Though millions of people have experienced symptoms of postpartum depression, the disorder remains widely misunderstood. Common questions include who is at greatest risk, how long can postpartum depression last, and how is it treated? What Is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental health condition whose symptoms occur either while a person is pregnant […]
Since the discovery of penicillin in the 1920s, antibiotics have saved countless lives. But if your doctor prescribes one of these meds to you, be sure you understand exactly how to take them. For example, can you drink on antibiotics? What Are Antibiotics? Antibiotics are a category of prescription medications that can prevent or treat […]
Are there significant differences between hydrocodone vs. oxycodone? What Are Hydrocodone and Oxycodone? Hydrocodone and oxycodone are semi-synthetic opioids. This means that they are lab-created substances that are derived from naturally occurring parts of the opium poppy plant: Oxycodone is derived from thebaine, an alkaloid that shares some chemical similarities with morphine and codeine. Hydrocodone […]
How to Administer Narcan
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Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication. But before you can use it, you need to know where to find it, how to identify the signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer Narcan. What Is Narcan? Narcan is the brand name of a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. […]
Cocaine’s effects are typically intense but brief. But when symptoms wear off, that doesn’t mean the drug has been completely eliminated from your body. How long does cocaine stay in your system? How Does Your Body Process and Eliminate Cocaine? It can take hours or even days for your body to fully eliminate cocaine. And […]
Many people extoll the potential health benefits of kombucha. But does the beverage pose a risk to those who have struggled with substance use disorders? Can recovering alcohols drink kombucha? What Is Kombucha? Kombucha is an aerobically fermented beverage that usually contains water, sugar, tea, yeast, and bacteria. First brewed in northern China around 220 […]
What is drug and alcohol detox and how does it fit into a comprehensive addiction treatment plan? What Is Drug and Alcohol Detox? Detoxification, which is commonly referred to as detox, is a short-term program that helps people withdraw from alcohol, opioids, and certain other drugs. Once a person has become addicted to a substance, […]
Understanding how long fentanyl stays in your system is important for safety, drug testing, and knowing how this powerful opioid affects the body. What Is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic, or lab-created, opioid. It is structurally and functionally similar to natural and semi-synthetic opioids such as codeine, morphine, and heroin, but it is […]
What’s the difference between substance abuse and a substance use disorder? And is addiction a mental illness, a behavioral health condition, or something else entirely? What Is Addiction? The clinical term for addiction is substance use disorder. It is also sometimes referred to as chemical dependency. Regardless of the term that’s used, this condition is […]
Someone who exhibits fentanyl overdose symptoms may be at risk of imminent death. Knowing how to recognize and respond to these symptoms can truly save lives. What Is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic (or lab-created) opioid. It is significantly more powerful than morphine and heroin, and it is also highly addictive. As is […]
What Is Outpatient Therapy for Depression? Outpatient therapy for depression is a general term that encompasses three distinct levels of care: partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programming, and traditional outpatient therapy. At each of these levels, patients only need to be at the center when treatment is in session. During non-treatment hours they can spend time […]
Getting professional help for an addiction to alcohol or another drug can put you on the path toward a much more hopeful and satisfying future. But it’s understandable to worry about the potential short-term impact of this decision. One common concern is, can you get fired for going to rehab? Can You Get Fired for […]