What Are Bath Salts? Can I Get Addicted to Them?
A few years ago, there was lots of media attention surrounding bath salts, the common name given to synthetic cathinones. The drug was being linked to so-called face-eating cannibal attacks in the United Kingdom and the United States. Now that the media frenzy has died down, there is less discussion surrounding these man-made stimulants. However, […]
Can I Become Addicted to Sleeping Pills?
Sleeping pills are often prescribed for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia. They fall into the category of sedative-hypnotics which also includes barbiturates (phenobarbital, pentobarbital) and benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin). The most common sleeping pills are Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta. They act on the same GABA receptors in the brain as benzodiazepines but they tend to […]
8 Common Myths about Drug Addiction
People who have never dealt with drug addiction often don’t fully understand it. This is partly because of media portrayals of addiction and misconceptions that have been around for years. If you’re struggling with addiction or trying to support someone who is, you need to know the facts. Let’s look at some of the most […]
What You Need to Know About Fentanyl Overdose
Fentanyl is a dangerous opioid, it can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine and overdose symptoms can occur within minutes. Fentanyl is prescribed by doctors in the form of transdermal patches, tablets, lozenges or nasal sprays. Brand names include Sublimaze, Actiq, and Duragesic. Like other drugs, prescription fentanyl can be misused and abused. […]
What Are Designer Drugs?
If you or someone you know are struggling with drug addiction, look into addiction treatment programs near you. You’ve probably heard the term designer drugs but you may not be entirely sure what they are. The term ‘designer drugs’ was first used in the 1980s and at that time, it referred to synthetic drugs made […]
How Marijuana Affects the Teenage Brain
As states continue to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, it’s use is increasingly being seen as no big deal. In North Carolina, marijuana possession is mostly decriminalized. Possessing less than half an ounce carries a maximum fine of $200. While marijuana is used to treat a variety of conditions, there are still concerns about its effects. […]
The Pros and Cons of Long-Term Suboxone Use
Suboxone, a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, is a drug that’s used to minimize withdrawal symptoms of opioid dependence. The buprenorphine component works as an opioid, activating the brain’s reward receptors on a milder scale and, therefore, eliminating cravings. Naloxone acts as an opioid antagonist by inducing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms which discourage an individual from […]
How to Spot A High-Functioning Drug Addict
Many people think they know what a drug addict looks like. They think about someone who is emaciated, unable to keep a job, and possibly living on the street. This portrayal was never completely accurate, and it is even less so today. There is no “typical” image of an addict. They can be of any […]
What’s the Difference Between Drug Dependency and Addiction?
There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding drug use and abuse. Terms like drug dependency and drug addiction can be difficult to understand. That’s because some people use the terms interchangeably and some organizations define them differently. In recent years, some experts have come to reject both terms. That being said, there are commonly accepted definitions […]
How to Avoid Substituting One Addiction for Another
If you’re in drug addiction recovery, you may believe that once you get treatment for that particular addiction, you’ll be cured. However, many people in recovery substitute one addiction for another. This is called addiction replacement and it helps to confirm that addiction is a disease. In many cases, addiction is not tied to just […]
