A Spike in Drinking
Those restrictions existed to inhibit people’s tendencies to abuse alcohol. In their absence, problems related to excessive drinking increased, substantially.
A Spike in Drinking
Those restrictions existed to inhibit people’s tendencies to abuse alcohol. In their absence, problems related to excessive drinking increased, substantially.
No, I’m not referring to some jerk spiking drinks with GHB. Here's today's topic: what happened to alcohol-related problems during the pandemic years?
They got worse, and fast.
Most commentators put this down to the stress of pandemic life. There seemed to be an emerging consensus that with COViD on the rise, people just plain needed to drink a lot.
I might have questioned that assumption at the time, but I doubt many folks would have paid attention. Too busy stocking the liquor cabinet, I suppose.
As much as drinking itself increased, the problems it created increased even faster. Some examples from the National Vital Statistics System:
The rate of alcohol-induced deaths jumped 26% in the span of a year (2019-2020).
Alcohol-related deaths increased by 50% for pancreatitis, and 23% for liver disease.
Deaths related to alcohol-induced mental and behavioral disorders rose a full third (33%).
Last but not least, deaths from ‘accidental’ alcohol...
They got worse, and fast.
Most commentators put this down to the stress of pandemic life. There seemed to be an emerging consensus that with COViD on the rise, people just plain needed to drink a lot.
I might have questioned that assumption at the time, but I doubt many folks would have paid attention. Too busy stocking the liquor cabinet, I suppose.
As much as drinking itself increased, the problems it created increased even faster. Some examples from the National Vital Statistics System:
The rate of alcohol-induced deaths jumped 26% in the span of a year (2019-2020).
Alcohol-related deaths increased by 50% for pancreatitis, and 23% for liver disease.
Deaths related to alcohol-induced mental and behavioral disorders rose a full third (33%).
Last but not least, deaths from ‘accidental’ alcohol...
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Quick Update– Opioids & Something New
It appears that the presence of other drugs in the fentanyl and heroin currently flooding our streets has made naloxone, the opioid antagonist that is our primary weapon against OD fatalities, far less likely to be effective.
Now what do we do about fentanyl?
...much of the fentanyl in circulation is in the form of an additive to some other drug-- cocaine, for instance, or methamphetamine, or one of the many sedatives.
A Spike in Drinking
Those restrictions existed to inhibit people’s tendencies to abuse alcohol. In their absence, problems related to excessive drinking increased, substantially.
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Now what do we do about fentanyl?
...much of the fentanyl in circulation is in the form of an additive to some other drug-- cocaine, for instance, or methamphetamine, or one of the many sedatives.
Nurses Stealing Drugs
NCSBN estimates that 10 to 20% of the profession will suffer from some type of substance use problem.
Now what do we do about fentanyl?
...much of the fentanyl in circulation is in the form of an additive to some other drug-- cocaine, for instance, or methamphetamine, or one of the many sedatives.
The Drug Epidemic to Come
On a recent show, comedian John Oliver addressed the prospect of a future virus pandemic that...
Another Actor Talks Recovery
Maybe they just saw it as none of their damn business, so long as he showed up on time and didn’t embarrass them. It’s the sort of accommodation people make all the time in response to someone else’s excessive drinking in a social or work situation.
Getting Treatment: Who Decides?
On the other side of the equation, many in the insurance industry were unimpressed. Who’s supposed to pay for all that? they wanted to know. It won’t be us.
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Substance Deaths Up Among Seniors
People over 65 can be expected to be more vulnerable to the kind of problems that can accompany drug and alcohol use than younger folks.
Borderline, Revisited
The term was invented in the 1930’s to describe someone prone to becoming psychotic or severely disturbed under stress, but who otherwise was capable of functioning normally.
Substance Deaths Up Among Seniors
People over 65 can be expected to be more vulnerable to the kind of problems that can accompany drug and alcohol use than younger folks.
Veteran Advice
And as the saying goes, often the best way to strengthen your own recovery is to help another sufferer to strengthen theirs.
Drugs in Jail
If 70% or more of a jail population has been identified as having a drug or alcohol problem – that does happen – then what you’re really operating is a treatment center that happens to have bars on the windows and guards at the entrance.
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First Person Hard Charger
In fact, in many instances, the trauma that occurs after they’re addicted is more damaging than what happened before.
First Person Hard Charger
In fact, in many instances, the trauma that occurs after they’re addicted is more damaging than what happened before.
Diagnosing Cannabis Use Disorder: Updated
It certainly makes sense that if you suffer from a major mental illness, you should stay away from pot.
Video: Practical Advice on Prescription Painkiller Problems
People have abused opiates for 5,000 years. As much as medicine depends on them, they've always created problems for a percentage of users.
