Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate drug that is prescribed primarily for treating pain. It is most commonly prescribed in the form of OxyContin, a name-brand drug that releases oxycodone in time-release tablet form. Other drugs that contain a relatively small amount of oxycodone include Percocet, Percodan and Tylox. It’s highly addictive. Therefore, you need to …
What does painkiller addiction look like? Prescription painkiller addiction can happen to anyone. It often starts with legal, prescribed medications that are taken as directed. But over time, people develop a tolerance to the drugs, which leads to increased doses and more frequent use. Before you know it, you are addicted and struggling to quit. …
A small implant that delivers a constant stream of a drug that eases physical withdrawal from opioids, limits cravings and blocks their effect in the brain is being hailed as a game changer in the fight against heroin and prescription painkiller addiction.
Drug cravings are prominent urges to consume more of a mind-altering drug or medication. The presence of these urges is one of the symptoms that doctors look for when diagnosing various forms of substance use disorder (substance abuse/substance addiction). In a study published in September/October 2014 in The American Journal on Addictions, a team of …
How Does Drug Craving Manifest in People Addicted to Prescription Opioids? Read More »
Starting next month, it will be easier to rid your home of unwanted narcotic painkillers. Calling prescription drug abuse “an urgent and growing threat to our nation and its citizens,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced this week that the Drug Enforcement Agency is loosening its rules to allow neighborhood pharmacies, hospitals and drug treatment …
New Law Lets Pharmacies Take Back Unused Prescription Drugs Read More »
A prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is an official database of information on prescribers and recipients of controlled substances. The idea is that when doctors and pharmacists can see exactly who is obtaining prescription drugs, the public’s ability to abuse those drugs will be minimized. The database is also open to law enforcement. A recent …
Missouri Holds Out on Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Read More »
The National Football League has been sued by more than 600 retired players, who have charged that they were wrongfully doped with addictive painkillers to keep them on the field at the expense of their health. This marks the second time in a week that makers of opiate drugs have been pulled into lawsuits. On …
Ex-Players Say NFL Handed Out Painkillers ‘Like Candy’ Read More »
The district attorneys of two California counties have sued five giant pharmaceutical companies, charging that they fraudulently marketed highly addictive drugs meant for terminal cancer patients as safe for chronic pain relief. The resulting explosion in prescription painkillers, the plaintiffs allege, has contributed to the nation’s alarming spike in opiate overdose deaths.
Stereotypes of drug addiction are changing. People may expect that an addiction started due to drugs being passed around at a high school party, or a young adult’s drug-laced family environment drew them in. But today it’s just as likely that a craving began due to surgery experienced by an older person. The Centers for …
Prescription Painkillers Linked to Addiction in All Ages Read More »
A new super-potent narcotic painkiller called Zohydro is set to enter the marketplace and critics fear the country will see a spike in opioid addiction and overdose deaths as a result. Zohydro, which was approved by the FDA last year in a controversial decision, is an extended release formula of pure hydrocodone. In spite of the warnings from …
Super Painkiller Zohydro Could Lead to More Overdose Deaths Read More »