A man in medication-assisted treatment for opioid abuse

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Abuse

People who abuse their prescription pain medication or use heroin or other illegal opioids will likely develop serious physical and psychological symptoms along with chemical dependence. If they stop taking opioids suddenly without medical support, they will experience intense withdrawals and cravings that can lead to a relapse and overdose. Fortunately, medication-assisted treatment for opioid…

Two people holding hands and trying to deal with the opioid epidemic

Understanding the Opioid Epidemic and How to Protect Your Loved Ones

Opioids are a natural pain reliever derived from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum, and are used to treat intense pain caused by a number of issues. The opioid epidemic began in the early 1990s when doctors began prescribing opioids for pain without fully understanding their addictive capabilities and potential for abuse. Today, drug-related deaths caused…

Man thinking about the history of drugs

History of Drugs

Many people think drug abuse and addiction are recent problems in human history. However, most common substances today, such as opioids, meth, and cocaine, have been around for over a century. The history of drugs expands back almost as far as human history, so it’s no wonder that drug epidemics and addictions are difficult for…

Contingency management techniques

What Will I Learn in Contingency Management Therapy?

Addiction is a dangerous mental health disorder that affects more than 40 million men and women each year. There is no cure for addiction, However, there are several behavioral therapies that are proven to be effective in treating addiction and helping men and women live sober lives. Contingency management techniques use a rewards-based system to…

man wondering what opioid are

What are Opioids?

The opioid epidemic continues to dominate headlines and public health debates. In fact, more people in the United States now die from opioid overdoses than from car accidents. This class of drugs includes both prescriptions and illegal substances, but what are opioids exactly? Medical experts define opioids as drugs that interact with the body’s nervous system…