If you hear your teen mention “Molly,” don’t assume they have a new friend in their life. The innocent-sounding name may be a reference to an old drug that is making a comeback among teens.
Read more about New Drug Trend ‘Molly’ Is Not Your Teen’s Friend
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 5 percent of 12-year-olds and older in America say they have abused prescription painkillers in the last year. These numbers have increased over recent years. Most of those surveyed said they have used painkillers without a prescription and many used simply to get high. According to an online post, the problem can start by simply asking your doctor for a pain medication and then becoming addicted over time to the relief they provide.
Read more about Why People Get Addicted to Prescription Painkillers
The treatment of drug addiction is challenging. Often those who enroll in support groups or other types of traditional therapy-based treatment need additional help with overcoming the physical challenge of addiction cravings.
Read more about Long-Term Trial of Opioid Dependence Successful
It is no secret that drugs negatively impact a person’s ability to make sound judgments, perform simple motor skill functions and react quickly. Alcohol produces similar impairments. Drunk driving is a problem that has garnered public outcry and reprisal. Drugged driving is a lesser-known but equally serious problem that has recently been brought to the public’s attention.
When an individual first uses a drug, the possibility of creating a long-term dependence likely does not occur to them, nor are they likely for some time to admit that they have a problem and require drug treatment. Once they do determine that a substance has begun to have an unhealthy influence on their life, it is important that they are able to access treatment as quickly as possible.
Many experts say that prescription medications are similar to heroin and that addicts will switch drugs to the first available to seek relief from pain. The abuse of prescription drugs has become the greatest drug epidemic since crack cocaine entered the scene in the 80s and 90s.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has released its updated, official definition of addiction, calling it “a chronic brain disorder,” that is “not solely related to problematic substance abuse,” according to a press release issued by the society on August 15.
Read more about Addiction Is a Chronic Brain Disease, Not Just Problem Behavior
Russia is a vast land frequently associated with severity. Whether referring to the long, frozen winters or the stereotyped national stoicism found in literature, it isn’t a place that has been painted with soft lines and warm colors.
Now, Russian pragmatism has found expression in a new approach to dealing with the country’s rampant drug addiction problem – an approach which takes “tough love” to an entirely different level.
A new definition for addiction has initiated a lively discussion among experts as to where emphasis ought to be placed when describing the condition. The American Medical Association categorized alcoholism as a disease over 50 years ago, but until recently, addictions have been defined largely in behavioral terms.
Following four years of consideration by 80 experts, our American Society of Addictive Medicine (ASAM) now defines addiction as “…a primary, chronic disease of motivation, brain reward, memory and related circuitry … with characteristic bio-psycho-socio-spiritual manifestations.”