Can People Truly Change?
Behavioral change is possible. There are five stages of change, much like there are five stages of grief. Changing unhealthy behaviors help people lead healthier lives, and therefore live longer. The Five Stages of [...]
The Future of Babies Exposed to Opioids: Are There Enough Resources to Support This Growing Problem?
The opioid epidemic is claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, impacting communities, and changing the face of our nation. In the United States, roughly one baby every 15 minutes, or more than [...]
Poetry for The Soul: How Does Creative Writing Positively Impact Recovery?
Research shows that creative writing positively impacts our physical well-being, and therefore, may help psychologically heal and improve the chances of obtaining long-lasting recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). People who engage in reading and [...]
The Relationship Between Opioids and Suicide: Not as Close as We Once Thought
Estimates used to be that suicide accounted for almost one-third of all opioid-related overdose deaths. However, new research found that suicide accounted for only 4% of opioid-related deaths. The study utilized 17 years of data, [...]
The Necessity of a Cultural Shift: How Can Psychological Interventions Prevent Opioid Misuse?
Although psychological-based interventions and treatments prove extremely helpful for preventing opioid misuse, as evidenced by numerous studies and extensive research, widespread implementation of these treatments requires a large cultural shift towards a biopsychosocial model of [...]
How are Substance Use Disorders Categorized?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes addiction as compulsive drug-seeking regardless of harmful consequences to oneself or others. However, addiction is not a particular diagnosis included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of [...]
Fentanyl: Another Part of America’s Opioid Crisis
Opioid overdoses account for over 400,000 deaths between 1999 and 2018. Current statistics indicate that over 100 Americans die every day due to an opioid overdose. Fentanyl is a synthetic or artificially produced opioid available [...]
Can a Sibling Replace a Parent?
Substance use disorders (SUDs) within families affect everyone. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway website, children’s needs must be met and enacted by parents. In the case of parents with SUDs, these needs may [...]
Heavy Drinking May Damage Heart Tissue: New Research Supports the Negative Effects of Drinking
New research published by the Journal of the American Heart Association recognizes that consistent heavy alcohol drinking leads to subsequent damage to the heart tissue. There is inadequate research on how alcohol consumption negatively affects [...]
