After writing promotional content for non-profit organizations and healthcare professionals for 25 years, Karen turned her focus to drug addiction and recovery. She spent two years working in the trenches in a Narconon drug rehab center and two more years at Narconon International with their drug information services. For nearly two decades, she has followed the trends of drug abuse, addiction and drug trafficking around the world, as well as changes in the field of addiction treatment. As a result of her constant research, she has produced more than two million words of educational and informative material on drug use and recovery so those who are addicted and their families can find lasting solutions. She gives talks and presentations to educate and inform those interested in countering substance use and arming people with educational tools to improve their communities. She continues to travel across the United States to learn the experiences and opinions of individuals related to substance abuse and recovery.
It is very common that a person struggling with addiction to alcohol does not realize or cannot admit the extent of their own problem. If family members appeal to them to stop drinking or to get help, in so many cases, they are unable to take their own first steps toward sobriety.
It would be impossible to list all the drugs that are actually circulating through these venues, but the drugs listed here are the most sought-after drugs named by partygoers.
Because a cocaine user will often try to conceal their drug use, it's important for friends and family to be able to identify the signs of use. When cocaine use develops into long-term use and addiction, the signs usually become unmistakable. At that point, finding an effective rehab program is essential.
A heroin user normally tries to conceal their drug use from loved ones. Therefore, family and friends often have to observe the many mental, physical and behavioral signs and symptoms of heroin use to realize the cause of their loved one’s problems.
Abusable inhalants are literally everywhere. It's no wonder that these substances are more commonly abused by younger Americans who might not have easy access to illicit drugs.
Prescription drugs can help people overcome medical conditions, manage pain, and are essential for people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes. When they are abused by a person wishing to get high, they no longer help the user. In fact, they may cause unconsciousness, amnesia and death.
Some people misuse barbiturates to alleviate the side effects of stimulant abuse or to self-medicate their own anxiety. They may not realize that they are playing with fire. The difference between a dose that creates the sedating effect they are seeking and a dose that triggers a coma or even death is very small.
The drug ecstasy is described in many terms: hallucinogen, club drug, synthetic drug, stimulant and empathogen. Looking at how ecstasy, also called MDMA or molly, can be all these things at once provides insight into its effects.
The changes of the last several years must be tracked and understood if we are to reverse the terrible losses imposed on our country by those who make and traffic in fentanyl.
Benzodiazepines are often over-prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. They are also popular among people who use opioids. Benzodiazepines are very addictive.
Methamphetamine is a very strong and addictive stimulant drug. While there is a prescription form of methamphetamine (methamphetamine hydrochloride, known by the brand name Desoxyn), the form of the drug that normally makes problems for drug abusers is the illicit form of the drug.
If we focus too closely on the opioid epidemic, we could miss the growing problem with abuse of stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine, and prescription drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall and others. Just like opioids, these drugs can be deadly.
With powerful fentanyl being found in cocaine, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills and Spice, it’s a more life-threatening world in which to abuse drugs than ever before.
When you’re looking at the abuse of amphetamines around the world, you should realize that amphetamine is both a specific drug and the name of a class of drugs.
In February 2018, the Commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning that the legal drug kratom has opioid properties. This warning resulted from new research and a growing number of reports of death resulting from its use.
You’ve probably heard of Suboxone. But maybe you haven’t heard from its users what it’s like to break free from this drug. Chances are you won’t hear the real tale from anyone unless they’ve gone through it.
Most parents are familiar with the tendency of youth to start using alcohol or marijuana. It’s a good bet, however, that few are ready to think of their teenaged child abusing Xanax, the anti-anxiety drug, especially considering how dangerous this drug is.
You’ve probably heard of fentanyl, the drug that caused so many overdoses deaths, especially in the Midwest, Great Lakes States and Northeast. What most people don’t know is that there are 1400 different forms of this deadly drug.
