The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recognizes the relationship between stress and substance misuse and subsequent substance use disorders (SUDs). Although everyone experiences stress in one way or another, it is a strong trigger for relapse for those in recovery for SUDs, even after long periods of abstaining from drugs or alcohol. What is […]
Author Archives: Alta Loma
Addiction, Treatment
While Women Without Children Drink More, Drinking Behaviors Are Increasing Across All Groups
20
Apr
Apr
Between the years of 2006 to 2010, heavy alcohol use led to almost 90,000 deaths and a combined 2.5 million years of potential life lost among American people. According to a study from Columbia University, increases in binge drinking continue to rise, regardless of parental status. Binge drinking is when someone has more than five […]
19
Apr
Apr
For those experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) to drugs or alcohol, exposing oneself to situations and triggers that may remind them of previous substance use might prompt drug cravings, which could disrupt one’s efforts to continue abstaining from that substance. Part of the reason for this situation may be attributed to attentional bias, which is […]
19
Apr
Apr
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine published research from Boston Children’s Hospital that proves the importance of accessing people’s alcohol-related tweets and online searches to track alcohol use and trends. Collecting data on public health is an expensive and slow process when utilizing large survey-based studies. Alcohol use is particularly challenging to precisely track at […]
Addiction, Treatment
What is the Impact When Young Adults Experiencing Opioid Overdose Do Not Receive Effective Follow-Up Treatment?
18
Apr
Apr
There is a significant window of opportunity regarding treatment for adolescents and teenagers who experience non-fatal opioid overdoses. Often, most of these young adults have yet to receive an opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis, therefore making it difficult for this population to receive treatment following their overdose experiences. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded […]
17
Apr
Apr
Chronic disease and illness cost the United States more than $635 billion per year due to medical costs, disability programs, and loss of productivity in the workforce. One out of every five American adults reports living with chronic pain, which is equal to 50 million people. Research from the University of Georgia found that preventing […]
Addiction, Recovery
Dealing Effectively with the Opioid Crisis: How Can the Focus Shift From Punishment to Treatment?
16
Apr
Apr
Arresting those with opioid use disorder (OUD) is not the answer to battling the opioid epidemic enveloping our nation. The American Psychological Association (APA) strongly suggests focusing on evidence-based treatments to pull the country out of the grips of this opioid crisis. The Numbers Point to a Significant Need for Change Our nation is in […]
Addiction, Recovery
Methamphetamine Use Coupled With Opioid-Use Disorder Negatively Affects Treatment
15
Apr
Apr
A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found associations between methamphetamine use and dropping out of treatment for opioid-use disorder (OUD). Methamphetamines are a class of drugs that are highly addictive stimulants which affect the central nervous system. The study found that the use of methamphetamines doubled the risk for patients to […]
Addiction, Treatment
Legal and Lethal: How Alcohol and Tobacco Are Among the Highest Threats to Worldwide Health?
14
Apr
Apr
Alcohol and tobacco, although legal and highly consumed in the United States, causes more harm to individuals around the world than illegal drugs. Loss of Life Due to Alcohol and Tobacco The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2015 that there are 85 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost to alcohol use, and over […]
Addiction, Recovery
Other Painkillers Contributed to Opioid Crisis: The Decline of Prescribing Non-Opioid Painkillers Overlapped with an Increase of Prescribing Opioids
13
Apr
Apr
A study done by the Boston University School of Public Health showed that the decline in prescribing non-opioid painkillers (NSAIDs) in the early 2000s overlapped with an increase in the prescribing of opioids. After studies discovered the side effects that NSAIDs had on the cardiovascular system, opioid prescriptions increased to bridge the gap for people […]