Opioid Addiction in Pregnancy Effects and Treatment
Rate of Opioid Addiction While Pregnant Quadruples Since 1999 The opioid epidemic continues unabated in the United States, with 2 million people abusing prescription painkillers and 591,000 abusing heroin. Contrary to stereotypes about opioid addiction affecting predominantly men and poor people, the current opioid epidemic cuts across age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Women are […]
The Invisible Patient: Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is ranked tenth among leading causes of death for people in the U.S. The government says that, in 2016 (the last year for which statistics are available), 44,965 people took their own lives. But that number may be misleading. The actual number could be […]
Inpatient Detox Can Lead to Total Freedom of Opioids
The term detoxification might sound simple, but the process of drug detox is very challenging. While drug rehabs often show commercials of spa-like treatment centers, the reality is very different. Withdrawing from any drug can be extremely hard not just physically, but also emotionally. Trying to detox from opioids cold turkey in a non-medical environment […]
How Often are Opioid Overdoses a Suicide
Opioids contributed to more than 50,000 deaths in the United States in 2016, according to the recent figures from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Some of these deaths are unintentional, while others chose to end their lives by committing suicide. Determining how many opioid overdose deaths are actually a suicide is tricky […]
Opioid Crisis Being Blamed for the Increase Death of Millennials
For decades, the life expectancy in the United States rose steadily due to improvements in vaccination rates, access to healthcare, and maternal mortality. Now, for the first time since the 1960s, the overall life expectancy in the U.S. dropped for the second year in a row. The cause? The opioid crisis that swept across the […]
Link Between Opioid Use and Pulmonary Conditions
Opioids, including prescription painkillers and heroin, are best known for producing a sense of euphoria and numbness. These effects make opioid use initially seem desirable, though people who use opioids over long periods eventually end up developing a physical dependence on the drug. Although much research has focused on addiction and overdose-related to opioid abuse, the other medical […]
Drug Overdose Deaths 2016
Drug Overdose Deaths Continue to Soar in 2016, Fueled by the Opioid Crisis The opioid crisis in the United States simmered for years before many lawmakers and citizens took notice. Now, as the drug overdose epidemic bubbles over into every sector of American society, public health officials scramble to find effective solutions. A new report […]
Prescription Drugs for Pain
What are Pain Prescription Drugs Pain prescription drugs, known as opioids or narcotics, can provide individuals with relief from severe discomfort. However, the use of these medications comes with a high risk of addiction. In fact, prescription drug abuse has been on the rise over the past several years. Learn more about the facts and […]
Prescription Drugs Abuse
Prescription drugs for pain, known as opioids or narcotics, can provide individuals with relief from severe discomfort. However, the use of these medications comes with a high risk of addiction. In fact, prescription drugs abuse has been on the rise over the past several years. Learn more about the facts and figures behind this growing problem.
Opioid Toxicity: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
Addiction to opiates or narcotics, such as oxycodone or morphine, has been on the rise, especially in recent years. One of the reasons that opioid addiction is so dangerous is that it increases the risk of opioid toxicity. This can end up causing severe health problems or be life-threatening. If you or a loved one […]
