We have all done it. We see someone battling addiction and we ignore them, shake our heads, or maybe even glare with disgust. We judge. It can be easy to do, especially when the addiction is so severe, it can be hard to see the person inside of the “junkie” — or any number of…
Over-the-counter medications are so commonplace in our lives, using them seems as natural as wearing socks or brushing teeth. But each one requires responsible, informed consumption to avoid serious health risks.
Though the title for most widely used drug in the United States may theoretically vary through the years, several drugs remain prevalent in America today. And they’re continuing to make an impact on our health, communities, and culture at-large. Throw in new drug trends like Kratom, Delta-8, and dab bars, and the presence of drugs…
A new drug with opioid-like effects has been drawing attention and concern due to its high potential for abuse. Tianeptine, also called “gas station heroin” is not yet a controlled substance, but some states have already passed laws to ban it due to its addictive qualities. What is tianeptine? Though it is used in some…
Are psychedelics getting more popular? What are the pros and cons of incorporating psychedelics into mental health treatment? Are psychedelics safe? While psychedelics have provided breakthroughs for tough-to-treat cases of trauma and other conditions, they still have drawbacks, and their efficacy remains difficult to understand.
If shopping gets to a point where it starts taking over your life, it can evolve into an actual condition called oniomania, more commonly known as shopping addiction or compulsive shopping disorder. This behavioral addiction causes an uncontrollable urge to buy things as a way to feel good and manage (or avoid) negative emotions. If…
Following the passing of my sister in August 2022, I struggled to wrap my mind around how Pip actually died. How did my sweet, hilarious sister become a statistic? How did she die from alcohol withdrawal? I knew it was possible, but as I mentioned previously, I never fathomed it could happen to me. One…
We all know those things that happen in the real world, that we believe could never happen to us. As a licensed counselor and educator, I am well-versed in how complex it is to detox safely and why you should detox from alcohol in a safe environment. But my professional experience and insight never prepared…
The teen years are notoriously tough years. They are filled with pressure from every direction. The awkwardness of your constantly changing body is compounded with stress from school, peers, homelife, extracurriculars, and more. Today’s teens also have the added challenges technology has introduced such as comparison culture and loneliness. With all of these stressors, it…
For anyone who doesn’t have a family member, colleague, or close friend who has served in the military, sometimes the only window into the unique challenges of a soldier’s life is from a big-budget blockbuster like 1917, Saving Private Ryan, or Platoon — or more detailed accounts found on the small screen, such as the…
Throughout history, opium and its derivative opiates and opioids have relieved a lot of pain, but they have also caused a lot of harm. So how do we balance the real, medical need for pain management with opioids’ potential for side effects like abuse and addiction?