OPIOIDS, COCAINE, AND CRYSTAL METH ARE THE MOST COMMON DRUGS IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
Over the course of several decades, Australia has been waging its private battle against a horde of illegal drugs, and we in the United States can relate to their struggles on so many levels. As we attempt to flush out dangerous opioids from Midwestern towns and the southern reaches of our shores, police Down Under […]
OPIOID PROBLEMS HAVE NOT INCREASED SINCE AUSTRALIA IMPLEMENTED CODEINE RESTRICTIONS
As we continue to fight the ongoing fight against opioids on the shores of the United States, a similar situation is taking place along the beaches and in the forests of our long-distance neighbor Australia. For a while now, the government has been struggling to fight overwhelming issues with opioid addiction, opioid-related death, and a […]
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ADDICTION AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
Tragically, an estimated 2 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) every year in the United States. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 52,000 people die each year, while an additional 275,000 will require hospitalization for their injuries (with 80% receiving treatment and being released). Simply put, […]
THE REALITY OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND RIDING BICYCLES IN AUSTRALIA
Across Australia, the image of a drunk man riding home on a bicycle is certainly going to get a few laughs, but, in reality, this situation is far from humorous. In many cases, the sight of a “pub bike” (so to speak) chained outside a bar is not uncommon for tourists and locals of this […]
DID YOU KNOW THAT SOME ANIMALS TRY TO GET HIGH IN THE WILD?
If there are any doubts that alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and addiction are (unfortunately) natural elements of our lives, look no further than our furry, feathered, and scaly friends in the wild. As strange as this might sound, our animal companions have the same tendency toward intoxication as we do, and certain species exhibit a […]
HOW JIM BELUSHI IS TAKING PART IN THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY
Back in the early days of the hit-program Saturday Night Live, one of the most iconic elements of backstage life was (ironically) marijuana. At least, that is how Jim Belushi (brother of one of SNL’s founding cast members, John Belushi) described the situation. In fact, the famous actors and musician specifically mentioned the “Captain Jack” […]
THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION
Anyone who has known an addict or has suffered from this dreadful mental illness knows the toll these problems can take on your pocket book. Obviously, besides the overwhelming attachment to drugs and alcohol, a victim will also suffer from a bunch of cobwebs and moths in their recently packed wallet and savings account. While […]
BREAKING THE ICE ABOUT INCOME AND ADDICTION
Social equality, income range, payment differences – at first, you might think this is the beginning of a political debate, but, as strange as this may sound, these elements play a critical role in an analysis of addiction in our country. Why is that the case? Simply put, lifestyle choices and income do play a […]
HOW ALCOHOLIC PROBLEMS AFFECT THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY
Simply put, the United States suffers from an alcoholic problem. Besides claiming about 100,000 lives on a yearly basis, excessive drinking (and alcoholism) cost the U.S. taxpayers, members of the government, and members of the alcohol industry itself an estimated $249 billion in yearly expenditures (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta report). On […]
THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DRINKING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL
Simply put, alcohol is a huge burden (no additional details required). From the moment someone dares to take that first drink, this individual is putting themselves at risk for developing future problems with this beverage, which can (in an unfortunate twist) include substance abuse and addiction. Even worse, when a person goes on a drinking […]