Five unexpected ways opioids can harm users
Getty Images By Riya Upadhyaya Society has warned kids from a young age not to do drugs. Whether it’s through Tri-Valley’s DARE programs, which educate youth about alcohol and drugs, or “Just say no” campaigns, we’ve ingrained the same message in our nation’s youth countless times: don’t do drugs or you’ll get addicted. Similarly, many…
Recovery without barriers: Expanding addiction treatment for the blind and visually impaired
Getty Images By Anna Jiang Spending for substance abuse disorder (SUD) in the United States grew from $40.9 billion in 2000 to $139.6 billion in 2021, and the number of treatment facilities increased from approximately 11,000 in 2000 to more than 17,800 in 2024. However, certain communities remain overlooked and disregarded despite them needing just…
Neuroplasticity and recovery: How the brain can ‘learn’ and ‘unlearn’ addiction
Getty Images By Artemis Molai Throughout the course of an individual’s lifetime, new routines can impact their lifestyle. The ability of the brain to develop over time after gaining information and learning is called “neuroplasticity”. One of the major principles of neuroplasticity is repetition, frequently repeated actions leading to long-term behavior. Due to the higher…
Smuggled in plain sight: The fentanyl crisis at America’s borders
Getty Images By Christine Thomas Every year, a drug called fentanyl kills tens of thousands of Americans, which is way more than car accidents or gun violence. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 18 and 45. Yet most of these people,…
Generational drugs: Analyzing the shift in attitude surrounding drug use across ages
Getty Images The phenomenon of recreational drug use, especially among younger crowds, has defined generational culture for the past few decades. However, society’s attitudes toward specific drugs and their usage have undergone drastic shifts over different periods of time. For instance, the 1980s War on Drugs and the start of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education…
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