For years, the conventional wisdom has been that alcohol, consumed in moderation, can have some positive effects on various aspects of health. Recently, however, a wide-ranging analysis concluded that there’s no safe or healthy level of alcohol consumption.¹ The study, published in The Lancet, examined data from 195 countries and concluded that alcohol is a…
Read MoreCan you believe summer’s almost over? Just like that, it’s time to start gearing up for fall again. School’s back in session, it’s no longer vacation time at work — back to life, back to reality. The fall can bring exciting changes or get you back into old routines, but preparing for its arrival can…
Read MoreDriving under the influence is a crime, but the idea of getting arrested for DUI for the very first time may not faze many people. After all, it’s a first-time offense, and the law is quite lenient on first-time offenders, right? While most states categorize first-time DUIs as a misdemeanor, the consequences, both short-term and…
Read MoreMorphine is an opioid prescribed to treat pain after surgery, as the result of an injury or to manage chronic pain. Morphine works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, changing the way the body perceives pain.1 Morphine is not a drug people turn to when they want to gain or lose weight; however,…
Read MoreMethadone is an opioid (narcotic) analgesic (painkiller) that many people use to treat heroin or opiate addiction.1 It has a very long half-life, which means that it stays in an individual’s system for a long time, so other medications can affect its efficacy. How Methadone Causes Adverse Interactions Complications arise when medications have to compete…
Read MoreBy Alanna Hilbink Your friend or family member struggles with alcoholism. You want to be a good friend and help. But you don’t know where to start. You don’t know if you should start. Is this something they have to manage on their own, or can you do something to help? The truth is that…
Read MoreWhen it comes to pain relief, morphine is one of the most effective medicines available. Derived from the opium poppy in the early 1900s, it was used frequently during the Civil War. And considering how effective morphine is with treating moderate to severe pain, it’s probably not surprising that it’s not only highly addictive but…
Read MoreHave you ever felt like your life resembles a scene from the movies? There’s the one where you’re riding your bike through the neighborhood at age seven, fast as you can, and glancing back for signs of The Terminator. And another where your true worth (finally!) shines through and the prince chooses you (yes, you!)…
Read MoreAddiction is a hard disease to predict. Some people develop a substance use disorder after just a few uses. Others can use a drug for extended periods of time and then quit with minimal difficulty. So what influences this timeline? And how do you know if you or a loved one is at risk for…
Read MoreBy Becca Owens For someone who lives with anxiety, an episode of overwhelming anxious thoughts or a panic attack can feel crippling. Not being able to return to calm is a terrifying experience, and it can change how you view the world for quite some time. In fact, the fear of entering another episode of…
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