Two new studies involving laboratory animals indicate that adolescence is a crucial time to develop drug addictions, because adults react differently to drugs than youngsters.
Two new studies involving laboratory animals indicate that adolescence is a crucial time to develop drug addictions, because adults react differently to drugs than youngsters.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 17.5 percent of underage drinkers admitted to having used illicit drugs within 2 hours of using alcohol. When drugs and alcohol are combined, the result is often a visit to the emergency department. Healthcare professionals have an opportunity during that visit to intervene and educate the young person about the dangers of combining alcohol and drugs.
There are many dangerous behaviors associated with the use of drugs and alcohol. The rate of risky sexual behaviors goes up with the use of drugs and alcohol, as well as the occurrence of related injuries. One dangerous behavior that affects not only the user but countless others is the decision to drive while using drugs or alcohol.
Read more about Americans Admit to Driving After Using Drugs and Alcohol
A new vaccine may bring new possibilities for people who hope to break free from cocaine addiction.
Read more about Vaccine for Cocaine Addiction May Cause Body to Attack the Drug as an Invader
For drug offenders and substance abusers with a non-violent record, drug court can mean a choice: admit guilt, and go into closely monitored substance abuse treatment; or deny guilt and head straight to incarceration. Drug courts are designed to help end the cycle of repeated offenses by offering substance abuse treatment for offenders with non-violent crimes. A report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, suggests the courts have made positive strides – but further research is needed to determine their overall effects.
Read more about Drug Court Shows Positive Results, But Further Research Needed
There are many dangerous behaviors associated with the use of drugs and alcohol. The rate of risky sexual behaviors goes up with the use of drugs and alcohol, as well as the occurrence of related injuries. One dangerous behavior that affects not only the user but countless others is the decision to drive while using drugs or alcohol.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information about the state of drug and alcohol use in the United States. The reports issued by SAMHSA offer insight into developing effective strategies for preventing dangerous behaviors associated with substance use.
Read more about Americans Admit to Driving After Using Drugs and Alcohol
Researchers have identified a molecular switch that plays an important role in forming memory and addictive behaviors. The formation of these behaviors depend on the creation of new connections between neurons in the brain. Addiction behaviors manifest in long-term alterations in neuron connections and can be viewed as a type of learning.
Read more about Researchers Discover Memory Switch That Plays Role in Memory and Addiction
He shuts down his laptop the minute you enter the room. He takes all his phone calls outside. He loses interest in school or his job. He gives up his favorite hobbies to sleep all day. When you ask him what’s up, you get an evasive answer or he tells you to mind your own business.
Drug addiction is not just a social problem or a health problem; it is also a financial problem. A report in The Guardian focused on information shared at a conference at the Delta Prince Edward. This conference took place as part of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine’s (CSAM) annual meeting and focused on the consequences of drug use. Jag Khalsa, a pharmacologist with the U.S.-based National Institute on Drug Abuse’s NISA, told those in attendance that drug addiction costs the U.S. billions of dollars every year due to the more than 200 million drug addicts throughout the world.
Parents with teens in high school are generally focused on making sure their child is performing properly in class and meeting expectations in order to graduate and move forward with future plans. For parents of students of Stanwood High School outside of Seattle, the bigger battle is against an addiction to heroin.
Read more about Teen Heroin Addiction Growing Rapidly in Seattle