Because of the widespread use of opioid drugs in treatment of chronic pain, key players from around the world have joined forces to address the pros and cons. Opioids are used around the world to treat patients with severe pain, but people in the medical field interpret global statistics differently. While acknowledging the effectiveness of…
DetailsCiting data gathered from more than 170,000 chronic pain patients, researchers have concluded that prescription painkillers can be gateway drugs for heroin use. Ameritox, a company that provides drug-screening equipment to the medical community, issued the statement following a study of urine samples from chronic pain patients. Heroin use in the United States is seeing…
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If you’re sitting around waiting for a positive mental attitude to show up on your doorstep, that’s not going to happen. Try getting up and dragging out those tennies that have been hiding somewhere in the back of your closet, and just do it. Exercise, that is. There’s a biological basis for that advice. Research…
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With an eye toward celebrating the benefits of recovery from substance use disorders and the mental health issues that often accompany them, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has issued an official proclamation to support SAMSHA’s National Recovery Month initiative. Joining forces with state and federal drug awareness agencies, Sandoval’s proclamation encourages Nevada residents to participate in…
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Dr. Mel Pohl, MD, FASAM and medical director for the Las Vegas Recovery Center, is one of the best doctors in America, according to the 2014 Best Doctors in America® list. Only 5% of American physicians appear on the annual list, which is compiled by Best Doctors, Inc., through an exhaustive polling process of more…
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For many years, professionals in the field of addiction have argued for and against the integration of 12-step philosophy into treatment programs. Those who are reluctant cite the lack of scientific rigor around the effectiveness of 12 steps as well as the spiritual orientation of these programs and other reasons for keeping a formal treatment…
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Opioid painkillers can lead to addiction and depression. A recent study of narcotic pain medications, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and Demerol, to name a few, shows that patients who remained on these drugs for longer than six months were more likely to experience major depression than those who never took opioids. The study, conducted by…
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Recent studies on the dangers of prescription pain medication show the need for close monitoring of dosage, especially in the first year of treatment, when dose escalation is most likely. When patients are at risk of developing substance use disorders or when they frequently contact their doctors about medications, their chances of overdosing increase, according…
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The 2014 Episode Data Sheet produced for government agencies reports that a significant percentage of people in treatment for addiction leave before completion, indicating that healthy coping skills in recovery may need to come from sources other than those traditionally used by therapists. Rehab centers are employing dance, music, yoga, recovery meditation and other alternative…
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Between the years 1991 and 2011, there was a 300% increase in overdoses from opiates, with the greater proportion due to prescription painkillers. The number of prescriptions for opiates (such as morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone) increased from 76 million to 219 million in the same time frame. Arguably, the current way of relieving pain in…
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