Once considered an individual moral failing, addiction, and substance use disorders are now recognized as medical conditions. Like with any other disorder type, treatment options have evolved to include pharmaceuticals alongside psychotherapy and support group attendance. Medication-assisted treatment can effectively ... Read More
Search Results for: anxiety
What Is Oxytocin Nasal Spray and Is It Safe to Take?
Updated November 11, 2024 Many pregnant women and mothers might be familiar with the synthetic version of oxytocin, Pitocin. It may surprise you to know that this labor and delivery drug is also available in a nasal spray. Oxytocin nasal spray uses range from anxiety treatments to long-term autism support. In ... Read More
Can You Overdose on Energy Drinks?
Updated on 11/11/24 Yes, it is possible to overdose on energy drinks. However, overdose fatalities from energy drinks are rare. When someone does die from drinking too many energy drinks, it usually is due to severe heart arrhythmia attributed to the stimulant effects of caffeine. The most famous energy drink—Red ... Read More
What Factors Influence Your Risk of Relapse
Achieving sobriety after years of battling drug and alcohol addiction is far from easy. There's more to recovery than getting past withdrawal. It also involves learning new coping mechanisms, making significant lifestyle changes, and having a comprehensive relapse prevention plan. Substance use disorder is ... Read More
No More Shame: Jeff M.
What possesses a 16-year-old kid to join the fire service in Orangeburg, South Carolina? “I wanted to help people and was drawn to the lights, sirens, and equipment,” Jeff M. said, in an interview for our No More Shame series. He also wanted to know “what people were running away from—to go into the burning building ... Read More
How to Navigate a Parent’s Alcohol or Drug Problem
Living with alcoholic parents can be challenging. Due to their substance abuse problems, they may display abnormal behaviors, struggle to maintain a job or fail to meet your emotional and physical needs. Without help, you risk developing your own addiction or mental health issues that can last into ... Read More
How to Be an Overdose Awareness Advocate
Drug-related deaths are on the rise in the United States and have become a significant threat to public health in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 107,000 people died from overdose in 2021. This number includes accidental deaths as well as suicidal overdose deaths, and ... Read More
The Long Mental Health Arc of National Tragedies
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after someone witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. For example, a veteran who served in a combat zone may experience flashbacks due to their military experience. PTSD also develops after mass disasters, which are situations involving a critical number of victims. In ... Read More
