Prevention

New Street Drug W-18 Is Probably Not An Opioid

April 6, 2020 / Heroin and Opioids, Medical Consequences, Prevention, Public Health, Research/Trends/Statistics, Synthetic Drugs

Although many have been describing the new street drug W-18 as an opioid, and although illegal drug manufacturers have been using it as a fentanyl substitute, recent news suggests that it is most likely not an opioid. What Is W-18? W-18 was originally found in drug products in Sweden in 2014 and later in Canada in 2015. Fake OxyContin pills are usually laced with the opioid fentanyl, but in a recent drug bust in Calgary they were instead laced with W-18, an analgesic. These pills are sometimes referred to as “beans” and/or “shady 80s.” It is presumed that, since there …

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10 Tips for a Great Sober Tailgate

April 6, 2020 / Alcohol, Holistic Care and Treatment, Prevention, Recreation, Sober Living

When Fall comes around, so does sports season and the tradition of tailgating. When most people think of tailgating they think of alcohol. 82 percent of tailgaters reported having two or more drinks at the big game. Whether it’s chugging a keg or making cocktails, there’s no doubting that alcohol is an integral part of the tailgating tradition. But that doesn’t mean that tailgating can’t be enjoyed just as much when you’re sober. Sober Tailgating is Easy and Fun! Sober tailgating may be a new phenomenon for most people, but it’s one that allows you to enjoy the spirit of …

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How To Set Strong Boundaries With Children About Drinking

April 6, 2020 / Alcohol, Holistic Care and Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, Young Adults/Teens/College-Aged

As a parent, you want the absolute best for your children. You spend quite a bit of time teaching them how to make decisions that will benefit them now and down the road as an adult. When it comes to drinking, you certainly want to educate your children about alcohol and encourage them to steer clear from the substance. At the very least, you don’t want your children to try drinking at a young age. Maybe you can be on board if they want to have a social drink when they are adults, but as teenagers, you may be inclined …

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A Month Without Alcohol – 30 Things to Do Instead of Drinking

April 6, 2020 / Alcohol, Holistic Care and Treatment, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Prevention, Sober Living

When you give up drinking it can seem like all of the fun things you used to do go with it. Most of our social lives revolve around alcohol, which not only is unhealthy but can lead to the slippery slope of addiction. Choosing to live alcohol-free may seem like a daunting task, but all you need to do is find things that can replace drinking.   Why You Can Still Have Fun and Be Sober While it can feel lonely being one of the only of your friends that is sober, it’s more likely than not that someone around …

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20 Ways to Have Fun with Friends After Going to Rehab

April 6, 2020 / Holistic Care and Treatment, Mental Health, Prevention, Young Adults/Teens/College-Aged

Hanging out with your friends is always a good time. You guys make each other laugh, talk about the things that matter, and are always there for each other when you need them the most. If you have a truly supportive group of friends, they will understand the struggles you’ve overcome in rehab and will want to support you in any way they can. Even if that means not involving alcohol when you hang out together. Once you get out of rehab and you’re ready to start seeing your friends again, you may notice that a lot of the things …

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How The Gut Microbiome Contributes to Depression

April 6, 2020 / Alcohol, Nutrition, Prevention, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sober Living

In 2008, the NIH started funding the Human Microbiome Project in an effort to identify and characterize the microorganisms of the human body (such as those on the skin and in the vagina, mouth, and the intestinal tract) to determine if they play a role in human health and disease. This research has started unraveling the relationship between the humane microbiome and our health, and has revealed that these organisms contribute to diseases, including psychological disorders.   Nervous System in the Gut The gut has its own nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system. It is commonly referred to …

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Can Mindfulness Training Reduce Stimulant Relapse Rates?

April 6, 2020 / Mental Health, Methamphetamines, Mindfulness, Prevention, Synthetic Drugs

A recent study suggests that mindfulness training can be used to reduce relapse rates related to cocaine or methamphetamine addiction in persons diagnosed with depression or anxiety.   What Are Stimulants? Stimulants are drugs that increase the body’s alertness and energy levels. They also increase blood pressure and heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and open up the airways in the lungs, increasing the respiratory rate. A doctor might prescribe stimulant drugs to treat certain medical conditions, such as ADHD, narcolepsy, or depression.   Problems with Stimulant Use While it is acceptable to use stimulants for a number of health conditions, …

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Genetic Predisposition May Help to Explain Opioid Addiction

April 6, 2020 / Heroin and Opioids, Pain, Prescription Drugs & Cold Medicines, Prevention, Research/Trends/Statistics

In a perfect world, doctors would be able to identify patients who are prone to opioid addiction and prescribe them non-opioid painkillers that wouldn’t lead to dependence. For years, researchers have been trying to advance care to this point by looking for genes that contribute to addiction. There are currently a number of potential candidates, so patients may request genetic testing to see if the carry one or two copies of susceptibility gene variants before deciding on a course of treatment.   What Are Opioids? Opioids are a group of sleep inducing pain relievers that specifically interact with an opioid …

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Study suggests MRIs can identify structural and neural alterations in the brains of youth with a family history of alcohol and drug use disorder

April 6, 2020 / Mental Health, Prevention, Research/Trends/Statistics

Researchers have discovered that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify structural and neural alterations in the brains of youth with a family history of alcohol and drug use disorders. This technique may be used to predict adolescent susceptibility to substance abuse disorders before substance abuse even begins. Contact us today at 504-510-2331 if you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse; the earlier the better! Read more here: http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2017/feb/mri-brain-scans-may-help-identify-risks-prevent-adolescent-substance-abuse

Are E-Cigarettes More Harmful Than Regular Cigarettes?

April 6, 2020 / Prevention, Tobacco/Nicotine

When e-cigarettes first arrived on the market in 2006, companies proclaimed that they were safer than regular cigarettes and that they could be used to help people quit smoking. The jury is still out on whether or not these claims are actually true. Some say that there are fewer toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes, but there is little to no regulation of the contents allowed in them. In one study, researchers found propylene glycol (a probable carcinogen), glycerin, nicotine, ethanol, acetol, and propylene oxide (another probable carcinogen) when looking at the contents in a number of different liquids. Inclusion of potentially …

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