Hot showers may help ease symptoms of CHS, says study

Marijuana is one of the most commonly abused illicit substances in America. Known by several other names like cannabis, pot, weed, grass and hash, the drug is being increasingly used as a recreational drug, which in turn, is leading to rising incidences of previously unknown health-related issues. A health outcome that has recently come to the fore is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that causes nausea and cyclic vomiting, accompanied by stomach pain and weight loss in chronic users of marijuana. Continue reading →

From ‘war on drugs’ to ‘public health emergency’ — how drug addiction became a ‘disease’

In the 70s:

National leaders used phrases like “war on drugs.”

People addicted to drugs were shunned and stigmatized; called “junkies” and “low-lives”.

Law enforcement agencies used strict measures for drug crackdowns.

Instead of rehab centers, people battling addictions were put in jails. Continue reading →

Martha McSally urges allocation of additional funds to plug in gaps in the battle against opioid epidemic

It is distinctly visible that the American states are facing innumerable challenges and roadblocks in the battle against opioid addiction due to the lack of funds. The incessant increase in the number of overdose deaths has further left the states in dire straits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), out of the total 63,632 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2016, including around 42,249 deaths (66 percent) caused due to the misuse of opioids. Continue reading →

Opioid crisis fueling sharp increases in hepatitis C infection in US, says study

The perils of the opioid crisis in the United States has taken a new turn. Driven by the increased abuse of prescription opioids, heroin and other deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the number of hepatitis C cases has tripled across the nation between 2010 and 2015, from 850 cases to 2,436 cases. Describing the true magnitude of the problem, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspects the number to be as high as around 34,000 in 2015. According to the CDC, the prevalence of injections among young adults aged 20 to 29 years to abuse drugs has led to a spike in new hepatitis C infections. Continue reading →

Campuses turn into favourite hub for drug abuse

“How to get drugs? Oh, it’s pretty easy.” When the majority of college goers start saying this, one is sure that the drug crisis in the country is galloping toward the worse. A recent study of 1,082 college students from University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, etc. revealed distressing details about the use, sale and distribution of drugs. Only a measly 5 percent students found it difficult to buy drugs, while an unbelievable 75 percent confessed that its “easy” or “very easy” to buy drugs. Continue reading →

Protein alterations in the brain’s reward system during withdrawal leads to incubation of cocaine craving

The risk of relapse is a major obstacle to the long-term treatment of patients suffering from drug addiction. Therefore, the need of the hour is to focus on finding a relevant way to identify the targets to treat addiction. Substantial research and studies have been undertaken in recent times to improve the overall understanding related to the role of molecular signaling pathways in triggering drug-induced maladaptations. Continue reading →

Helping someone with alcohol and drug addiction at workplace

Mary was a new intern at a financial advisory company, who was young, smart, confident and a workaholic to the core. However, she was hard-pressed for the time even during weekends, as she was always loaded with work. Every day, she had to do overtime to wind up her assignments and meet the pressing deadlines. This caused her a considerable amount of stress which she alleviated by drinking vodka mixed with coke in her cubicle in the evening when the office was mostly empty. Additionally, she would also take codeine tablets to assuage her backache arising from long sitting hours. Mary’s case is similar those of many others who abuse alcohol at workplace, a practice that often goes undetected. Continue reading →

Hip pain medications led to Tom Petty’s accidental drug overdose death, says daughter

After all speculations and confusions, medical examinations have confirmed that the Hall of Fame musician Tom Petty (66) died due to an accidental drug overdose. Despite the above autopsy results, Annakim Petty (35), Tom’s daughter, continues to insist that her father was not addicted to drugs. Instead, she opted to go online for sharing this message through the social media platforms like Instagram. Continue reading →

Shifting landscape of alcohol due to the legalization of marijuana

With the legalization of marijuana in certain U.S. states, there has been a marked decline in the sale of alcohol in these parts. With the implementation of such a revolutionary and controversial decision, experts have noticed significant benefits. Apart from treating many of the health issues, the medical use of cannabis also helps in reducing alcohol consumption. Continue reading →

Predictive analytics based on government data may help in curtailing opioid epidemic

Although Americans represent only 5 percent of the world’s population, they consume 80 percent of the world’s supply of opioids. In 2015, over 22,000 deaths occurred due to prescription opioids, an increase from around 19,000 deaths in 2014. One of the major reasons behind such a massive increase in deaths is the involvement of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. This translates into an average of 62 deaths per day. Since 2000, the rate of drug overdose deaths has increased by 137 percent, including a 200 percent increase in deaths due to opioids. Continue reading →

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