How Stigma Perpetuates Problems With Opiate Dependence and Hinders Treatment
Decades ago, people whispered the word “cancer” and were afraid to publicly acknowledge they had the dreaded disease. Although cancer has moved into the limelight, other diseases like addiction remain heavily stigmatized. Experts in addiction research believe this is unfortunate, because it reinforces the idea that addiction happens to those who are “weak” or lack […]
Motivating a Loved One to Seek Treatment for Opiate Abuse
Although the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association estimates that 23.5 million people in the United States need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, only 11.2% receive professional help. Unfortunately, one of the biggest barriers to seeking treatment is fear or denial. Individuals suffering from opiate dependency often feel ashamed of or frightened by their […]
Alarming Rise in Heroin Deaths Linked to Opiate Painkiller Prescriptions
A recent report issued by the National Center for Health Statistics reveals an alarming increase in heroin-related deaths between the years of 2010 and 2013. Even more shocking, the study suggests a strong correlation between the spike and the increase in patients being prescribe opioid-based medications. These numbers validate the need to reduce the opiate […]
Opiate-Hormone Connection: Drug Use Leads to Long-Term Hormonal Changes
People struggling with opiate dependence often report that they experience changes in mood, thinking abilities, and even personality. Scientists continue to uncover biological changes that result from prolonged substance use. Much of the initial research focused on alterations in neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that cause fast-acting signals from one brain region to another. Recently, however, […]
Increasing Opioid Dose May Intensify Your Depression
Increasing your opioid painkiller dose may cause you to feel more depressed, according to a new study published in Pain, the journal for the International Association for the Study of Pain. Chronic pain is a serious issue for at least 100 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Many people who suffer […]
New Federal Regulations Seek to Improve Opiate Treatment Recovery Rates in Drug Courts
Drug courts have become a popular remediation method for cities, counties and states attempting to combat an ever increasing number of drug abusers. However, their methods of acceptable rehabilitation, mainly going cold turkey, have proven not to be the most effective approach. In fact, for those addicted to heroin or opiate-based painkillers, the success rate […]
The Opiate Addiction Misdiagnosis: Is it Tolerance or Hyperalgesia?
Opiate addiction causes a wide array of negative consequences and affects on both the physical and emotional well-being of a patient. However, while withdrawal symptoms such as emotional instability and social disengagement are well understood, other side effects are not as well understood. One of the misunderstood side effects of opiate addiction is hyperalgesia, which […]
CDC Report Shows High Opioid use Among Women in Reproductive Years
A recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is calling attention to the high number of women in their childbearing years who are taking prescribed opiate-based painkillers. The report raises concerns over the increased risk of birth defects that these medications can cause, especially in the very early stages of pregnancy. […]
Pain Pill Injectors Have Higher Risk of Hepatitis Than Heroin Users
We know that individuals who abuse intravenous drugs are at a much higher risk of contracting diseases such as hepatitis C. However, new research from the American Journal of Public Health now indicates that the type of drug they inject can also increase their hepatitis risk. More surprising, it isn’t the typically heroin-addicted user who is […]
Trauma and Drug Addiction
Frug addiction and Trauma; Trauma is something that most people experience at some point in their lives. Some traumas are minor while others are seriously debilitating. Healing the emotional scars left by traumatic events is critical to moving on and leading a health and full life. However, some individuals don’t have the proper coping mechanisms […]
