HealthDay

The rate of overdoses caused by the ingestion or inhalation of fake Oxycontin pills is soaring, especially in the U.S. West Rates of such cases treated at one hospital in the West rose from 3 in 2017 to 209 by 2022 The counterfeit pills are typically laced with fentanyl, and some people may know this and be using them deliberately FRIDAY, July 26, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- The rate at which young Americans are ending up in hospital ICUs after using fake Oxycontin pills spiked with fentanyl is soaring, especially in the U.S. West, a new report warns.

Fake Oxycontin Pills Widespread and Potentially Deadly: Report

Anyone reading health care news today must be aware that American medicine – particularly pain medicine – is in crisis. Doctors are experiencing high levels of burnout due to administrative burdens, prior authorization demands, and a health care system that often prioritizes efficiency over patient care. This burnout is leading to mental health issues and, in some cases, physician suicides.

The truth behind opioid use disorder

Nausea, sweating, and diarrhea are just some of the possible symptoms of opioid withdrawal. How soon those symptoms start and how long they last can vary by person, but the general opioid withdrawal timeline can last 1 to 3 weeks. Opioids are a class of drugs originally developed to manage...

Your Guide to the Opioid Withdrawal Timeline

The FDA approved Zurnai, the first nalmefene hydrochloride auto-injector for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. The agency approved the first nasal spray formulation of nalmefene in May 2023. Drug overdose persists as a major public...

FDA Approves First Nalmefene Hydrochloride Auto-Injector to Reverse Opioid Overdose

Thousands of Americans struggle with opioid use disorder (OUD), and while there are three widely available drug treatments for OUD, only about one in five receive OUD medications to combat it. The opioid epidemic has blazed on for decades, and public health officials continue to search for ways to support those who need treatment.

Why Aren’t More People Prescribed Opioid Use Disorder Medications?

TheConversationAU

Earlier this month, drugs sold as cocaine in Melbourne were found to be contaminated with a powerful group of opioids, known as nitazenes.

These new synthetic drugs were also the suspected cause of four people being hospitalised in Sydney in May. And in April, nitazenes were found in drugs used by around 20 people who overdosed in outer Sydney.

So what are nitazenes, why are they so dangerous, and how can we minimise the harms they cause?



What are nitazenes?

Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids. This means they’re made in a lab (distinct from morphine or heroin which come from the opium...

Cocaine is being contaminated with powerful opioids called nitazenes. Here’s why it’s a dangerous mix

rolling out

Drug addiction is a serious issue affecting millions of people worldwide, and women are not immune to this epidemic. Despite the widespread recognition of the problem, many women go to great lengths to hide their addiction. The stigma surrounding female drug addiction — combined with societal pressures and personal responsibilities — often forces women to conceal their struggles. This article will explore various ways women attempt to hide their drug addiction, the reasons behind these efforts, and the potential consequences of such secrecy.

How women attempt to hide their drug addiction

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Georgia State

Douglas, GA

Daily Coffee Press

Last week, a 32-year-old was arrested on trafficking charges after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and abandoning the vehicle with a child in the passenger seat. The chase resulted in the discovery of 230 grams of methamphetamine, which the suspect allegedly threw out while fleeing on foot. According to local detectives, the vehicle the suspect was driving was registered to NFL football player Tyreek Hill.

Man Driving Vehicle Registered to Tyreek Hill Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges in Douglas

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A former Jacksonville police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Josue Garriga III, 34, faces a mandatory penalty of 10 years to life in federal prison and must register as a sex offender. A sentencing date has not been set.

Former cop pleads guilty to enticing 17-year-old girl

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

Professional musicians have a higher chance of being left-handed than the general population. Left-handers have better pitch memory than right-handers. A stroke in the right half of the brain can destroy the ability to perceive music. August 13, 2024, is International Left-Handers Day, and, despite decades of research on left-handedness,...

Left-Handedness and Musicality: 5 Scientific Facts

Hendersonville, NC

The US Sun

A FURIOUS Walmart shopper has hit out at the retailer, claiming their checkout process is disorganized and inefficient. The chain's reliance on self-checkout in several stores across the US has been a source of controversy for many. Shoppers have flooded to social media to complain about understaffed stores and long...

‘Just walked out’ fumes Walmart shopper who left cart with $130 of groceries after store had 19 unmanned registers

Narcissists may manipulate through observation and charm, creating a false sense of bonding. These relationships have distinct phases, often involving a gradual, potentially traumatizing end. Understanding these phases aids in healing and setting boundaries. Relationships with individuals who exhibit narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) present a series of dynamics that can...

The Phases of a Narcissistic Relationship

South Carolina State

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

community_voice

Los Angeles County, CA

Herbie J Pilato

In 1981, pop-music sensation Andy Gibb was at the top of the charts. The younger brother of Barry, Robin, and Maurice, a.k.a. The Bee Gees, commenced a tumultuous romance with actress Victoria Principle, who played Pam Ewing on Dallas, TV's then-Number 1 prime-time series. But after the relationship ended, Andy's life, already challenged by substance abuse, did as well. This is their tragic story.

The Tragic Death of Pop Star Andy Gibb & His Traumatic Romance with 'Dallas' Star Victoria Principle

Atlanta, GA

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to over 28 years in prison for distributing significant amounts of fentanyl and other controlled substances to dealers in the Middle Georgia region. Authorities revealed that investigators uncovered evidence linking the drugs provided by the defendant, 40-year-old Lagary Williams, also known as "Frog," from Atlanta, to a fatal overdose.

Atlanta Man Sentenced to 28 Years for Supplying Deadly Fentanyl Linked to Fatal Overdose

Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite successful treatment, many individuals struggle to maintain sobriety and may relapse. Understanding the reasons behind relapse and how it happens is crucial in developing better support systems and treatment methods for those battling addiction. Understanding...

How and why drug addicts relapse after drug treatment

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

I recently had surgery. In the name of transparency, the kind of surgery I had is called a rectopexy. Read about it at your own risk with the link provided. It was performed through my abdomen, laparoscopically, with the surgeon using a robot. My surgeon said that despite having only four half-inch round incisions on my abdomen, it was major surgery.

Recovering From Surgery Alone

Apache Junction, AZ

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Suzy Jacobson Cherry

When I studied Anthropology in college, I learned that teeth have been indicators of economic status just about forever. Archaeologists look at the teeth in ancient skeletons and know who the rich were based on their tooth decay. During the Renaissance period, it became fashionable for women to blacken their teeth to look like they were better off than they were, because the royals and aristocrats, who could afford sugar and sweets, had more rotten and missing teeth than the poor.

Opinion: Stop Stereotyping Bad Teeth as a Sign of Drug Addiction

NewsBreak

A Closer Look at 107,543 Lives Lost to Drug Overdoses

While overdoses from fentanyl went down in 2023, overdoses from cocaine and methamphetamine went up. Increased availability of Narcan, harm-reduction practices, and drug seizures likely decreased...

A Closer Look at 107,543 Lives Lost to Drug Overdoses

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