NARCONON BLOG

DRUG INFORMATION

What is Meth 2.0?

Every year it seems, there is a new drug on the scene or a new strain of a drug that is even worse than the last one. Case in point, reports are coming in from the Southeast about a new type of methamphetamine that is so potent it’s killing users. They’re...

DRUG INFORMATION

Trying to Have a Baby? A New Study Suggests Mom AND Dad Should Cease Alcohol Consumption

A new study from the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has drawn a link between alcohol consumption before pregnancy and future, congenital birth defects.

DRUG INFORMATION

The Most Lethal Drugs in the U.S.

According to a U.S. News article, 70,237 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. in 2017. That number was up 10.4 percent from the 63,632 people who died from drug overdoses in 2016. Overdose deaths are on the rise in America, and they have been since...

NATIONAL NEWS

One Industry’s Struggle with Addiction – How Can Employers Create a Sober Work Environment?

A recent article in U.S. News focused on the growing frequency of addiction in the construction industry. According to the article, construction workers are more likely than people in almost all other professions to misuse opioids, alcohol, cocaine, and...

DRUG INFORMATION

New Study Finds Link Between “Normal” Drinking Levels and Heart Rhythm Disorder

We’ve known for a long time that there can be adverse effects of alcohol consumption. And when we hear about the health implications of drinking, it almost always has something to do with the over- consumption of alcohol (an event known as binge drinking).

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Do “Sin” Taxes Actually Work in Reducing Drug and Alcohol Use?

Almost two decades into the 21st century, it's easy enough to look back and see our accomplishments thus far. The innovation of robotic limbs, evidence of water on Mars, advancements in HIV cures, inventing new tech to use water as a clean energy source,...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Aging, Substance Abuse, Leads To Spike In Cancer Deaths

A recent news report in U.S. News opens with, “Due to population growth and aging, the number of cancer cases worldwide is expected to jump 60% by 2040 – but unhealthy lifestyle habits are likely to make the surge even larger.” That’s a pretty...

NARCONON ARROWHEAD REVIEWS

I Decided to Love the New Me

Throughout my time here I didn’t just work on staying clean, I worked on myself. It took a while and a lot of work but in time, I found the real me. Now, you’re probably wondering, “who is the real Lexie”?

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Is it Possible to Achieve Pain Relief Without Using Painkillers?

One would hope we were approaching a point where the American people and the medical industry is fully aware of the risks and dangers connected with opioid painkillers. “Opioids are a last resort for chronic pain management.”

DRUG INFORMATION

“Fake” Opioid Pills—What Are They, How Did They Come About and What Do We Do About Them?

The most recent headline is on fake opioid pills. Granted, this is not exactly a new story, as fake opioid pills have been popping up on the American market for years. But a recent drug bust on the Eastern Seaboard serves as a grim reminder of how dangerous...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Tainted Alcohol—One More Reason Not to Drink While on Vacation

As it turns out, a pretty disturbing news story in USA Today is causing a lot of people to rethink copious alcohol consumption while on vacation. The article talked about a case out of Costa Rica, in which “tainted” batches of alcohol caused 25 deaths...

DRUG INFORMATION

Cold Weather and Cold Hearts— Why People Turn to Substance Use during Winter Months

Is there a seasonal factor in drug overdoses? New research from Brown University seems to suggest so. We’ve heard of the negative aspects of winter. We know about the uptick in depression and the poor mental outlooks that seem to get worse during cold...

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADDICTION

A Growing Drug Problem Overseas—What Can We Learn From It?

When we consider our drug problem here on U.S. soil, it’s difficult to imagine a drug crisis like this occurring somewhere else. The U.S. drug addiction epidemic has expanded and grown over the last twenty years, developing into a health crisis, unlike...

FAMILY ADDICTION

Early Recovery Aided by a Change of Environment

What is it about driving down certain roads that just makes us feel better? Or why do we feel that unique calm wash over us when we walk through a park we’ve been coming to for years? Conversely, what is it about a stroll by our old school that brings...

FAMILY ADDICTION

E-Cigarette Deaths and Resulting Bans—Exploring the Controversy

All you have to do to get the public in an uproar about something is to talk about how dangerous that thing is for young people. And that’s perfectly understandable. We are inherently inclined to protect our young. When it becomes evident that something...

FAMILY ADDICTION

Driving High and Pot Breathalyzers—Consequences of Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana legalization has increased across the nation throughout the last twenty-some-odd years. We are now seeing the side effects of that legalization and the harm it has had on American communities.

DRUG PREVENTION

Schools Increase Drug Testing—Is This the Right Path?

Schools are increasing their drug-testing programs. When I saw that headline mentioned in a recent article in U.S. News, it caught my eye. School drug testing is undoubtedly an effort to combat the growing drug epidemic. It’s an effort to protect our...

DRUG INFORMATION

Fentanyl Overdoses Still on the Rise

Some newsworthy developments on the subject of opioid overdoses have been published recently. On the one hand, recent reports indicate that overdose deaths from most opioids have dropped slightly. But those same reports also suggest that fentanyl-related...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

The Silent Generation Is Silent on Alcohol Misuse

When we think of drug and alcohol addiction, we almost always think of grown adults or young adults. Sometimes we think of teenagers or adolescents. But we rarely think of senior citizens, the demographic over the age of 65. And that’s a big mistake.

STATISTICS & TRENDS

National Panel Urges Changes to Addiction Screening

A surprising headline in an August 13th, 2019 issue of “U.S. News“ reads, “All U.S. Adults Should Be Screened for Illicit Drug Use, National Panel Urges.” That came as a bit of a shock. Such an approach has never been suggested before.