After a few years working at the Narconon center in Oklahoma, Karen has been researching drug trends around the world and writing reports and articles on addiction and recovery for nine years.
This article discusses the dangerous combination of alcohol and marijuana on the ability to drive safely. Used together, the danger of accident and injury can be greatly increased. This hazard was illustrated by the case of Donald Andrews, Jr., who drove his Tesla off an overpass in Upstate New York while impaired by both substances.
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The consumption of alcohol is so ingrained in many cultures that it is accepted without question. What may go unnoticed is the millions of deaths it causes every year around the world. The deadly character of alcohol should be understood by everyone.
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Reports of drug-facilitated sexual assaults are being received by law enforcement all over the country. To keep themselves safe, women and men should know what drugs are being used and how they are administered, both on college campuses and in cities.
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Across the country, teens and young adults are adding illicit drugs to their vaping devices because they can use them without being detected, often right in front of parents or teachers.
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Tens of thousands of American medical practitioners are licensed to dispense buprenorphine formulas to those in addiction recovery. But is providing this medication enough? Shouldn’t there be solutions for the loss of emotional, thinking, and social skills? We take a thorough look at this important topic.
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After several years of being plagued by fentanyl deaths, new synthetic opioids are moving into the American illicit drug market. As seizures of these drugs and overdose deaths mount, it's possible to detect the brief life cycle of these drugs, where one new synthetic opioid quickly replaces the last one that was taking lives.
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Methamphetamine, though less lethal than fentanyl, is wreaking havoc across the U.S. Highly potent P2P meth triggers fast, intense addiction while creating mental illness and homelessness, as evidenced in locations like Los Angeles and Oregon. While overdose deaths are lower, meth’s broader impact on families, health, and communities is severe.
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New synthetic drugs are the wave of the future—and the present. Every year, a long list of new drugs is detected by law enforcement. Buyers may not even know what they are getting as these new substances may be camouflaged. This ignorance can result in their death.
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Discover the addictive risks of seemingly innocuous medications, from prescription drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin to over-the-counter remedies like loperamide and dextromethorphan. Find out what effects misusers are seeking and what the effects of improper use are, including addiction.
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The article explores the widespread use of Narcan (naloxone) to reverse opioid overdoses, covering its history, availability, and brand names. A little-known concern about the use of Narcan is that its effects are short-lived, potentially allowing overdose symptoms to return.
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Illicit drugs may pose far greater risks to your lung health than you realize, triggering conditions like pneumonia, emphysema, and even asphyxia. From alcohol to heroin, the ten substances discussed in this article impair breathing, set the stage for infection and dysfunction, and can easily turn deadly. Seeking help is crucial for those affected by addiction.
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This article explores the sudden emergence of an industry devoted to the manufacture and sales of Delta-8, a psychoactive substance derived from hemp. It’s sold even in states where marijuana is not legal, due to a legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. The article examines the effects of this new drug and why its regulation has fallen between the cracks in state after state. Even more cannabis products are on the verge of release, without research or legislation that could keep consumers safe.
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Pink cocaine is a dangerous, unpredictable drug mixture that can contain the synthetic drug 2C-B plus ketamine, MDMA, or other substances. Its effects range from seizures to hallucinations or even death. Recent incidents, including a fatal crash in Miami, highlight the hazards related to its use.
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Florida’s CORE Pilot Program offers immediate support to overdose survivors. In this program, first responders will bypass conventional emergency facilities and take the survivor to a specialized facility for stabilization and immediate referral to a drug rehabilitation service. The program offers a more certain path to breaking the cycle of addiction and reducing the risk of future overdoses.
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A 2023 study revealed the alarming emergence of Fetal Fentanyl Syndrome (FFS), where prenatal exposure to fentanyl has been linked to severe birth defects and developmental delays in infants. Researchers have identified common symptoms, including abnormal head size, cleft palate, and joint deformities, among others. The study highlights the urgent need for public awareness and preventive measures to address a growing and preventable health crisis.
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The article discusses the emergence of a new category of drugs known as nitazenes in the illicit market, part of the larger class of novel synthetic opioids (NSOs). These drugs are just the latest synthetic opioids to be manufactured and distributed in Europe and North America.
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In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the Sackler family’s bankruptcy protections, making them liable for future lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. The ruling acknowledges their role in deceptive practices that fueled the opioid epidemic, paving the way for new negotiations and potential accountability.
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Boredom is a dangerous condition for a person determined to stay sober. It's smart for anyone in recovery to know the best ways to prevent themselves from feeling bored. The payoff is not only sobriety but often includes achievement of personal goals, attainment of greater skills, and the chance to help others.
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Addiction is such a pervasive problem in America that one in eight Americans suffer from this problem. Grasping the extent of the problem is a vital first step to resolving it successfully.
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With fentanyl involved in 81% of adolescent overdose deaths—often disguised as common medications like Xanax or Adderall—a much better understanding of this threat is needed by parents, teachers, and others. These counterfeit pills are leading to fatal outcomes, especially among young men, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and prevention.
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There’s much discussion about saving lives from drugs. But what would it take? It’s time to take a good hard look at the steps that would have to be taken to bring about a drug-free nation. The various fronts on which this battle would need to be fought are reviewed and evaluated.
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Drug problems that used to assault our cities have brought their destructive influences to our rural areas. From Wisconsin to Kentucky and Oregon, a new kind of methamphetamine is creating psychosis, schizophrenia, and homelessness. It’s also involved in an increasing number of overdose deaths.
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This article discusses the worrying link between marijuana use and suicide, providing multiple studies and findings that clearly indicate an increased risk. If the public were aware of these risks, would they ever have supported legislation in favor of legalization?
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Which drugs are being used more frequently by employed Americans? Are the trends in workplace drug use increasing or decreasing? This review of workplace drug tests from Quest Diagnostics tells employers what they need to know.
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After trending up and down for decades, LSD use is at its highest level in many years. There are certain distinct causes for this rise—but are any of them valid? Are the effects of this new LSD experimentation likely to be positive or negative?
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Xylazine continues to spread across the U.S., often mixed with fentanyl and other substances. This veterinary sedative causes severe ulcers, increases the risk of fatal overdose, and can’t be reversed with naloxone. Its rise is worsening the drug crisis, creating life-threatening risks for users who unknowingly consume it in illicit drugs.
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