Oxycodone and hydrocodone are medications that belong to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics. A doctor may prescribe opioid analgesics to treat moderate-to-severe pain. Prescription opioid medications can be very effective in treating pain. Unfortunately, such drugs are also very addictive and have high rates of abuse. They also have a…
During Pandemic, Alcoholics Anonymous Faces Challenges Online
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to move meetings online, is facing a number of challenges in addressing the needs of members, The Washington Post reports. Hosts are now adding passwords to meetings to prevent “Zoom bombing,” which can make it more difficult for some people to join. AA members…
Social and behavioral factors most closely associated with dying
The study analyzed survey data collected from 13,611 adults in the U.S. between 1992 and 2008, and identified which factors applied to those who died between 2008 and 2014. “It shows that a lifespan approach is needed to really understand health and mortality,” said Eli Puterman, assistant professor at the…
Mental health for transgender men: What to know
Some mental health conditions are more common in transgender men. Treatments, including hormone therapy, may help alleviate symptoms of mental health issues, though not everyone wants these. As a close friend or family member of a transgender man, there are some ways to support their transition and mental health. This…
What are the effects of drug abuse?
Drug misuse, abuse, and addiction can all lead to both short-term and long-term health effects. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition (DMS-4) defines drug abuse as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.” The effects of drug abuse depend on the type of drug,…