When COVID-19 first reached pandemic proportions earlier this year, Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) warned that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) could be hit particularly hard by the virus. Now, research published in the academic journal, Molecular Psychiatry, confirms Dr. Volkow’s prediction to be true. While…
Prescription opioid and heroin misuse affects millions of Americans every year. Unfortunately, the prevalence of opioid use and misuse is on the rise. You may have heard the words “dependence” and “addiction” to describe this growing public health problem. While these terms are related, they are not interchangeable. Here’s a closer look at the difference…
The teen years are often thought of as a time for experimentation. Unfortunately, this can be a damaging perspective when it comes to experimentation and drug use. Why? Because what many people assume is a passing phase can easily turn into drug abuse and addiction. Vaping, in particular, represents a new threat to the health…
By Sarah Surrey, LCSW Oregon’s ballot includes a measure that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs, considered small enough for “personal use”. If the measure passes, the state will be the first in the country to decriminalize hard drugs. It would join a small handful of countries around the world who…
Approximately 1.2 million people in the US are living with HIV, according to the website HIV.gov. People who inject drugs are at increased risk of viral infections, including HIV diagnoses. A 2019 government initiative, Ending HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America, sets forth four key strategies aimed at eliminating HIV infections in this country. In addition…
Both marijuana and nicotine vaping have risen sharply over the past three years among college-age adults in the United States, according to the results of the most recent Monitoring the Future (MTF) study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Here’s a closer look at the findings, why they’re alarming, and what can be done…
In a polarized world, the Opioid Crisis is unifying. It’s one of the only issues to be mentioned in State of the Union addresses of both Donald Trump and Barack Obama. It has earned this attention for its devastating impact on the American workforce, and for its staggering annual overdose rate. In a seven year…
Addicts undergo a great deal of pain during the recovery process. Guilt, shame, anger, disappointment, and regret are just a few of the many emotions that enter into the equation. What’s critical to overcoming these and other feelings that can impede your journey to recovery? Forgiveness. Here’s a closer look at the role of forgiveness…
It’s widely known that the LGBTQ population is especially vulnerable to drug use, misuse, and addiction. However, the specifics change from year to year. The more we understand this phenomenon, the better positioned we are to reverse it. Enter the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health:…
By: Sarah Surrey, LCSW What if I told you that it was anxiety that’s kept most of the human species alive this long? You know the feeling. It keeps you up at night, and leaves you jittery in the day. You’re ultra aware of the world around you.Googling every concern and worry has become…