Meth Storm Exposes the Addiction Crisis in Arkansas
To say that crystal meth is a thorn in the United States’ side is a bit of an understatement, considering how much damage this drug has inflicted over the past decades. What started as a “super soldier” chemical for German battlefields in World War II has quickly escalated into a deadly stimulant that destroys lives […]
How You Can Help to Reduce the Severity of the Opioid Crisis
Nowadays, you’ve probably heard at least one story about America’s opioid epidemic on the news or read about this health scare in the papers. Perhaps the true irony of this crisis is the simple fact that half of the drugs fueling this sickness are federally regulated and were initially designed to help people, not hurt […]
How NIDA Is HEALing Communities
As part of the HEAL Initiative developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is taking part in a comprehensive program intended to, as the title of this blog post suggests, heal communities across the United States. Through this effort, officials from both groups and additional lineups of […]
Portrayals of Intoxication in Popular Video Games
To say that video games are a little controversial might be a bit of an understatement. Parents, focus groups, therapists, and a whole horde of young adults have jumped on the bandwagon of anti-video game movements, mostly because some studies have shown how certain games can, in certain contexts, trigger addiction. When you consider that […]
How to Handle Addiction in Your Workplace
Needless to say, if you are running a tight workplace, the last speedbump you want to drive across is a person who is suffering from addiction and experiencing impeded motor functions. After all, if you are a manager or supervisor, you want your company to run like a well-oiled clock and don’t want to be […]
The Mystery of the Brain’s “Pleasure Response”
Whenever you read about the mechanics of drug addiction, you have most likely come across a section that talks about dopamine. At the root of addiction, all people suffering from this sickness are drawn (instinctively, it seems) to the substances that are slowly killing them due to the pleasure response from the brain. Once they […]
The Dangerous Link between Energy Drinks and Addiction
Every so often, when we’re feeling a little bit sluggish throughout the day, a little bit of an energy boost can be a complete lifesaver. Thanks to the kick of coffee or black tea and the boost from kombucha, many people can endure the bustling work day or get through that long time at college, […]
Understanding the Gender Gap of Addiction
Gender is yet another aspect that makes humans and all living things incredibly unique. After all, men and women have unique sets of talents and gifts that enable them to accomplish incredible feats of nature and share incredible experiences. However, the differences that make us special also lend a few dangers if drugs interfere with […]
14-Year-Old Student’s Anti-Opioid Tampering Project Wins NIDA Addiction Science Award (2019)
What is one of the best ways to ensure future generations get wiser about opioids? Just ask the future generations, of course. Recent endeavors instigated by the government and medical organizations have urged parents and teachers to involve children, teens, and young adults in the study of addiction and preventing this deadly illness from taking […]
The Connection between Drug Problems and Epigenetics
At some point, you have probably learned that drug addiction is a bit of a loose cannon, as you can’t fully know if you are an addict until you take the leap to try drugs. However, science has continuously shown us that addiction is not simply an environmental factor but is, in fact, genetic. Obviously, […]
