Author Archives: Drew Powell

The Power of Mindfulness in Early Recovery

Detoxification and other addiction treatment modalities in a rehab environment are major adjustments for people in early recovery. Body and mind are suddenly challenged in ways that can cause stress and anxiety. A patient in detoxification may experience a whole range of unpleasant symptoms and sensations such as headaches, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, heart palpitations, shallow […]

Study Links Better Sleep Habits With Reduced Hazardous Drinking

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” wrote Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanack in the 18th century. “It’s important to get enough sleep. Sleep helps keep your mind and body healthy,” reads more recent advice from the US Department of Health and Human Services.  Getting enough sleep […]

The Deadly Challenge of Fentanyl

Fentanyl

America’s addiction crisis continues unabated. Last year, more than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, according to an estimate published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May. The provisional 2021 data translates to roughly one US overdose death every 5 minutes […]

Many Stimulant Users Drive Under the Influence

One of the eleven criteria of a substance use disorder listed in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is the recurrent use of the substance in situations in which it is physically hazardous. All too often these situations involve operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Every day, about […]

Colorado Legislature Passes Controversial Fentanyl Bill

“More than 900 Coloradans died of fentanyl last year — more than the number killed in homicides or traffic crashes,” reported the Denver Post in April.  This month, the state reacted to the crisis by approving HB22-1326 but it took a conference committee appointed by the House and Senate to come up with compromise language […]

Colorado’s Battle With Deadly Fentanyl

Fentanyl deaths are soaring in Colorado and many overdoses are occurring as users unknowingly ingest other drugs (such as heroin) laced with the powerful synthetic opioid. In April, for example, Shanna Lewis reported on Colorado Public Radio (CPR) that deaths involving fentanyl have been doubling annually over the last five years in El Paso County: […]

Alcohol Use Shrinks Your Brain

Alcohol consumption is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions around the world, with harmful effects on physical, cognitive, and social functioning. Chronic excessive alcohol use is associated with a multitude of adverse effects, including (but not […]

US Employers are Facing Increasing Positive Results on Drug Tests

Drug and alcohol problems can be a tricky issue for human resource managers. Many Americans who misuse illegal drugs and alcohol are employed. For many decades, employers have been trying to detect job seekers and workers who misuse substances by requiring drug tests. Last year, the percentage of US employees testing positive for a drug […]

Unexpected Companions at Innovative Valiant Living Detox and Assessment

Detoxification is not an easy time for patients in early recovery. Many are still seriously struggling with their addiction while experiencing withdrawal symptoms. At Valiant Living Detox and Assessment, the team likes to start the healing process for patients in a slightly different way—not just with medicine. “We have always been interested in redefining detoxification […]

Alcohol Misuse Linked to Lower Connectivity in Brain Areas Processing Emotions

“Addictions, including substance use disorders (SUDs), are multistep conditions that, by definition, require exposure to an addictive agent. The wide variety of addictive agents encompasses drugs, foods, sex, video gaming, and gambling. Any of these agents may lead to an ‘addicted state’ through neurobiological pathways partially overlapping with those involved in addiction to psychoactive substances,” […]

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