Explore expert insights, recovery stories, treatment tips, and the latest updates in addiction care. Our blog is here to educate, inspire, and support you every step of the way.
History of DMT, the Spirit Molecule Indigenous shamans used the bark of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush to make ayahuasca, also known as hoasca, aya, or yage, a traditional psychoactive Amazonian brew. Supplying the mind-altering properties of the drink is dimethyltryptamine, DMT, found
What Are Bath Salts? Synthetic cathinone products sold as bath salts are not actually bath salts, such as Epsom salt that people use during baths. These bathing items do not have mind-altering ingredients. Instead, bath salts are chemically similar to amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA. They are supposed to be cheap,
There is considerable debate around the classification of kratom. Historically, it has been used to treat an assortment of illnesses, for instance, to ease symptoms of opioid addiction and withdrawal or decrease dependency. Kratom was also used for pain relief, producing euphoria, and fighting off fatigue, particularly among rural areas
What Is Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)? Psilocybin and psilocin are naturally occurring chemicals found in 200 species of hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow in Mexico, Central America, South America, and particular regions of the United States. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are comparable to LSD, peyote, and mescaline, abused for its euphoric
What Is Ketamine? Ketamine is a dissociative drug that has pain-killing and hallucinogenic effects. It has been widely used as general anesthesia in humans and animals since 1970, and its illegal manufacture and misuse started soon after. The use of ketamine produces trancelike and euphoric symptoms making it popular for
Recovering from addiction and continuously encountering relapse has achieved acceptance as an almost unavoidable part of the rehabilitation process. However, contrary to popular beliefs, relapse is not a normal part of recovery, and normalizing it can be dangerous— discrediting the urgency to prevent them. Preventing relapse is fundamental in drug
Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) was first developed for medical use in 1912 but was never marketed. Its first use was in the 1970s to aid in psychotherapy due to its effects on promoting a patient’s empathy and communication. However, it had no supporting clinical research or FDA approval. Today, it is considered
Once a popular drug of abuse in the 1980s, PCP has reemerged in the last decade. Originally used as a general anesthetic in the 1950s, it became limited to veterinary use in 1967 due to reports of hallucinations and uneasy feelings in patients after surgery. Today, veterinary medicine remains its
What Is Alcohol Poisoning? Alcohol poisoning happens when there is so much alcohol in your bloodstream that certain parts of your brain controlling essential life-supporting functions— such as breathing, heart rate, and body temperature control start to shut down. Alcohol poisoning deaths impact individuals of all ages but are most
Synthetic marijuana, popularly called Spice and K2, is a common drug of abuse because it is easy to find, and standard drug tests cannot detect it. Although the most alarming reason is the misconception that it is natural and harmless. When, in fact, the risk of an emergency room visit
What Is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a prescription drug for pain relief that is also made, sold, and used illegally. It is like morphine but up to 100 times more potent. Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful opioid. It has become the most widely used synthetic opioid in medical practice. Opioids are
A Side-by-Side Comparison Hydrocodone and oxycodone are doctor-prescribed pain medications. Both treat moderate to severe pain and offer relief from long-term and chronic pain caused by surgery or injury from an accident. They are also used in treating many types of pains associated with other conditions such as a chronic
What Is Heroin? An illegal and highly dangerous drug, heroin is one of the most commonly abused opioids globally. Heroin is an opioid, a class of medications used to treat moderate to severe pain; however, it can’t be legally prescribed in the U.S. Most heroin found on the street contains
In 1987, the American Medical Association (AMA) officially declared addiction a disease. However, it is still not accepted by everyone. Some people still view addiction as an issue of ethics— a lack of willpower and morality rather than a disorder. Definition of Addiction Drug and alcohol addiction is the ongoing
Almost 12 million people in the U.S. have reported using crystal meth at least once. Thus, making crystal methamphetamine one of the most widely used illicit drugs after cannabis. There are various reasons why people use crystal meth. For example, some women have reported seeking weight loss, while some men
Its easy access and feelings of happiness make Xanax the most abused drug of its kind. Of the benzodiazepine family of drugs, Xanax is the most frequently mixed with alcohol with the intent of abuse. Besides benzodiazepines being associated with nearly one-third of deliberate overdoses or suicide attempts. The leading
The side effects and dangers of snorting Adderall vary from improved cognitive performance to sudden death. Snorting Adderall is a faster route of delivery, increasing its effects and resulting in a higher dose. Sadly, this almost guarantees abuse that manifests into dependency and addiction. Adderall is a central nervous system
The length of time it takes cocaine to leave your body is not precise. This is because many variables determine how long cocaine (also known as coke, white, flake, and snow) stays in your system, including purity level, how often you use, how you use, and other factors. The half-life
Often disregarded as related, alcohol and mental health are neglected subjects. Yet, despite it being a mind-altering drug, alcohol is the prime motivator of human culture and the most widely accepted drug amongst society. Therefore, making it the most dangerous drug available to us. But when you explore further, alcohol
Detox. Treatment. Therapy. Relapse. The cycle of addiction is easily understood. Recovery is the complex journey. Dr. Steven Melemis is a medical doctor specializing in mood disorders and addiction. He wanted to explain relapse prevention through a set of basic rules. Preventing relapse is the reason most people seek help.
