You may have heard the words “evidence-based treatment” when searching for information on healthcare services. What does this mean, and why is it important, especially in the context of LGBTQ addiction? Here’s a closer look at evidence-based addiction treatment for LGBTQ individuals. What Is Evidence-Based Treatment? Evidence-based treatment, AKA EBT, refers to “treatments that have…
Hundreds of Americans die from opioid overdoses every day, according to the CDC. Countless others suffer from life-destroying addiction. For many of these people, the road to addiction starts with seemingly harmless prescription pain medication and progresses to substance abuse. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Several other pain management approaches offer relief…
We often think of addiction within the context of physical addiction to drugs and alcohol. People struggling with addictions to these substances undergo changes in their brains’ wiring which cause them to have intense cravings for the substance and equally intense withdrawal symptoms when the substance is unavailable. However, many people fail to realize that…
If you (or someone you love) is in recovery, you may be experiencing vivid dreams about using drugs and alcohol. While drinking/drug-using dreams (DDUD) can be alarming, it’s actually a common occurrence. Here’s a closer look at the phenomenon and what it means. About Substance Abuse and Dreams Approximately a third of adults in recovery…
“People who inject drugs and have HIV experience high mortality and face many obstacles in accessing care,” says the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The good news? Researchers have determined that integrated interventions are an effective way to support both the health and the survival of this population. Here’s a closer look at the…
The tobacco market is well known for its dubious history of marketing to kids. But it’s far from the only threat to children when it comes to marketing and unhealthy lifestyle choices. In fact, newly published research in the academic journal BMJ Open reveals a troubling link between alcohol marketing and alcohol consumption in children….
Knowledge regarding how best to treat patients struggling with opioid addiction is constantly advancing. Now comes news that the long-acting buprenorphine formulation BUP-XR, a monthly extended release injection, may be a valuable treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD). Here’s a closer look at the research, as published late last month in The Lancet. About the…
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….