National Drug Overdose Hotline

Methadone Overdose Symptoms, Prevention, and Addiction Treatment

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that works by reducing the effects of other opioids. 1 It is FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), and it can be used on a short-term or long-term basis to help reduce opioid-related ...

Long-Term Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs

Alcohol and drug abuse can be challenging to overcome on your own. Many people seek treatment to help them stop the cycle of substance use and start the path to recovery. Finding the appropriate long-term drug rehab center for your needs may be a ...

Drug Abuse Careers

Many careers exist in the field of drug abuse treatment and prevention . The drug abuse treatment field is a rewarding career choice for many people, as it makes a difference in the lives of millions of people annually. Those who work in this field ...

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a method of psychotherapy first developed by Marsha Linehan that has since proven effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders. 1 In this article, you will get an in-depth look at DBT therapy ...

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

If you struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), substance abuse treatment can be effective in helping you work through and overcome your addiction. Addiction treatment is a complex process that involves many services and interventions. Your ...

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs

If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, you may be considering potential drug and alcohol treatment options. Seeking treatment is a courageous choice and an important first step in the recovery process, but it might not always ...

Christian Rehab Centers for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Deciding to get help for drug or alcohol addiction can be one of the most impactful and important decisions you ever make. There are many factors to consider when choosing a suitable treatment facility. These may include the location of the ...

Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers

Addiction is a chronic, complex medical condition that's characterized by the repeated misuse of substances even in the face of potentially harmful consequences. It can cause long-term changes in the way the brain responds in situations involving ...

Private Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Around 59.3 million Americans aged 12 and older report having used an illegal drug within one year of being surveyed. 1 A substance use disorder (SUD) is a risk for many, and this risk exists regardless of age, socioeconomic status, or cultural ...

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Substance addiction is a chronic condition involving compulsive drug and/or alcohol use. People who are addicted to substances may continue to drink or use drugs despite the potentially serious problems such substance use causes in their lives. 1 ...

Steps to Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Addiction is a strong, negative force in the U.S. and around the world. Signs and symptoms of addiction may begin slowly and without the individual's awareness but, in a short amount of time, someone can find themselves unexpectedly in the depths of ...

Ways of Helping Someone With Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Seeking Drug Addiction Help If you have a loved one who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to watch them. You may be wondering how to help them with their substance abuse issues. They might be ready to quit and ...

Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Deciding to enter a drug and alcohol addiction treatment program can be one of the most beneficial and challenging decisions you ever make. It is important to choose a program that suits your specific needs and recovery goals. This article will ...

Is There Ever a Good Time to Use Benzos?

Carol had a severe panic disorder. It started when she was assaulted at age 34. She'd tried many medications, but only Xanax helped. She worked closely with her doctor and never abused them, but over time she felt the negative cognitive effects of ...

Everything You Need to Know About Alcohol Withdrawal

Two men in their early 30s enter an emergency room. One is suffering from heroin withdrawal and the other from alcohol withdrawal. One of the men is given some medication to reduce the painful effects of his symptoms and released within 2 hours of ...

The 12 Most Expensive / Luxury Rehabs in the US

You don't need to be a millionaire to go to rehab, but a person with a little extra money to spend and the desire to get sober can choose from many expensive or luxury rehabs in the United States. Southern California, specifically picturesque ...

Yes, Suboxone is Sober & The Truth About Suboxone

In 2014, almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription pain medication. During that same time, as many as one in four people who received opioids for treatment of long-term pain in primary care settings struggled with an opioid ...

Methadone for Addiction Treatment

Methadone is a highly effective treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) when taken correctly and under the supervision of a medical practitioner. 1 Methadone can reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings to use opioids, and studies show ...

Detoxing from OxyContin: What to Expect

What makes OxyContin so addictive? Why does the body develop dependence on OxyContin? And if you're addicted to Oxy, how do you break the vicious cycle? Here, we will explore what the drug is, what detoxification looks like and how to identify and ...

Should We Offer Suboxone in Jails and Prisons?

Of the hundreds of thousands of people entering our country's jails and prisons each year, an estimated 15% are addicted to opiates, according to a 2009 study. However, a majority of these facilities don't provide a single medication or moment of ...

7 Really Smart Ways to Save Money on Suboxone

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a Facebook post from an acquaintance of mine lamenting about the exorbitant price of Suboxone. I'd known her to have a problem with opiates in the past, but it seemed like she was doing all the right things to get her ...

Total Alcohol Abstinence vs. Moderation: Which One Wins in the End?

Sara knew she drank too much. After years of struggling, she decided she needed help. She admitted she was dependent on alcohol and started seeing a counselor. Sara explained to her therapist that she didn't think she could quit drinking altogether. ...

Harm Reduction

The concept of 'harm reduction' refers to a set of policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the health, social, and economic consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. 1,2 Strategies might include providing a safe environment for heroin use ...

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Probuphine Implant

Probuphine is the very first breakthrough buprenorphine implant. What is buprenorphine, you ask? It's a common prescription for opioid addiction treatment and it prevents withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is an ingredient found in Suboxone and ...

6 Things About Benzo Withdrawal You Might Not Know

What Are Benzos? Benzodiazepines (benzos) are an anxiolytic class of drugs that belong to a larger group of substances that can be categorized as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. 1 Benzodiazepines work by increasing inhibitory ...

6 Facts You Need to Know About Opiate Withdrawal

The United States has the highest rate of opioid use per capita in the world. As a nation, we consume 80% of the world's opioid supply. 1 In 2014, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 1.9 million people aged 12 or older had a ...

Xanax Turned My Life Upside Down

“It's the worst mistake I've ever made. I wish I had never gotten that prescription filled.” That's the regret Kelly says sums up her experience with Xanax . At the age of 20, Kelly says she didn't realize what she was getting into when her ...

The Matrix Model

About the Matrix Model The Matrix Model is a style of treatment designed to aid in recovery from stimulant substances like methamphetamine and cocaine . The method was created in the 1980s and has seen widespread success. The Matrix Model is: An ...

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome or PAWS—Symptoms and Treatment

What Is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome or PAWS? Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is a collection of symptoms experienced by some individuals struggling with alcohol and drug addiction after a prolonged period of withdrawal. 1 The syndrome is also ...

Is There a Cure for Addiction?

Drug addiction, also known as a substance use disorder (SUD), is a national crisis in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): 1,2,3 Approximately 53 million people aged 12 and older (nearly 1 in 5 Americans) used ...

Effects of Methadone Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that is FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Methadone also has a role in pain management. When used correctly, as prescribed, methadone is safe and effective. This article will help you ...

How Does Ibogaine Treat Opiate Addiction?

Holly started using heroin when she was 18 - at 26, she was at the end of the line. Her whole life revolved around getting high. In the past, she had tried 12-step programs, counseling, in-patient rehab, and even drug-assisted therapy…it seemed ...

Could This Inexpensive Medication Reduce Your Withdrawal Symptoms?

Withdrawal. It's a huge hurdle on the path to recovery. Those struggling to leave opioids behind know they'll eventually have to face the intimidating mental and physical effects of withdrawal. It's a powerful and frightening thought. Some of the ...

5 Things About Kratom You Need to Know

Recently, a drug called kratom, has come into the center of national controversy.Also referred to as 'ketum' or 'kakuam', taking kratom produces opiate-like effects. Kratom is legal in the U.S. and many people begin taking the drug to help with ...

How to Get Off Suboxone: 3 Steps to Take When Quitting

Approved by the FDA in 2002, buprenorphine—brand name Suboxone and Zubsolv—is now the “go-to” drug for medication-assisted treatment with opiate addiction. Unlike methadone treatment, it can be prescribed by physicians in the comfort of ...

Methadone Maintenance Clinics: Everything You Need to Know

If you're addicted to opiates, a methadone clinic can provide ongoing medication maintenance to help you quit them. Committing to a methadone maintenance program for at least 1 year will likely change your life for the better and help you commit to ...

Methadone Withdrawal Symptoms, Detox, Timeline, and Treatment

Methadone is a medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). It is also sometimes used to manage chronic pain. 1 An OUD is a chronic brain disease characterized by a ...

Are Benzos Overprescribed?

We are an anxious nation. A whopping 40 million American adults are affected by anxiety disorders; that's 18% of the adult population! With such astronomical numbers, it shouldn't be surprising to learn anxiety disorders are the most commonly ...

Signs That You May Need Rehab

Participation in a structured drug or alcohol rehab program is a necessary first step for many individuals seeking to find recovery from substance abuse. Some people try to quit on their own without the professional care that rehab provides, ...

Substance Abuse Counselors

In 2016, more than 22 million people suffered from a substance use disorder. 1 That staggering number equates to 8.3% of the national population. 1 Also in 2016, only 2.9 million of those people—a mere fraction of those that need help—went on to ...

Methadone Clinics Near Me

Why Would a Patient Take Methadone? Methadone—a prescription opioid used in the treatment of opioid dependence—is primarily used for detoxification and maintenance treatment by people struggling to overcome opioid addiction. 1 It helps to ...

Religious and Faith-Based Rehab

If you're ready to take the first step toward sobriety, there is a lot to consider. Having a belief in a higher power can draw you towards the decision to stop using drugs or alcohol. For many people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, ...

Court-Ordered Rehab

Every year, people enter involuntary rehab under legal obligation or pressure from the court system and tend to remain in treatment longer and have higher attendance rates than those who enter voluntarily. 1 Consequently, involuntary rehab programs ...

Methadone and Suboxone: What’s the Difference Anyway?

An estimated 1.9 million people in the U.S. are addicted to prescription opioid drugs. Although there is no magical drug to treat opiate addiction, as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) approach, there are a handful of treatment ...

The Confusion Continues: Can Baclofen Treat Alcoholism or Not?

What happens when researchers deliver conflicting results? What should we believe? A recent study examining the effectiveness of baclofen for alcohol dependence seems to fly in the face of previous research. Experts are questioning whether or not ...

How to Find 3-Day, 5-Day, 7-Day, and 10-Day Detox Programs Near Me

Often, drug and alcohol rehab programs combine detox with therapy and other services to support people through addiction recovery. This is important because it gives people time to understand more about their substance use and set a solid foundation ...

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for Addiction

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, originally approved for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has since also been found to be useful in addiction treatment. EMDR can be combined with other therapies and works ...

Family Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Addiction and the Family The impact of addiction is vast. Not only does it affect the person struggling with the substance use disorder (SUD), but it can impact the entire family. This makes sense considering that we are all shaped by, and help ...

Motivational Interviewing (MI) for Substance Abuse Treatment

Treating substance use disorders often involves a combination of therapeutic approaches to best match your recovery needs. Evidence-based behavioral therapies—such as motivational interviewing (MI)—can be essential to an addiction treatment ...

Medications for Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a chronic and complex, but treatable disease. Like other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, it can be managed under the guidance of a trained clinician, with a variety of addiction treatment approaches available that are ...

What Every Parent Needs to Know about Adderall Addiction

Adderall is most commonly known for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but its use as a study aid has effectively turned this medication into one of the most widely used - and abused - recreational drugs among teenagers and ...

Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment: Counseling for Substance Misuse

What Is Group Therapy for Substance Abuse? Along with individual therapy, family therapy, and medication management, group therapy can serve as an indispensable element of effective substance misuse and mental health treatment. Group therapy is a ...

4 Physical Signs You're Addicted to Ritalin

Ritalin is a stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy. It's classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule II narcotic—meaning it's in the same ...

Warning: 3 Dangerous Suboxone Interactions to Avoid

Suboxone is a popular, prescription-only drug that effectively suppresses opioid cravings and reduces the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Although Suboxone has assisted thousands of individuals struggling with opioid addiction, the drug is not ...

12-Step Recovery Programs and Support Groups for Addiction

12-Step recovery programs have become an integral aspect of maintaining sobriety post-addiction. 1 They usually operate on the basis of abstinence while creating a community of people who are living sober lives. 1 A 12-Step program helps establish ...

How to Help a Methadone Addict

Help for Methadone Addicts Methadone is an opioid drug; however, it is beneficial in the treatment of heroin dependence and other forms of opiate abuse. While it is regularly used in the management of opioid dependence, methadone itself is ...

Vivitrol for Alcohol and Opioid Addiction Treatment

Vivitrol is the brand name for extended-release naltrexone, an injectable treatment for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. Addiction to a substance, or a substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic, lifelong disorder. 1 Long-term ...

What Does It Mean to Be Dope Sick?

Bill found John curled up on the couch; he looked miserable. Bill asked, “What's wrong with you?” “I'm sick, man. You got any?” was John's weak response. As Bill suspected, John was in withdrawal. An active heroin user, John was low on cash ...

Non-Religious Rehab Programs

You might notice a theme of religious-based addiction therapy when researching rehab treatment options, and an overlap between mental health treatment and religion-based practices. For many mental health practices, religion is an integral component, ...

Luxury Rehab Centers Near Me

When considering inpatient treatment, there are generally 3 standard options: public inpatient rehab centers, private inpatient rehab centers, and luxury treatment centers. All usually offer the same core elements—including counseling, access to ...

Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)

Denial is a common theme among those suffering with addiction. If someone is regularly abusing alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances, denial might have them convinced that there is no problem or that any perceived problems are only the ...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Substance Use Disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is a type of behavioral therapy used to treat various mental health and substance use disorders. 1 Therapy can be a helpful tool in managing mental health symptoms and navigating difficult life transitions, such as ...

Alternative Addiction Treatments and Therapies

Taking the first step toward getting help for your addiction can be scary and perhaps overwhelming considering the multitude of treatment options available to you. Ideally, any kind of therapy, including addiction treatment, is best when it is ...

Addiction Rehab for Seniors

Historically, young adults have presented with higher rates of substance abuse and have made up a larger demographic at treatment centers than older adults. 1 However, substance abuse in seniors is often overlooked, underreported, and undertreated. ...

Am I Addicted to Painkillers? How Can I Quit Safely?

If you've been taking painkillers for an extended time, particularly after the pain that originally prompted their use has subsided, you might well wonder whether you're addicted to painkillers. Though many people take painkillers following a ...

Decade of Drug Overdose

The 25 Best Sources for Drug Addiction Research

1. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) : Aims to bring effective substance abuse prevention to every community; works to improve accessibility to and quality of substance abuse prevention services. 2. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment ...

Ativan Overdose Symptoms and Treatment

Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine medication commonly prescribed for anxiety, sedation, and insomnia. It is also sometimes used to manage acute, prolonged seizures ( status epilepticus ). While the drug can be therapeutic when taken as ...

Overdosed

The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths: every year, nearly 44,000 lives are tragically lost, with more than half of the fatalities caused by prescription drugs. We've analyzed the latest government data to find out why ...

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehab Programs

Many prescription medications have the potential to become drugs of abuse if they are misused. Misuse of prescription drugs means taking them other than as prescribed. This includes taking a larger dose, using them more frequently, or taking them ...

Benzodiazepine Overdose Symptoms and Addiction Treatment

Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are prescription medications used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. 1,2 Benzos were once prescribed for the short-term management of insomnia, but they are rarely used ...

Taking Action: How to Intervene During an Overdose

Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accident death in the United States. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), 43,982 drug overdose deaths occurred in 2013 across the nation. That's two times the amount of overdose deaths a ...

America’s Drug Awareness

For the first time in a decade , the CDC reported that death rates in the United States have increased. While news outlets trumpet the increased violence rampant in many areas of the country, the public is largely unaware of a silent contributor - ...

The 9 Most Expensive Drugs in America

Each year, Americans spend nearly $100 billion on illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These figures do not even account for the billions of dollars that are spent on prescription drugs each year—about $374 billion according ...

Drugs A-Z

What Is Acamprosate? Acamprosate is thought to help recovering alcoholics stay sober by balancing inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. Acamprosate may be combined with behavioral therapy to decrease a person's chances of relapse and ...

A Look at the Physical Anatomy of an Overdose

A drug overdose occurs when the body has been overloaded with either prescription medication or an illicit substance. Under normal circumstances, our body's metabolism would be able to detoxify the substance in order to avoid its potentially harmful ...

Drugs in the News

In a world grappling with issues of substance use and abuse, drugs are bound to see their days in the spotlight of our 24-hour news cycle. Maybe it's because of another tragic celebrity overdose, forcing us to confront the fact that even our heroes ...

State Sentencing: How Drug Sentencing Varies Across the U.S.

The United States has 5% of the world's population - and 25% of its prisoners. The average cost to house a minimum-security prisoner for one year is $21,006. By comparison, the average cost of putting a K-12 student through school for one year is ...

Barbiturate Overdose Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment

What Are Barbiturates? Barbiturates —sedative medications that include phenobarbital , pentobarbital, secobarbital, and butalbital—have historically been used as hypnotic (sleep-inducing) agents and sedating anesthetics. Though less commonly ...

Mother of Newborn Arrested After Failing Drug Test

There has been an enormous amount of debate and passion as of late - all of it spurred on by one question: what should happen to mothers who give birth to addicted children. Alabama came up with its own solution that involves jail time and bringing ...

What Could Illicit Drug Synthesis Expose You To?

For the 44 million Americans aged 12 and older who used illicit drugs in 2014, the associated health risks are grave. But there's another risk that accompanies illegally manufactured substances - the exposure to hazardous chemicals. Clandestine drug ...

The Rise of Drug Deaths in America

This year, drug overdose deaths surpassed firearm deaths for the first time, making the issue of addiction and drug abuse an even greater concern for Americans . The public is aware of the numbers associated with overdose deaths; however, big ...

Ill Inventory: Drug Theft and Loss in the United States

Every year, countless people become reliant on pharmaceuticals. And every year, drugs go missing. Despite extensive efforts to curb addiction and abuse, America's war on drugs is far from over. Guidelines for improving opioid prescribing practices ...

Political Parties on Drug Use

A recent Pew Research Center survey indicated that 86 percent of Americans believe the country is more politically divided than ever before. Polarized viewpoints surrounding topics like immigration and foreign trade are broadcasted daily on ...

Who Manufacturers All these Crazy Semi-Legal Designer Drugs?

Designer drugs have been subject of much media attention of late, as the Internet has made obtaining them easier than in the past. In many cases, it's simpler to order designer drugs online than to try to obtain street drugs. Designer drugs can be ...