We’ve discussed America’s opioid epidemic before – an estimated 11.4 million people have misused these highly addictive medications. Unfortunately, the well-funded fight against prescription painkillers has overshadowed another American drug problem. Meth use is on the rise, but the government has yet to provide adequate funding to address this new public health concern.   What is Meth? Methamphetamine is a powerful, extremely addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system, particularly dopamine receptors, to produce a euphoric effect. Dopamine is involved in the body’s movement, motivation, and reward system, meaning that drug use is robustly self-reinforcing. Meth is a […]

Watching a loved one battle addiction is one of the most upsetting experiences that you can go through. It’s not unusual to feel powerless in the face of drugs and alcohol, especially as you watch someone lose control of their life. Your friend or family member may have dramatically shifted in both personality and behavior, which may spark feelings of disorientation, fear, and even resentment. When the situation becomes worse, it’s more important than ever to focus on helping your loved one work through their addiction and treatment. With the right support, recovery is possible.   Signs of a Substance […]

Image Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Synthetic Opioids and Their Addictive Properties Synthetic opioids are a class of pain-relieving drugs that mimic naturally-occurring opiates, such as morphine and codeine. Their high levels of potency mean that they are intended to be used in small amounts. These substances, such as oxycodone and fentanyl, are produced by pharmaceutical companies, who initially misled doctors and other medical professionals about the dangers of synthetic opioid medications. They claimed that these medications were not addictive in a clinical setting, and that they were safe for management of chronic and acute pain. Today, we know that our […]

What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is more complex that its simple name would lead you to believe. It’s defined as the ability to be fully present in the moment, aware of what we’re doing and where we are, without being overwhelmed by the things happening around us. While this state is natural, some people struggle more than others with maintaining it in their day-to-day lives. Luckily, it’s fully possible to cultivate mindfulness through dedicated practice. Mindfulness can be practiced through a variety of proven techniques. Perhaps the most well-known of these is meditation. What you may not have heard is that […]