New Center for Behavioral Health Sciences Seeks to Address Opioid Crisis
The explosion of opioid addiction over the last two decades has taken the lives of many individuals, devastated families and neighborhoods, and put significant strain on the U.S. health and criminal justice systems. A new research center established by Cleveland State University will bring together expertise in social work, psychology, public health, education and urban policy with the goal of better treating current addicts and preventing the further spread of addiction nationally. The Center for Behavioral Health Sciences will focus on basic and applied research on the science of addiction, the linkages between addiction and mental illness, and the public [...]
Heroin deaths continue to climb, Ohio named ‘ground zero’
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 and brand new numbers show deaths continue to climb, despite constant efforts to cap the opioid epidemic. There are so many prongs to the problem and the reach is so wide. While the state has committed to fighting overdoses and the opioid epidemic by adding money to the budget and adding programs, it's still getting worse. Deadly overdoses nationwide are at an all time high, reaching 52,404 in 2016. Ohio, considered the nationwide epicenter of the problem, held at least 4,149 of those deaths. [...]
Columbine victim talks about the shooting, opioids and overcoming addiction
STEAMBOAT SRINGS, Colo. - "For me, this is just where I find peace." High in the mountains, among the most beautiful parts of our country is a place Austin Eubanks was afraid to return to. "I grew up bass fishing in rural Oklahoma." Fishing was his lifestyle. One he loved to share with others. "I moved to Colorado. That was when I met Corey and he had always been a fly fisherman. I taught him about bass fishing he taught me about fly fishing." Throughout high school the two friends battled teenage life struggles together in a place where peace [...]
Short Answers to Hard Questions About the Opioid Crisis
By JOSH KATZ This week, President Trump’s commission on combating the opioid crisis, led by Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, recommended that the president declare a national emergency. The problem has become significantly worse recently, so you might feel that you could use a little catching up. Here are 11 things you need to know. See the full article here with interactive figures and charts.
Leftover opioids are a common dilemma for surgery patients
Surgery patients often end up with leftover opioid painkillers and store the remaining pills improperly at home, a study suggests. The research raises concerns about overprescribing addictive medicine that could end in the wrong hands. Uncertainty among doctors about how much medicine patients really need after common operations contributes to the problem. Many patients also don't know how to safely get rid of unused medications, said lead researcher Dr. Mark Bicket, a Johns Hopkins anesthesiologist. Here are some key things to know: THE FINDINGS Bicket and colleagues reviewed six studies involving 810 patients. Surgeries included operations on the skin, lungs, [...]
EXCLUSIVE: Electrical pain device successfully guides patients through heroin withdrawal
LORAIN, Ohio - Addiction specialists are extremely encouraged by the initial results of a new treatment for opioid withdrawal that involves a small device that sends electrical signals to the brain. (WATCH VIDEO HERE) The LCADA Way recovery facility in Lorain County is the first in our area to begin testing the BRIDGE medical device on recovering addicts. The device sits behind that ear and gives out repeated electrical impulses that go to the pain center of the brain and should result in a reduction of pain that the addict experiences during withdrawal. “It was like instant relief within 20 [...]