A recent study finds body clock disruptions may do more damage than just make you feel groggy. Learn why paying attention to self-care like good sleep hygiene can help safeguard your mental health. What Is the Body Clock? Your body clock (also known as your internal clock or biological clock) is an internal timing function…
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Drug overdose is an increasing public health burden in the U.S., with 63,600 deaths reported in 2016, 42,249 of which were attributed to opioids. The only opioid drug that saw an overdose mortality decrease in 2016 was methadone. Experts blame much of the increase on synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which is about 50 times…
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End the Stigma Associated with Addiction An integral component of combating the opioid drug epidemic is ending the stigma. Far too many people are embarrassed or afraid to seek help because of the stigma still attached to drug abuse. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use,…
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Recent studies have investigated whether medical marijuana legalization could help curb opioid addiction and the associated opioid overdose epidemic plaguing our nation. The theory is that substituting medicinal marijuana for opioid pain relievers might help reduce opioid-related health consequences. On the other side of the argument, opponents believe marijuana used for recreational purposes may serve…
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An excessive reliance on opioid analgesics for treating acute and chronic pain has contributed to the current global opioid epidemic. The lessons learned from this epidemic are many, starting with the need to develop efficacious, less addictive alternatives for people coping with pain. Another dimension of this argument is the need to limit prescribing opioids…
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Most people with addiction could not pass a pathological liar test. This is because lying is a hallmark of addiction. The disease of addiction hijacks the brain and steals empathy, clarity and awareness of one’s problems and the suffering of those around them. It fosters narcissistic behavior and loss of moral compass. And it leads…
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In 2009, the harmful effects of a man-made drug with names such as Spice, K2, Kush, Bliss, Joker, Mr. Nice Guy and hundreds of others, started eliciting widespread health-related reports. Synthetic marijuana contains far more powerful chemicals than marijuana, with varying amounts of the pharmacological agent, depending on the lab and batch. In 2015, the…
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Schizophrenia is one of the most disabling illnesses in the world. The disease wreaks havoc on everyday functioning, affecting the ability to live independently, engage in productive activities and social interactions, and attain/maintain employment. Common symptoms include delusions, hallucinations and inner voices (psychosis); emotional flatness or lack of expression; diminished ability to begin and sustain…
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Sweating excessively, especially at night, has several possible sources. For example, menopause, low blood sugar, fever, a condition called hyperhidrosis and certain medications (e.g., antidepressants and steroids) can all cause night sweats. If you drink alcohol, night sweats may be coming from your drinking habit. Although night sweats are more common with binge drinking or…
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As the U.S. faces the worst drug epidemic in history, veterans are statistically one of the most highly impacted groups when it comes to opioid addiction. The opioid epidemic’s effects on veterans are staggering. An overwhelming number of vets and their families are facing an addiction crisis as they try to cope with long-standing injuries…
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