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Kratom: Uses, Risks, and Effects

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7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a potent kratom alkaloid with opioid-like effects, including strong analgesia, sedation, and euphoria. Its increasing availability in concentrated forms has raised overdose concerns. Like other opioids, 7-OH can cause respiratory depression and dependence, and treatment involves naloxone, supportive care, and monitoring, with long-term addiction management as needed. 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) (Kratom): Potency, Risks, … Read more

Are You Addicted to Your Phone?

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Phone addiction, or smartphone dependency, is a growing issue in daily life. Many people feel the need to constantly check messages, scroll social media, or use apps, even when it disrupts work, school, or relationships. Over time, this can harm focus, sleep, and mental health. Prevention includes setting screen-time limits, practicing mindful use, and making … Read more

Can You Get Addicted to Vaping?

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Vaping addiction is a growing concern among youth, fueled by appealing flavors, sleek devices, and social media marketing. Unlike cigarettes, vaping can deliver higher nicotine doses discreetly, increasing dependence while seeming safer. To combat this, the U.S. and other countries have enacted age limits, flavor bans, ad restrictions, and school-based prevention programs, but youth remain … Read more

Opiate Use Disorder in older adults

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Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in older adults is a growing concern, driven by chronic pain, multiple prescriptions, age-related changes, and social isolation. Prevention requires a comprehensive approach: self-management through safe medication use, health check-ups, and non-opioid pain care; family support with open communication, prescription monitoring, and healthy routines; and community resources like wellness programs, caregiver … Read more

Fentanyl and OUD Survival Rates

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The treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) is rapidly evolving to address the rise of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin or prescription painkillers. New strategies—such as low-dose buprenorphine, expanded methadone access, and digital or community-based interventions—have improved survival and treatment retention. Yet challenges remain, including withdrawal, sedation, or potential misuse, along … Read more

Healpods & Sensory Integration

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Healpods are new devices that create a calming space using lights, sounds, and other sensory tools to help people relax and manage stress. In addiction treatment, they are sometimes used to support recovery by reducing cravings and helping people feel more in control of their emotions. While some early results seem promising, Healpods also have … Read more

The Hidden Drivers of Relapse

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Relapse is one of the greatest challenges in overcoming substance use disorders, often triggered by stress, cravings, or social pressures. It is not just about willpower—relapse reflects the complex mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can make recovery fragile. Preventing relapse works best through a comprehensive, team-based approach. Self-management skills, like coping strategies … Read more

The Truth About the Fenty Fold

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The “Fenty Fold” refers to deep nasal folds or tissue indentations that can develop in chronic fentanyl users. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50–100 times more potent than morphine, carries a high risk of rapid dependency and severe systemic effects. Intranasal use or injection can cause vascular compromise, tissue damage, and loss of skin elasticity, especially … Read more

Medicare/Medicaid & Addiction

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Medicare and Medicaid provide vital coverage for addiction treatment, including counseling, inpatient and outpatient care, and medication-assisted treatment. Still, barriers like limited services, provider shortages, and administrative hurdles remain, along with ethical dilemmas around autonomy, confidentiality, and equitable access. When coverage falls short, alternatives such as state programs, nonprofits, sliding-scale clinics, telehealth, and peer support … Read more

Reliability of Urine Drug Testing

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Urine Drug Screens (UDS) are commonly used in probation and parole. However, UDS can be unreliable due to false positives, false negatives, and short detection windows. Confirmatory tests—GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, hair, blood, and lab-based oral fluid analysis—offer more accurate evidence. Combining initial screening with confirmatory testing and behavioral monitoring allows probation systems to assess compliance fairly … Read more