Overcoming opioid addiction is extremely difficult. One of the reasons why quitting is so challenging is because of the intense, flu-like withdrawal symptoms that appear when someone who has been abusing opioids for a long time suddenly stops using them. While the FDA has approved a few different medications to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms, like […]
The epidemic of drug overdose is only growing larger. New substances are emerging each year that present new challenges and possibilities for abuse. The deadly quest to numb and escape has resulted in new synthetic drugs emerging, creating another obstacle between us and overdose prevention in the United States. One such emerging synthetic opioid is
The New Kid on the Block: Nitazenes and the Danger of New Emerging Synthetic Drugs Read More »
Alcohol has been the most widely abused substance in the United States for a long time, but alcohol abuse hit levels never seen before in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies show that more than 60% of participants reported increased drinking compared to pre-COVID-19. The most widely cited reasons for increased drinking were increased
What is Gray Area Drinking? Read More »
In recent years, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. We use it to connect with friends and family, stay up to date on the latest trends, share our thoughts and experiences with the people we care about, and consume information on virtually any topic, ranging from news and current events
How is Social Media Impacting Substance Misuse and Addiction? Read More »
Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful and addictive opioid drug. It is so powerful that it is estimated to be 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.[1] The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes two primary types of fentanyl: Pharmaceutical fentanyl – Fentanyl that is manufactured by regulated pharmaceutical companies and is used
What Is Rainbow Fentanyl And Why Is It So Dangerous? Read More »
From 2020 to 2021, the U.S. surpassed 100,000 drug overdose deaths annually–a grim milestone that reflects the severity of the opioid epidemic.[1] The vast majority of drug overdose deaths are attributed to opioids, and the majority of opioid overdose deaths involve synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl can be lethal in small amounts. As much fentanyl
The Never Use Alone Hotline Is Helping Prevent Drug Overdose Deaths Read More »
In 2022 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a proposal to end menthol cigarette sales due to the fact that the ban could save millions of lives, many of which belong to already disproportionately affected groups. Menthol is a chemical that is found naturally in peppermint and other plants of a similar variety, but
5 Ways The U.S. Can Benefit From A Ban On Menthol Cigarettes Read More »
When federal restrictions were enacted in early 2020 to limit the flavors that closed-pod e-cigarette devices, such as JUUL, could sell, the use of disposable e-cigarettes increased dramatically. From 2019 to 2020, disposable e-cigarette use among high schoolers increased by 1,000% from 2.4% to 26.5%. Among middle school e-cigarette users, disposable vape use increased by
The Dangers of Disposable E-Cigarettes and Why They are So Popular Among Youth Read More »
Vaping is extremely common today and youth vaping has reached epidemic levels. As quickly as public health officials have begun encouraging steps to reduce teen vaping, new substances are created that are able to slip past FDA oversight and land directly in the hands of youth. These new substances are known as synthetic nicotine. Developing
What is Synthetic Nicotine? Read More »
Over the last 20 years, the majority of states have passed sweeping legislation to legalize medicinal marijuana. While marijuana remains illegal on a federal level, some states have even taken steps to decriminalize it or legalize it for recreational use.[1] Before waves of marijuana legalization spread across the U.S., cannabis advocates used marijuana illegally and
Are Magic Mushrooms the Next Medical Marijuana? Read More »
