Topics relating to opiate addiction.
The short answer: No. Synthesized from morphine, heroin has seen a steady rise in potency since the 1990s.1 The result: One in four people who try heroin will become addicted.2 Take it from Donny S., who shared his story on the Heroes in Recovery community website. Today, Donny is a grandfather of four and a […]
Every year, billions of Americans are given prescriptions to deal with a variety of medical problems. Since these are legal medicines, many people don’t worry about the risks of taking prescribed pills. But a number of these people end up accidentally addicted, particularly if they have been given a long-term prescription and haven’t been warned […]
If you have had one of a number of common surgical procedures – a simple mastectomy, open appendectomy, gallbladder removal, or total hip or knee replacement – you are at increased risk of developing chronic opioid use. In fact, even having a baby with a cesarean delivery increases your chances of becoming addicted to painkillers. […]
America has hopefully learned two things from the untimely overdose death of pop icon Prince. First, the longer you wait to get treatment for the abuse of painkillers, the more likely you are to die. Second, anyone who aids and abets someone in covering up their addiction is playing an active role in allowing a […]
We know that legitimately prescribed painkillers are often the first step for people who become addicted to opioids through no fault of their own. So what happens when you’re a former opioid addict who successfully went through the hard work of getting sober, and then you dislocate your shoulder? Life happens, after all. Jacob Metzler […]
Long-acting opioids are prescribed more and more for non-cancer related pain, even though the risk of overdose is high. A new study shows the risks of these medications extend far beyond the heightened chance of death by accidental overdose. The study appeared last month in JAMA. It followed patients prescribed long-acting opioids for chronic pain in […]
You may have taken your first opioid medication, a Percocet or hydrocodone, after you had a tooth pulled. The dentist probably handed you a sheet of paper with half a dozen faces on it, from the universal smiley face to a frowning face. The question above the faces asks, “How would you like to feel […]
It’s natural to worry, especially during stressful times. For some people, worries and fears may consume their thoughts, making it difficult to live a normal life. Anxiety Disorders There are three types of anxiety disorders; these illnesses are among the most common mental health conditions. A person may have generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or […]
Research shows anyone can respond to addiction treatment, even people who enter a treatment program due to a court order or family influence. For a person who is internally motivated to make treatment a success, the outcomes may be even better.[1] Motivation During Addiction Treatment It takes a step-by-step process to treat addiction. Just as […]
Finding the right diagnosis for a medical condition is sometimes like playing Whac-A-Mole, just as one issue seems to be nailed down, several more rear their ugly heads. Diseases that mimic each other, such as thyroid disease and depression, make the right treatment more challenging, but patience and education work wonders. Medical Conditions with Depression […]
