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The classification of drugs called benzos, are some of the most addictive substances available. It falls under the category of a sedative-hypnotic substance. Diazepam, also known by the brand name Valium, is one of the most widely prescribed and widely abused benzo. 

Benzos such as lorazepam are typically used to treat symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and sometimes, reoccurring seizures.  It is a common medication used in MAT to help treat withdrawal symptoms of alcohol use disorder. Also known by the brand name Ativan, it is a highly effective drug prescribed for short-term usage due to its habit-forming nature. Is lorazepam an addictive substance?

Recovery high schools were founded in the 1980s and designed specifically for young people in recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The first school was established in Silver Spring, MD and has now spread to an estimated 43 locations nationwide. These secondary schools offer supplementary education and support for young adults in addiction treatment.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) and addiction have increased at an alarming rate over the past decades. With the introduction of fentanyl, a highly addictive substance that is cheaper to manufacture and obtain, addiction and overdose are becoming a public health crisis. Methadone medication is a common treatment method for OUD. Methadone is a synthetically derived medication often used to treat OUD as well as assist in long-term pain management.

Binge drinking is one of the most common forms of excessive alcohol use in the U.S. It is most associated with young people, college parties and social drinking. Despite younger adults being most at risk for binge drinking, it can affect everyone of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 90% of people who drink excessively participate in binge drinking.

Can prescription medications become addictive? Is Lunesta addictive? Lunesta is a non-benzo hypnotic sedative medication that is often used to treat insomnia. The sleep aid is also prescribed for people who have trouble falling and staying asleep. According to the CDC, an estimated 9 million people use sleep aids such as Lunesta. With long-term use, the medication can easily become habit forming leading to the development of serious side effects and addiction.

Naloxone is a medication that can be immediately administered to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Narcan is the most popular brand name of the naloxone medication that has become a standard treatment for opioid overdose. They are often used and referred to interchangeably. On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication Narcan, a 4mg naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, for over-the-counter non-prescription use.

Alcoholic liver disease is a result of severe alcohol addiction and often takes years to develop. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcoholic liver disease kills an estimated 22,000 Americans every year. Recently, doctors are witnessing a dramatic increase in alcohol-related liver disease in many young adults. The drastic changes to daily life and stresses of the pandemic have had an extreme impact on the lives of young people. The rise in alcoholic liver disease in young people is a concerning trend that could lead to the development of other substance addictions, other diseases and mental health conditions.

Within months, Englewood Public Library in Colorado has had to temporarily close its doors for the second time to address a meth contamination. This came weeks after another public library in the Boulder, Colorado area closed due to a similar contamination. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance that can lead to addiction and overdose. Over the past years, many public spaces such as libraries have seen an alarming increase in public drug use. This is especially disturbing because it can potentially expose curious young children to drug usage and paraphernalia. It has become a public health crisis.

Alcoholism describes a person who has an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This person often has a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol that can range anywhere from mild to severe. Alcohol addiction is a chronic but treatable psychological condition that involves changes to how rewards, stress, and self-control in the brain are processed. Alcohol abuse often stems from a negative response to environmental stressors, developmental disorders, emotional dysregulation or a learned behavior. There are many factors that can lead to the development of alcohol addiction.