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Overdose. Overdose is defined as taking more than the recommended amount of a medicine or drug. A drug overdose happens when a person takes too much of a drug or a combination of drugs, leading to damage or even fatality. For decades now the U.S. has been plagued with a drug overdose epidemic. And more recently, from 2019-2020, the U.S. experienced an estimated 31% increase in overdose-related deaths. According to the National Institute of Health, over 900,000 people have died from overdose deaths in 2020.

Gabapentin is fast becoming one of the most prescribed medications in the U.S. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, gabapentin prescription rates have almost doubled from 2011 to 2017. In 2021, GoodRx reported that gabapentin was the 6th most prescribed medication drug in the nation. Gabapentin is a medication used to treat epilepsy and pain related to nerve damage, also known as neuropathy. Because it is becoming so popular, research is also finding more and more people are reportedly abusing the drug and developing dependence and addiction.

Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs and one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. The stimulant substance works by affecting the brain’s reward system and increasing the “feel good” chemical dopamine. In addition to its potent and habit-forming nature, cocaine has a shorter half-life than many other drugs. This encourages users to continue excessive drug use in order to experience the same level of effects. But how long does cocaine stay in the body? How long does cocaine stay in your blood? And how long does cocaine stay in your urine?

Morphine is an opioid. It is a naturally occurring substance derived from the poppy plant. It is a classic opioid analgesic that is often prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, chronic pain and pain management conditions post-surgery. An estimated 10% of the U.S. population has reportedly abused opiates such as morphine in their lifetime. Between the years 1998 – 2018, an estimated 450,000 people died of opioid overdose, which included morphine. The Schedule II narcotic produces feelings of relaxation and euphoria, making the drug a high risk for abuse, addiction and overdose.

Is there a way to “sober up” quickly? There are many myths and misconceptions about how to “sober up” after consuming excess amounts of alcohol. Some believe drinking more water helps to flush out the alcohol from the body. Others believe a strong cup of coffee can help jump-start your system. Despite the many different “tips and tricks” for sobering up, the rate at which alcohol is metabolized and eliminated from the body remains the same no matter what a person does. But, the more you drink, the longer the alcohol will stand in your body. There is no scientifically proven or clinically led way to speed up the elimination of alcohol from the system.

Spring is coming and along with spring are allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamine medications such as Claritin, Zyrtec and Benadryl are some of the most popular and commonly used among those who suffer from allergies. What happens when you mix Claritin with alcohol? Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and can lead to feelings of drowsiness and impaired coordination. Claritin can also produce the effect of drowsiness. The combination of both substances can cause risky and intensified effects.

Mental health conditions such as anxiety have become more and more common in today’s society. Anxiety can be a crippling condition that interferes with a person’s day-to-day activities making them unable to properly function. One of the most common is generalized anxiety disorder. This is a condition in which a person can experience worry and anxiety for at least six months or more. Research and studies believe anxiety can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medications such as Ativan have become popular in helping to treat symptoms of anxiety.

Gas station heroin is on the rise. There has been a recent spike in the abuse of illicit substance tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin.” Tianeptine had already been shown to be on the rise increasing at an alarming rate between 2014-2019.  And when the global pandemic came around, it caused an increase in drug use, which developed as a result of an increase in anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Antidepressant medications are one of the most prescribed and used drugs in the U.S. Physicians and clinicians prefer these medications as an alternative to benzodiazepines because there is much less potential for abuse of the drug. An estimated 10% of Americans are on antidepressant medications and an estimated 60% of those have been taking them for two years or more. Prozac or fluoxetine, is one of the more popular ones, with more than 28 million Americans reportedly using the drug. With its growing popularity, is Prozac an addictive drug?

Dilaudid, also known as hydromorphone, is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that is derived from morphine. The Schedule II Controlled Substance works by providing relief of moderate to severe pain. It is eight times more potent than morphine and has a high potential for abuse and a tolerance to the drug can develop in as little as two weeks of continual use. Dilaudid is an opioid and produces similar opioid effects such as feelings of euphoria and intense relaxation. The drug is a short-acting opioid and doesn’t stay in the system as long as some longer-lasting opioid pain medications.