Blog What is the Opioid Crisis, and what caused it? Since the 1990s, the US has seen significant increases in the rates of opioid abuse and opioid-related deaths. In fact, the issue has become so severe and prominent in the country, that many health organizations have categorized this crisis as a national emergency and an “Opioid Epidemic.” The Opioid Crisis describes the abuse of prescription opioids like oxycodone and non-prescribed opioids like heroin and fentanyl. During the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies began increasing their production of prescription medications. In order to sell the amount they were producing, these companies encouraged doctors

Blog Substance Use Disorder Prevention during COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult experience for everyone, especially students and young adults. Due to social restrictions created by the pandemic, students have less access to friends, family, and other support systems to help manage stress and anxiety. This may prompt students to begin turning to prescription medications or other substances to cope. With many help centers and facilities closed, it is even more difficult for students to get help. That is why students must learn and practice various staying relaxed, calm, and happy despite circumstances to prevent or decrease potential substance

Blog Prescription Drug Misuse in High School With school opening back up for the fall, parents and students need to recognize the dangers of prescription drug misuse when students are in school. School is stressful. With frequent tests, quizzes, assignments, presentations, late nights studying, and more, most students often feel overwhelming school pressure. This in itself can encourage students to look to prescription medications to relieve their stress, help them focus, or give them more energy. Many students also experience stress, anxiety, and depression due to the taxing nature of the school and can often seek prescription drugs to self-medicate.

Blog What is the Opioid Crisis, and what caused it? On this blog, we talk a lot about managing stress, other prevention methods, and the different kinds of prescription drug misuse. But it is also essential to know what happens to the brain when someone becomes addicted to prescription opioids or overdoses, as understanding the biology behind it can help us learn the reality of the harms of prescription drug misuse.     Before we get into this, however, we must learn how the brain functions on a day-to-day basis. Our brain is composed of millions of specialized cells called

Blog Drug Abuse During the Holidays It is nearing the end of October, meaning the beginning of the holiday season! Halloween parties and events, celebrations with friends, and more time spent with family are the first things that come to mind. But along with all these wonderful aspects of the holidays, we must consider the increased danger of drug abuse in young adults. Why is this such a danger, though? Coming up most quickly is Halloween. It is a beautiful reason for students to meet with friends, but it also offers an excuse for parties and party culture, where students

Blog How to Ask for Help Every month, posted on this website are tips that you can use to keep yourself and others safe from prescription drug misuse. However, an essential topic in this discussion is how to ask for help when you find yourself struggling with prescription drug misuse. Unfortunately, there is a social stigma and bias in many communities regarding prescription drug misuse, which can pressure young adults into hiding their feelings and struggles. Still, we are here to remind you that your safety is most important. Asking for help can look different based on your situation and