We hope you enjoy this article from one of our guest writers, Gerald “Jerry” Shulman. Treatment Solutions Network is honored to have Jerry contributing to our blog. Jerry is a pioneer in the field of substance use and dependency and we thank him for putting his good name behind our company. Look for more from [...]
Yes, OxyContin is about as addictive as morphine. But what's in OxyContin and when do Oxy's become really addictive? Are you at risk of OxyContin addiction? Learn more here.
Opiate painkillers are opioid-based medications prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. When taken as directed with a monitored exit plan that allows you to stop taking the medication when you no longer need it, they are safe. However, some who begin a legitimate prescription will end up with an addiction that can ruin their [...]
Side effects of synthetic marijuana can be similar to hallucinogenic drugs. Side effects of Spice can even include hallucinations and delusions. Learn more here.
More vindication for a natural Mediterranean-style diet, including plenty of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and nuts was revealed in an advanced study published by the prestigious journal Atherosclerosis. Early results from a Spanish study with more than 7500 participants demonstrates that high quantities of dietary EVOO and a variety of different species of nuts [...]
There has been a lot of talk lately about the new drug, bath salts, and while the concoction is illegal in many states, some areas of the country are still unaware of the dangers of this drug. The use of this drug is spreading like wildfire, however, and states that haven’t seen its abuse soon [...]
Anti-caking agents in powdered products may hasten degradation of vitamin C instead of doing what they are supposed to do: protect the nutrient from moisture. Lisa Mauer, a Purdue University professor of food science; Lynne Taylor, a professor of industrial and physical pharmacy; and graduate student Rebecca Lipasek study deliquescence, a reaction in which humidity [...]
The cost of health insurance coverage provided by nonfederal public and private employers increased nearly three times as fast this year as it did last year, with up to one-third of the increase attributable to the 2010 federal healthcare law, according to a national survey. The 13th annual survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and [...]
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has long been recommended to promote overall well-being and health. Researchers at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research now believe that the types of produce consumed can affect a person’s risk of colorectal cancer in different ways, depending on the site of the carcinoma. In a [...]
Once considered a disease of affluent societies, cardiovascular disease (heart disease) has now swamped the world and become the leading cause of death around the globe, even among poorer countries. Instead of learning from the unfortunate history of heart disease in the United States, developing countries are developing their own vascular difficulties. This is true [...]
Kombucha tea is a little different from regular tea. It’s a special concoction made from tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. This drink is sometimes called kombucha mushroom tea. Kombucha isn’t actually a mushroom though — it’s a colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha tea is made by adding this colony of bacteria and yeast to [...]
Since bariatric surgery bypasses the sites where vitamins, minerals, and trace metals are absorbed, this can clearly lead to deficiencies of certain nutrients. This article is about what the three surgeries do to five essential nutrients. “Biliopancreatic Diversion” (BPD) surgery commonly causes deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate and iron. It less commonly does the same [...]
A new study has come out filled with health advice on how a patient can make informed, good decisions regarding treatment choices. There are so many questions, so many unknowns and so many medical words thrown around that you can quickly get lost. This article is about better understanding your “risk” of developing a problem. [...]
Physical dependence = tolerance to a chemical + withdrawal when you lower dosage or quit. Addiction = compulsive substance use despite negative consequences. More on dependence vs addiction here.We outline why fighting illegal drug supply in Africa is so challenging. Dr. Peter Ndege gives his insight on illegal drugs and drug trafficking in Africa here.
When young people start doing drugs or drinking alcohol, they begin going down a path that leads to some very undesirable consequences. They run the risk of living a life of addiction, getting involved with crime, and ending up in poverty, just to name a few. We need to develop and support more programs aimed [...]
The first step to naturally lowering your risk of impotence is to step out the door. Exercises like walking three hours per week drop your risk of having erectile dysfunction by 30 percent.1 And along with physical activity, a wide variety of herbs can also boost your sexual life. The Value of Movement If you’re [...]
Who said there were no herbal cures for breast cancer? A new study has found that phytoestrogens, plant compounds, may have a cancer protective effect. The ones in question here are “lignans” and the target is breast cancer. The answer: it just might help you survive the disease. Phytoestrogens mimic the actions of estrogen in [...]
With 31% of men and 33% of women being obese in the United States, the problem is an epidemic. Today, morbid obesity affects one in 50 adults. The most alarming trend may be the rising incidence of obesity among children. While drugs and behavior therapy have had poor results, bariatric surgery for obese people can [...]
The Kardashians are often in the limelight for one thing or another, but on a recent season that highlighted Kourtney Kardashian and her relationship with boyfriend, Scott Disick, addiction played a large part of the story. Disick’s behavior while under the influence of alcohol was a huge topic in the program, causing problems between him [...]7 tips for getting rid of a hangover. Are there any medical interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangovers? Not yet. But a few simple remedies may help specific symptoms. More on getting rid of a hangover here.
Not always. Gambling can ruin the lives of compulsive, addicted gamblers. More on the distinction between problem gambling and gambling for fun here.
Yes. Long term use of Tramadol can cause seizures in a general population. And some drugs that reduce the metabolic clearance of Tramadol can trigger a seizure. But some people seem to be more at risk of seizures when on Tramadol. Learn more here.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data that show that drugs now kill more Americans than motor vehicle accidents. On the one hand, the rate of traffic deaths has decreased, thanks to improved road safety. On the other hand, as Drug Czar, Gil Kerlikowske said, “We are in the midst [...]
Unemployment numbers remain consistently high and CEOs are wary of future business conditions. In fact, chief executives are so pessimistic that over 66 percent expect that the size of their workforce will either stay the same or decrease over the next year according to Chief Executive magazine’s CEO Confidence Index for August 2011. Of those [...]
If you’ve been diligently avoiding the consumption of chemical sweeteners like sucralose, you may be alarmed to learn that researchers have found sucralose lurking in the drinking water supply of more than 28 million Americans. A recent study tested water samples from 19 water treatment plants in the United States serving more than 28 million [...]
People do desperate things when they are living with an active drug addiction, and one mother in Florida did the unthinkable in order to get $2000, potentially to feed her prescription drug addiction: sell the parental rights to her 5-year-old son.
According to reports, Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jessica Marie Beers for allegedly attempting to [...]
One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to watch a child self-destruct. We want to help our children succeed and to live lives free from pain and trouble. For a family that is being tested by a substance-abusing teen or young adult, the parents suffer as much as their child. “Recovery [...]Yes, hydrocodone can get you high. So, if you take hydrocodone to get high, will you get addicted? More on hydrocodone, euphoria and the risk of hydrocodone addiction here.How long does nicotine withdrawal last? Usually acute symptoms of nicotine withdrawal resolve in 10 days. Find a timeline of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, plus info on the overall duration of symptoms here.
Drug traffickers are brazen, bold, and clever, but not all of them are smart. An Irish man who swallowed cocaine has made headlines because of his failed (and foolish) attempt at smuggling. Unfortunately, these stories are all too common. Ingesting Drugs The 20 year old man was apprehended in Sao Paolo, Brazil, trying to get [...]
The reality TV show Celebrity Rehab has wowed fans since it began 3 years ago, but recent accusations by some of the show’s past celebrities have people questioning the motives of producers of the show. Are they exploiting messed up lives to bring in the money, or are they really working to save lives? Exploiting [...]Continuing with numbers 6 through 10, these are the most common myths people have about recovery. Myths 1-5 Myth 6. You can’t force someone into treatment. A person, in the end, has to want to recover for it to be successful, but people do enter into treatment for reasons other than wanting to get better. Family [...]September is Recovery Month. Time to get down to business and get help for an addiction you’ve been struggling with. This month is when we educate people on the possibilities of recovery, celebrate with those who have been through it, and encourage those who have yet to make the leap. First, though, let’s get some [...]
Firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and other public safety officers are supposed to be the strong ones, the ones who never break down, the ones who can always pull through; or so we think. As we near the ten year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we need to remember that our first responders are [...]Moderate withdrawal symptoms of alcohol include restlessness, insomnia, lack of appetite and difficulty with cognitive functions. But if you are a hard drinker, expect severe and intense withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and possible seizures or hallucinations. What else affects withdrawal symptoms of alcohol? Learn here.
Jersey Shore, watch out. New studies show that tanning has an effect on the brain that is akin to the effect of chronic drug abuse – and that this means that tanning can be as addictive as illicit drugs and alcohol.
There are two parts to drug addiction: physiological addiction characterized by withdrawal symptoms and psychological [...]
Amy Winehouse’s parents are working toward creating a foundation to help those who are in the same position that Amy was before she died: fighting drug addiction. While that is in the works, a single recorded by Amy Winehouse and jazz singer Tony Bennett is being released to benefit that charity, according to a spokesperson [...]