Tag Archive

Recent research shows that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community have higher rates of substance misuse than the general population.1 The use of illicit drugs makes you more susceptible to contracting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, as well as sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and gonorrhea. Factors that […]

What Is Harm Reduction? Harm reduction is a set of policies and practices intended to reduce the negative effects of drug and alcohol use. Harm reduction programs exist for several types of drugs, including opioids, alcohol, stimulants, Ecstasy, and marijuana. They range from needle exchange sites to managed alcohol programs to drug-testing kits at music […]

What is Methadone? As a long-acting opioid agonist, orally administered methadone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain management and the treatment of opioid use disorders. Methadone offers a gradual onset of effects, which minimizes rewards associated with other faster routes of use while preventing withdrawal symptoms from shorter-acting opioids such […]

What Is Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)? Hydromorphone is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed to provide relief from severe pain. As an opioid, it interacts with opioid receptors in the brain and influence the body’s perception of pain.1 Hydromorphone is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Other Schedule II opioids include morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and […]

In 2021, 106,699 drug overdose fatalities happened in the United States. Opioid drugs—particularly extremely potent synthetic opioid fentanyl—are the main contributor, with around 88% of opioid-involved overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids. Opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose have reached epidemic levels in the United States in recent years. Mixing opioids with benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, […]

Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller that has significant misuse potential.1 In this article, we will discuss oxycodone misuse, its dangers, oxycodone addiction, and how to get help if you or someone you love needs it. What is Oxycodone? Oxycodone is a narcotic, prescription medication that’s used to alleviate pain. This opioid drug is made from […]

When significant opioid dependence on codeine develops, people will often experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop using it or abruptly try to decrease their dosage.3 As with other acute opioid withdrawal syndromes, codeine withdrawal is not typically life-threatening. However, withdrawal from codeine can be severely unpleasant and present significant challenges to recovery attempts.3 […]

What is an Opioid?  Opioids are a large class of drugs comprising natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic substances.3 Some opioids (e.g., tramadol, hydrocodone, and oxycodone) are available via prescription although other opioids are fully or partially illegal.4 For example, while heroin is illegal and has no medically approved use, fentanyl is both available as a prescription […]

Commonly Abused Narcotics & Opioids Below is a brief list of some of the more widely-known narcotics and opioids drugs: Opium Heroin Codeine Oxycodone Hydrocodone Tramadol Morphine Hydromorphone Fentanyl Carfentanil The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) indicates that close to 3 million people battled […]

What is Morphine, and What is Morphine Used For? Morphine is a prescription opioid that is clinically indicated for the treatment of severe pain.1 It’s available as a generic (i.e., morphine sulfate) as well as by brand names such as Duramorph PF and MS Contin.2 While there are valid therapeutic morphine uses, people also misuse […]