Codeine has been widely misused for decades. When used as directed, codeine is a highly effective pain-relieving medication. When misused or abused, it can create a “high” sought by many who struggle with an addiction to prescription opioids. Codeine is the main ingredient in lean, making it a new and popular pop culture drink. For…
Commonly abused substances, whether alcohol or drugs carry a significant risk of phycological and physical dependence. When you develop a dependency on any substance, you are highly likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when you reduce the amount you use or stop using altogether. The severity and duration of withdrawal will vary from person to person…
As the opioid epidemic and other challenges related to substance use and abuse continue to rise, the need for trained addiction treatment professionals remains high. Depending on your treatment needs, finding an addiction treatment professional skilled in addressing your unique treatment needs can be complicated. Today, there are several specialized roles in addiction treatment medicine,…
Opioid drugs (whether synthetic, semi-synthetic, or natural) are used for various needs, including treating chronic pain conditions, post-surgical pain, and several other disorders. Members of the medical community have prescribed opioid pain relievers for years, in ever-increasing numbers, believing newer medications they were prescribing were less addictive than those that came before. Unfortunately, this proved…
If you have recently received a tramadol prescription, your medical provider likely told you not to drink alcohol while you still need tramadol to manage pain. Like many other prescription drugs, tramadol is a powerful drug that, when taken correctly, can reduce pain and make a recovery from surgical procedures or managing chronic pain physically…
Seasonal allergies and the common cold are frustrating parts of day-to-day life for millions of Americans each year. The changing seasons bring about sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and intermittent congestion that can make simply getting out of bed difficult. Fortunately, there are a variety of over-the-counter medications that provide quick, functional symptom…
Methamphetamine or “meth” addiction is one of the most dangerous of all substance addictions. According to data provided by the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.6 million Americans reported using meth in the last year. Although the average age of first use is around age twenty-three, people as young as age…
In recent years, suboxone has become a popular go-to treatment for those struggling with opioid addiction. An addiction to opioids can develop for various reasons. For some, it arises out of treatment for chronic or acute pain. Prescription opioids are frequently used to treat chronic pain (from injury or an underlying medical condition) or as…
The terms addiction, chemical dependence, and psychological dependence are often used interchangeably. In reality, addiction and psychological dependence are quite similar. Psychological dependence describes the psychological (or emotional) components of substance use disorder. These elements include cravings or behaviors that occur around the perceived need to use a substance. Psychological dependence is also sometimes referred…
Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Additionally, a large portion of the population turns to drugs like diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl, to curb the effects of allergic reactions to everything from bee stings to poison ivy. Benadryl is an antihistamine, which means it works within to body to block its responses to allergens. …