For those living with substance use disorder, it is not uncommon for individuals to take multiple substances at once. Meth and heroin are two incredibly addictive drugs that, when used together, can bring unprecedented danger to the user. Both drugs have a range of severe mental and physical side effects that can lead to a
Opioid settlements are making a wave across the country as the manufacturers and distributors have marketed and proliferated the painkillers are being held responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic. Recent landmark rulings in Oklahoma include: Johnson & Johnson being ordered to pay $572 million by an Oklahoma state judge to fund a state
World Mental Health Day 2019 is coming up! In the United States alone, nearly 46.6 million adults—that’s 1 in 5 people—experience some type of mental illness in a given year. Some studies show that disorders like depression and anxiety are at an all time high, fueled by stressors related to family life, career, finances, and
Military gambling addiction is something that should be discussed. The rate of gambling problems among veterans and active-duty military personnel are glaringly high. Statistics point to the rate of pathological gambling amongst military personnel as nearly a quarter of all armed service members and their domestic partners. Gambling addiction is a treatable disease but is
Drug crime arrests are declining. The complex issue of incarcerating those charged with drug possession is slowly evolving into an effort to allow low-level drug offenders to seek treatment and find hope in recovery. State-appointed treatment options are offering help, not handcuffs, as policymakers around the United States are slowly coming around to agreeing with
Recovery from addiction is a difficult process that can leave one feeling alienated from friends, family, and loved ones. It is a real problem that deserves compassion, treatment, and help. Substance use disorder often includes: Feeling the need to use drugs or drink alcohol often or regularly Having frequent, strong urges to use the substance
While the focus of public health officials, much of the news media, and the general public has been on the opioid epidemic in recent years, the meth use epidemic has quietly been on the rise. The use of methamphetamine is surging in the United States, as those reported to have a methamphetamine use disorder increased
Alcohol use during pregnancy is the leading known preventable cause of birth defects that can range from mild to severe physical abnormalities and a wide array of cognitive, behavioral, and social deficits. An estimated 40,000 newborns are affected every year by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), an umbrella term that includes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
