About tobacco addiction
The bupropion-naltrexone combination (Contrave®) has attracted growing interest in addiction medicine because of its potential to influence the brain’s reward and craving pathways. Contrave combines bupropion, which increases dopamine and norepinephrine activity, with naltrexone, an opioid receptor blocker that reduces the rewarding effects of alcohol and opioids. Although Contrave® is FDA-approved for chronic weight management … Read more
Nicotine pouches have gained popularity as a smoke-free alternative to traditional cigarettes, leading many people to believe they are a safer choice for overall health. While these products eliminate exposure to many of the harmful chemicals produced by burning tobacco, they still deliver nicotine, a highly addictive stimulant that affects the cardiovascular system. Nicotine can … Read more
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study has transformed our understanding of how childhood trauma can influence physical health, mental well-being, relationships, and the risk of substance use disorders throughout life. Although adverse childhood experiences can increase the likelihood of future health challenges, they do not determine a person’s destiny. Self-management strategies empower individuals to recognize … Read more
Mental health conditions and substance use disorders affect millions of people worldwide, yet many individuals struggle to obtain the medications that could significantly improve their health, stability, and quality of life. Effective treatments are available for conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder, and opioid use disorder, but access is often … Read more
Medicaid plays a vital role in the United States healthcare system by providing access to essential mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services for millions of individuals. Mental illness and addiction can significantly impact a person’s physical health, relationships, employment, and overall quality of life, making access to affordable treatment critically important. As one … Read more
Addiction medicine is a specialized field of healthcare dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, and treating substance use disorders through evidence-based, patient-centered care. Recognizing addiction as a chronic but treatable medical condition, addiction medicine combines medications, behavioral therapies, mental health care, and long-term recovery support to address the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the disease. Rather … Read more
Mobile addiction treatment programs are expanding access to evidence-based care by delivering healthcare services directly to people in their communities. Operating from specially equipped vans or mobile clinics, these programs offer medical assessments, medications for opioid use disorder, counseling, mental health screenings, overdose prevention education, and referrals to additional health and social services. By overcoming … Read more
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) are closely connected conditions that often occur together and can have profound effects on a person’s physical health, mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. PTSD develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as military combat, childhood abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, serious … Read more
Trauma and addiction are closely connected, with many individuals using alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with the emotional pain caused by adverse life experiences. Trauma may result from childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, military combat, serious accidents, natural disasters, community violence, or the loss of a loved one. These … Read more
Mental health conditions and substance use disorders are among the most common and treatable health conditions, yet millions of individuals do not receive the care they need because of numerous barriers to treatment. These obstacles may include stigma, financial hardship, limited access to qualified healthcare providers, transportation difficulties, childcare responsibilities, insurance restrictions, cultural differences, and … Read more