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 […]

Using Social Media to Track Alcohol Use

Using Social Media to Track Alcohol Use

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 […]

What is the Impact When Young Adults Experiencing Opioid Overdose Do Not Receive Effective Follow-Up Treatment?

What is the Impact When Young Adults Experiencing Opioid Overdose Do Not Receive Effective Follow-Up Treatment?

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 […]

Improving the Opioid Crisis Through Preventing Chronic Disease

Improving the Opioid Crisis Through Preventing Chronic Disease

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 […]