Opioids are powerful drugs. Whether an individual uses prescription opioids like morphine or oxycodone or illegal drugs like heroin, it can lead to an overdose. If someone you know is overdosing, you need to know the signs so you can seek help. Opioid overdose can be fatal if the user doesn’t get the appropriate intervention…
You may be wondering, “What are bath salts?” 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…
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…
Fentanyl is a dangerous opioid, it can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine and Fentanyl 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…
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…
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….
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 meaning it will negate the effects of any opioid by…
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…
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…
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…
