The New England Opioid Strike Force, aka NEPO, assembled to combat the proliferation of opioid pills in the region, has announced its first arrest. The criminal case involves the illegal distribution of narcotics. Prosecutors say Dr. Merideth C. Norris illegally prescribed opioids without any legitimate medical purpose. The Case Against Dr. Norris Dr. Norris, who
More potent marijuana is causing addiction worldwide, according to new research. People are lighting up everywhere from California to Washington DC through medical marijuana programs and recreational use. Canabiss has never been more accessible, and it’s becoming a mainstream addiction. THC levels are also stronger than ever, and it appears that more people than ever
Last week, the FDA ruled that Juul, the primary maker of smokeless tobacco products worldwide, cannot sell or market their product in the United States anymore. The ban comes after years of back and forth between regulators and the company. Juul has been heavily invested in by Altria, the primary manufacturer of cigarettes and other
Medication-Assisted Treatment, also known as MAT, is considered the gold standard for opioid use disorder treatment. Less known is that effective and safe medication is available for Alcohol Use Disorder. The research followed three medications for AUD: acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. All patients observed in the study were using these drugs, which showed it lowered
A lawsuit against the US Army alleges the military refuses to give people with substance use disorders honorable discharges. The result is the loss of federal benefits that would help them get treatment for physical and mental health issues. The lawsuit, filed last Thursday, seeks to help people with substance use disorder recover vital benefits
Many people learned new technologies on computers and cell phones during the pandemic. However, Zoom and other video sessions became indispensable for people in recovery, people with mental health disorders, and treatment professionals. Now, researchers want to take things a step further. They are currently working on creating therapeutic digital games and virtual reality simulations
Research analyzed by David Eddie, Phd. and Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, shows that three out of four addicted persons recover. While there is still an epidemic of opioid addiction in the US, people are highly likely to seek treatment or recovery. Some are even able
The opioid epidemic continues to rage, despite the ebb and flow of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were more overdoses last year than ever before. Now, authorities tell people to watch out for a potent and deadly new class of opioids called ‘nitazenes.’ The drugs have been found in syringes collected by addiction research scientists throughout
Nearly two-thirds of doctors are worried that they may have overlooked addiction symptoms among their patients during the pandemic, according to a report published Nov. 15 by Quest Diagnostics. Doctors More Aware of Addiction Symptoms, And More Concerned Doctors have seen the wreckage caused by the opioid epidemic in the past decade or so, and
In 2020, fentanyl was involved in 51 percent of deadly overdoses in Los Angeles County. In the digital era, getting ahold of illicit drugs can be as simple as ordering groceries or a pizza online. Apps have paved the way for drug dealers to sell discreetly to users in their areas. As a result, the
