Over the last decade, Prescription Drug Misuse (PDM), has become a growing problem, resulting in an increase in A&E visits, more treatment admissions for prescription drug addiction and an increase in overdose deaths. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) defines PDM as “use without a prescription or in ways not intended by…

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Here in the UK, drugs are often introduced in a social or party context. Though at face value this may seem harmless, The Centre for Social Justice has claimed that the level of substance dependency in the UK means that it has become the ‘addiction capital of Europe.’

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Up to one hundred times more potent than morphine, fentanyl is a strong narcotic opioid that is frequently abused (1). Often prescribed for chronic pain due to an accident, surgery or cancer, fentanyl is widely considered safe and effective when prescribed by medical professionals. It was originally used as an anaesthetic as it offers fast-acting…

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Amphetamines – more commonly referred to as ‘speed’ – are stimulants that impact the central nervous system. Like most stimulants, they’re known to provide a surge in energy and confidence and provide a euphoric ‘high’ when using. This is why they’re so popular at raves, parties and in club settings. As well as being used…

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Psychedelic therapy is a technique that involves the use of psychedelic substances to aid the therapeutic process. Hallucinogenic substances have been used in holistic medicine and for spiritual practices by various cultures for thousands of years, yet their efficacy is still somewhat inconsistent and relatively unknown. In the ’50s and ’60s, research on psychedelics began…

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Addiction experts have been assessing the danger of psychoactive substances for the last 15 years. Scientific papers and classification systems rank over 300 different drugs in order of the most harmful and the least beneficial to health. The usual suspects are always there: alcohol, tobacco, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine are still among the most dangerous…

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Glamorised, demonised and often exaggerated, drug addiction is portrayed in many ways in the media but rarely is it accurate or helpful. Most representations of people who abuse drugs and alcohol are overly negative or so far-fetched they create a skewed image of what drug addiction is actually like. These inaccurate portrayals mean substance abusers…

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It might be a term of endearment in Latin America, but “la flaca” means something entirely different in the international drug world. Spanish for ‘pretty, skinny girl who charms all she meets’, Flakka is a highly addictive designer drug known for its ability to make people go crazy. Horrific stories of Flakka addicts displaying bizarre behaviour including running through the streets naked, gaining superhuman strength and engaging in violent acts, have led to…

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Abuse and misuse of prescription painkillers is a growing problem. In fact, it’s estimated up to 12% of people who take strong opioids misuse them and as many as 29% develop an addiction. Known by the brand names Roxicodone®, Oxynorm® and OxyContin®, oxycodone is an opioid usually prescribed for severe or chronic pain following an accident, surgery or for advanced cancer. As well as delivering effective pain-relief, it also provides a euphoric effect, which can put users at high risk of developing an oxycodone addiction.   Dependence…

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Codeine withdrawal symptoms - like withdrawal symptoms from most drugs - can be a pretty nasty experience. Withdrawal symptoms are the effects felt by a substance-dependent individual after a prolonged period without the substance in their system. It’s their body’s response to not getting what it needs to function as a result of the dependency…

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