KAREN
Oregon’s Big Drug Decriminalization Gamble
Oregon decriminalized personal-use quantities of drugs in 2020 with the intention that this new law would help drug users go to rehab rather than jail. This has turned out to be a big gamble that the State was possibly not ready for.
The State of Teen Drug Use: What Are the Real Numbers?
Are our children using more drugs or less these days? How about drinking and binge drinking? Actually, quite a bit of the information is positive.
Alcohol’s “New Normal”
Our world has changed in the last few years, and along with those changes, patterns of alcohol consumption have shifted. But that shift may not be the one you expect.
The Singular Destructiveness of Stimulants
While some people advocate the decriminalization of all drugs, including stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, it’s vital to know what kind of self-destruction is occurring while a person is using these drugs.
The Warning Signs of Relapse and How to Prevent It
To maintain long-term sobriety, it’s vital to be alert to the warning signs that your sobriety could be weakening. Taking action when these signs are noted and proactively building a strong, sober future are important ways to maintain that cherished sobriety.
How Does Drug Use Effect Sleep?
For those who want to sleep better, the science is quite clear: It’s smart to avoid the use of illicit drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs.
The Tangled Relationship Between Addiction and Trauma
For many people, experiencing trauma such as sexual, physical, emotional abuse or severe loss sets them on a path toward substance abuse and addiction. Understanding this can enable you to help a person who is using drugs and may be starting on that path.
A First-Hand Account of The Empire of Pain
For anyone touched by America’s opioid epidemic and anyone who has followed the development of this crisis, as I have, Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book adds to our knowledge of the steps that must be taken to heal from our crisis of drugs abuse and overdoses.
Athletes at Risk: Drug Use in Amateur, Elite and Professional Sports
We don’t usually hear about our sports heroes using drugs or drinking excessively until their careers founder or come crashing down. The lucky ones recover from addiction and often go on to work hard to save other people’s lives. The unluckiest ones lose everything.
Senior Citizens and Their Increasing Need for Addiction Recovery
America is losing more of its aging citizens to alcohol and drug dependence and even fatal overdoses. It’s time to take a look at the extent of this problem.