Research/Trends/Statistics

Binge Drinking: An Exposé

April 6, 2020 / Addiction Science, Alcohol, Drugs and the Brain, Medical Consequences, Research/Trends/Statistics

What is binge drinking? Binge drinking is a popular form of excessive alcohol use, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as “a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above.” For a typical American adult male, this translates to drinking 5+ servings of alcohol in two hours. For a typical American adult female, this translates to drinking 4+ servings of alcohol in two hours. A serving of alcohol is any drink that contains 0.6 fl oz of pure alcohol. The following portions count as a single serving …

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Why Do People Use Drugs?

April 7, 2020 / Addiction Science, Drugs and the Brain, Intervention, Prevention, Research/Trends/Statistics

Are you or a loved one struggling with substance abuse and you’re not sure why? Gaining insight into the motivation behind the drug use is a great first step towards recovery. There is no one answer to the question “why do people use drugs?” but we have provided the following list of potential reasons as a starting point for your inquiry. Feel free to call the Two Dreams admissions team at 504-510-2331 to jumpstart your recovery today! Physical Pleasure. Addictive drugs stimulate the release of dopamine, a “feel-good” chemical in the brain that invokes the euphoric high commonly associated with …

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Decrease in opioid prescriptions for the first time in decades

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

For the first time in 20 years, experts are reporting a decrease in the number of written opioid prescriptions. The hope is that this reduction signals a turning point in the opioid epidemic, that perhaps prescription guidelines and warnings about the dangers of addiction are resonating in the medical community. This decrease has not been correlated with a decrease in fatalities, and the use of illicit drugs is still highly alarming, but at least we are seeing some sign of success in terms of policy-making and education. Read more here

What is Fentanyl?

April 7, 2020 / Heroin and Opioids, Pain, Research/Trends/Statistics

Fatal drug overdose rates are on the rise, and synthetic opioid “fentanyl” is partially to blame.   What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid analgesic and anesthetic, known commercially as Sublimaze, Durogesic, Duragesic, Fentanyl citrate, PriCara, Lazanda, Nasalfent, Subsys, or Actavis. It is a full, mu-opioid receptor agonist, which means that the drug binds to mu opioid receptors in the brain to stimulate endorphin production. Binding causes the release of endorphins and an increase of dopamine in the central nervous system. These phenomena cause analgesia (pain relief), euphoria, relaxation, etc.   When is Fentanyl Prescribed? Who Should Take …

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30 Signs of Drug Use: How to Tell If Your Loved One Has an Addiction

April 6, 2020 / Intervention, Prevention, Research/Trends/Statistics

Has your loved one been acting “off” lately? Do you have reason to suspect that drug use may be the cause of their behavior? The following list of signs and symptoms of drug use can be used as a guideline when trying to determine whether or not you should ask them about their substance use. If you do choose to discuss your concerns with your loved one, be sure to approach the topic from a place of genuine care and concern. Spitting accusations will cause the individual to recoil, but compassion can have a significant impact. Also keep in mind …

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ASAM Safe Methadone Induction and Stabilization

April 6, 2020 / Heroin and Opioids, Research/Trends/Statistics

After an extensive literature review, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) concluded that deaths occur during methadone induction primarily because of high or rapidly increasing dosing and/or adverse drug interactions. The Methadone Action Group has since developed treatment recommendations to minimize risk through clinical caution and awareness, along with general patient education. Download the report here

CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

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

The CDC recently released their guidelines regarding opioid prescriptions for individuals with chronic pain. The opioid endemic is, of course, concerning and requires immediate attention, but not in the form of restricting access to treatment. Individuals with chronic pain need and deserve appropriate care; they should not be forced to jump through hoops for their health. Read More Here

Special Report: Games of Addiction

April 6, 2020 / Mental Health, Research/Trends/Statistics, Young Adults/Teens/College-Aged

The DSM-5, the most current manual detailing diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders, includes a controversial section on Internet Gaming Disorder. It is described as “a condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be considered for inclusion in the main book as a formal disorder.” Current research indicates that, like substance use disorders, excessive gaming can lead to depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. The idea of video game addiction is still fresh and seen by the general public as a moral issue of self-control as opposed to a disease, but the tone may change as more data …

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Urine Drug Testing Facts

April 7, 2020 / Addiction Science, Drug Testing, Research/Trends/Statistics

Urine Drug Testing Around 21.5 million Americans suffer from substance use disorders, and approximately 90% of them go untreated. On average 43,982 people die every year due to drug overdoses, amounting to a shocking 120 deaths per day. Overdose deaths, especially from prescription drugs and heroin, have reached alarming levels and addiction professionals are concerned to say the least. Clinical recommendations are quickly emerging in an attempt to alter these disturbing statistics. For example, urine drug testing has long been used as a therapeutic device in addiction medicine, but use has been largely unstandardized. There is a significant lack of …

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