Jenny Metz 
New treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) are adapting to fentanyl’s rise, emphasizing low-dose buprenorphine, wider methadone access, and digital or community care. These improve survival and retention but pose risks like withdrawal, sedation, misuse, and ethical dilemmas over autonomy, safety, resources, and balancing harm reduction with abstinence, highlighting a shift toward individualized, evidence-based care. … Read more
ADHD–social media addiction symptoms are impulsivity, heightened reward-seeking, and difficulties with self-control, which make individuals more prone to excessive online use. Prevention combines self-management strategies like routines and screen limits, family support through structure and guidance, and community resources such as support groups, helping individuals build healthier digital habits and resilience. ADHD–Social Media Addiction: Understanding … Read more
The SUD staging paradigm provides a structured framework by dividing substance use into distinct phases, from initial experimentation to full recovery. This approach allows interventions, family support, and community resources to be customized to the individual’s current stage, ensuring that prevention efforts target early use, treatment is focused on dependence or severe SUD, and relapse … Read more
Women with addiction retain fundamental reproductive rights, including the right to become pregnant, receive prenatal care, and parent their children, provided they can ensure the child’s safety and well-being. State governments, through child protective services, assess factors such as substance use during pregnancy, home environment, parenting capacity, and the availability of a support network to … Read more
Incubation of craving refers to the phenomenon where cravings for substances intensify over time during abstinence, often triggered by cues such as sights, sounds, emotions, or memories linked to past use. This growing sensitivity can catch individuals off guard, increasing the risk of relapse even after weeks or months of sobriety. Preventing relapse in the … Read more
During addiction recovery, triggers like stress, emotions, or environments can spark cravings and relapse. Effective management combines self-skills, family support, and community resources, helping individuals cope, avoid triggers, and build lasting sobriety. Understanding and Managing Triggers in Addiction Recovery In addiction recovery, triggers are people, places, things, emotions, or situations that spark cravings or the … Read more
Stigma in faith-healing communities frames addiction as a moral failing, discouraging treatment. Educating pastors on addiction science can bridge faith and healthcare, but challenges—like theological resistance, blurred roles, and cultural or ethical concerns—must be addressed through respectful dialogue and workshops. Breaking Barriers: Confronting the Stigma of Addiction in Faith-Healing Communities Faith plays a powerful role … Read more
Self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to handle challenges—is crucial in addiction recovery, boosting confidence to resist cravings, improving self-esteem, and reducing loneliness by fostering social connections. When integrated into treatment through goal-setting, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and peer support, it enhances motivation and outcomes. However, overconfidence can lead to relapse risk, self-blame, and resistance to help, and … Read more
Opioid settlement funds are helping communities tackle the epidemic by supporting treatment programs, prevention campaigns, and harm reduction initiatives. But these funds aren’t without challenges. Delays in distribution, limited resources, and the risk of misallocation can reduce their impact. Ethical questions around fairness, transparency, and corporate accountability make it clear that careful planning and oversight … Read more
Employer involvement in addiction care supports employee recovery and workplace productivity by providing resources and reducing stigma. Benefits include better well-being and less absenteeism, while challenges involve privacy, expertise gaps, and potential discrimination. Ethical issues focus on balancing autonomy with safety. Success also depends on individual self-management, family support, and community resources that help employers … Read more