Author Archives: Alta Loma

Opioid Use Hospitalization Rates Higher for People With Common Musculoskeletal Diseases

opioids

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is ravaging the United States at epidemic levels. Increases in mortality rates related to this disease are also occurring. There is inadequate data on the rate of OUD-related hospitalizations of people dealing with musculoskeletal diseases. New research examines these hospitalizations and explores the relationship between OUD and musculoskeletal conditions. The Study […]

Deviating Trends: Declines in Binge Drinking Are Occurring While Rates of Depression Are Increasing

binge drinking and depression

A study out of Columbia University found that between the years 1991 and 2018, binge drinking behaviors declined among American adolescents. Conversely, depression rates severely increased for this population since the year 2012. Therefore, binge drinking and depression among adolescents are no longer associated trends. The research used data pulled from surveys between 1991 and […]

How Can I Avoid Feelings of Guilt and Shame Related to Addiction?

How Can I Avoid Feelings of Guilt and Shame Related to Addiction?

When someone is dealing with a substance use disorder (SUD), they engage in activities and exhibit actions that they would not do if sober. They may hurt the people they most care about, engage in manipulation tactics, lie and deceive, and break the law. Once an individual enters recovery from a SUD and maintains sobriety […]

Can Substance-Induced Insomnia Lead to Hallucinations and Psychosis?

Can Substance-Induced Insomnia Lead to Hallucinations and Psychosis?

Insomnia is the inability to sleep. Sleep is extremely important to overall health and well-being, so not having enough sleep may lead to many problems. When recovering from substance use disorders, having sleep difficulties is common in early recovery, and may even contribute to relapse. Furthermore, insufficient sleep is linked to hallucinations and psychosis.  The […]

Peer Relationships and Social Isolation: Their Impact on Substance Use

social isolation

A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) indicates that social relationships are pathways to addiction, as well as pathways to recovery. The research found that problem behaviors such as substance use are mainly due to peer relationships or social isolation. Positive peer relationships may help protect against substance use.    The […]

What Does One Experience in Early Recovery?

early recovery

The first step in entering treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) is detoxing. Detoxification is a process that the body goes through when stopping the use of a substance. Medically assisted detox may be necessary for certain substances that cause extreme withdrawal symptoms. Although it is only the first step in recovery, detox is […]

Legalization May Lead to Declines in Use: Research Finds Marijuana Use Decreased in the Wake of Legalization

marijuana legalization

An analysis of federal-based survey data shows that before the United States legalized marijuana, more Americans were struggling with frequent, problematic use. The research found that there is an apparent decline in daily marijuana use among those who may have a cannabis use disorder.    The Study The study focused on data from the annual […]

How Do Stress and the Body’s Response to it Relate to Substance Use?

How Do Stress and the Body’s Response to it Relate to Substance Use?

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 […]

While Women Without Children Drink More, Drinking Behaviors Are Increasing Across All Groups

binge drinking

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 […]

Can the Brain be Persuaded to Pay Attention to Healthier Choices?

Can the Brain be Pursueded to Pay Attention to Healthier Choices?

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 […]