Drug Addiction

With marijuana becoming legalized in various parts of the United States for medical and/or recreational purposes, it’s important to know what you’re consuming. According to a 2017 poll conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, 52% of Americans aged 18 or older have tried marijuana, and 44% of these individuals who have tried it, currently use it. As explained by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), around 30% of those who use marijuana also have marijuana use disorder; in 2015, approximately 4 million people met the diagnostic criteria for this. A mind-altering, chemical compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can treat pain, muscle spasms, nausea and more – but can also lead to dependency and addiction if not monitored closely. One of the biggest concerns regarding recreational marijuana is the fact that it’s unregulated – meaning different strains could have varying levels of potency. In fact, researchers are still looking into potency to see if it’s related to commonly-noted side effects as well as emergency-room visits. Put simply, THC is responsible for the psychological effects experienced when marijuana is consumed. The brain naturally has cannabinoid receptors, which are associated with memory, pleasure, thinking, coordination, and time reception – when marijuana is consumed, THC attaches to these cannabinoid receptors, which affects all of the functions previously listed. One cannabinoid from the marijuana plant, CBD, has been shown to block the high associated with THC – which is also coming into research discussions for medical and therapeutic purposes. THC ultimately stimulates cells in the brain that release the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure. When an excessive of dopamine is release, the brain’s hippocampus (which is responsible for storing memories) remembers this “good” feeling and what caused it – which is what keeps people coming back for more of the drug. Despite common belief, psychological and physical dependency is possible with marijuana because of THC. If you feel that you may have marijuana use disorder, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center today to learn more about treatment programs. Recovery is possible.

Addiction recovery isn’t always the easiest feat. As with life, recovery does have its ups and downs – but the point is to learn and transform throughout the process. If you’ve sought out a reputable treatment program for meth addiction, you’ve taken an amazing, courageous step towards living a happier, healthier life. This time is crucial to understanding what recovery consists of, what it may mean for you, and factors that could prevent you from reaching success so that you can be sure to take preventative measures. A 2017 study published in the journal Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy sought to explore perceived barriers of methamphetamine addiction recovery. Two hundred and two stories were analyzed in an online health forum to identify these barriers. The researchers found the following themes:

From sharing our occupation to the time we die; our lives are centered around our social identities. Mother, brother, friend, neighbor, writer, doctor, teacher, engineer – all of these are social identities that help us relate to others and describe our role in society. Take a moment to consider the identity labels that you or others place on yourself. What do these labels say about your values, beliefs, and attitudes towards life? How well do these labels portray who you really are or who you want to be? Social identity is more than just helping others learn about who we are – it’s a message of how we view ourselves, too. When it comes to your recovery, your social identity says a lot and it’s bound to change as you work towards your recovery. A 2015 study titled “Social Identities as Pathways Into and Out Of Addiction” explored the transition of individuals from the “substance user” identity to the “recovery” identity. Twenty-one adults in a drug and alcohol community were interviewed. The researchers found that some participants felt they lost their identity around the time their addiction started, but later found it when they were in recovery. As one participant stated, “In my good bits, I excel, really excel. I was playing basketball too, got drafted for the Northern Tigers….and then everything just went *poof*”. Other individuals stated that addiction provided them with an identity – a sense of social belonging. One person stated, “I learnt by being naughty I could have friends that actually liked me, that wanted to be with me.” These people talked about how difficult it was for them to transition into recovery because of their social identity, but many participants also noted that once their social identity transitioned from one of substance use to one of recovery, it became a little easier to be around people who also reflected that social identity. Participants stated that once they were in recovery, they felt a sense of purpose and a meaningful role within the community. Ultimately, this helped them to move on. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center to learn more about programs that could assist you on your journey to recovery. Sometimes change is for the better. In this case, it always is.

With the opioid epidemic, doctors all over the country are limiting the number of refills patients can have, and some patients are being denied certain medications altogether. According to NBC News, many people are using Facebook to find and obtain prescription drugs they can’t otherwise get at the doctor’s. Through Facebook groups, people can request to join and then will swap certain drugs that are needed through private messaging. One woman stated, “If it weren’t for the online diabetes community I would be dead.” The dangers of sharing prescription drugs, however, are that people will not know if certain drugs have been stored incorrectly, are expired, or are contaminated. Yet many people are still risking their lives in pursuit of obtaining these prescription drugs. Drug makers and insurers are recommending that people first speak with their physician before taking unknown medication, and to only take what was prescribed to them. This easily becomes a problem, however, when the medication a person needs is denied access to them. Drug sharing isn’t just a U.S. problem, however. BBC News notes that tens of millions of prescription drugs have been smuggled into the UK, and officials are working to fix this issue. As one official stated on the website, “Tough enforcement is a fundamental part of the strategy and we are taking coordinated action to tackle illegal drug use alongside other criminal activity”. Overall, it seems there is a huge amount of criminal profit that is being made on selling prescription drugs through the black market. As the U.S. and other parts of the world are tackling the opioid epidemic, these drugs seem to be escaping through other avenues and we will have to see where this takes our country. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, make the decision to seek help today. Treatment may involve naloxone, an opioid antagonist that helps to reverse an opioid overdose. It’s never too late, and treatment is available. There are many people who care about your health and recovery; you are not alone.

Although America is struggling with opioids, those aren’t the only drugs of concern. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can be easily bought in gas stations and grocery stores are more popular than ever – drugs like Tylenol and Advil are becoming a go-to for many. It makes sense – OTC drugs are saving Americans an average of $77 billion in clinical cost savings and $25 billion in drug costs savings, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. While these medications are beneficial in that way, there are other risks associated with their use. For example, a new study conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Health found that nearly one in five users exceed the recommended daily dose for over-the-counter drugs during a one-week period. Many consumers aren’t as concerned about this issue because they aren’t addictive like opioids, but this is a dangerous perception to hold. NBC News reports that taking too much over-the-counter drugs can cause health complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding and heart attacks. Furthermore, lack of research into OTC drugs means that many people are taking drugs that aren’t even meant to help reduce the symptoms they are experiencing. Dr. Liffert Vogt of the Academic Medical Center at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands wrote in an email to Reuters, “…Many people use [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] for indications other than pain, such as the flu, allergies, fever – and there is no medical base that indicates that [these] or acetaminophen are of any use under these circumstances.” The biggest concern is that while efforts to reduce the opioid epidemic are influencing doctor’s prescribing decisions, consumers aren’t necessarily encouraged to change their ways – leading them to abusing other drugs that are available. Overall, our culture has centered around poor management of chronic pain, and opioids are not the only problematic response we are experiencing to this. If you’re struggling with addiction, seek help today. There are many resources available, and healthy ways to cope with pain.

Celebrities are often in the spotlight not just for their talent, but for the lifestyle they lead and the choices they make. Demi Lovato is no exception; in 2017, she released her documentary, “Simply Complicated” on YouTube for fans to hear the truth behind her career and life. She explained her use with beginning cocaine at the age of 17 and following her father’s footsteps towards addiction – she stated that her father spent more time engaging in addiction than with his family. The inside look of her life reveals some of the struggles that she went through, how she experienced addiction and how she embraces recovery now. USA Today states that her documentary explores “some of her darkest times, including her drug addiction (which ranged from pills to cocaine), eating disorder and even a time she punched one of her back-up dancers.” Demi shared her moments of struggling with mental illness, and she stated for The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m looking at my future and my past, and I want to share that with my fans.” When Demi first appeared in Disney shows around the age of 15, she struggled with immense pressures to get everything she needed done, dress in certain ways, sing songs that others would like, and more. This increased her anxiety and struggled with anger. She experienced depression and had a lot of anger because of the pressures and her use with Adderall. She was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and shortly after treatment she was abusing drugs more. Demi stated, “I wasn’t ready to get sober. I was sneaking it on planes, sneaking it in bathrooms, sneaking it throughout the night – nobody knew.” Demi explained a moment in the documentary where she was asked to give up her cell phone by her managers. At 19, she was battling with addiction and was asked to submerge her phone in water – a phone that had the numbers of drug dealers and other people who would use with her. This was one of the defining moments that led her towards sobriety. Demi now has over 5 years of sobriety. Her documentary, although showing some difficult moments, is a film of success. Demi states that she is still working on being independent, and that she is still struggling with her eating disorder, but that she is proud of her sobriety to drugs and alcohol. Demi is, just like anyone else, a real person going through the ups and downs of recovery. She is still pushing through, and so can you. Don’t give up. Keep pushing.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 23.5 million people aged 12 or older need treatment for illicit drug or alcohol abuse. Addiction affects nearly all of America – a person with an addiction is affected mentally, physically, and spiritually – and their loved ones experience devastating moments of despair as they feel helpless watching their loved one struggle daily. No discrimination is exhibited when it comes to addiction, as all populations deal with this major issue. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides some excellent information on various populations: African Americans Illegal drug use among this population is 12.4%, compared to the national average of 10.2%. According to a 2014 study titled “Less Drinking, Yet More Problems: Understanding African American Drinking and Related Problems”, researchers from Indianapolis found that African Americans report a later initiation of alcohol use during adolescence and generally lower rates of use into adulthood, but they experience more social consequences from drinking as well as alcohol-related injuries and illnesses. African Americans are also at higher risk for polydrug use. American Indians and Alaskan Natives SAMHSA states that this population has amongst the highest rates of substance abuse and mental disorders compared to other U.S. racial or ethnic groups. The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims this is likely due to limited socioeconomic opportunity; American Indian youth are also initiating substance use earlier than other populations. Alaskan Native adolescents show to have the highest rates of lifetime tobacco use, marijuana use, nonmedical use of prescription relievers, and nonmedical use psychotherapeutics than other populations. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders Among people ages 12 and older, the rate of illegal drug use was 4.1% amongst Asian Americans and 15.6% amongst Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders. Binge drinking was also lowest among Asian Americans with a 14.5% rate, while Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders experienced a rate of 18.3%. Many people in this population find difficulty seeking treatment for substance abuse due to language barriers and external societal perceptions of success. Hispanics or Latinos Of about 52 million Hispanics or Latinos in the United States, the rate of illicit drug use among Hispanics ages 12 and up was 8.9%, while the national average was 10.2%. Binge drinking amongst this population was 24.7%, and alcohol use within the past year among Hispanic youth was 23.9%. A study conducted by researchers from Chicago found that this population is about average with the general population on drinking rates, but tend to have poorer outcomes in substance abuse programs due to language and cultural barriers.

The opioid crisis is taking over, with approximately 90 Americans dying each day from opioid overdose. This number is staggering; many are abusing their prescription medications, but many are also abusing medications they found/retrieved from a family member, friend, etc. The cost is too high for us and our loved ones to abuse and overdose on these medications, which is why it’s incredibly important for us to dispose of them properly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has noted several effective ways to do this:

The over-prescription of opioid painkillers in the United States has pushed us over the edge in nearly every aspect; with so much drug overdose deaths occurring, our life expectancy is lowering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 63,000 people died in 2016 from a drug overdose – a nearly 21% increase from 2015 and three times the amount of deaths related in 1999. Individuals in the 25-54 age group are most at-risk, as many have been prescribed the medication for injuries or post-surgeries, and many others abusing medication that isn’t theirs. The unfortunate circumstance of America is that our population is dying not just due health reasons such as cancer or old age, but also due to reasons that could have involved more preventative measure. Unintentional injuries such as both vehicle accidents and drug overdoses are becoming the leading cause of death in the United States. Previous declines in life expectancy in the United States were due to health epidemics such as the AIDS virus and fatal influenza rates. Barnett, assistant professor at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School for Public Health, stated in an interview, “If just as bad as anybody could have feared. As a country, we have not reached the peak of this problem.” While several steps from the government has been taken – such as expanded healthcare education to communities and referring medication that is said to be less addictive than others – there is still more work that needs to be done. As a nation, we need to come together and support one another more. We need to broaden our knowledge on ourselves, others, and how various circumstances can impact one another. Many people feel that if someone becomes addicted, it’s not their problem so they shouldn’t worry about it. Essentially, each person contributes to the larger sense of home that we call America and because of this, we need to look further into what we can do as individuals to help our communities thrive more.

Celebrities shape the public perception, endorse values and beliefs, and influence people. The stories of celebrities in the United States have the propensity to challenge others and inspire them, no matter the story. Fergie is no exception – the singer has shared her story of addiction with millions, and her 18 years of sobriety has impacted many. Billboard states that Fergie really struggled with crystal meth addiction, and she found herself “hallucinating on a daily basis”. Understanding what Fergie went through and what led to her 18-year sobriety may give you further hope in your own journey through recovery. Crystal meth can cause hallucinations, erratic behavior, panic, psychosis, and more. As Fergie told a British news publication, “At my lowest point, I was [suffering from] chemically induced psychosis and dementia.” The singer was addicted to the substance back when she was part of the group Wild Orchid, and was still addicted even after leaving the group. Fergie, 42, explained a time when she was so high on crystal meth that she thought the CIA, FBI, and SWAT teams were following her. She described the experience as this: “They tried to kick me out, because I was moving down the aisle in this crazy way, as I thought there was an infrared camera in the church trying to check for my body…I bolted past the altar into the hallway and two people were chasing me. I remember thinking if I walk outside, and the SWAT team is out there, I was right all along. But if they’re not out there, then it’s the drugs making me seeing things and I’m going to end up in an institution.” That moment truly awakened Fergie to her battle of addiction, as she described that moment in the parking lot as “freeing”. New York Daily News states that hypnotherapy has worked very well for Fergie, and it continues to help her relax. Fergie stated for People Magazine, “I thank the day it happened to me. Because that’s my strength, my faith, my hope for something better.” Although Fergie really struggled with crystal meth addiction, that one memorable night led her to recovery. It showed her that she deserves more than this, and that she can lead a happier, healthier life. Millions of stories are like Fergie’s, and their stories of recovery can be yours too. Make the decision to seek help today; it’s never too late.

We’ve all heard of the gateway drug theory – as a kid, you were likely told that smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol could lead to more drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Programs such as D.A.R.E. – Drug Abuse Resistance Education – taught us at an early age to always say “No!” to someone who is offering us drugs or other substances. This program and theory might have helped some of us refrain from using, at least at a youthful age, but is the theory true? The New York Times has broken down the theory and provided several useful pieces of data. Several studies have shown the effect of one drug to another in lab rat experiments. For example, a Columbia University study found that rats exposed to alcohol were far more likely than other rats to press a lever that dispensed cocaine. A 2011 study found similar findings in a study that explored nicotine use in mice. While these types of studies have shown some sort of causal relationships, many scientists are still wondering the effectiveness of these studies due to the simple fact that the studies’ assumptions were that humans respond similarly to rats when it comes to narcotics. Other studies have proven that users who took a drug, like marijuana for example, were able to reduce their use of other drugs. For example, a 2008 study found that individuals who smoked marijuana could reduce their dose of pain-relieving opioids. Newer research is also concluding that other factors, such as poverty and poor social environment have greater predictability in one’s use of drugs than using soft drugs during childhood. A 2016 study conducted by researchers in Texas titled “Gateway hypothesis” and early drug use: Additional findings from tracking a population-based sample of adolescents to adulthood”, further emphasized that childhood drug use wasn’t consistent through adulthood and that other factors such as social context and role of community social norms should also be considered. Does this mean there is no such thing as gateway drugs? Not exactly. Research has proven there is some connection, but each person is different, and some people may be more impacted by childhood drug use than others. Personality, addictive-behavior tendencies, temperament, social context, environment, biological factors, and so much more play a role in addiction.

With the opioid crisis and nation-wide concerns of illicit drug use, it’s no surprise that addiction is a hot topic right now. Many “natural” drugs can be extremely dangerous, and can result in individuals experiencing paranoia, confusion, dizziness, coma, and even death. Synthetic, or man-made, substances pose additional risks, as individuals aren’t aware of everything they are consuming; disproportional doses of drugs and dangerous combinations can lead to lethal consequences. News reports have lately announced a new drug that has hit the market, and it could kill you in one dose. Known as “grey death”, this drug can be dangerous to even touch with gloves. There have been overdose cases involving this drug in Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio lately – and it seems the drug is a dangerous cocktail consisting of heroin, fentanyl, the elephant tranquilizer carfentanil, and a synthetic opioid called U-47700. Users can inject, swallow, smoke, or snort the drug. The name “grey death” comes from the drug’s appearance, which looks like a concrete mixture that appears as either chunks or rocks. Many scientists are stumped by the color of the drug, as they have stated that none of the drugs mixed should produce that color. What makes grey death so dangerous is its potency. News reports have revealed that just one flake of carfentanil can tranquilize a 2,000-pound elephant. The “grey death” drug is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine. The drug has been said to be able to float by air and to be absorbed by touch alone. Deneen Kilcrease from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the Associated Press, “Grey death is one of the scariest combinations that I have ever seen in nearly 20 years of forensic chemistry drug analysis.” Grey death is very fast-acting, and a lethal dose isn’t even visible. “You need smaller and smaller amounts because [these drugs] don’t get metabolized. They go straight to the brain,” stated Dr. Francesco Leri, a professor at the University of Guelph who studies behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience. Since the drug can be taken in such small doses, many people are sending and receiving packages of it through postal mail. Always be alert as to what you are taking and consult a doctor before consuming any unknown substance. Seeking medical attention beforehand could save your life.