Alcohol and Opioids Are a Deadly Combo
Legal doesn't mean safe. Since alcohol is legal for adults over the age of 21 and opioid painkillers are legal with a prescription, people often mistakenly assume that mixing the two is no big deal. This couldn't be further from [...]
Everything You Need to Know About Opioid Overdoses
The opioid epidemic is a public health emergency, but many people don't think about the potential consequences of opioid abuse until it's too late. If a loved one is taking opioids, even if they've been prescribed by a doctor, it's [...]
10 Facts You Need to Know About the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic was first declared a public health emergency in 2017. If you are struggling with opioid abuse or believe a loved one may be in need of addiction treatment, there are some important facts to consider as you [...]
Opioid Epidemic Creates a Blurred Line Between Dependency and Abuse
With the opioid epidemic making headlines every week, it's understandable to be worried about the risk of addiction if you or someone you love has been prescribed opioids. However, you must remember that opioid medication does play a vital role [...]
The Rise of Substance Abuse Screenings at the Dentist’s Office
During your next dental appointment, you may be asked about more than your brushing and flossing habits. A recent survey found that 77 percent of dentists now perform substance abuse screenings as part of routine exams. Why Are Dentists Are [...]
Unintended Addictions to Prescription Painkillers Pose a Serious Threat
Although the general public often assumes anyone in rehab actively set out to develop an addiction, this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, most people who struggle with an addiction to prescription painkillers originally took their medication exactly [...]
Signs of Opioid Addiction
Opioid abuse remains a serious public health issue throughout the United States. This is, however, an often misunderstood type of addiction, since many people who use opioid pain medication have a valid reason for doing so and abusers often begin [...]
Prescription Pain Medication: a Gateway to Heroin
WPSU radio station wanted to discuss the increased use of heroin and the inherent dangers. One of our graduates joined me for the interview and made a great contribution. Emily was celebrating her third anniversary of sobriety and we are [...]
Pittsburgh, Heroin, and the Road to Hell
Not long ago a mother from Pittsburgh called me seeking help for her daughter. She described a two year journey that began when her daughter started taking prescription meds for knee surgery. The family assumed the surgery had not gone [...]
