The United States is in the depths of one of its worst drug epidemics the nation has ever experienced. In 2019, an estimated 10.1 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids. Specifically, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers and 745,000 people used heroin.
Alcohol is a substance that is widely accepted in most cultures and is legal in most countries as well. But it is also a poison, and if abused and mistreated, it carries with it many symptoms, side effects, and consequences.
A new drug is sweeping the nation, one that is creating an overdose epidemic. It is often prescribed by doctors and is sold on the street as well. It’s made its way into other drugs; these laced drugs are now the number one cause of overdose in the United States. This new drug is called Fentanyl. Fentanyl is an especially dangerous drug because when compared to other opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, and morphine to Fentanyl, Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent (1), according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The name “Prozac” has made its way into everyday common households and is probably one of the first medicines one brings up when asked about what prescription drugs they have heard about, next to Ritalin.
Addressing a newly diagnosed mental disorder can feel daunting, and finding the right kind of treatment or therapy can be even more overwhelming. When seeking out therapy for specific issues, someone with depression or anxiety might try to find a psychologist or therapist through their insurance company, or by recommendation of a doctor.
As technology continues to evolve, the amount of information we are able to ingest is increasing at an incredibly high rate. Mobile devices, music streaming services, the internet, and a flood of social media apps constantly work to overload our senses.
Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl are extremely dangerous and addicting; their effects work quickly and can have fatal consequences. Most everyone agrees that these drugs are harmful and should not be taken under any circumstance.
Battling any sort of health problem, whether it be a substance abuse or a mental health disorder, is not an easy thing to do. In some cases, these battles are life-long, and can be fatal if not treated with the proper medical help.
The Covid-19 vaccine has been steadily rolling out to many cities across the United States, and many Americans are getting vaccinated, hoping to slow down the pandemic we’ve found ourselves in for close to two years now. Regular life is starting to come back around, with people going back to work, social gatherings opening up, and restaurants allowing for dine in options again.
Alcoholism plagues many individuals and families across America. In 2019, according to a national survey, 14.1 million adults ages 18 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
