Substance Use Disorder
Though the war on drugs has not had a tangible impact on crime, treatment for substance use disorders has - Austin Frakt
image by: Shauna Pratt
HWN Recommends
Declaring Addiction a Health Crisis Could Change Criminal Justice
For the first time ever, a sitting U.S. surgeon general has declared substance abuse a public-health crisis. “It’s time to change how we view addiction,” Vivek Murthy said in a statement last week, which was accompanied by a lengthy report on the issue. “Not as a moral failing, but as a chronic illness that must be treated with skill, urgency and compassion. The way we address this crisis is a test for America.”
Murthy’s statement is a major victory for those advocates who have long hoped addiction would be viewed through a physical- and mental-health lens. But this new approach—if it were to become widespread—could also profoundly impact the criminal-justice system, where addicts…
Resources
How Iceland Got Teens to Say No to Drugs
Curfews, sports, and understanding kids’ brain chemistry have all helped dramatically curb substance abuse in the country.
National data says substance abuse is on the decline. These charts tell a different story
National averages hide the counties that desperately need our help.
Taking On Substance Use Disorder As An Employer -- Getting It Right
In recent years, significant progress has been made in bringing the mental health needs of employees and their families to the forefront of workplace leaders’ strategic agendas.
Using Drugs to Stem Drug Abuse
Readers differ about the efficacy of medication-assisted recovery.
The five most addictive substances on Earth
The question is simple, but the answer depends on whom you ask.
Are Teenagers Replacing Drugs With Smartphones?
Amid an opioid epidemic, the rise of deadly synthetic drugs and the widening legalization of marijuana, a curious bright spot has emerged in the youth drug culture: American teenagers are growing less likely to try or regularly use drugs, including alcohol.
Declaring Addiction a Health Crisis Could Change Criminal Justice
The surgeon general’s new approach on substance abuse has policy implications for law enforcement.
How scientists rank drugs from most to least dangerous — and why the rankings are flawed
There's a very common drug-policy talking point that's meant to convey the absurdity of the war on drugs: Alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana, even though alcohol is legal and marijuana is not.
Intervening Early to Prevent Substance Use Disorders
Infancy, toddlerhood, and the first years of school are hardly a time most people associate with drug use. But aspects of family, school, and community environments during this crucial window of human development can set the stage for the social, emotional, behavioral and academic problems that, a decade or more later, may take the form of increased risk-taking and experimentation with substances like alcohol, cigarettes, or illicit drugs.
Spend a Dollar on Drug Treatment, and Save More on Crime Reduction
The burden of substance abuse disorders can fall heavily on the families and friends of those who battle addictions. But society also pays a great deal through increased crime. Treatment programs can reduce those costs.
Teen Substance Abuse
Parenting: Teen Substance Abuse - information and resources about teenage substance abuse and jewish teenagers.
The real reason some people become addicted to drugs
It’s difficult to explain how drug addiction develops over time. To many, it looks like the constant search for pleasure. But the pleasure derived from opioids like heroin or stimulants like cocaine declines with repeated use. What’s more, some addictive drugs, like nicotine, fail to produce any noticeable euphoria in regular users. So what does explain the persistence of addiction?
Treating Drug Abuse as a Disease, Not a Crime
This reflects a growing understanding of drug abuse as a public health issue, and the data suggests that the majority of Americans think we should be dealing with it as a disease that needs treatment, rather than prosecuting it as a crime.
Why "Just Say No" Doesn't Work
A popular program for preventing teen drug use does not help. Here's what does.
Declaring Addiction a Health Crisis Could Change Criminal Justice
The surgeon general’s new approach on substance abuse has policy implications for law enforcement.
4 Reasons More Boomers Are Hooked On Drugs and Alcohol
People in their 50s, 60s and beyond are often not considered likely candidates for drug and alcohol problems. But the combination of chronic pain, the loneliness that can come with retirement and a comfort level with illicit drugs acquired during their teen years can lead older adults into dangerous habits — and even addiction.
The 3 deadliest drugs in America are legal
Tobacco, alcohol, and opioids kill hundreds of thousands annually. Marijuana, meanwhile, has caused zero overdose deaths.
The Medicine Abuse Project
Medicine abuse is an epidemic, and together we can end it. Join our action campaign to learn how to safeguard your family and community from the devastation of heroin and other opioids and the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Drug Science
Founded by Professor David Nutt following his removal from post as Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, DrugScience is the only completely independent, science-led drugs charity, uniquely bringing together leading drugs experts from a wide range of specialisms to carry out groundbreaking original research into drug harms and effects.
Above the Influence
Above the Influence is a place where teens can stand up to negative pressure, connect with others, join the discussion and just be themselves.
DrinkSavvy
We at DrinkSavvy hold the crazy belief that your evenings should be spent having fun. That's why we are developing trendy new DrinkSavvy cups, glasses, and straws/stirrers that look and function normally, except they will immediately change color to warn you when someone slips a date rape drug into your drink.
FRANK
Honest information about drugs.
Partnership to End Addiction
We partner with families, professionals and other organizations to end addiction in this country. Ours is a public health approach, rooted in science and compassion.
CESAR
The Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), at the University of Maryland at College Park, is dedicated to addressing the problems substance abuse creates for individuals, families, and communities. To this end, the mission of CESAR is to inform policymakers, practitioners, and the general public about substance abuse—its nature and extent, its prevention and treatment, and its relation to other problems.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Information on alcohol and resisting peer pressure. It is possible to drink legally and safely– when a person is 21 or older and drinks in fairly small amounts. But if you’re under 21 –or if you drink too much at any age–alcohol can be especially risky.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention and treatment and to inform policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.
NIDA for Teens
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), created this Web site to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. NIDA enlisted the help of teens in developing the site to ensure that the content addresses appropriate questions and timely concerns.
Periodic Table Of Drug Addiction
This table is organized to the best of our abilities by ordering substances based on rating of harm and prevalence while resembling the structured organization of an actual periodic table. Based on statistics from National Institute on Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration and US Food and Drug Administration, among other reliable sources.
SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
TestMyTeen.com
Helping parents keep drug free homes since 2004.
Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.
