A new study looked at what’s going on in the brains of people who used to be addicted to drugs, specifically methamphetamine, after they’ve been clean for a long time, to see what it can tell us about addiction and sobriety. Researchers wanted to see if parts of the brain involved in cravings stay
San Diego is suing several Big Tech social media companies. San Diego leaders filed the lawsuit last week, which says TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are harming mental health among young people and creating addictive elements purposefully. They say that the companies are causing social media addiction by using features that encourage hours
Los Angeles health officials are sounding the alarm after three young adults died in recent months from overdoses tied to a powerful kratom extract. Each of the victims consumed 7-Hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, a highly concentrated compound found in some kratom products. The products are often sold at gas stations and convenience stores
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is held every year on August 31. It's considered the world’s largest campaign for awareness and prevention of overdose deaths. People spend the day honoring their loved ones, educating others, and celebrating their lives. Commemorations of the day also focus on reducing stigma, and renewing commitment to prevention. Addiction
The Education Support Center in Lemon Grove once advertised its services online. They claimed to promote a drug-free lifestyle and help people get back on their feet, but the business itself was registered as a company that would help low-income consumers learn about finances. Police say it was none of these things; instead, it
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill want to classify fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug permanently. They say this move they say could help combat the country’s growing overdose crisis. The reclassification would place fentanyl in the same category as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. These are all drugs that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) defines as
The recent expansion of conservatorship laws in San Diego via Senate Bill 43 will greatly affect those with addiction. Meant to force people to get treatment for their substance use issues or mental health disorders, the law expands conservatorship criteria. This includes those with severe substance use disorders. The premise of the law is
A new court decision has changed the way the settlements for the opioid epidemic may play out in courtrooms. A high-level court in Ohio recently ruled that public nuisance laws cannot be applied against pharmacies doing legitimate business, even if they have an outsize amount of traffic due to opioid prescriptions unless they follow a
Pink cocaine has been in the news lately after boy band legend Liam Payne suffered a tragic fall from a hotel room last month. Payne, who had once achieved long-term sobriety, apparently was using drugs again. Reports say that he had a substance called "pink cocaine" in his system, causing him to suffer a psychotic
For the first time in 20 years, the federal government is changing the rules for Methadone, a form of medication-assisted treatment available for people addicted to prescription or street opioids. The new rules aim to make the life-saving treatment more accessible to people struggling with opioid use disorder. They take place next month, updating some
