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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.

Can you get addicted to Kratom? Kratom use among young people and adults is increasing due to its general legal status and the assumption that the plant-derived substance is safe. In a recent 2021 study, people in the U.S. ages 12 and older have reported using Kratom in the past year. Despite its recent surge in popularity, Kratom is a substance that has been around for centuries. Yet very little is known about the drug and its effects on a person with long-term usage. Like any other mind-altering substance, Kratom can become very addictive.

Suboxone is a popular medication used in the treatment of opioid addiction. Often used during medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as an FDA-approved drug, Suboxone helps manage drug cravings and reduces withdrawal symptoms. A common symptom of opioid use is anxiety. Even when taking opioids as prescribed, anxiety can occur. The severity of anxiety depends on factors such as the type of opioid taken, the number of opioids taken and the length of time opioids have been taken.

Digital and social media platforms continue to grow and become the most popular forms of communication among adolescents and young adults. The ease of accessibility has created a dangerous breeding ground for the exposure of young people to drugs, alcohol and other mind-altering substances. The young adult population is uniquely vulnerable to the effects and influence of social media.