Addiction is a complex disease that scientists continue to unravel; the hope being that findings will help reduce addiction rates and develop more effective forms of addiction treatment. It has been argued that environment plays a large role in addiction, and that altering an individual’s surroundings can influence addictive behavior. New research suggests that a...Read More

Whether you are recovering from an alcohol use disorder, or actively in the grips of alcoholism, it is unlikely that you are a stranger to the term “blackout.” Nights of heavy drinking are commonly accompanied by mornings of confusion, often requiring the help of others to fill in the blanks of the night before. This...Read More

The need for more discussion about addiction is crucial to eliminating the stigma which has long surrounded the insidious disease. Over the course of multiple decades, the solution in the United States was jail and prisons. However, we know that incarceration does little to combat the problem, due to the high rates of relapse and...Read More

The growing demand for prescription opioids with abuse-deterrent properties is a huge step forward in the fight against prescription drug abuse in America. Sadly, insurance companies are not willing cover the new, potentially lifesaving drugs. Last year, Massachusetts passed a law mandating insurances companies to cover abuse-deterrent opioids at the same level as other opioids,...Read More

The over prescribing of prescription opioids, such as Vicodin (hydrocodone) and OxyContin (oxycodone), has lead to a crisis of epidemic proportions. Doctors turn to prescription opioids as a first line of defense in the treatment of pain when, in many cases, they should prescribe opioid painkillers after other avenues have been exhausted. It would seem...Read More

Salvia (Salvia Divinorum) is a plant which has been consumed in religious ceremonies by the Mazatec people of Mexico for centuries. Users connect the plant and its effects with the Virgin Mary, believing that salvia allows them to speak with her. New research on the drug has shown that salvia may have the potential to...Read More

Project Vision – Rutland, VT One city’s vision to deal with the heroin epidemic Last week we brought our readers up to date on the State of Vermont’s efforts to deal with the heroin epidemic in which they found themselves engulfed during the past few years. At that time we mentioned we would write this...Read More

A look in the rear view mirror… If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you may remember it was a year ago this week that we introduced you to Governor Peter Shumlin who used his entire 2014 State of the State address to speak to Vermont citizens about the heroin epidemic. Governor Shumlin’s remarks...Read More

Maybe you should have a holiday conversation about ADHD drugs… Yes, this is the holiday season! College students across the country are returning home or meeting family members for a holiday vacation. Not to mention high school students will be enjoying their holiday break, as well.  It is the time of year when we all...Read More

Mental Illness Awareness Week – October 5 – 11, 2014 Yes, it’s true…once again it’s time to get involved. It is time to realize that 1 in 4 American Adults and 1 in 5 children will experience mental illness this year. Think about it this way, if you are an adult sitting in a room...Read More