Articles about your health and the overcoming the health effects of addiction
Lean goes by a lot of names: purple drank, sizzurp, dirty Sprite, Texas tea. Whatever it is called, the substance at the center of it is codeine, a Schedule II opioid. The sweet taste and the styrofoam cup have made lean look casual for decades, but the clinical reality is less forgiving. Codeine creates the […]
For years, getting a buprenorphine prescription required an in-person visit with a licensed prescriber before treatment could begin. For many people with opioid use disorder, that single requirement was an insurmountable barrier. Transportation, work schedules, childcare, geography, stigma, and fear of judgment all kept people away from a medication that the evidence shows reduces opioid […]
If someone you love uses opioids, or if you have been following news about the fentanyl overdose crisis, you have likely encountered the term "tranq dope." It refers to street drugs, usually fentanyl or heroin, that have been mixed with xylazine, a veterinary sedative that has no approved use in humans. Tranq dope is now […]
If you have seen a product called Tianaa, Zaza, Neptune's Fix, or TD Red at a gas station or smoke shop, you may not have known what you were looking at. These products contain tianeptine, a substance the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved for any medical use. They are sold as "dietary […]
Addiction is a disease of the brain. It changes how you perceive the world, how you respond to stress, and how you navigate life's challenges. Even in recovery, the neural pathways affected by addiction can continue to influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This is why cultivating mindfulness in recovery from addiction is so crucial. Mindfulness […]
Ozempic is one of the most talked about prescription medications in recent history. Its reputation extends far beyond its original purpose of managing type 2 diabetes. More people now use Ozempic as an anti-obesity medication. According to research, higher doses of Ozempic may induce weight loss, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle interventions. Despite this, […]
There is always a risk of relapse after alcohol or drug addiction treatment. According to NIDA, about 40 to 60% of people relapse within the first year of recovery. That's because substance use alters the structure and function of the brain, and these effects persist well beyond when sobriety is first obtained. But the good […]
Addiction is a complex and chronic condition, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. What works for one person may not work for the other. That's why treatment centers use different evidence-based practices to address the diverse needs of those struggling with substance use disorders. Evidence-based addiction treatment has been shown to be effective, […]
The mind-body connection is like a two-way street between your brain and body. Your emotions, thoughts, and behavior can affect your physical well-being and vice versa. For example, when you are anxious or stressed, you're likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to feel good. But in the long run, substance abuse can cause a spectrum of short- and long-term health issues. […]
There’s a massive gap between the number of people who need addiction treatment in the United States and those who actually get it. According to the 2021 NSDUH report, 46.3 million people 12 and older met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having an addiction in the past year. Yet, only 6% got help at a specialty facility. […]
