Substance Abuse

Long before the United States started falling prey to the opioid epidemic that continues to ravage the country, Portugal experienced its own battle with society-wide addiction. By the late 1980s, one in every 10 Portuguese was struggling with heroin addiction, overdose-related deaths were on the rise, and the rate of HIV infection in the country […]

A recent opinion piece on TheHill.com laid out a plan for now and the future. It offered simple steps for enlisting federal support to get those struggling with substance abuse the help they need. How simple is this solution? The title says it all: “3 ways to combat addiction during and after COVID-19.” Life during […]

October is Talk About Prescriptions Month, and its observance couldn’t come at a better time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a June survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed dramatic increases in depression, anxiety, and drug use among Americans. Although studies have indicated an increase in alcohol use, experts warn that […]

There’s no doubt about it. We are enduring many pains, hardships and sorrows during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The count of those who have contracted the disease continues to tick up. The number of people who have succumbed to it does too. But the misfortunes don’t stop there. Others indirectly relate to this vicious scourge. […]

While the vulnerability of the Native American population to substance abuse has been long recognized, the inability of national surveys to accurately collect data from or around reservations has prevented researchers from fully realizing the scope of the problem until recently. The recent findings are alarming. A 2018 survey published in JAMA Network Open found […]

Suddenly it seems, vaping surfaced and in a big way. The term, which describes the use of an electronic or e-cigarette, is a story with a short timeframe. The brainchild of a Chinese pharmacist, the e-cigarette entered the commercial market less than 20 years ago. Over the last 10, it surged in popularity. Today, consumers […]

September is Self-Improvement Month! The phrase self-improvement may bring titles like the following to mind: How to Make More Money. How to Quit Smoking. How to Nail that Next Job Interview.  How to Deal with an Addiction. There’s always some book, some podcast, or some video that will show you just how to do something. […]

The first Monday in September is approaching, and that means Labor Day celebrations will soon be underway. Just like any other holiday, it’s important that safety takes priority to not only ensure that everyone has fun in their own way, but that everyone will live to share their memories for years to come. Labor Day […]

August is National Black Business Month. Along with the celebration of inclusion and diversity, we get to celebrate the entrepreneurs who contribute to creating a healthy economy through innovation and job creation. Yet, as we support the African American community, we can also take a moment to raise awareness about substance use disorders and medical […]

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 107,543 people died of opioid-involved overdoses in 2023.1 To combat the nation’s ongoing opioid epidemic, it’s vital to understand the nature of an opioid overdose while debunking dangerous myths about opioid overdose. 1. Splashing Cold Water on the Person Will Help Reverse an Overdose Splashing […]

In addition to Independence Day, July is the time of year that celebrates National Hemp Month. This substance is often misunderstood and confused with marijuana. As such, in honor of National Hemp Month, we’ll be discussing hemp, its history, and its uses. What is Hemp? The Cannabis sativa plant, also referred to as “hemp,” is […]

Many people are terrified of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). And understandably so, for as much as we’ve learned about this virus over the last few weeks, there are still many unknowns. In the end, it’s important to seek facts from reliable sources and to remain updated. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Disinfect heavily-touched surfaces. […]