fb pixel
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

AMA Adds New Tools to Combat Opioid Abuse

Drug removal concept by using tools on isolate white background

The public has become increasingly aware of the opioid addiction crisis in the United States, increasing pressure on lawmakers and public health officials to take action. In 2013, more than 16,000 people died from prescription opioid overdose, which is greater than any other drug, according to a report from the Johns Hopkins University School of […]

Opioid Abuse and Mental Illness

Skinny Woman Holding Herself Illustrates Opioid Abuse and Mental Illness

Relationship between Opioid Abuse and Mental Illness The beginning of opioid abuse can be so innocuous. An individual sustains an injury, has surgery, or falls ill with a condition that can cause intense pain. A doctor provides a prescription for an opioid pain reliever, like Vicodin, Percocet, or any one of a host of available painkillers. The […]

Painkiller Abuse Leads to Heroin Addiction Crisis

Variety of Non-Proprietary Medicine Bottles and Large Pills on Reflective Surface With Grey Background.

What Led to Heroin Addiction Crisis? The opioid epidemic has reached new heights in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that the number of heroin users has increased by nearly 300,000 over the past 10 years. Although public health officials are reacting to this news with alarm, the warning […]

The Mythology Around Drug Addiction – Are we Helping or Hurting?

A photo of a person's hand turning cubes with words stop stigma illustrating the mythology around drug addiction and how people are treated as a result

I began writing this article about unwanted chemical dependency and realized the ideas which initially seemed simple soon became very complex. I could not figure out what I wanted to say. Finally, I realized my dilemma – drug addiction is simple, but human beings are complex. That distinction is crucial in understanding and treating unwanted […]

Percocet Overdoses – An American Opioid Epidemic Gaining More Exposure

Pill bottle on a table spilled over with white pills coming out

Percocet has invaded the news headlines over the past couple days. The opioid epidemic is crippling and killing large portions of Americans, and as confirmed by the FDA and their bold warning, Percocet is especially dangerous. If you’ve had a serious accident which requires pain management or a surgical procedure, odds are you have been prescribed […]

Fentanyl Related Overdose Crisis

Fentany Related Overdose continue to be an issue in the US

Local communities have been ravaged by fentanyl-related overdose issues in the past few weeks, showing a continuing upward trend of opioid abuse over the past two decades. From Pennsylvania to Ohio to California, local law enforcement officials have been caught off guard by the magnitude of the crisis. This has led many community leaders to […]

Opioid Painkillers: FDA Now Requires ‘Black Box’ Warning

Screenshot of FDA website representing FDA black box warning

Drug overdose is the number one cause of accidental death in the United States, with an estimated 47,055 deaths from lethal overdoses in 2014. Opioids represent the bulk of these deaths, with 29,468 deaths (63%) due to prescription opioid painkillers or heroin. State and local governments have been scrambling to take action against opioid abuse […]

What is Naloxone & What is it Used For?

two syringes with two naloxone bottles ct sc nw heroin antidote

Millions of Americans are addicted to heroin or prescription opioid painkillers. Prolonged use of these drugs can lead to physical dependence, in which the body comes to rely on the presence of opioids to function normally. Naloxone hydrochloride has emerged as a major method of combating opioid abuse. The drug, which is commonly called naloxone, […]

Troubling Opioid Epidemic: ABC News Special Reports

abc News logo on image of man holding syringe next to another man at the back of a vehicle.

Addiction is often described as a hidden illness because of the “hush hush” attitude surrounding its diagnosis and treatment. Despite the fact that 23.5 million Americans suffer from drug or alcohol abuse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stigma still prevents many of these individuals from getting the help they need. Opioid addiction […]

CDC Hopes to Prevent Opioid Dependence with New Guidelines

Dr. handing a woman a prescription. Only hands are visible.

In the face of a growing opioid epidemic in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released new guidelines for prescribing opioids. The opioid abuse problem is multifaceted and complex. One piece of the problem is physicians overprescribing potent opioid painkillers for a range of conditions. The new CDC guidelines are […]