18 Signs of Cocaine Use: What to Look For
Cocaine Use Signs and Symptoms Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that is derived from two types of Coca species. An addiction can form relatively quickly and once that happens, the person’s life will slowly but surely become about acquiring more of the drug to get high and dealing with aftereffects. There are several signs […]
Study Shows Marijuana Use Can Lead to Painful Condition
Best Places to Hold an Intervention
Where you hold an intervention is just as important as who you invite to it. You need a place that is private and comfortable. You and your loved ones have been preparing letters and statements to share with the addict. This can only be done in an atmosphere that is private and quiet. As you […]
Is Doctor Shopping Illegal?
Doctor shopping is not the process of choosing a physician based on your insurance coverage. Instead, it refers to going to multiple doctors to obtain controlled substances such as narcotics. The doctors are unaware that the patient is seeing multiple physicians, so they continue to write prescriptions. Even though law enforcement has cracked down on […]
What are Designer Drugs?
Parents and loved ones have had enough to worry about with cocaine, heroin and marijuana, but that hasn’t stopped other drugs from emerging. Designer drugs, or club drugs, are some of the most powerful drugs out there. Sadly, they can be some of the easiest to obtain. These drugs are produced in illegal laboratories using […]
Is Purple Drank Making a Comeback?
Purple drank is a combination of prescription-strength cough syrup, soft drinks, and hard candy. The drink became popular in the 1980s when hip hop artists began pouring Robitussin into their alcohol. Though any cough medicine can be used, prescription-strength is preferred (and most dangerous) because it contains the opioid codeine. Other names for purple drank […]
5 Ways the Brain Heals After Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a highly addictive drug that takes the lives of tens of thousands of people every year. Quitting heroin requires your full focus and attention, but it is possible. Each day, there are people working toward their recoveries and putting their addiction to heroin further behind them. Recovery is ongoing, but progress is always […]
Study Confirms Opioid Abuse Often Starts in the Home
A new study confirms that opioid addiction often starts in the family’s medicine cabinet. If someone has surgery and is given OxyContin to manage their pain, it’s more likely than others in the home will get an opioid prescription, too. Prescription opioid use can easily spread within households. The risk is small, around 1 percent. […]
What You Need to Know About Inhalant Abuse
The opioid crisis has been receiving a lot of attention (as it should), but there are other threats that are lurking in the shadows. One of the most concerning is inhalant abuse, particularly because young children have been known to engage in this risky behavior. “Sniffing” can begin in kids as young as 10, and […]
Types of Drug Tests and Their Accuracy
In one of our latest posts, we discussed the pros and cons of drug testing a loved one. There is no right or wrong answer – you must decide what is best for you and your family. In some cases, drug testing is a good idea, as it gives the recovering addict accountability and provides […]
5 Common But Deadly Drug Interactions
Drug interactions are common with all types of medications. Thankfully, doctors and pharmacists keep track of medications so they can alert you of potential interactions. However, if you’re abusing substances, there is no one to guide you. Every time you combine substances, you are taking a gamble on your life. Below are five of the […]
Can Heroin Addicts Act Normal?
The internet is an excellent resource when you want to learn more about heroin addiction. However, many of the signs and symptoms are obvious, and some heroin addicts do a very good job of hiding their addictions. If you suspect that a friend or family member is harboring an addiction, you may be wondering if […]