Research from the University of Minnesota is challenging historical trends in binge drinking and bringing to light new concerns about the long-lasting impact binge drinking can have on young adults. The study seems to indicate that, like many other cultural and social activities, binge drinking participation is peaking ... Read More
The 5th Vital Sign: How Treating Pain Contributed to the Opioid Epidemic
In medicine, there are four key vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. However, in many ways, pain is often seen as a phantom fifth vital sign. After all, a doctor's oath quite literally states "First, do no harm," and what is more harmful than pain? As such, keeping patients pain-free and ... Read More
End Stage Alcoholism and the Steps Leading to it
Alcoholism, also known as Alcohol Use Disorder or AUD, is among the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. A recent study published in The Lancet concluded that alcoholism among men and women aged 15-49 was the single biggest cause of premature death, and that "alcohol use is a leading risk factor for global ... Read More
A Foundation for Recovery: Inpatient Mental Health Rehab
Mental health rehabilitation is an opportunity for people to get the care they need. It’s always beneficial for patients in high-risk and severe situations to receive inpatient care. However, it also helps men and women battling mental illness to gain stability and control over their health right away. Mental ... Read More
Closing the Gap: Income and Addiction Survival Rates
Most people would say that there's no inequality when it comes to fighting addiction, and that everyone has equal access to treatment programs. Recent studies look at how treatment for any disease isn’t always the same for the poor or people without health insurance. That translates into higher stakes for those who ... Read More
Hydrocodone: A Drug Profile
Hydrocodone, a type of opioid drug, is the second most frequently seen drug in illegal drug activity, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The drug was used by 11.5 million people in the United States over the age of 12 in 2016, most commonly for pain relief. Abuse of hydrocodone occurs when the drug is ... Read More
What to Do if Your Pet Ate Drugs
Owning a pet can be a wonderful addition to your life, providing a companion and a friend that offers support in a way human relationships often can't match. Pets have a lot to offer, with clinically proven benefits like increased fitness, lower stress levels and brighter moods. Despite the bond you have with your ... Read More
State of the Debate: Probing the Needle Exchange Question
Should cities establish needle exchange programs to encourage those using drugs to avoid sharing needles? What about the use of safe injection locations throughout cities? There is a significant amount of debate about whether these programs are beneficial and who should pay for them. Perhaps the best way to understand ... Read More
