling Opioid Epidemic Mayor Joe Hogsett announced at a press conference last Thursday that the city of Indianapolis is set to take legal action against the pharmaceutical companies who make and distribute opioids for an unspecified amount of damages. On board is Cohen & Malad LLP,…

Beer Ads Aired By Brands Popular With Underage Drinkers Often Violate Industry Codes, Appeal To Youths Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) recently published a study that suggests that beer brands popular with underage consumers are more likely to air television beer ads which include youth-appealing content – thereby violating the alcohol…

Alcohol And Sleep: Researchers Identify Genes That Connect Sleep Habits To Alcoholism Scientists understand surprisingly little about sleep, and how it can affect a person’s behavior. Recent research from Brown University in Rhode Island in collaboration with Bradley Hospital seeks to answer questions about sleeping patterns by identifying genes that manage sleep and connect alcohol…

Prescription Painkiller Addiction: 8 Signs To Look For – Are You Dependent? Prescription painkiller addiction is a condition that can develop slowly, over time, in a very subtle way. Unfortunately, the long-term use of opioids can cause dependence, tolerance and result in cravings and withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to reduce their dose or…

The 25 Most Dangerous Prescription Drugs Using data culled from the Food and Drug Administration from 2004-2015, HealthGrove, a health data website, examined 150 medications that have the highest number of adverse reactions and ranked them using the percentage of these reactions that were considered serious. The top 50 medications with the most severe adverse…

Study Suggests Appropriate Duration Of Opioids For Pain After Surgery In an effort to help curb the nation’s opioid epidemic, a new study suggests just how long patients can safely use opioids for pain after surgery. And that answer is 4-9 days, according to researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The authors contend…

FDA Cracks Down On Illegal Online Pharmacies The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it has cracked down on close to 500 online pharmacies that were selling prescription painkillers and other dangerous drugs illegally. These actions were organized by Interpol, and a part of-of the worldwide Operation Pangea, a yearly global event, now…

Is Someone You Care About Exhibiting Signs Of Alcoholism? Here are some to look for… A 2015 study based on a nationwide survey found that nearly 14% of adult Americans had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the past year, and 29% had suffered from an AUD at some point in their life. But perhaps…

Study Aims To Determine Which, If Any, Medication-Assisted Treatment For Alcohol Dependence Is Effective Researchers recently published a study in the journal Addiction that examined 32 randomized controlled trials of medications indicated to treat alcohol use disorders. They included pharmaceutical drugs such as acamprosate, baclofen, nalmefene, naltrexone, and topiramate. What they concluded is this: there…

Ohio Coroner Says Boy, 12, Died From An Overdose Of The Powerful Opioid Fentanyl At Birthday Party A Franklin County coroner has determined that 12-year-old Kanye Champelle, who was found unresponsive during a birthday party sleepover in July, was killed by an accidental overdose of the potent opioid fentanyl, and not from choking on gum,…

Opioid Crisis Reduces Average American Life Expectancy For First Time In Over Two Decades According to an analysis recently published in the journal JAMA, the opioid epidemic is so bad that it is shortening the average life expectancy of Americans. In fact, opioid use, including both prescription painkillers and illicit drugs such as fentanyl, is…

FDA Okays First Prescription Mobile App To Help Patients With Substance Use Disorders The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the go-ahead to Pear Therapeutics to market their new mobile app reSET, a program that was developed to help those with substance use disorders. The digital app focuses on therapy to prevent relapse from…

U.S. Attorneys General in 41 States To Investigate Opioid Drug Manufacturers, Distributors Last Tuesday, 41 attorneys general of U.S. states announced that they are collaborating on an investigation into drug manufacturers and distributors of opioid painkillers that are now responsible for thousands of deaths each year, as well as widespread addiction. The group reportedly issued…

Traumatic Brain Injury In Childhood Linked To Increased Risk of Future Alcohol Abuse A new analytic study of past research found that traumatic brain injuries in childhood increase the risk of alcohol misuse later in life. According to the authors, children who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are less likely to finish school and…

College Binge Drinking On Decline But Rising Among Non-Collegiate Young Adults A new study published this summer in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that after many years of increased past-month episodic drinking (binge drinking) among young adults aged 18-24, the rates of alcohol abuse are finally beginning to drop. However, those…

Mindfulness Exercises Found To Reduce Alcohol Use Among Heavy Drinkers A new study from the University College London suggests that “ultra-brief” training sessions in mindfulness may help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption. Indeed, after an 11-minute session and an urging to subjects to continue the practice of mindfulness, heavy alcohol users drank less over…

What is Meth? What Are The Stages of Abuse? Methamphetamine, or meth for short, is a potent, highly-addictive stimulant. It is also commonly known as chalk, ice, and crystal, among other names. Its form is typically that of a white, odorless, crystalline powder that is water soluble. Other colors have been observed, including brown, yellowish gray,…

Alcohol Use And Prescription Drug Interactions: Even Riskier Than You Might Think You’ve probably heard before that it’s a bad idea to combine alcohol and prescription drugs – some medications, when mixed with alcohol, can have serious and even deadly interactions including loss of memory or consciousness, and even life-threatening central nervous system depression. Even…

NJ Department Of Health Releases Data On Terrifying Prevalence Of Heroin Abuse By County, Town Nationwide, there is an opioid epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early numbers estimate more than 64,000 drug overdose deaths in 2016. Two million are dependent on prescription painkillers, and hundreds of thousands more are addicted…

Hamilton County, OH To Dispense 30,000 Doses Of Opioid Overdose Reversal Narcan Drug In what is thought to be the first program of its kind in the nation, the Ohio county of Hamilton is collaborating with local hospitals, jails, church groups, and needle exchange programs that will be dispensing naloxone, the anti-opioid overdose drug. The…

Bensalem First Philadelphia Area Town To Sue Drug Maker Purdue Pharma, Others Over Opioid Epidemic Bensalem Township is the first Philadelphia area town that is planning to sue several drug makers in an attempt to obtain reimbursement for the tens of millions the area has spent on battling the opioid crisis. Bucks County Township officials…

Researchers Estimate The Worldwide Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder An article recently published by JAMA Pediatrics estimates that the worldwide prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD) to be around 8 in 1,000 in the general population. FASD is a group of symptoms that child may incur when exposed to alcohol consumption while in…

Michigan Opioid Overdose Deaths Continue To Climb According to recent data released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in 2015, Michigan saw 1,981 drug overdose deaths from all causes, an increase of 13.5 percent from 2014. Deaths from drug overdoses quadrupled since 1999, up from just 455. Also, deaths related to prescription…

Fake Oxycodone Pills Laced With Fentanyl Seized In Buffalo According to New York state attorney general Eric T. Schneiderman, 500 fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl were found concealed in a 31-pound marijuana shipment on route to Buffalo. The blue pills look identical to oxycodone and were stamped with the letter “M” and “30”. Fentanyl…

Google Offers Online Depression Questionnaire – Do You Suffer? Do you feel sad or down occasionally? If so, that’s normal. But if your sadness lingers, if chronically unhappy and negative, and perhaps even suicidal, then you may be suffering from clinical depression. But sometimes it’s not that cut and dry. Sometimes your symptoms fall somewhere…

How The Science Of Addiction Is Working Toward A Cure – And Getting Close An article in the September edition of National Geographic “How Science Is Unlocking The Secrets Of Addiction” details how substance use hijacks the neural pathways of the brain, and author Fran Smith says many scientists contend addiction is therefore NOT a…

Transgender Teens More Likely To Use Cocaine, Meth, Engage In Illicit Prescription Drug Use A new study found that transgender teenagers have higher rates of prescription and illicit drug abuse compared to other adolescents. Moreover, the research, which was published in the Journal of School Health, revealed that transgender adolescents were 2.5 times more likely…

Activist Petition Asks FDA To Remove High-Dose Opioids From The Market – Includes Oxycodone Recently, a group of anti-opioid activists filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration, requesting that the FDA pull most high-dose opioid painkillers from the drug market. The petition targets opioid medication that exceeds a dose of 90mg morphine equivalent…

How To Know If An Addiction Treatment Center Is Ethical And Credible: 9 Critical Factors It’s true – not all addiction treatment centers are created equal. Some have engaged in fraudulent insurance practices. Others have offered illegal enticements. But evidence-based treatment, when applied correctly by an ethical facility, can and does work. And when the…

A Lesser Known Effect Of the Opioid Crisis: Painkillers Being Stolen From Dying Hospice Patients Hospices and homes that take care of the elderly often have copious amounts pain-killing medication on hand. Family members, staff, and others who are close to the patients often have access to this medication for dispensing to the patient. However,…

Study Finds Patients Have Many Unused Painkillers After Surgery In the wake of the national opioid crisis, researchers questioned if certain patients actually require or use as many painkillers after surgery as physicians are prescribing. The research, conducted by Mass General and Newton-Wellesley Hospital revealed that patients who were prescribed opioids following groin hernia surgery…

Survey: Nearly 60% of Adults Who Engage in Misuse Of Painkillers Do So Without Prescription Recent research has found that nearly 60% of adults who report misusing opioids did not have a prescription. Also, over 40% of those were people who obtained the drug from friends or family members. The data was gathered in a…

Mentalization-Based Therapy Helps Addicted Mothers Reconnect And Care For Children Again Research has revealed that mothers who engage in substance abuse have an increased chance of losing custody of their children. Moreover, studies have found that mothers with substance abuse disorders “…have demonstrated lower levels of sensitivity and responsiveness to their young children’s emotional cues…

The Five U.S. Cities With the Highest Fentanyl Overdose Death Rate The fentanyl overdose death rate in the U.S. increased by a staggering 60% between 2014-2016, and according to a new report by the Washington Post, the greatest spikes have been seen in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. In 2014, fentanyl killed just…

Post-Op Patients Not Securing Or Disposing Of Unused Medication For Pain, Says Study A new study, published in JAMA Surgery, finds that more than two-thirds (67%) of surgery patients in the United States are over-prescribed opioid painkillers, and leftover medication is being mishandled. Moreover, pills are not kept in secure locations, and the unused pills…

1-in-8 Americans Has Alcohol Use Disorder, Finds NIAAA Study A new study published this month in JAMA Psychiatry found that as many as one-in-eight Americans may qualify as having an alcohol use disorder. Researchers also found that the sharpest increases in abuse were found among African Americans, women, and older adults. From the study: “These…

For Children And Teens Back-To-School Anxiety Can Be Troubling – Here’s How To Help Heading back to school in the fall can be a source of high anxiety for many youths. The upcoming year is sure to bring academic stress, peer pressure, and all of the trappings that come with being a student and young…

Gabapentin And Lyrica Not Effective For Some Pain, But Over-Prescribed And Increasingly Abused, Says Researchers According to Canadian researchers, there is little evidence that medications intended to treat nerve pain, such as Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (gabapentin) are effective at managing lower back pain. The research, which was recently published in the journal PLoS Medicine,…

Many States Enacting Opioid Prescribing Guidelines In Effort To Curb Epidemic As the time of this writing, at least 17 states have enacted regulations to reduce the number of opioid painkillers that health care providers can prescribe. While many believe this trend may help curb the opioid epidemic, it has already raised some red flags,…

Exposure To Deadly Drug Fentanyl Sends 18 Pittsburgh SWAT Officers To Hospital According to CBS Pittsburgh, eighteen SWAT team officers were hospitalized Wednesday after raiding a residence in the city. It began at around 6 a.m. when multiple agencies began executing search warrants at three homes. At one location, agents were reportedly exposed to an…

Elephant Tranquilizer Drug Carfentanil Overdoses, Deaths Continue In PA, Elsewhere Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid indicated for use as a sedative only very large animals, such as elephants. At 100 times more powerful than fentanyl itself (and 10,000 times stronger than morphine) it is probably the most potent and potentially deadly drug on the planet.…

DEA Seizes $3 Million in Fentanyl and Heroin In New York’s Upper West Side Federal agents say they confiscated 20 pounds of heroin and fentanyl in a raid last Friday of 448 Central Park West #6D, across from Central Park in New York City’s Upper West Side Neighborhood. Investigators say that the drugs have a…

Fentanyl Drug Killed Hundreds In Maryland In First Quarter of 2017 According to a recent announcement from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, deaths linked to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, spiked markedly in the first quarter of this year – more than double from the first quarter of 2016. The drug is…

Prevalence of Drivers Killed Under the Influence of Opioids Has Increased Dramatically In Last 20 Years Recent research from investigators at Columbia University reveals that the proportion of deadly car accidents involving people under the influence of opioids has increased markedly since 1995 – by seven times. For the study, researchers analyzed drug toxicology reports…

New England Fentanyl Deaths Continue To Surge: Thousands Dead In 2016 In recent years, Mexican cartels have began trafficking mass quantities of the potent opioid fentanyl into New England and across the U.S. The result is an incredibly high rate of drug overdoses, a trend that many are calling a straight-up epidemic. According to officials…

DEA: Pennsylvania Overdose Deaths Surge, Led By Fentanyl The Drug Enforcement Agency recently conducted a study that stresses the changing nature of America’s overdose epidemic, and how the role of opioid painkillers is diminishing. For the study, more than 4,600 overdose deaths related to drugs in Pennsylvania were analyzed and it was revealed that in…

Two Million Adult Americans Addicted To Both Drugs and Alcohol, Says Government Report According to a new report from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 2.3 million adult Americans suffered from a past-year and addiction to both drugs and alcohol in…

The ‘You Rock Foundation’ Spotlights Musicians Sharing Stories, Battling Depression And Suicide The You Rock Foundation was founded in 2014 by Joe Penola, a man who survived two suicide attempts after his father died in a car crash with Penola was just 16. He decided to start the project to help others struggling with depression…

Utah Couple Gave Opioids To Newborn To Conceal Drug Withdrawal Symptoms A couple from Elk Ridge, Utah has been arrested after allegedly giving drugs to their newborn in an attempt to reduce drug withdrawal symptoms and cover up the baby’s heroin addiction. According to a press release: “Wilde and Christenson told investigators they talked to…

Faces of Addiction: Woman’s Graphic Photos Of Heroin High Goes Viral Melissa Lee Matos of West Virginia is a mother who sought to help others with addiction by sharing her before-and-after photos on Facebook and encouraging them to seek help. She stated in a post that she never planned to share the images, but did…

Linkin Park Singer Bennington Committed Suicide on Chris Cornell’s 53rd Birthday In tragic news, TMZ reported earlier today that Chester Bennington, 41, of the popular rock band Linkin Park committed suicide by hanging alone at his private residence while his family was out of town. He was found by an employee shortly before 9 AM…

ADHD Medication Found To Reduce Risk Of Substance Abuse Among Those With The Disorder A new study has found that the use of medication in the treatment of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) is linked to a lower risk of substance abuse (referred to as “substance-related events.) The research, which was published in the American Journal…

‘Road To Recovery Act’ Seeks To Expand Access To Substance Abuse Treatment, Remove Restrictions The Road To Recovery Act is bipartisan legislation that seeks to “allow states to expand access to inpatient treatment for individuals with substance use disorders, while removing the barriers set forth by the Medicaid Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) exclusion policy,”…

FDA Committee Report Recommends Increasing Opioid Prescription Drug Regulation A new report commissioned the Food and Drug Administration advocates for a continuous national campaign to battle the opioid epidemic, including increased drug regulation of opioids, as well as a dramatic change in opioid prescribing. The report, which was researched and composed by the National Academies…

U.S. Senators Request That DEA Reduce Prescription Opioid Supply Again In 2018 A letter from sixteen Democratic U.S. senators has been sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration is requesting that in 2018, the agency enact additional cuts in the supply of prescription opioid painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. The letter was composed by Dick Durbin…

Dozens Overdose On Synthetic Marijuana In Lancaster County Last week, a total of 158 people overdosed on synthetic marijuana in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. While none of the overdoses were deadly, over the course of three days from July 7-10, more than 100 patients were treated for overdoses related to the drug, also known as K2.…

Medical Fraud Investigation Involving Opioids Leads to 400 Persons Charged Last week the Department of Justice announced they would be charging more than 400 individuals in connection with a huge medical fraud investigation. The crackdown targeted physicians who were suspected of prescribing opioids when unnecessary and healthcare facilities who took advantage of addicts, many of…

Nelsan Ellis “True Blood” Passed Over Weekend From Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Nelsan Ellis, 39, of the popular TV series “True Blood” tragically died last weekend, July 8th, of heart failure after attempting to cut himself from off from alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not often fatal, but in rare cases, can result in death. Detoxing…

Pennsylvania Parents Share Daughter’s Poem About Struggles With Heroin Addiction In Obituary The parents of a Pennsylvania woman, Delaney Marie Farrell, 23, of Selinsgrove shared their daughter’s poem about her battle with drug addiction in her obituary. According to WNEP, she was found deceased in a Red Roof Inn bathroom in Williamsport. The woman died…

Bereavement Groups Offer Chance For Families To Grieve Those Lost To Drug Addiction Bereavement groups catered specifically to those who have lost loved ones to addiction provide a supportive place for family and friends to gather and grieve without fear of stigmatization. They include persons who have lost friends, children, siblings, parents and others, and…

Buffalo Opioid Drug Intervention Court Helps At-Risk Offenders Get Clean A new approach to opioid addiction treatment has been implemented in Buffalo. The Opiate Crisis Intervention Court is the first of its kind and was opened in May in an effort to offer improved support for at-risk drug users after arrest. Moreover, instead of instantaneous prosecution,…

Number Of Underage Binge Drinkers Dropped In Several States, Says Survey Data from a recent national survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that the number of underage persons engaging in binge drinking in the U.S. has fallen significantly since 2010. Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of five…

Heavy Alcohol Use Speeds Up Cellular Aging Researchers have found that the more alcohol a person consumes, the more his or her cells exhibit aging. That is, alcoholic patients have shorter telomeres, putting them at increased risk for conditions related to aging, such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and cancer. The new study was presented at…

The U.S. Has Highest Rate of Drug Deaths In The World, Says UN Report The United States has the highest rate of drug deaths in the world, according to the new 2017 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report published last month. In this report, data was examined from 2015, which according to…

Abstinence, Addiction Therapy Increases Survival Among Patients With Alcoholic Hepatitis According to a recent study, completely abstaining from alcohol use after an alcoholic hepatitis episode improves the chance of long-term survival. Researchers thus say that intervention with addiction counseling may also increase the chance of survival by preventing relapse. Alcoholic hepatitis is liver inflammation due…

The Uninsured Engage In Painkiller Abuse At Nearly Twice The Rate Of Insured Patients According to the 2017 edition of the Behavioral Health Barometer by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the uninsured are nearly twice as likely to engage in painkiller abuse. The report consists of data compiled from 2015 by the…

Research Finds More Than Half Of Opioid Prescriptions Received By Adults With Mood Disorders According to recent research from the University of Michigan and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, more than half (51%) of all opioid medicines received by adults each in the U.S. year are prescribed to those who have mood disorders…

NY Doctor Charged For Illegal Oxycodone Prescriptions Resulting In Two Deaths According to law enforcement, Dr. Michael Belfiore, 51, who practices in Merrick, has been charged in the deaths of two patients whom he illegally prescribed oxycodone. He is also being charged with more than two dozen counts of illegal distribution of the drug. Belfiore had…

Opioid Use Disorder Increased 493% Between 2010-2016, Reports BCBS In a report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company, data was culled from 30 million of its own customers, and reveals a staggering 493% increase in patients diagnosed with an opioid use disorder from 2010-2016. And yet, there was just a 65% rise in…

Major Philly Health Insurer To Limit Opioid Prescribing To Just Five Days Independence Blue Cross, the largest healthcare insurance provider in the Philadelphia area recently announced that it intends to limit opioid prescriptions for acute pain within its network to just five days. The company already has limitations on the number of painkillers than a…

Researcher Studies How The Power Of Human Touch Can Relieve Pain According to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, holding a loved one’s hand may be an effective way to relieve pain – a simple use of an evolutionary characteristic that has helped socialize humans. It is among the first research to…

China Bans Pink Drug U-47700, Other Drugs After Urging From U.S. Last week, officials from China’s National Narcotics Control Commission announced that the country is set to ban the designer drug U-47700, also known as the “pink drug.” Also, three others, MT-45, PMMA, and 4,4′-DMAR, will be added as controlled substances on July 1. This…

Study Estimates 119,000 Babies Born Worldwide Annually With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome According to a 2017 report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, globally, around 119,000 infants are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome. Also, roughly 15 in 10,000 currently live with the effects associated with the condition. These numbers…

People With Opioid Addiction Much More Likely To Suffer From Hep C, Alcoholism, Chronic Pain According to a new report from health tech company Amino, Americans suffering from opioid addiction are much more likely to also suffer from many other health problems. These include alcoholism, back pain, hepatitis C, and others. The company analyzed the insurance…

Injecting Prescription Opioids Or Snorting Pills More Than Doubles Risk of Overdose Death A new study, published in the international journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals that when opioid medications are crushed and then injected or snorted, the risk of death more than doubles. While prescription painkillers are most likely to be abused orally, some…

Bill Seeks To Increase Control Of Synthetic Analog Drugs, Impose Harsher Sentences A bill has recently been introduced that would impose harsher sentencing on persons convicted of possessing analogs of synthetic drugs, such as opioids. These substances would also be regulated identically to existing illicit drugs. The bill, also known as the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of…

University of New England Granted $10.7 Million To Research Opioid and Opiate Alternatives For Chronic Pain The University of New England has been studying opioid and opiate alternatives for several years but is now set to receive a five-year $10.7 million grant. Funding will be provided by the National Institutes of Health and aims to find…

Principles Of A Holistic Recovery From Addiction The recovery process is a lifelong endeavor that can be extremely challenging. Even after you are post-detox, clean, sober, and no longer participating in inpatient treatment, you still have a tremendous amount of work to do. In other words, you’ve learned the coping skills and how to avoid and…

FDA Grants “Fast Track” To Non-Opioid Medication The Food and Drug Administration has designated a new non-opioid medication called tanezumab to be put on “fast track.” The drug is indicated for persons with chronic lower back pain and osteoarthritis. It targets and binds to a protein known as nerve growth factor, which multiplies in the…

Investigating The Link Between Pain And Opioid Misuse A recent review, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, investigated the relationship between pain and opioid misuse, including brain circuits believed responsible for the association. Lead author Adrianne Wilson-Poe, Ph.D. “We have shown that the brain’s natural opioid system is drastically changed by the presence of pain,…

FDA Asks Endo Pharmacueticals To Pull Opana ER Due To Potential For Abuse Last week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a request to remove the drug Opana ER (which contains oxymorphone) from the U.S. market. This is the first time the agency has made a move to pull an opioid drug currently prescribed…

Ohio Tragedy: Boy, Just 18 Months Dies, Police Suspect Opioid Overdose Last Thursday evening an infant overdosed on drugs that reportedly belonged to his mother – however, what type of drug(s) he consumed (i.e. prescription painkillers or something illicit, such as heroin) is unclear. The boy, who was from Akron, was revived using the anti-overdose…

New York Health Officials Warn Public About Rising Overdoses Related To Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine Last week, an announcement from the New York City Health Department revealed that the city has experienced a dramatic increase in the past year in deadly overdoses related to a combination of cocaine and fentanyl. In a release, city health providers were…

Opioid Overdose Deaths In Massachusetts Continue To Rise, Led By Fentanyl According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s quarterly report, there were more than 1,900 confirmed opioid overdose fatalities in the state last year, a 16% increase from 2015. That’s an average of more than five residents dying each day. Heroin was found in…

Could Nutritional Therapy Replace Methadone Maintenance Therapy For Opioid Addiction? An associate professor at the College of Health and School of Social Work of the University of Alaska has designed a project that combines nutritional therapy with other treatments for opioid use disorder. He proposes that this approach can be just as effective (or more effective)…

State of Ohio Sues Big Pharma, Claims Drug Companies Caused Opioid Epidemic Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of the state of Ohio. The lawsuit currently names five major drug manufacturers, accusing the companies of downplaying the risks of prescription painkillers and directly contributing to the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic.…

Regular Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among College Students = Poorer Academic Performance Connecticut researchers recently published an article that revealed that moderate use of both alcohol and marijuana negatively affected the academic performance of college students, including GPA. For the study, researchers analyzed information obtained over a two-year period by the Brain and Alcohol Research in…

Pennsylvania To Receive Major Funding For Addiction Recovery Treatment The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration recently announces it will grant $485 million to all states to help battle the opioid crisis and further efforts for addiction recovery. Pennsylvania is set to receive the fourth largest amount. Funds will be provided through the 21st…

Police Break Up Massive Drug Trafficking Operation That Ran From Providence To Massachusetts Providence law enforcement reported at a press conference yesterday that they have dismantled a drug ring that was trafficking heroin and fentanyl from Rhode Island to Massachusetts. In all, 36 are being charged for their connection to “Operation Stop the Flow.”After a 10-month…

  Inadequately Treated Pain Associated With Opioid Misuse A new study, published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that untreated or inadequately treated pain is associated with self-medication and turning to ill-gotten drugs for relief. The study offers further evidence that putting tougher restrictions on opioid prescribing are leading to more opioid misuse and addiction. The study…

APA Survey Says 1-in-4 Americans Knows Someone With An Addiction To Painkillers According to a new survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), more than a quarter of Americans and one-third of Millennials report they know someone who has an addiction to painkillers or illicit opioids. Dr. Saul Levin, CEO and Medical Director, APA: “Our poll…

Researchers Say Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Patients At Increased Risk of Alcohol Dependence New research has found that persons who undergo bariatric weight loss surgery may be at a heightened risk of alcoholism. Bariatric is one of more common weight loss surgeries, and The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) reports that in 2015,…

Chris Cornell Death Tragedy May Reflect History Of Drug & Alcohol Abuse Chris Cornell, 52, lead vocalist for the rock bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, died last night after a concert at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Tragically, reports say that Cornell committed suicide by hanging in his MGM Grand hotel room. A reporter for The…

The Link Between Alcohol and Suicide – Increased Availability Is Associated With Increased Risk of Suicide A recent study found that there is a strong link between alcohol availability, blood alcohol concentration levels, and suicide. Dr. Norman Giesbrecht, co-researcher of the study, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto: “Previous research has usually looked…

One Year Sobriety after Polysubstance Abuse Equals Increased Life Satisfaction and Cognitive Functioning According to a new study, individuals who suffer from a polysubstance disorder can gain significant mental and emotional benefits By remaining sober for one full year. Benefits include increased satisfaction with life decreased psychological distress, improved cognition, and a boost in executive…

CDC: Surge in Heroin Use Responsible for Tens of Thousands of Hepatitis C Cases, Deaths According to health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a massive increase in new cases of hepatitis C in the United States in the last few years, and the surge in heroin use is…

Lyrica and Gabapentin (Neurontin) Now Linked To Heroin Overdose Deaths Researchers from the University of Bristol in England have linked opioid alternatives pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin) to an increasing number of heroin-related overdose deaths in both England and Wales. The two drugs are in a class of medications known as gabapentoids. Initially indicated to…

Kacie’s Cause Heroin Awareness Mother’s Day Walk Sunday In Parkesburg, PA The nonprofit heroin awareness organization named “Kacie’s Cause” is holding a two mile Mother Day Walk this Sunday in Chester County. The walk is free and includes lunch. It begins at 9 a.m. At the Parkesburg Point, 700 Main St., Parkesburg. The movement is…

Is Your Child Being Bullied? Children Who Experience Bullying and Depression At Greater Risk For Substance Abuse According to a new study by the University of Delaware, children who experience bullying in the 5th grade are at an increased risk of suffering from depression in 7th grade, and ultimately consume alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco by…

Chronic Illness and Depression: An Unfortunate Truth For Many Pain and illness have long been linked to an increased risk of depression. Long-term illness contributes to negative feelings such as helplessness and hopelessness, and in turn, depression contributes to pain and more suffering. According to the Cleveland Clinic, roughly one-third of people who suffer from…

11-Year-Old Pittsburgh Girl Survives Overdose Of Heroin According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, last week an 11-year-old girl was successfully revived after an overdose of heroin. Reports state the girl, who remains identified, was found unresponsive by a family member who performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The overdose occurred in the 2300 block of Palm Beach…

New Internet Drug Acrylfentanyl Even More Potent Than Fentanyl A new analog of fentanyl known as acrylfentanyl (acryl fentanyl) has appeared on the U.S. black market, and is thought t be as much as 100 times more powerful than morphine, and is so potent that the Drug Enforcement Agency has put forth a warning about…

Opioids No Better For Managing Long-Term Pain Than Non-Opioid Analgesics, Says Study According to a new study, opioid painkillers do not garner better results than non-opioid medication for the long-term treatment of osteoarthritis and back pain. The study, which was presented last month at the SGIM Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., was conducted by researchers…

Illicit Drug Use Among Seniors Has More Than Doubled Since 2002 According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), use of illicit drugs among persons aged 50 and older is increasing. Marijuana aside, some of these persons, perhaps on the cusp of their twilight years, are using drugs that are much more…

Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block Procedure Decreases Need For Painkillers After Injury or Surgery Finally, some good news in the world of pain management that could reduce or eliminate the need for addictive painkillers such as oxycodone and morphine – an alternative procedure called ultrasound-guided nerve-blocking. During the procedure, an anesthesiologist locates specific nerves using an ultrasound…

Teenagers Still Using Household Inhalant Drugs To Get High, Says Survey Between 5-8% of 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students have used inhalants at some point in their life, according to the National Institute of Health’s latest Monitoring the Future Survey. Also, the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that more than 1.7…

Deadly New Drug Combo Found In Rhode Island – Fentanyl and Cocaine The Providence Journal reported recently on the presence of a new deadly drug combination in Rhode Island – fentanyl and cocaine laced together. It should come as little surprise, however – fentanyl is similar to, but much more powerful than heroin. Heroin and…

Signs of Drug Use In Teens: DEA Publishes List of Possible Drug Hiding Places Last month the Drug Enforcement Administration published a new edition to the website Get Smart About Drugs, with this introduction: “All parents strive to have an open and honest relationship with their teens. However, if your young loved one is dealing…

Can’t Sleep? Feeling Anxious? Substance-Induced Mood Disorder and Other Disorders Related To Alcohol And Drug Use Substance-induced disorders include mental and physical medical conditions that can be directly attributed to the use of substances. Many psychoactive substances are associated with a substance-induced disorder, and disorders can occur as the result of legal substances and prescription…

Dangerous Trend? Doctors Writing Fewer Opioid Prescriptions, But Not Offering More Medication For Opioid Addiction Treatment Athenahealth, an electronic health record vendor, examined data from over two million patient visits from 2014-2017 and found that doctors are writing prescriptions for opioids to fewer patients, but are being more reserved about prescribing drugs to treat opioid…

4,300 Lives Lost Annually Due Alcohol Abuse Under Legal Drinking Age: How To Protect Your Child Despite the legal drinking age being set at 21 throughout the U.S., many adolescents imbibe long before then. In fact, by some estimates, as many as one-third of children have consumed alcohol before age 13. But the harm caused…

Critical Facts You Should Know If A Loved One Is Addicted To Painkillers The latest report from the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention revealed that more 33,000 persons in the U.S. died from an opioid overdose in 2015 – these deaths were related to use of prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone, as well…

Gustavo Falcon, Last of Notorious “Cocaine Cowboys” Cocaine Drug Smugglers Caught After 26 Years According to law enforcement, Gustavo Falcon, a member of the notorious drug trafficking group “Cocaine Cowboys” was arrested this week after being on the lam for 26 years. Falcon is the last member of an infamous group of drug smugglers who trafficked…

Might As Well Face It: Why Love Addiction and Substance Addiction Are Nearly The Same More than 30 years ago, the late artist Robert Palmer crooned “the lights are on, but you’re not home/your will, is not your own…might as well face it you’re addicted to love.” That’s my best friend. At least according to…

Clinton Speaks At Summit About Opioid Epidemic, Criminal Justice Reform Earlier this week, former President Bill Clinton spoke about the opioid crisis during the 6th Annual Clinton Health Matters Activation Summit in Arkansas. He implied that the war on drugs has gone too far and in the future, it is critical to focus on treatment…

Researchers Examine The Connection Between Internet Addiction and Drug Abuse Among Teens Internet addiction and drug abuse are two behaviors that can be both isolating and destructive to personal health and relationships. In a new study published in the journal Psychology Research and Behavior Management, researchers sought to find if there were overlapping patterns between the…

  Scientists Discover Why Breathing Techniques Reduce Anxiety and Promote Calm If you’ve ever been anxious and felt stressed – whether as a child, adult, or both – you’ve probably been told by someone else to “take a deep breath” and “calm down.” Indeed, this calming tactic has been used by parents and teachers since…

PA Police Say They’ve Seized Nearly $14 Million in Street Value of Drugs in 2017 According to Pennsylvania state police, $13,755,803 in street value of drugs was confiscated in the first quarter of 2017. That included more than $10 million in heroin alone: “The heroin and opioid epidemic remained evident throughout the commonwealth in the…

Loperamide Abuse, Overdoses Increasing In Line With Opioid Epidemic If you are opioid dependent, please don’t try this home. Loperamide, better known commercially as Imodium, is an anti-diarrhea treatment that can be purchased over-the-counter. As it turns out, it has an interesting side effect – at very high doses, it can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms –…

Three Dozen Suspects Arrested in Heroin Drug Ring Bust on Long Island Long Island law enforcement reported earlier this week that they’ve taken down a huge heroin drug ring bust and have apprehended 36 suspects on drug charges. Prosecutors in Nassau County are calling the sting the largest illegal drug bust in the history of Long…

Whether or Not Addiction Is A Disease, We Have An Ethical Obligation To Treat It Like One Despite the Surgeon General’s announcement last year that addiction IS a disease, there is still plenty of backlash from those who contend that addiction is a choice. Moreover, apparently certain people would rather avoid spending money on addiction and other…

April is Alcohol Awareness Month – Trends Of Concern, Online Sales of Alcohol Increasing It’s officially Alcohol Awareness Month, which means it’s time to share information on the risks and dangers of alcohol use, and also keep an eye on trends that may be disconcerting. Moreover, If it seems like a lot of Americans are…

Department of State: Cocaine Use and Availability On The Rise Again in U.S. According to a new report by the United States Department of State, cocaine availability and use in the U.S. has recently increased following several years of decline. It also said that the recent increase in popularity is due to a supply increase –…

The Science Behind Why Relaxing Nature Sounds Calm The Human Body According to new research from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, relaxing nature sounds change the body’s physiology in a manner that results in a calming effect. Such sounds include a babbling brook, wind rustling trees, and the ocean. To be more specific, these nature…

Women In Drug Treatment Have More Difficulty Progressing Than Men According to a study published recently in the Journal of Women and Health, women in rehab progress slower, and with more difficulty than men. Therefore, they may need more focused and extensive treatment to have greater success at achieving recovery. The study included 183 patients…

Over 1,400 Kilos of Cocaine Confiscated, Found In Giant Squid Fillets Last week, Peru law enforcement intercepted $91 million in cocaine, labeled with the name Lionel Messi, an Argentinian soccer player or the word “King” with the Spanish crown and two dragons. If that’s not interesting enough, they were hidden inside giant squid fillets. The…

Federal Bill Aims To Tax Opioid Pain Medication, Give Revenue To State Treatment Initiatives Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WV) has introduced a bill, which if passed, would tax the sales of opioid pain medication to support addiction treatment programs. The bill is entitled “The Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act.” This is not the first…

Viacom, Surgeon General Launch Campaign for Addiction Awareness Viacom, the media giant that owns several networks, including Comedy Central, MTV, and VH1, has launched a multimedia campaign intended to promote addiction awareness and compassion for people battling the disease. Viacom has also collaborated with the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and his campaign, Facing Addiction. According…

Still Feeling Bad After Sobriety? A Guide To Acute and Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome The vast majority of people who are undergoing substance abuse treatment or are in recovery from addiction do not bounce back immediately in a perfect mental and physical state. That is, symptoms related to past substance use may continue for weeks, months,…

Childhood Emotional Abuse Linked To Opioid Addiction Later in Life Investigators from the University of Vermont have found that childhood emotional abuse appears to be linked to adult opioid addiction and other substance-related problems in those who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and also exhibit impulsivity. Moreover, a history of emotional child abuse and negative…

Longer Addiction Rehab Treatment = Increased Likelihood of Success In Recovery, Says Study A study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California has found that patients in addiction rehab treatment are more apt to succeed when they have been in treatment for more than 30 days. The study, which was recently published in the…

Study: Poison Control Receives Nearly 12,000 Calls Per Year For Children, Teen Opioid Exposure According to a recent study, between 2010 and 2015 poison control centers in the U.S. received more than 188,400 calls related to prescription painkiller exposure among teens and children. That equates to about 11,700 calls per year. Study author, Dr. Marcel Casavant,…

Boston Medical Center Receives $25 Million Donation To Fight Opioid Addiction Public Health Crisis South Shore natives John and Eilene Grayken are donating $25 million to Boston Medical Center – the largest in its history. As a result, BMC is creating the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine to help battle the drug epidemic. The Graykens…

Exercise and Addiction Treatment: Promoting A Healthier Lifestyle Researchers at St. Louis University published a study last month in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment that explored the relationship between exercise and addiction treatment. The research described a new intervention aimed to address obstacles encountered by those who are battling substance abuse. Lead author Jeremiah…

Family Roles in Addiction: How to Initiate and Encourage a Loved One’s Recovery Process One of the toughest roadblocks to overcome in addiction is denial. Denial is an extremely common defensive mechanism, found in both addicts and the people who are close to them. Therefore, accepting that a loved one has an addiction and addressing it…

Should the U.S. Raise Alcohol Tax? Researchers in both the U.S. and globally have gathered indisputable evidence that alcohol is linked to violence. In fact, experts say that alcohol is a contributing factor to nearly two-thirds of partner violence incidents in the U.S. Also, drinking alcohol increases the risk of physical and sexual violence, as well…

West Virginia County Sues Drug Distributors Over Opioid Epidemic A West Virginia county is suing ten drug distributors, including subsidiaries of CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart. Also included in the lawsuit are Cardinal Health, Kroger, McKessen, and others. The county is accusing the companies of inundating the state with prescription opioid painkillers, and directly…

Abuse Deterrent Opioids Linked to Increased Rate of Heroin Overdose Deaths Researchers at the Rand Corporation and the University of Pennsylvania have concluded there is a direct link between abuse-deterrent OxyContin and the recent marked increase in heroin overdoses in the U.S. The study, recently published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, revealed that…

Reasons Why People Find Peer Support Groups for Addiction Valuable In addition to traditional therapies and medication-assisted treatment, recovering addicts and alcoholics still find peer support group participation to be helpful on the road to sobriety. Despite this, research into how social support groups work to facilitate addiction recovery is limited. In January of 2016,…

Attorney General Sessions Speaks to Kids at Opioid Awareness Summit in NH, Says Substance Abuse Prevention and Education are the Answers Manchester, New Hampshire – On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made a surprise visit to a summit on opioid awareness for middle and high school students. He told the students that battling the increasing rates…

Repeal of Affordable Care Act Poised To Limit Americans’ Access To Recovery Services and Healthcare Author’s Note: Opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this organization. Just Believe Recovery does not have any political affiliation. According to some estimates, as many as 18 million people may be faced with the…

The Role of Denial In Addiction and Alcoholism There is a reason why denial is considered to be the first stage of grief – we use it as a defense mechanism to prevent ourselves from dealing with unpleasant feelings that we’d rather avoid. And anyone who has been around an alcoholic or an addict (unless…

If an opioid user begins injecting heroin, has the addiction progressed? Opioid addiction, whether it be the abuse of prescription painkillers or the use of heroin, tends to be a progressive condition, much like alcoholism or other addictions. However, the severity of any addiction exists on a continuum. Can the decision to suddenly use a needle…

  New Drug “Gray Death” LInked to Multiple Overdoses in Georgia According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory, a new substance known as “gray death” is thought related to multiple recent deaths in Georgia. The substance resembles concrete mixing powder and may be linked to deaths in Cobb, Fulton, and Clayton counties, as…

The Complex Relationship Between Opioids, Addiction, and PTSD Dissociation Like many mental illnesses, the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases a person’s risk of developing an addiction. Opioids especially can have a significant effect on the biology of PTSD – that is, endogenous opioids, which occur naturally in the body, are found to be…

Physically Active Older Adults Suffer Less From Chronic Pain Syndrome Recent research offers new evidence that older people who engage in high levels of physical activity report reduced levels of chronic pain. Moreover, in tests of central nervous system pain processing, active older adults have a decreased perception of pain and are better equipped to block responses to…

Researchers Identify Alcohol Relapse Risk Factors Researchers at California State University have identified several risk factors that may cause people to relapse after completing their first 12-step program. By using these findings, addiction professionals and others may be better equipped to help clients who are struggling to remain sober. Data used in the study was…

Brain Scan Test May Predict Teens Who Will Abuse Drugs According to a new study, brain scans may help to predict whether teenagers will be likely to abuse drugs. Researchers say that teens who the most prone to drug abuse are often impulsive and smart, but not terribly engaged. These traits may serve as a…

Researchers Say Childhood Trauma and Addiction Have Biological Link Researchers at the Department of Psychology at Marshall University have been studying the role that childhood trauma may play in later substance use. In other words, do negative childhood experiences contribute to addiction susceptibility? It is true that much evidence has been garnered that reveals a clear…

Ohio Parents Arrested After 8-Year-Old Suffers Near Fatal Overdose on Heroin According to law enforcement, an Ohio man and woman have been charged with child endangerment after their son, 8, suffered a near fatal overdose in January. On January 11, Police reportedly responded to a call in Berea, a suburb of Cleveland. in which a…

Hospital Volunteers Cuddle Babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Volunteer “cuddlers” at Boston Medical Center and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in Pennsylvania are helping infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) to heal faster using the power of touch. Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a condition that occurs when infants are exposed to drugs in utero. Babies born…

TSA Employees Charged In $100 Million Drug Trafficking Ring Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, recently announced that twelve members of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) drug ring had been arrested. They have been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The drug ring is reportedly responsible for permitting…

Five Persons Charged in $100,000 PA Heroin Drug Bust According to a press release from Attorney General Josh Shapiro, five people have been arrested and charged in a Pennsylvania heroin drug bust – which netted 200 bricks of heroin valued at around $100,000. Shapiro: “Our agents, working with police in Johnstown and Altoona, charged five…

The 4 Stages of Alcohol and Drug Use – And When To Seek Help When we think about drug use, many of us automatically think “addiction.” The same is not always said for alcohol use – perhaps that because alcohol is, for the most part, legal. There are certainly casual drinkers who don’t go too…

Addiction Recovery and Valentine’s Day – Repairing, Reconnecting, Loving Others And Yourself Valentine’s Day, like many holidays, can be a challenging time for people struggling with addiction. The holiday can be a painful reminder of the difficulties being faced in current relationships, as well as bitter memories of relationships past. But in spite of the…

Indiana Veterinarian Accused of Drug Dealing Animal Meds To Humans An Indiana veterinarian is being held accused of drug dealing medication indicated for use on animals to humans, and faces more than two dozen criminal charges. According to a case detective, Dr. James Wilson, 63, was being actively monitored by the Henry County Drug Task Force…

Bloomington, IN: Investigators Say “Bad Batch” of Heroin Responsible for Rash of Overdoses Bloomington investigators are searching for the supplier responsible for a “bad batch” of heroin, believed to be associated with a recent spike in heroin overdoses. Police in Bloomington say that there have been eleven overdose reports since of the beginning of the…

New Jersey Senate Votes To Limit Opioid Prescription Narcotics Last Monday, the New Jersey state Senate approved a bill that will require physicians to limit first-time painkiller prescriptions to just five days. This measure is intended to reduce the chance that patients will abuse or become addicted to opioids, as well as limit the availability…

Cuyahoga County: Heroin and Fentanyl Overdoses Continue To Climb In 2017 According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, residents are continuing to die at a rapid rate from fentanyl and heroin overdoses – keeping the pattern steady from 2016 into the new year. This weekend, fourteen people died of suspected fentanyl and heroin overdoses. As…

Researchers Say Teen Drug Use Greatly Increases Addiction Risk Later In Life According to Harvard researchers, people who experiment with substances early in life may be at the highest risk for addiction as they grow older. This conclusion resulted from a review of data, including a 2001 study that found adolescent rodents became addicted to…

Report: Americans Use More Narcotic Painkillers Than Tobacco More than one-third (35%) of American adults received a prescription for narcotic painkillers in 2015, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If you include the number of people using pills illicitly, that number is likely much higher. The report…

Anti-Inflammatory Drug May Curb Alcohol Cravings, Study Finds A new study by researchers at UCLA has found that an anti-inflammatory drug, also known as ibudilast, significantly reduces alcohol cravings in heavy drinkers. Currently, the drug is being used in Japan to treat asthma. Moreover, the medication appears to reduce pleasurable feelings related to alcohol consumption,…

Heroin Overdose Antidote Cost Skyrockets In Midst Of Epidemic If you’ve been keeping up with the nation’s opioid overdose epidemic, you’ve probably heard about naloxone, an anti-overdose drug that reverses the effects of life-threatening central nervous system depression caused by prescription opioids or heroin. Less known is an injector device that delivers naloxone. It’s called Evzio,…

Multiple Cases Of Amnesia Linked To Opioid, Heroin Use About a year ago, Jed Barash, a neurologist from Massachusetts identified a strange pattern in four patients with amnesia. Three of the patients tested positive for heroin or prescription opioids, and another had a history of heroin use. Drug use has previously been associated with memory…

Gov. Wolf Pleads To Ryan: Affordable Care Act Needed For Substance Abuse Treatment Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf senf a letter to house Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis), asking that he visit a drug treatment center in Pennsylvania. In the letter dated January 25, he stated that if President Trump repeals and does not replace the Affordable…

“King of Death” Heroin Kills Two In Atlantic City, Police Issue Warning Police in Atlantic City are warning the public that heroin stamped with the name King of Death has been responsible for the deaths of two persons, and four additional, nearly fatal overdoses. On Wednesday, between the hours of 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., officers…

Multiple Health Conditions And Depression Can Lead To Problem Drinking Among Seniors A recent study from the University of Georgia is the first to examine the relationship between multiple chronic health problems, depression, and alcohol use/abuse in older adults. In fact, researchers discovered that seniors who suffer from multiple chronic illness in conjunction with depression…

The Relationship Between Addiction and Lack Of Social Connection Casual alcohol use may be associated with increased sociability, but make no mistake, drug and alcohol addiction are associated with isolation. Moreover, serious substance abusers generally aren’t trying to forge connections with others. Rather, they are trying to retreat from life’s stressors, and relationships are a…

Gene Variant in African Americans Offers Insight Into Opioid Dependence Treatment Yale researchers have discovered a genetic variant, present in African Americans, that may effect the future of opioid dependence treatment. According to the news release, the variant identified African Americans who may require higher doses of methadone. Methadone is considered to be one of…

Jan. 23-27 is NIDA’s Annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week This week is the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) 7th annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. According to the the website, the goal of this week is to connect students with scientists and other experts in effort to dispel the common myths…

Gov. Christie Declares Opioid Epidemic A Public Health Crisis Tuesday, Gov. Christine signed an executive order that will free resources to battle addiction in New Jersey – the heroin death rate in the state is twice that of the national average. By some estimates, there are about 128,000 heroin addicts in New Jersey, and that…

Some Drug Users Desperate, May Resort to Pet Medications According to officials, people who are suffering from opioid dependence are becoming so desperate they are turning to pet medications. Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, from a Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association newsletter: “The misuse of pet medication has serious safety implication – for people and…

Elephant Tranquilizer Drug Hits Beaver County – Two Carfentanil Overdoses Reported There are now two confirmed fatal carfentanil overdoses in Beaver County from the deadly drug carfentanil. Carfentanil is so powerful that it is not indicated for human use – in fact, it is only indicated for use as sedation for large animals, such as…

4 Negative Behaviors That Can Ruin Your Happiness Humans tend to have very complex range of emotions and habits in which we use to navigate our world. Some of these habits serve as very apt coping mechanisms – however, many are not beneficial, and only serve to perpetuate a poor mental and emotional state. To become…

Does Your Sex Predict How Prone You Are To Addiction? Last November, a review published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research discussed the role that sex and gender may play in an individual’s propensity for addiction. But additional evidence suggests that many factors – not just sex – may converge to determine how prone someone is…

Use of Psilocybin Not Without Risk For Personal Harm According to a report by John Hopkins researchers, use of psilocybin mushrooms can result in a bad experience, and the user may become a harm to him or herself or others. The study, which looked at nearly 2,000 people reporting a negative experience on psilocybin, was…

Scientists Say More Young, Non-Athletic Men Engaging in Steroid Use According to scientists from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Harvard Medical School, an increasing number of young, non-athletic men are engaging in steroid use, including androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) and other similar performance-enhancing drugs. The authors purport that this emerging tendency is caused,…

Study: Mental Illness Associated With Long-Term Opioid Use According to a recent study published in the journal Pain, people with a mental health diagnosis are more likely to take prescription opioids long-term, which is also linked to abuse. Thus, people with mental health issues may be more vulnerable to opioid addiction than others. For the…