Over 12,000 adolescents try a new substance every day. Read our parent guide to alcohol and drug intervention tailored specifically for your teen. Teen Identity Development The stage of adolescence is considered between the ages of 13 and 17. These four years are critical to lay a foundation towards being a responsible and independent young…
Spice and K2, the OG synthetic cannabinoids, debuted in 2008, but many other forms of fake weed followed, often with a slightly different chemical makeup to subdue fresh laws surrounding these dangerous designer drugs. Keep reading to learn more. How many overdoses and deaths are related to synthetic drugs? Early detection of new synthetic drugs…
As the holiday season approaches, risks for relapse, overdose, and overdose deaths increase, and prolonged social isolation during COVID-19 certainly doesn’t help. Create, review, or update your relapse prevention plan now. Keep reading to learn more. Relapse is Part of Recovery The biggest threat to those in treatment or recovery is relapse. Many addiction treatment…
Though COVID-19 restrictions in the Southeast are becoming less stringent, there are still risks associated with the pandemic that are particularly challenging for those with substance use disorder, those in addiction treatment, and those in addiction recovery. Most states put quarantine orders into place mid to late March, and what followed touched every individual in…
Combining alcohol with any strong prescription medicine is dangerous. Most of these medications carry a warning stating they should not be used along with alcohol, but users often disregard these warnings. Alcohol consumption alone can result in serious side effects. However, it can also worsen the side effects of other substances including prescription medications. Opiates…
Many people who have an alcohol use disorder experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking or reduce their consumption. These symptoms include hallucinations, tremors, and seizures. Some people who drink heavily for extended periods experience a severe form of withdrawal known as delirium tremens, DTs or withdrawal delirium. About one in 20 individuals going through…
One of the world’s largest producers of several opioid medications, Purdue Pharma, pleaded guilty to wrongful promotion of dangerous medications to physicians dating back to 1996. The settlement is for $8 billion but comes way too late to save the many lives of those who overdosed or those who are addicted to these dangerous medications,…
OxyContin is a powerful pain medication that falls into the category of opioids. It is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. In its generic form, it is known as oxycodone. One of the main ingredients is thebaine which is an organic chemical found in opium. The effects of OxyContin last for up…
Every day, 41 people die from an opioid overdose. The dangers of opioid addiction have nearly doubled in the last ten years. Read our opioid comparison of the 13 most common opioids and their individual characteristics. Opioid Overdose and Death Rates In 2016, 62 people per 100,000 visited the emergency room because of an opioid…
If you’re newly sober, enjoying a sober Halloween can be difficult. While children focus on costumes and candy at this time of year, many adults attend parties where alcohol is being served copiously. Even with COVID-19 being a factor this year, some people are likely to have gatherings. For people in recovery from alcohol use…