NARCONON BLOG

DRUG INFORMATION

How Inhalants Can Kill, Even the Very First Time They Are Used

The article explains the lethal risks associated with inhalant abuse, especially prevalent among young people due to the accessibility of these common household items. Felt tip pens, markers, nail polish remover, paint—any of these substances and hundreds...

DRUG REHABILITATION

What Is the Opioid Vaccine?

The term “opioid vaccine” has been in widespread use since at least 2019. However, many still do not understand what the medicine is or if it’s really a “vaccine” as one traditionally thinks of such types of medicine. Opioids are not infectious...

DRUG INFORMATION

Why Are So Many People Mixing Opioids and Stimulants?

This article explores the growing trend of combining opioids and stimulants, known as speedballing, among drug users. Learn the reasons behind this practice, including the desire to offset the negative effects of each drug or to achieve a specific high...

DRUG INFORMATION

What Is the Scope of Fentanyl Use Today?

Fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is anywhere from 50–100 times more potent, has become the leading cause of drug overdose fatalities in the United States. Its widespread use is extremely grim because even as some...

DRUG INFORMATION

The International Curse That Is Captagon

The article traces Captagon’s transition from a prescription stimulant to an addictive drug addicting many in the Middle East. It further highlights historical parallels with wartime stimulant use and concludes by warning of the possibility of the drug’s...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

New Research Data Shows Cannabis and Hallucinogen Usage Rates Continue to Rise Among Adults

While it’s common for certain drug use trends to come in and out of popularity, the trend of cannabis and hallucinogen use has been quite concerning in that usage of these drugs has steadily risen, uninterrupted, for several years. Further, interest...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Update on America’s Current Illicit Drug Market: Many New Drugs, Higher Quantities

The article provides an updated look at the U.S. illicit drug market, highlighting emerging trends and a very concerning surge in quantities of the deadly drug fentanyl. It also emphasizes the need for public awareness and advocates for a dual approach...

ADDICTION

Commit to Getting Clean in 2024

The scope of drug addiction in America continues to expand, and annual deaths from drug-related causes continue to increase. 2024 can be the Year of Recovery, but the family members and loved ones of people who struggle with addiction will need to step...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Why Do Women Find Drug Rehab Help Less Frequently Than Men?

This article investigates the gender gap in drug abuse and rehabilitation, citing the statistics that reveal fewer women finding drug rehab treatment compared to men. It also explores expert opinions for potential reasons, including unique challenges faced...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Why Did We Lose Matthew Perry of “Friends” Fame?

The article delves into the shocking death of actor Matthew Perry in October 2023, revealing the role played by ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic. While Perry had long struggled with substance abuse and addiction, he was finally sober when he published...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Latest Findings Show Number of Addicts in America Doubled in Recent Years

According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 16.5% of people aged 12 or older in the U.S. in 2021 (46.3 million people) met the criteria for addiction and needed substance use treatment. This is significant news because, in years...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Fentanyl Floods Into America at an Unprecedented Rate

Solving America’s problem with illicit synthetic opioids starts with a rational assessment of the extent of the problem. Learn how much fentanyl is still flooding across our borders.

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Michigan Healthcare Scheme Involved Opioids

A story broke in early 2023 that revealed a Detroit-area doctor had been sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison and was ordered to pay $30 million. The crime? Leading a scheme to bill Medicare and private insurers for unnecessary painkiller injections...

ADDICTION

Staying Clean and Preventing Relapse During the Holidays

The holidays are a time of celebration and joy, but they can also be a difficult season for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Stress, tense emotions, high expectations, social demands, year-end career targets, and other factors combine...

DRUG INFORMATION

Alcohol Consumption in One’s Youth Now Connected to Another Health Harm Later in Life

Findings from a UK study connected young adult alcohol use to frailty later in life, particularly as it pertains to losing muscle mass. According to the report, those examined in the study group with the lowest muscle mass drank about a bottle of wine...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Data Now Suggests Home Delivery of Alcohol During Pandemic Created Permanent, Long-Term Harm

New business strategies sprung up during COVID-19 lockdowns. While many such ideas were innovative and helpful, some caused harm. For example, one strategy implemented by alcohol manufacturers involved delivering alcohol to the doorsteps of people who...

DRUG INFORMATION

The Concept of “Holding One’s Liquor” Likely a Fallacy

A group of researchers found that people who regularly drink excessively were still impaired after heavy drinking, even if they thought they had a greater tolerance of alcohol. According to the researchers, the idea that heavy drinkers can somehow manage...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Why are Efforts to Combat Underage Drinking Stalling?

According to a recent report, several types of law enforcement strategies used to combat underage drinking are declining in terms of the frequency of their use by law enforcement departments. This is the wrong direction to go in.

ADDICTION

Pain Is a Legitimate Concern, but Patients Need Better Solutions Than Addictive Opioids

Millions of Americans suffer from acute and chronic pain conditions that severely reduce their quality of life. Unfortunately, the methods of treatment often prioritized for such individuals involve them taking addictive drugs like opioid pain reliever...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Europe Now Facing Similar Drug Trends and Harm as United States. Addiction Treatment is Needed to Solve the Problem

While much of the conversation regarding drug addiction and drug trafficking centers around the domestic U.S. drug problem, valuable lessons can be learned by assessing Europe’s current drug crisis. What is the scope of drug abuse in Europe today? What...