What is an opioid? Opioid is a term that is used to refer to opiates, which are drugs derived from the opium poppy, and opioids, synthetic drugs that emulate opiates in their effects. Using this umbrella definition for opioid, numerous drugs can be called opioids. All of them are addictive and can be highly dangerous.…
Hydrocodone vs. oxycodone, or, to use their commercial brand names, Vicodin vs. Percocet, is in some ways a scientific hair-splitting if you consider how highly addictive both of these semi-synthetic opioid painkillers can be. But, in truth, the differences can be meaningful when doctors choose which one to prescribe. Both of these powerful pain relievers…
Cocaine addiction is still a significant cause for concern in the United States. Many people think of the cocaine epidemic as peaking in the 1970s and 80s and the crack epidemic as being in the news in the 1980s and 90s. However, neither of these drugs, which are derived from the coca plant, have disappeared.…
The opioid crisis is alive and well. Whether prescription painkillers, heroin, fentanyl, or other opioids, these drugs are dangerous and cost lives. Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids. 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, fentanyl is synthetic, meaning it is created in a lab. In addition, drug manufacturers often lace other…
Crystal meth is a purified form of the stimulant methamphetamine. The dangers of crystal meth are largely related to how easy it is to manufacture, combined with its extremely addictive qualities. It is so addictive that anyone abusing crystal meth is best served by enrolling in a meth addiction treatment program quickly, without waiting for…
Cocaine — or at least the coca leaves from which this drug is derived — has been in use since 3,000 BCE in Central and South America when the stimulant and euphoric qualities were valued, often in ceremonial uses. Eventually, cocaine’s effectiveness was discovered — as a topical anesthetic and also as a vasoconstrictor during…
There are moments in life that we don’t really notice when they happen. For example, when drinking stops being an occasional indulgence and becomes a problem. It’s often not until much later, when the problem has become a life-altering disease known as addiction, that we realize what has happened. At Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge…
It’s important to understand the difference between methamphetamine and crystal meth. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II synthetic drug. On the other hand, crystal meth is a highly purified form of methamphetamine that is created specifically for illicit use. The intense stimulant effects of crystal meth, its extreme addictiveness, and the fact that it is easy…
About seven out of 10 people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes. No one is unaffected by trauma and some experience severe emotional and psychological fallout. It is estimated that about 12 million Americans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, trauma-induced mental health challenges, including PTSD, are treatable. Unfortunately, it often…
Addiction does not always fit into neat categories. In fact, most people who suffer from a substance use disorder regularly take more than one substance. Polysubstance abuse refers to the misuse of two or more substances taken in combination. There are several underlying risk factors for polysubstance abuse, but one of them is the presence…