Keeping you in-the-know about addiction and recovery.
Understanding the Difference Between Addiction and Chronic Pain Management
As an Addiction Psychiatrist, I often encounter confusion around the distinction between addiction and the appropriate use of medications, particularly opioids, in the treatment of chronic pain. While both addiction and chronic pain management can involve the use of substances that have the potential to cause physical dependence, they are
Can Childhood Sleep Patterns Predict Substance Use Later in Life?
A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that childhood sleep patterns may influence the likelihood of substance use during adolescence. The study, published in Annals of Epidemiology, found that children who go to bed later and sleep fewer hours are more likely to try alcohol or marijuana by age
8 Tips For Having a Successful Conversation With a Loved One About Their Alcohol or Drug Use
As an Addiction Psychiatrist, people often ask, “How do I talk to a loved one about their alcohol or drug use?” Here are eight key tips to help these conversations go as smoothly as possible: 8. One on One or Only a Few People Works Best Despite what is often
Alcohol Use and Stroke Risk. Is There a Connection?
Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults in the U.S. They’re also the primary cause of traumatic brain injuries. In 2021 alone, falls resulted in the deaths of 36,500 older adults nationwide. Although alcohol use has been hypothesized to contribute to these outcomes,
The Top 8 Must-Read Books on Addiction and Mental Health
Reading is one of my favorite ways to learn new information about the world. The field of mental health and addiction treatment is changing so quickly that it’s easy to get left behind. Below are the very best books on mental health and/or addiction that I’ve read this summer: 8.
Addiction to Opioids Found Tied to Lesser-Known Region of the Brain
Opioids like oxycodone are widely prescribed for pain relief, but their addictive nature is a significant concern. In 2022, nearly 85,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid overdoses. Researchers, including Alexander Smith, Ph.D., from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), are working to uncover the mechanisms of opioid
Alcohol Abuse and Cardiovascular Disease
Korean researchers have now shown that reducing heavy alcohol consumption leads to significant decreases in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Their paper was published in JAMA Network Open. Key study findings… “In this cohort study of 21,011 individuals with heavy alcohol consumption at baseline, lowering alcohol intake
Hopeful New Data on Teens and Illicit Prescription Drug Use
A newly released survey of U.S. high school students by the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, and Health suggests that the use of illicit prescription drugs by this age group is falling dramatically. Eleven percent of high school seniors reported using these drugs in
Embracing Life After Recovery: The Aware Alumni Network
Completing Aware Recovery Care’s yearlong program is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning of a lifelong journey. Transitioning from structured care to independent recovery can be challenging, but Aware ensures that support doesn’t vanish when you “graduate.” When you complete your treatment, you’ll have the warm and welcoming
Cocaine in U.S. Found Contaminated with Dangerous Opioid
Health and law enforcement officials are seeing a rise in cocaine supplies contaminated with a dangerous class of opioids called nitazenes. What are nitazenes Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids. First developed in the 1950s, they were quickly abandoned because they were found to be far too dangerous for
Suboxone Demystified: Answering Common Provider & Patient Questions
Suboxone is a medication that is FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder. Providers and patients often misunderstand it. Despite being on the market since 2002 and being listed on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, questions still swirl around its role in addiction treatment. Suboxone falls under a
Alcohol’s Rising Toll on Health
Alcohol consumption in the U.S., increasing before 2020, surged during the pandemic, likely serving as a coping mechanism for many. Per capita alcohol sales saw their most significant increase from 2019 to 2021 since 1969, as reported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). This rise in
