Rising Cocaine-Related Deaths

Cocaine-related deaths have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, creating a growing public health crisis. A major factor driving this rise is the unpredictable drug supply, particularly cocaine contaminated with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. This contamination has led to unexpected overdoses, even among individuals who do not regularly use opioids. While medical … Read more

Partial Hospitalization Drug Rehab

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) have become an essential level of care in modern addiction treatment, offering intensive daily therapy and medical support without requiring an overnight residential stay. PHP drug rehab is designed for individuals who need structured, high-intensity treatment but are stable enough to live at home or in supportive housing. By combining clinical … Read more

Precision Medicine for OUD

Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a major public health challenge, with individuals responding differently to the same treatments. Traditional addiction care has often relied on standardized approaches, yet factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, mental health conditions, and life circumstances influence treatment success. Precision medicine offers a new solution by tailoring opioid addiction treatment to … Read more

Varenicline & Cannabis Recovery

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is an increasingly recognized public health concern as marijuana becomes more widely available, legally accessible, and socially accepted. While many individuals use cannabis without dependence, others experience cravings, withdrawal, and difficulty controlling use. Treatment has relied mainly on behavioral therapy, but varenicline, a medication originally for smoking cessation, is now being … Read more

Overdose Crisis: Policy Priority

The opioid crisis remains one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time, affecting individuals, families, healthcare systems, and entire communities. Addressing this crisis requires more than medical treatment alone; it demands sustained policy attention, government action, responsible use of social media, and supportive societal ideologies. When policymakers prioritize overdose prevention and treatment … Read more

Warning Signs of Heavy Drinking

Recognizing the signs of drinking too much is a vital step in preventing alcohol misuse from progressing into dependence. Because excessive drinking often develops gradually and is reinforced by socially normalized alcohol use, individuals may not immediately recognize harmful patterns. Awareness and support are therefore essential. Self-management strategies help individuals track drinking habits, identify emotional … Read more

Addiction: Detox, Rehab, or Both

Determining whether detox, rehab, or a combination of both is needed for addiction treatment is a critical first step in the recovery journey. Because addiction affects the body, mind, and social environment, choosing the appropriate level of care requires more than recognizing substance use alone. Self-management strategies help individuals assess physical dependence, emotional triggers, and … Read more

HIV linked to Drug Addiction

HIV and drug use are closely linked public health challenges that reinforce one another through biological, behavioral, and social factors. Injection drug use and needle sharing create direct routes for HIV transmission, while substance-related impaired judgment increases risky sexual behavior. Addiction also contributes to stigma, unstable living conditions, and limited healthcare access, which delay HIV … Read more

Alcohol & Drug-Related Hepatitis

Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, is closely linked to alcohol and drug addiction due to behaviors and substances that damage or infect the liver. Chronic alcohol use directly causes liver inflammation and scarring, while injection drug use increases the risk of transmitting viral hepatitis—particularly Hepatitis B and C—through shared needles or unsterile equipment. The … Read more

Consequences of Drugged Driving

Drugged driving occurs when a driver operates a vehicle while impaired by drugs—whether illicit substances, prescription medications, or cannabis. Symptoms often include delayed reaction time, poor coordination, blurred perception, drowsiness, and impaired judgment, all of which drastically increase crash risk. With the legalization of cannabis in several U.S. states, law enforcement and health officials have … Read more