Addiction 3 min read
What Is Addiction? Signs, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Addiction is a treatable health condition characterized by impaired control, continued use despite harm, and changes in priorities or behavior. It is…
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Addiction Guides
Evidence-led guides about substances, behaviors, treatment, recovery and family support.
Opioids 4 min read
Opioid Use Disorder: Symptoms, Overdose Risk and Treatment
Opioid use disorder can involve heroin, illicit synthetic opioids, or prescribed pain medicines. Its defining features are impaired control, craving, hazardous use,…
Prescription Medication 4 min read
Benzodiazepine Dependence: Signs and Safe Next Steps
Benzodiazepine dependence can develop during prescribed or non-medical use. Physical dependence means abrupt cessation may cause withdrawal; addiction additionally involves impaired control…
Opioids 3 min read
Loss of Opioid Tolerance After Detox or Abstinence
Opioid tolerance can fall quickly during detoxification, hospitalization, incarceration, residential treatment, or a period of non-use. Returning to a previously tolerated amount…
Opioids 3 min read
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Buprenorphine and methadone are evidence-based treatments that reduce illicit opioid use and mortality; extended-release naltrexone may suit selected patients after an opioid-free…
Opioids 3 min read
Naloxone and Opioid Overdose Response
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can temporarily reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression. It has no effect on a person who has not…
Opioids 3 min read
Opioid Detox: Why Detox Alone Is Not Enough
Opioid detox manages withdrawal, but it does not treat the full opioid use disorder and can reduce tolerance. Discharge without medication, naloxone,…
Opioids 3 min read
Opioid Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline and Risks
Opioid withdrawal often causes aches, sweating, yawning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, and intense craving. It is usually not directly fatal in…
Opioids 3 min read
Prescription Opioid Addiction: Signs and Treatment
Prescription opioid addiction involves compulsive or uncontrolled use despite harm. It is distinct from expected physical dependence during correctly managed pain treatment,…
Opioids 4 min read
Fentanyl Addiction and Overdose Risk
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and related synthetic opioids can be extremely potent and may be present in products sold as heroin, pills, or…
Opioids 3 min read
Heroin Addiction: Signs, Risks and Treatment
Heroin use can rapidly establish tolerance and physical dependence, but severity is defined by control and consequences rather than route or frequency…
Cannabis 3 min read
Cannabis, Anxiety and Psychosis
Cannabis can feel calming to some people yet worsen panic, paranoia, dissociation, or psychotic symptoms in others. Risk is not the same…