When someone takes their own life, we are left wondering if there was something we could have done. When addiction or abuse plays a role, it is twice as sad, because the tragedy seems preventable with the right treatment. Country singer Mindy McCready died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Arkansas home on a
Keep ReadingHealth officials and addiction experts are fighting an uphill battle when it comes to warning teens of the dangers of synthetic marijuana. The perception among many high school and college students is that pot is already safe, so a manufactured version should be even safer. Tell that to the family of Emily Bauer. The 17-year-old
Keep ReadingLast month the US Navy launched a new campaign to warn servicemen and women about the dangers of bath salts. The informational video is getting a lot of attention for its depiction of a sailor ingesting the synthetic designer drug and then experiencing violent hallucinations, complete with a gruesome demon-type figure. The Bath Salts campaign’s
Keep ReadingThe war on drugs with its simplistic “Just Say No” message may have failed, but the battle isn’t over. Groups like Smart Approaches to Marijuana, an organization that opposes marijuana legalization, doesn’t advocate locking people up for casual marijuana use, but they do want to send a clear message that marijuana use is a bad
Keep ReadingWhen you don’t want to gain weight, you make sure there aren’t extra sweets in the house. But what if you want to avoid drinking too much? Do you make sure you don’t live close to any bars or pubs? Most of us don’t go to that extreme, but a new study suggests a person’s
Keep ReadingWe already know prescription painkillers can cause problems and lead to dependence and addiction. But now a new warning issued by The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has law enforcement on high alert, particularly near the Canadian border. According to the alert Canada has approved non-abuse resistant generic versions of oxycodone, and
Keep ReadingAs the holidays approach, there are more social events with friends and interactions with extended family. The presence of alcohol and the pressures of the season can bring addiction issues to the surface. Behaviors observed at Christmas parties, office gatherings and family functions can leave you concerned about the health and well-being of a loved
Keep ReadingThe sudsy new ABC nighttime soap Nashville may not be a completely realistic take on the music biz – or life in Music City (locals would never hang out at the riverfront!) – but its portrayal of addiction is hitting home. Troubled young country star Juliette (played by Hayden Panettiere) doesn’t know what to do
Keep ReadingIt can be overwhelming trying to keep up with the latest trends in addiction, what new warning signs parents and teachers should be on the lookout for, and the latest everyday item teens are using to get high and endanger their health. Sometimes it is best to get back to basics. Our general understanding of
Keep ReadingAs sports fans continue to debate the recent downfall of cycling champ Lance Armstrong amid ongoing doping allegations, other professional athletes are more aware than ever of the ramifications of taking something that could help in the moment but hurt their long-term career. Adderall is one the most buzzed about substances lately, with New York
Keep Reading