A growing body of evidence tells us that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community are at increased risk for substance abuse and addiction. There’s good news, however. Research also indicates that early interventions can be an invaluable preventative measure. Here’s a closer look at the phenomenon, along with how parents…

So you’ve passed the first obstacle in helping a loved one with a substance abuse problem: recognizing the signs of addition. However, this is only one small part of overcoming drug addiction. Also essential is convincing your family member or friend to agree to rehab. Here’s a closer look at what you can do to…

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) comprises a group of conditions that develop when babies withdraw from drugs — usually narcotics — that they’re exposed to in the womb prior to birth, according to the March of Dimes. Now, research published in JAMA indicates that a connection exists between socioeconomic factors and the prevalence of NAS in newborns….

How a Care Model for HIV Patients May Help Those with Opioid Use Disorders The “Cascade of Care” model was developed in 2017 to manage treatment of people with HIV and AIDS. Now, scientists believe that the same approach can be built upon in order to provide an improved framework of care for people with…

If you are struggling with substance abuse issues, you may have trouble keeping up with all the terms and what they mean. Two frequently used words which may require clarification are dependence and addiction. Here’s a closer look at the concepts behind each, along with what they mean for treatment and recovery. Defining Dependence Dependence…

We recently covered Missouri’s problem with opioid-related overdose deaths, as well as the degree to which St. Louis, in particular, is impacted. While drug addiction is an equal opportunity affliction that can strike anyone, new data from Missouri’s Department of Mental Health (DMH) highlights one demographic where illicit drug use is not only rampant but…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) conducted research investigating the link between sexual orientation, substance abuse, and mental health as part of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for the first time in 2015. The findings? “Sexual minorities were more likely than their sexual majority counterparts to have…

When you hear the words “drinking problem,” young people are often the first demographic that comes to mind. However, older adults are also vulnerable to excessive drinking and the problems that go along with it, according to a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the…

An estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. have chronic pain. That’s 20.4 percent of the population, according to a recent report from the CDC. “Pain is a component of many chronic conditions, and chronic pain is emerging as a health concern on its own, with negative consequences to individual persons, their families, and society…

In a perfect world, people with substance abuse and addiction issues would seek out the help they need to recover before any legal issues arose. In the world in which we live, however, drug abuse often leads to the involvement of the law. The upside of this phenomenon?  According to the National Institute on Drug…