NARCONON BLOG

STATISTICS & TRENDS

As Demand for Illicit Substances Grows, Drug Distribution Networks Continue to Evolve

When my parents and grandparents were growing up, there were only a couple of drugs readily available: alcohol and tobacco. Some people slipped into alcoholism and others may have ruined their health by smoking too much and too long.

DRUG INFORMATION

Why Synthetic Drugs Might be the Deadliest, Most Damaging Drugs in the World

With so much focus on the harm coming from opioids, it would be easy to overlook the deadly threat coming from synthetics. This ever-changing list of drugs can wreak havoc among drug users who might not even know what chemical they are buying.

DRUG REHABILITATION

Should I Call the Cops on My Addicted Son or Daughter?

This is a difficult question that the parents of addicts sometimes have to ask. “Should I call the cops on my addicted son or daughter?” In the following paragraphs, we’ll look at some of the pros and cons of doing so. We’ll look at the support...

ADDICTION

Should I Get a Pet After Rehab?

Who feels better in the presence of pets? Can I see a show of hands? I know I do. Growing up in the rural Midwest, an Australian Shepherd dog was always at my side, everywhere I went.

DRUG REHABILITATION

What Works in Ensuring Long-Term Recovery?

For anyone who has a family member or loved one who is addicted or is in recovery, the big question is this. “How can we guarantee long-term recovery?” We know how dangerous relapses are. We know about the ever-present risk of an overdose. We know...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Why is the Northeast Hit Hardest by Opiate Deaths?

It is no mystery that the United States is struggling with a drug addiction crisis. In October of 2017, the opioid epidemic alone (just one facet of America's addiction problem) was declared a Public Health Emergency. Drug addiction has spread across the...

ADDICTION

Getting Out in Nature – A True Benefit to Recovery

The famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, used to go out into the woods to find inspiration for his architecture. Known for his surreal home designs, Wright found inspiration for his homes in places where there were no homes. He found motivation from nature.

DRUG REHABILITATION

The Importance of Offering REAL Treatment Options to Inmates

Recidivism, the revolving door nature of the prison system provides significant barriers to rehabilitating criminal behavior. Much of this is because offenders are put in a prison system that does not address the underlying reasons why they did something...

ADDICTION

U.S. States Most Affected by the Fentanyl Epidemic?

Fentanyl is reported in the headlines as a killer, but it is not assaulting all U.S. States equally. Which states are suffering the greatest losses?

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Yesterday's Battle Against Big Tobacco, Today's Battle Against Big Pharma

A cursory glance at recent headlines will reveal story after story of huge, multi-billion dollar pharma companies being sued for the part they played in the creation of the opiate epidemic. Now the cat is out of the bag, one could say, and the American...

ADDICTION

Supporting Employee's – The Importance of Fostering a Drug-Free Work Environment

In a country where drug addiction statistics are on the rise, it’s not a surprise that drug use among employees is a growing problem. This is particularly harmful too, as one employee's addiction harms all the other employees and the place of employment.

ADDICTION

More Alcoholic Beverages to Choose From Equals More Alcohol Consumption

The alcohol market is expanding. A lot of people don't drink, not because they have something against alcohol necessarily, but simply because they don't like the taste of alcohol. Yet it seems as though alcohol companies are trying to broaden their target...

ADDICTION

The Coming Winter Season – Sunlight, Warmth, Vitamin D, and Avoiding Substance Abuse in Colder Months

Most people gravitate to sunny days over gray ones. Most tend to enjoy warm weather over cold. Most would prefer a day with 16 hours of sunlight over one with just half that.

DRUG INFORMATION

Male Marijuana Use and… Miscarriage???

When we examine the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, we usually think of the person who is using the substance. But the truth is, drug and alcohol use harms those close to the user too. Family members are affected, as are coworkers, friends, etc.

DRUG INFORMATION

Fentanyl Deaths Rose More than Ten-Fold in Five Years

A detailed report by the Rand Corporation showed us that, in the last five years, U.S. deaths from synthetic fentanyl and other synthetic opioids increased by more than 10-fold. The loss of life due to just one type of drug has been so rapid that the crisis...

ADDICTION

Are You Getting Good Advice About Addictive Drugs?

The field of medicine has changed quite a bit over the years. For one thing, this field is much more complicated than it used to be. We know so much more about the human body. We know more about what ails us, and about what we might do to treat those ailments.

ADDICTION

Twenty Activities That Are More Fun When Done Sober

I hear so often among young adults and even my peers that drinking and social drug use is the “cool” thing to do. When I go to music shows and events, I’m always amazed by how much alcohol people consume…

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Sesame Street Addresses Addicted Parents and Harmful Effects of Drugs

On the subject of drugs, many parents often don’t know even how to begin broaching this subject. That is particularly true if parents have had little to no experience with drugs in their own lives. But parents see the news reports, and they hear the...

DRUG REHABILITATION

Lies Teens and Young Adults Tell Their Parents about Drugs

It's hard for a parent to know when their child is lying about drinking or using drugs and when they should begin to take action. We shed some light on this subject for parents and caretakers.

DRUG INFORMATION

Research Reveals Opiate Pain Meds Not Effective for Long—Term Pain Management

Painkillers have become a subject of growing controversy. The news is full of headlines decrying the pharmaceutical industry for producing opiate pain relievers that cause more harm than good. We hear stories of millions of Americans who took painkillers...