New Jersey’s addiction recovery industry, intended to be a lifeline for those battling substance abuse, has come under fire following a scathing report by the State Commission of Investigation (SCI). The report, titled “The Dirty Business Behind Getting Clean: Fraud, Ethical Misconduct and Corruption in the Addiction Rehabilitation Industry,” paints a grim picture of an…

Portugal decriminalized drug use and invested in treatment options. Police in Portugal view users as needing medical attention, not punishment. This approach led to a significant reduction in overdose deaths. In the U.S., drug use is criminalized and users are often incarcerated. This approach has not been effective in reducing overdose deaths. Other aspects of…

  Brain stimulation is a developing field with exciting possibilities for treating drug addiction. Here’s a breakdown of how it works: The Reward System and Addiction: Addiction disrupts the brain’s reward system, particularly the nucleus accumbens. This area lights up with pleasurable feelings when we engage in rewarding activities. Drugs hijack this system, creating intense…

The prevailing standard for addiction treatment typically encompasses three crucial elements: (1) engaging in psychotherapy, commonly referred to as “talk therapy”; (2) utilizing medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder or acamprosate for alcohol use disorder; and (3) receiving support through meetings (NA, SMART, AA, etc.), mentors, sober houses, and similar avenues. However, the superior…

Choosing between inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment is a critical decision, and the best choice depends on individual needs and circumstances. Here’s a comparison to help you understand the key differences: Structure and Environment: Inpatient: Offers a structured, 24/7 environment with limited access to outside influences. Individuals live in a facility and participate in therapy, group sessions, and…

Gerald A. Hill Sr. of Baltimore is known for providing wound care kits to those addicted to opioids using a harm reduction van.   For a while now, Baltimore’s harm reduction vans have served as a drop-off point where individuals can exchange used syringes with clean or sterile ones. However, over the past few months,…

A study highlighting a significant gap in care revealed that only 25% of residential treatment centers catering to teenagers offer the recommended medication for opioid addiction. That is approximately 1 in about every 4 residential treatment centers.   Researchers conducted an experiment where they pretended to be an aunt or uncle seeking help for a…

Ozempic and Wegovy, originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, respectively, have gained popularity as remedies for addictive tendencies. They’re both GLP-1 receptor agonists containing the active compound semaglutide. Semaglutide has grown in popularity, with patients sharing other positive effects other than appetite suppression. Reports indicate that Ozempic and Wegovy have helped a…

Ketamine therapy, also known as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), is a relatively new treatment approach for addiction that has shown promising results for alcohol and cocaine addictions. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used for decades in the medical field for various purposes, including anesthesia and pain relief. However, in recent years, researchers have…

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently announced the results of a groundbreaking study that could lead to improved treatments for drug addiction. The study, which was conducted by a team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), revealed shared genetic markers that underlie substance use disorders. The study involved analyzing genetic…

  There are various types of treatments available for marijuana addiction, and the most effective approach will depend on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances. Some possible treatments for marijuana addiction include: Behavioral Therapies: These therapies help individuals change their thinking patterns and behaviors that contribute to their addiction. Examples of behavioral therapies include Cognitive…

Despite Congress’ directive for the Bureau of Prisons to make Suboxone and other medications widely available, only a small fraction of those who need the help have received it. Suboxone works to treat Timothy York’s decades-long opioid addiction, effectively quieting cravings. According to York, contraband drugs and violence are prevalent in the facilities where he…

For years, America has been in the grips of an addiction epidemic. Addictions within various drug groups has gone up, especially when it comes to synthetic and prescription opioids. However, an addiction that is not going away is alcohol addiction. Alcohol treatments are still commonplace in American society. Finding innovations to improve treatments standards has,…

Drug addiction as California is increasingly in the news. The state has fought for years to try and find a better solution, and it looks like one might finally be coming into place. The development of a new California law will mean that addiction treatment service providers have to notify their clients of some very…

Given the severity of the opioid crisis in America, the need for treatment has been a decades-long discussion. However, recent reports show that treatment for opioid addiction can often lead to some pretty significant discrimination acts. That is a serious problem and plays a significant role in hobbling any positives that can come from many…

Ask anyone who has suffered through addiction, and they will tell you the hardest part is breaking away from that routine. When addicted, it is easy to see every activity through the lens of consumption. Enjoying a sports match? It should be enjoyed with the addicted substance. Taking part in a social occasion? It would…