The United States is within the grips of an opioid crisis, and treatment professionals actively seek alternative treatment options for chronic pain. The need for alternatives is imperative since almost 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. Since the late 1990s, the initial treatment option for most of these patients was opioids, such as hydrocodone, […]
Author Archives: Alta Loma
11
Apr
Apr
Studies indicate that smoking tobacco can have negative effects on one’s mental health. A new study shows that people who smoke tobacco may have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia and depression. Furthermore, the link between mental health issues and substance use disorders (SUDs) is strongly documented through research and the two are intimately connected. […]
10
Apr
Apr
Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” include medications such as Valium, Klonopin, and Xanax. They are a class of sedatives that are statistically the most abused, yet are commonly prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety. Teetotalers, or people who never drink alcohol, and moderate drinkers, are less likely to take “benzos” than problem drinkers. When taken […]
09
Apr
Apr
Behavioral change is possible. There are five stages of change, much like there are five stages of grief. Changing unhealthy behaviors help people lead healthier lives, and therefore live longer. The Five Stages of Change The stages of change include: Precontemplation stage, in which the individual is in denial, and refusing to acknowledge the […]
Addiction, Treatment
The Future of Babies Exposed to Opioids: Are There Enough Resources to Support This Growing Problem?
08
Apr
Apr
The opioid epidemic is claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, impacting communities, and changing the face of our nation. In the United States, roughly one baby every 15 minutes, or more than 30,000 babies a year, are born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. What Is NAS? Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is characterized by: […]
07
Apr
Apr
Research shows that creative writing positively impacts our physical well-being, and therefore, may help psychologically heal and improve the chances of obtaining long-lasting recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). People who engage in reading and writing tend to maintain sobriety for longer periods. Studies show that consistently journaling improves emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. […]
06
Apr
Apr
Estimates used to be that suicide accounted for almost one-third of all opioid-related overdose deaths. However, new research found that suicide accounted for only 4% of opioid-related deaths. The study utilized 17 years of data, between 2000 and 2017, to figure out the prevalence of unintentional, suicidal, or unspecified deaths related to opioid use. The […]
Mental Health, Recovery
The Necessity of a Cultural Shift: How Can Psychological Interventions Prevent Opioid Misuse?
05
Apr
Apr
Although psychological-based interventions and treatments prove extremely helpful for preventing opioid misuse, as evidenced by numerous studies and extensive research, widespread implementation of these treatments requires a large cultural shift towards a biopsychosocial model of treatment. The biopsychosocial model is a way to understand health and illness through biological, psychological, and social aspects. This multifaceted […]
04
Apr
Apr
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes addiction as compulsive drug-seeking regardless of harmful consequences to oneself or others. However, addiction is not a particular diagnosis included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). What is the DSM-5? The DSM-5 is the classification and diagnostic tool published by the American […]
03
Apr
Apr
Opioid overdoses account for over 400,000 deaths between 1999 and 2018. Current statistics indicate that over 100 Americans die every day due to an opioid overdose. Fentanyl is a synthetic or artificially produced opioid available in the US. It is also the drug responsible for over 30,000 overdose deaths in 2018. Fentanyl came about in […]