On January 1, Oregon legalized the adult use of Psilocybin, often called “Magic Mushrooms,” amid recent research showing tentative promise for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, end-of-life anxiety, and other mental health conditions. However, while research suggests promising results for mental health treatment, there are still concerns about the lasting side effects of Psilocybin misuse, as there is not enough data yet to measure the lasting impacts. 

Oregon’s Ballot Measure 109, passed in November 2020, allows the Oregon Health Authority to license and regulate the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of Psilocybin products and to oversee Psilocybin services. These Psilocybin service centers allow anyone over 21 to consume these mushrooms with supervision, as drug-induced episodes can last several hours. However, the recent legalization of Psilocybin Mushroom use does not extend to recreational use or retail sale. Additionally, the substance’s consumption must occur at a licensed service center with supervision. 

What Are Magic Mushrooms?

A sacred medicine in many indigenous groups, Psilocybin Mushrooms have long been used in religious and spiritual ceremonies in South America and Mesopotamia. Psilocybin Mushrooms include over 200 mushroom species that contain the psychoactive components Psilocybin and Psilocin, which produce similar effects as LSD. Individuals can take these mushrooms in multiple ways, including snorted as a powder, consumed as a pill, eaten raw or cooked, or mixed in a beverage. 

Individuals who take Psilocybin Mushrooms experience hallucinations and altered states of consciousness, which can last for several hours. However, the potency of Magic Mushrooms vary from species to species, and each individual can respond differently. This variance in outcomes can lead to serious side effects. 

Psilocybin Research Findings

Psilocybin research spans the past several decades, focusing on Magic Mushrooms treatment for mental health conditions and substance abuse. Researchers at multiple universities, including the University of New Mexico, the University of Arizona, New York University, and John Hopkins University, looked into the viability of Psilocybin treatment.

Psilocybin and other psychedelics are thought to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change, recognize, or adapt neural networks. Substance abuse and mental health researchers are interested in this concept of Psilocybin-derived neuroplasticity as it may give patients a new perspective on their substance abuse or mental health concerns. Researchers of a small study on alcohol use disorder (AUD) found that 2 doses of Psilocybin Mushrooms led to an 83% decrease in heavy drinking. At the end of the 8-month study, nearly half of the participants had stopped drinking entirely. 

Researchers are also interested in Psilocybin-based treatment for treatment-resistant depression. Over 8 million people in the US take medication to treat depression, and a 2021 study estimates that medicine doesn’t help nearly a third of them, meaning they are “treatment-resistant.” In November, one of the most extensive studies of Psilocybin treatment found that a 25 mg dose of Psilocybin, given alongside psychotherapy, reduced depression symptoms 3 weeks after treatment. An important note for clinical Psilocybin research is that many trials include psychotherapy for individuals in conjunction with Psilocybin Mushrooms. 

The Dangers Of Psilocybin Use

Magic Mushrooms produce various short-term mental and physical effects, including a heightened sense of emotions and hallucinations. Hallucinations distort an individual’s sense of reality, time, and senses. Additional adverse mental side effects of Psilocybin use include:

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Fear or paranoia 
• Disorientation
• Swift mood changes

Beyond mental side effects, there are multiple physical effects, including:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Convulsions
• Numbness (particularly in the face)
• Loss of urinary control 

While we know the short-term effects of Psilocybin Mushroom use, there are no clinical results on the long-term effects of continual Psilocybin use. However, as Magic Mushrooms receive medical attention and research, hopefully, results will follow. What is known is that continual use of Psilocybin Mushrooms can result in tolerance, where an individual will need more of the substance to feel the desired effects. Also, using Magic Mushrooms with substances like Marijuana, Amphetamines, or alcohol can elevate the risks of severe side effects.

An additional risk of Psilocybin use is a “bad trip,” which is when an individual takes a higher dose and experiences frightening imagery, paranoia, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during these “bad trips” may lead to risk-taking behavior, leading to traumatic injuries or even death. Sometimes, individuals may experience frequent or overly intense psychedelic events known as “flashbacks,” where they relive the previous experience.

Future Of Psilocybin Mushroom Treatment

In the state of Oregon, while Magic Mushroom treatment sessions are available in licensed centers, the issue of affordability is front and center. Since the federal government lists Psilocybin Mushrooms as a Schedule 1 substance with “no currently accepted medical use,” Psilocybin sessions will not be covered by insurance. One session could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars for residents. So, while Psilocybin Mushroom treatment may yield positive outcomes, if the service is unaffordable, it will bar many from pursuing this treatment.  

The future of Psilocybin Mushroom treatment is still unfolding, and more clinical research is underway to determine the viability of Magic Mushrooms as a treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUDs). 

As we await clinical research results, there are current, vetted treatment options for mental health concerns and SUDs. Treatment options can include psychotherapy, online therapy, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and additional therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). 

The post Oregon Becomes First State To Legalize Magic Mushrooms appeared first on Addiction Center.

Athletes’ mental health has been an increasing topic of discussion over the last several years. With national champions like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka speaking out about their experiences with mental illness, the subject has been breached, facilitating conversations about personal wellness, autonomy, and national duty. What once might have been a blissful ignorance that the strongest and fastest among us were made of stronger armor, now a very real, very important discourse emerges. After the NFL’s latest incident, sports fans and leagues across the country must reconsider what it means to be well and healthy in body and mind to ensure all athletes feel safe and supported.

Buffalo Bills Player Damar Hamlin Collapses After Tackle

On Monday, January 3^rd, millions of football fans gathered to kick off the new year and watch the Cincinnati Bengals play the Buffalo Bills at the Bengals’ home stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Only minutes into the first quarter, Bills player Damar Hamlin, a safety, made what seemed to be a normal tackle until he collapsed, unconscious, mere seconds after the play; the roar of the stadium slowly fading.

Cameras panned the field, broadcasting the distress and fear visible on players’ faces while commentators struggled to find words, their networks cutting to commercial in frequent succession. After nearly ten minutes of attempting CPR, paramedics stabilized his heartbeat and rushed him off the field to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

According to officials, the 24-year-old experienced cardiac arrest, though at this time, it is indeterminable how or why. While he is making small improvements, Hamlin remains in critical condition, too soon yet to know if he’ll make a full recovery and/or return to professional football.

NFL Must Grapple With Frightened And Traumatized Players

Hamlin’s accident has caused a disruption in more than just the NFL’s schedule; given the traumatic experience of watching a healthy, young athlete be hurried off in an ambulance, players across the league are hesitant to return to normal.

Psychologist Dr. Scott Goldman, who works with a myriad of professional athletes, says the issue is difficult because everyone deals with trauma in their own way. For some, playing football might provide a distraction, a respite from the fear and anxiety, for others, the game could be triggering and unfathomable in a time of such duress. Goldman has worked closely with the NFL for the last two years and regarding Hamlin’s incident said, “I think this is going to be a really complicated thing for individuals to navigate. This is not a simple solution of suspend the season or force re-engagement.”

This event has mobilized not only players and medical professionals, but fans of the sport as well. Many believe this to be a wake-up call, a plea to re-evaluate and re-consider how and why we can encourage and support something that clearly endangers the individuals playing. An opinion piece written for The New York Times reads, “…the specter of destruction on the field, let’s face it, is part of what makes football such an American draw. That’s why the highlight shows are full of the most jarring, brutal hits.” Another references how unsettling Monday night’s incident was because nothing was out of the ordinary until all of a sudden it was. Hamlin’s collapse influenced a sort of movement driven by all those who love football and its dedicated athletes.

It spurred those tasked with ensuring the safety of the players to take another look in the mirror. It made some fans reaffirm their love for the sport and the community round it. It made others reassess their appetites for football’s inherent violence. It was a dissolution of the fourth wall that tries to keep the game, with all its corporeal risks, in the realm of entertainment.

Athletes’ Mental Health And Wellbeing Often Overlooked

Every year the NFL sees its fair share of trauma; in 2021 alone there were 387 documented injuries across the league between concussions, MCL, and ACL tears. More recently, after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa experienced several back-to-back concussions without appropriate league-mandated support and response, the NFL has recently amended its benching policy for head hits. Due to the nature of the sport and the culture surrounding it, many players feel uncomfortable disclosing any symptoms of illness or injury; too often they’re expected to “man up” and push through it. The same can likely be said for the athletes’ mental health, especially considering the pedestals they’re placed on.

When Naomi Osaka declined to attend a press conference during the French Open in 2021 in an act of self-care and preservation, her decision was met with scrutiny and backlash. When Simone Biles withdrew from the final competition in the Tokyo Olympics to regain the connection between her mind and body, the nation exploded with remarks of her selfishness and an expectation to finish what she started. When millions of viewers and dozens of fellow players watch their comrade and friend fall to the ground from cardiac arrest, the leading issue was the re-scheduling of the game followed by ways in which policies and expectations might be amended to better care for these athletes. Too often, mental health is emphasized and flagged as a crucial pillar in a person’s wellbeing, only to be overlooked in instances where it matters most.

Professional Athletes And Substance Abuse

While athletes’ mental health is of increasing awareness and concern, so too is the rate of substance abuse in professional sports. In a study done in 2011, researchers found that around 52% of retired professional football players had reported consuming Opioids at some point during their career; approximately 71% of those players knew they were misusing the drug.

Substance abuse does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, no matter their job, position, or rank in society. Athletes are often held to unobtainable standards and spend their entire careers tirelessly proving themselves and their worth, attempting to be unrealistically indomitable. This can lead to self-medicating as an escape from the pressure of perfection or utilizing performance enhancing drugs to ensure they remain relevant and on top of their game.

Fortunately, as we continue to move forward, we learn more about the importance of full body wellness and ways in which we can support, uplift, and encourage our beloved athletes. There are organizations and resources built on the foundation that athletes are human too and with humanity comes hardship, a common occurrence that binds us all.

The post NFL Player’s Collapse Sparks Concern For Athletes’ Mental Health appeared first on Addiction Center.

Social media is, in theory, a fantastic way to stay up to date with long distance family and friends, discover new places to explore, or learn tips that make daily tasks easier. With increasingly more presence, accessibility, and utilization, it’s nearly necessary if we wish to remain connected to the world around us. What happens though, when this overwhelmingly powerful  platform lands in the wrong hands, those that are young, impressionable, and susceptible to the dangers held beneath the surface?

In the culture of today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a significant amount of people, especially young people, “unplugged.” With a swipe of a screen or a press of a button, the worldwide web lights up our devices, providing access to all we could possibly hope to learn—and even more we wouldn’t.

The Monolith Menace

In August of 2020 14-year-old Englyn Roberts died by suicide. Her parents, Toney and Brandy, told Sharyn Alfonsi, host of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, they had no idea that the bright and sunny baby of the family, was struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. It was only after they searched through her phone that they found a simulation video of a woman demonstrating how to hang oneself. A video that according to Brandy, was still circulating online roughly a year and a half after her daughter’s death and was only taken down in December of 2021.

Alexis Spence, now 20, developed depression and an eating disorder at age 12 after Instagram algorithms led her to pro-anorexia accounts from an innocent search for exercise tips. Her parents had given her the phone to communicate with them after school and middle school teachers themselves, had taken precautions by setting up age restrictions and a schedule in which young Alexis was allowed to use her smart phone. In the same 60 Minutes segment, aired earlier this week, Alexis told Alfonsi that she learned “pretty quickly” how to sneak phone use and override the parental controls which ultimately contributed to a downward spiral into dangerous waters.

These stories are just two of the more than 1,200 families pressing charges against big social media companies such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. According to 60 Minutes, over 150 cases will be moving forward after the start of the new year. All of the companies contacted for the story declined comment.

Evidence That Companies Know Their Influence And Impact On Youth

Last fall, previous Facebook data scientist, Frances Haugen testified in front of a Senate subcommittee that the major social media company actively “…harms children, sows division and undermines democracy in pursuit of breakneck growth and ‘astronomical profits.” A Facebook employee for nearly two years, Haugen’s job was to research how foreign adversaries utilized misinformation that was promoted through the company’s algorithms. Hardly the first ex-employee to blow the whistle on the tech giant, Haugen’s testimony was backed by dozens of research documents she’d copied before she left; accurately coined “The Facebook Files,” these papers proved that Facebook “…intentionally hides vital information from the public, from the US government, and from governments around the world.”

Executives of the company such as Monika Bickert and Mark Zuckerberg himself released statements that the information Haugen provided was taken out of context. The leaked research, however, shows otherwise. In one survey, 13.5% of teenage girls in the UK and 6% in America responded that their suicidal thoughts increased after using Instagram. Another found that roughly 32% of teen girls (presumably globally), or 1 in 3, experienced increased negative body image issues after scrolling through the photo-sharing platform.

According to the Wall Street Journal, over 40% of Instagram’s users are 22 years old and younger with approximately 22 million teenagers logging in each day, placing the app in a high profile, incredibly influential position for young people around the world.

Social Media Victims Center: The Attorney Taking On Social Media Giants

After reading the Facebook Files, attorney Matt Bergman, a product liability lawyer, started the Social Media Victims Center to aid and support families suffering at the hands of social media companies’ negligence. Representing the Spence and Roberts family, as well as the hundreds of other families pressing charges, Bergman told Alfonsi, “Time and time again, when they have an opportunity to choose between safety of our kids and profits, they always choose profits…I’m all for parental responsibility. But these products are explicitly designed to evade parental authority.”

Sometime next year Bergman and his team will begin the process for a federal case against Meta and others. This multi-million-dollar lawsuit, he says, is about more than just the money, but a plea for policy change. At this time, he outlines a three-pronged approach that addresses the lackadaisical, easily evaded age verification, the harmful and unnecessary algorithms, and a better way of ensuring that parents are informed. “Let’s be realistic, you’re never gonna have social media platforms be 100% safe. But, you know, these changes would make them safer.”

Social Media Addiction? Get The Help You Need

Despite it not being listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), research shows a strong correlation between social media use and signs/symptoms of other addictive behaviors. Because it is largely the way of the world and a huge form of communication these days, daily social media use might be normal or expected. Trouble arises when the scrolling and thoughts of the scrolling become excessive and consuming. Add in the influx of influencers and edited material designed to gain traction and attention and it’s no wonder teens in particular experience severe mental health consequences.

If you or someone you love is exhibiting signs of a social media addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are resources available to assist you. Learn about online therapy and how it can be used to treat social media addiction, from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

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The post Hundreds Of Families Suing Social Media Giants appeared first on Addiction Center.

On Tuesday, Walmart joined the growing list of companies settling with state, local, and tribal governments over its pharmacies’ involvement in the Opioid epidemic, which has claimed the lives of thousands of Americans since 1999. The second-largest retailer in the world agreed to pay $3.1 billion to resolve thousands of lawsuits accusing Walmart of failing to adequately oversee the dispensing of prescription Opioid medications at its pharmacies.

This tentative settlement follows an announcement made earlier this month that CVS Health and Walgreens Co., the two largest pharmacy chains, will pay a combined $10 billion settlement. While Walmart is not paying the most in its settlement, it will be providing the funds faster than the other pharmacy giants, with most of the funds going out within the first year. Walmart will pay the remainder in payments through 2028. 

Where Will The Opioid Settlement Go?

Walmart’s proposed settlement will be divided across several states, including Indiana and Iowa, and all federally recognized tribes. Indiana, which the Opioid epidemic has considerably impacted, is expected to receive $53 million, according to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. Iowa is expected to receive $19.9 million, and Native American tribes will receive $78 million. Before Walmart’s plan can take effect, it needs to be approved by 43 states by December 15, and local governments can sign onto the plan until March 31, 2023. 

While the root cause of Opioid-related overdose deaths and addiction is diverse, there are common public health or socioeconomic themes that exacerbate the issue, like financial and housing instability and untreated mental health issues. To address a wide array of issues contributing to the Opioid crisis, the funds from these settlements will go toward wide-reaching harm-reduction programs, treatment programs, and drug policies. However, it is up to the state and local governments and Native American tribes to allocate the funds.

Studies suggest that one of the most effective ways to reduce Opioid-related harms is to provide individuals with access to treatment. Treatment for Opioid abuse can include a variety of treatment facilities, like inpatient or outpatient treatment, and medications for Opioid abuse. Local governments, states, and Native American tribes can allocate the settlement money to create or renovate substance abuse treatment facilities and educational programs. The funds can also help rebuild the communities directly impacted by prescription Opioids by ensuring equitable resource distribution, as the Opioid epidemic has hit many underserved communities. To avoid the previous pitfalls of governments using Tobacco settlement funds for unrelated uses in the 90s, today’s Opioid settlements have been designed to be used to fight the crisis and rebuild communities. 

Why Is The Opioid Crisis So Pervasive In The US?

As we understand it today, the Opioid epidemic has occurred in 3 waves in the US. According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), the first wave occurred in the 1990s when doctors began overprescribing prescription Opioids because pharmaceutical companies told them that the pills were less addictive than Painkiller alternatives. We now know that Opioids are incredibly addictive, and overdose deaths involving prescription Opioids (i.e., Natural and Semisynthetic Opioids and Methadone) have increased since 1999. 

The second wave of rapid overdose deaths involved Heroin in 2010. The third wave, which is where the US is currently, began in 2013. The CDC has reported a significant increase in overdose deaths involving Synthetic Opioids (particularly those involving illicitly manufactured Fentanyl). In fact, the Synthetic Opioid-related overdose death rate was 18 times higher in 2020 than in 2013. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than Heroin, but drug dealers still combine the substance with Heroin, counterfeit pills, and Cocaine to increase potency, cut costs, and boost profits. If an individual unknowingly takes a substance cut with Fentanyl, they could potentially overdose, which could be fatal. 

The community harm that came from the over-prescription of Opioids and the exposure to illicit Opioids in the US is what the funds from the Walmart, CVS Health, and Walgreen Co. settlements aim to reduce and heal. The Walmart agreement also included court-ordered requirements to monitor prescriptions closely to reduce “pill-mill doctors” and prevent patients from seeking multiple prescriptions for Opioids. New requirements would also include flagging suspicious prescriptions. 

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Rebuilding Communities And Pursuing Treatment

As the Opioid epidemic continues, time will tell how the settlement funds provided by some of the world’s largest retailers, drugmakers, and distribution companies will be utilized by the state, local, and Native American tribal governments. The Opioid crisis has caused over 500,000 deaths over 20 decades, and the hope is that settlement funds (totaling over $50 billion now) can begin to change the course of this deadly epidemic.     

Prescription Opioid abuse makes up a relatively small portion of the issue nationally, but it still impacts thousands of individuals daily. Individuals can fight the Opioid crisis in their personal lives as well by pursuing treatment for Opioid abuse. Attending treatment can feel daunting, but receiving treatment is the most significant act of kindness you can provide for yourself.  If you or a loved one is experiencing substance abuse, contact a treatment provider today.

The post Walmart Offers $3.1 Billion Opioid Settlement appeared first on Addiction Center.

In recent years, several studies have alluded to the potential harms of vape usage, but a recent landmark study found evidence that vaping can be as bad for your heart as traditional cigarettes. These findings cast significant doubt on the claim that e-cigarettes are “safer” than traditional cigarettes; a claim usually made by proponents of vaping as a smoking cessation tool. 

The Cardiac and Lung E-cig Smoking study (CLUES) observed 395 participants (164 long-term e-cigarette users, 117 long-term cigarette users, and 114 people who do not vape or smoke). Those who used e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes experienced greater increases in heart rate and blood pressure; however, regular vape users experienced worse measures of heart rate variability, a constricted brachial artery (which is the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the arms and hands), and have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, participants were put through an exercise stress test, and those who smoked or vaped performed significantly worse on all metrics. Compared to non-smokers, the participants’ heart rates took longer to recover after exercise, and their hearts had to work harder at peak levels.

Long-Standing Health Implications Of Vaping

While these recent studies highlight the direct impact vaping has on the heart, multiple past studies have illuminated the additional damage vaping can cause. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study reported how vaping could cause severe lung damage. As of February 2020, the CDC has reported that 2,800 e-cigarette users have required hospital admission due to e-cigarette product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), and 68 of these cases resulted in death. 

Additionally, multiple studies have revealed troubling links between e-cigarette use, Nicotine, and mental health. According to a 2019 JAMA study, current e-cigarette users have double the odds of receiving a diagnosis of depression compared to non-Nicotine users. Another study found that frequent e-cigarette use is associated with higher levels of depressive and ADHD symptoms. Moreover, Nicotine use is associated with more significant anxiety symptoms. Overall, multiple studies over the past several years have provided quantifiable data on the adverse effects of vaping on individuals’ mental, lung, and heart health.

How Addictive Is Vaping?

According to the CDC, approximately 8.1 million Americans currently use e-cigarettes, which contain the highly addictive substance Nicotine. Many who use Nicotine products develop a physical dependence, which involves physical and psychological factors that make it challenging to cease using them. Within minutes of breathing in the Nicotine vapors from an e-cigarette, the brain releases dopamine, which is a chemical that plays a part in pleasure, motivation, and learning. Over time, the brain craves the feeling elicited from the dopamine release, thus leading to more Nicotine use which can lead to Nicotine addiction.

Nicotine use is pervasive in the US, so it can be difficult to notice when it has developed into an addiction. Some signs of Nicotine addiction include:

• Withdrawal symptoms when one ceases Nicotine use
• An ability to stop using Nicotine products
• A desire to keep using Nicotine products despite adverse consequences
• Requiring more Nicotine to feel “satisfied” 
• Experiencing cravings and intense urges to use tobacco.

Who Is Most Affected By The Adverse Health Effects Of Vaping?

While anyone can face adverse health consequences because of vaping, specific communities face additional health risks. For example, e-cigarette use or any Nicotine product use is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their developing babies. Nicotine can expose the mother and child to toxic chemicals, and it can damage a developing baby’s brain and lungs. 

The term “epidemic” has been used in reference to vaping amongst young people, and with over 2 million middle and high schoolers using e-cigarettes daily, it’s hard not to. Youths are particularly susceptible to the harms of vaping as their brains and bodies are still developing. Nicotine can harm a young person’s memory and ability to concentrate, alter their brain development, and lessen their ability to control their impulses. Additionally, teens who vape are 3 times more likely to smoke cigarettes than their peers who have never smoked. 

Quitting E-Cigarettes 

It is common for those trying to quit Nicotine products, like e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes, and chewing tobacco, to try multiple times before it sticks. Attempting to stop e-cigarettes multiple times could lead to feelings of discouragement, but recovery is possible and can improve one’s quality of life. Quitting Nicotine products can directly reduce health-related risks associated with the use and improve mental health symptoms, and treatment is available. 

Therapy for smoking cessation is a tool that many people find useful. Licensed therapist can help with setting goals and supporting cessation. Get matched with a therapist today to get started.

The post New Developments On The Health Impacts Of Vaping appeared first on Addiction Center.

CVS Health Corporation, the healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, has announced it has settled lawsuits over how its role in prescribing powerful and addictive Opioids fueled the Opioid epidemic in the United States. The settlement, which would pay nearly $5 billion to state, local, and Native American Tribal governments over the next 10 years, makes CVS Health the first pharmacy chain to reach a nationwide settlement regarding the Opioid crisis.

The Rhode Island-based company made the announcement Wednesday while also sharing their better-than-expected quarterly earnings, which show the pharmacy giant brought in well over $81.16 billion in yearly profits. CVS Health did not admit liability or wrongdoing and said that non-financial terms remain to be resolved.

“We are pleased to resolve these longstanding claims and putting them behind us is in the best interest of all parties, as well as our customers, colleagues, and shareholders,” Thomas Moriarty, the CVS chief policy officer, and general counsel said in a statement. “We are committed to working with states, municipalities, and tribes, and will continue our own important initiatives to help reduce the illegitimate use of prescription opioids.”

In addition to the settlements, the company says it has also launched educational programs and installed safe disposal boxes for drugs in both their stores and police departments across the country, as well as other harm reduction measures to help mitigate the misuse of Opioids.

Why The CVS Opioid Settlement Is Important

The CVS Health suit brings the nationwide total of finalized settlements to $45 billion. Due to the nature of the settlements, the majority of the money agreed upon must be used to directly address the Opioid crisis.

The Opioid epidemic is one of the nation’s largest public health crises, responsible for over 500,000 overdose deaths since 1999. This nationwide dependence on Opioids did not start on the streets or by way of back-alley drug deals, but rather by major pharmaceutical industries, drug wholesalers, and physicians who pushed Opioids upon the public by way of prescription painkillers.

“We saw this trend back in the 90’s; with an increased amount of Opioid prescribing that occurred amongst medical professionals,” says Dr. Ashish Bhatt, MD addiction medicine specialist and Medical Content Director for Addiction Center. “And this was probably due to a lot of misleading marketing and studies that were embellished or magnified that did not show the true consequence of what could happen with long-term opioid abuse.”

As steps to mitigate the growing dependence on Opioids were taken, making these drugs harder to obtain, many people turned to illicit drugs like Heroin to satiate their addiction. Since 1999, the number of US adults with a substance use disorder to illicit drugs like Heroin has skyrocketed from around 104,000 to nearly 263,000 in 2019.

With so many people turning to illicit drugs, the rate of overdoses has also increased alarmingly in recent years. In 2021 alone, Opioid-related deaths exceeded 80,000, with nearly 89% of those involving Fentanyl; an incredibly dangerous drug that has become widespread in the nation’s drug supply.

While the $5 billion price tag may seem staggering, the CVS Health settlement represents only a fraction of the settlements that have been made in recent years.

Other Notable Opioid Settlements

To date, there have been more than a dozen major Opioid settlements in the United States alone. The largest settlement, which involved four of the nation’s largest Opioid manufacturers and wholesalers; those being Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, was settled at $26 billion.

In that lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson, the consumer products and health giant that manufactures generic Opioid medications, was ordered to contribute $5 billion to the settlement. The other three massive drug wholesalers were ordered to pay the remaining $21 billion. In total, 46 states and roughly 90% of eligible local governments signed on to the deal, which was said to “directly support state and local efforts to make meaningful progress in addressing the opioid crisis.”

Another major gain in the ongoing battle against those responsible for the Opioid epidemic was the settlement involving Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, and their owners: the Sackler family. The deal, which was agreed upon in March of 2022, was worth more than $10 billion and called for the members of the Sackler family to pay an additional $6 billion as well as remove themselves from the ownership of the company. While the settlement was widely recognized as a “win,” many were quick to criticize it (including some of those involved in bringing the suit) as they felt the Sackler family got off too easy.

Earlier this year Purdue Pharma agreed to pay $270 million in a settlement with Oklahoma, and in 2007 the company, along with some of its top executives, were ordered to pay $635 million following a lawsuit over “misleading marketing.”

Along with CVS, Walgreens, another of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, and Walmart have both reached similar settlements this year and will pay $4.79 and $3 billion respectively.

Don’t Battle Opioid Addiction Alone

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to Opioids or other illicit substances, don’t wait any longer to get help. Settlements like the CVS Health suit help highlight the severity of the Opioid crisis and the importance of addiction treatment. If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, contact a treatment provider.

The post CVS Health Agrees To $5B Opioid Settlement appeared first on Addiction Center.

In March of 2021, three New York professionals died of a Fentanyl overdose. Three different lives, three separate locations, all unbeknownst to each other; the three victims had received Cocaine laced with Fentanyl from the same text-order drug delivery service.

On a Wednesday in late winter, 26-year-old Julia Ghahramani, 40-year-old Ross Mtangi, and 38-year-old Amanda Scher texted their dealer, Billy Ortega, asking for Cocaine. The 35-year-old stay at home dad operated a delivery service and upon receiving the orders, sent out courier Kaylen Rainey to distribute the drugs.

Dealer Sends Assuaging Texts, Pleads Not Guilty

Communicating via text with the customers, incriminating messages reveal that Ortega knew the batch he was selling was deadly, or at least highly dangerous. Records show a text thread between Ortega (sometimes using the moniker “Jason Melissa”) and Scher the day she bought the drugs:

“Hey try not to do too much because it’s really strong”

“Hey boss lady you heard”

“Lol”

These messages came after Scher had told him that this batch was “Def better” than her previous order earlier in the week. By the time she was found dead on her couch by her dog walker the next day, Scher had several missed Facetime calls from Ortega as well as a text sent that morning to “give [him] a call back” to “ask [her] something real fast.”

The timestamps are fuzzy regarding the correspondences between Ortega and his three customers, but prosecutors allege that roughly six hours after Rainey had delivered the drugs to Ghahramani, Ortega tried to reach her, too. Like Scher, Ghahramani and Mtangi were both found already dead the next morning.

Both Ortega and Rainey are pleading not guilty to causing the three deaths.

Cocaine Prevalence Among New York Elites, Now Cut With Fentanyl

Thanks to its Stimulant nature and euphoric effects, Cocaine gained popularity as a party drug in New York in the 1980s. With a bustling night life full of busy-bodied professionals and a nonstop mentality, it’s not necessarily surprising that this powdered substance is so widely used. According to the Wall Street Journal, the rate of Cocaine usage in New York is higher than the national average of 2%.

What’s worse and considerably more concerning is the increasing prevalence of illicit Fentanyl found in a variety of street drugs, particularly those like Heroin, Cocaine, and sometimes even counterfeit Adderall. Fentanyl, when pharmaceutically rendered and medically prescribed, can alleviate intense pain following surgical procedures and even provide relief for cancer patients. When bought in the drug market illicitly, though, the drug is highly dangerous and incredibly lethal. A synthetic Opioid, Fentanyl is 50-100 times stronger than Morphine and deadly in a dose of around 2 milligrams, roughly the same amount as several grains of sand.

Recent data from the New York Department of Health shows that nearly half of all overdose deaths involve Fentanyl, often the victims none the wiser that their drug contained any traces of the deadly substance. Sassan Ghahramani, 26-year-old Julia’s father said of his daughter’s devastating overdose, “Julia was a driven professional with everything to live for. Never in a billion years would she have touched anything with Fentanyl. This is like putting bullets in people’s brains.”

Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities Steadily Climbing

Because the illicit, street-derived Fentanyl is relatively low cost and easy for cartels and dealers to procure, it is being cut into more and more substances either accidentally, as an experiment, or a way to lower the cost of more expensive drugs like Cocaine and Heroin.

In New York alone, of the 980 Cocaine-related deaths in 2020, 81% involved Fentanyl. Drug usage and overall fatalities have increased over the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns and isolation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 107,622 reported fatal overdoses throughout the United States in 2021, an increase of 15% from the 93,655 deaths the previous year. While still stifling, this 15% increase is only half of what it was from 2019 to 2020’s 30% rise. Of those 107,622 deaths, 71,238 of them involved the presence of a synthetic Opioid—largely, Fentanyl.

Accidental Overdose Can Happen To Anyone

Ross Mtangi was a Wall Street executive who regularly ran five miles through Manhattan, Harvard-educated, and an expecting father. Julia Ghahramani virtually graduated from Columbia Law School in 2020 and was working as a first-year lawyer, days away from a family holiday trip. Amanda Scher was a dedicated social servant, splitting her time between hospital work and virtual counseling, and a doting mother to an elderly rescue dog.

These unsuspecting, recreational users became victims in a matter of moments; their bright futures permanently snuffed. None of them fit the bill of “addict,” their story added to the list of dozens like it, another heartbreaking glimpse into the danger and devastation of the drug trade.

Get Help For Fentanyl And Illicit Drug Use

If you or someone you love is struggling with illicit drug use, there are resources available. Reach out and contact a treatment provider today to learn more and discuss treatment and recovery options. Don’t wait until it’s too late; life is too precious and moves too fast.

The post Fentanyl Overdose Kills Three New Yorkers appeared first on Addiction Center.

Following the release of her new album, Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion announced her new mental health website, Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too. The title, attention-grabbing in its own right, comes from the chorus of “Anxiety,” a catchy tune about the frustration of living with mental illness.

In an interview with Apple Music, the artist spoke about how writing this album was the first time she allowed herself to be vulnerable during the creation process. “Usually when I write songs, like, I could be sad and I’ll write a song like ‘Body.’” Chuckling, Stallion continued, “I don’t write songs about how I feel, I write songs about how I wanna feel.” She explains that writing the songs on Traumazine was the first time she figured out how to actually say what she wanted to; she found space to let her guard down and express authenticity, “I wanted to take control of my narrative, take control of my own story, tell it my own way…tell it from me.”

Celebrities Speak Out About Mental Health

Megan Thee Stallion is hardly the first celebrity to speak openly about her experiences with mental health; roughly a month ago Jonah Hill stated that he will no longer be participating in any media events to preserve his mental wellbeing. From actors to athletes, more and more stars are advocating for mental wellness and general destigmatization. Some, like Stallion, are taking matters into their own hands and creating websites, apps, or general forums where people can both gather in community as well obtain helpful information on how to maintain a healthy mind.

Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too compiles various mental health resources, many that address the particularly unique struggles of specific groups like the LGBTQ community or Black women. On average, people of color are 28% to 60% less likely to receive treatment than their White counterparts. Featuring organizations like Therapy for Black Girls, Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective, Stronghearts Native Helpline and many more, Stallion’s website is notably beneficial in providing information to fans and listeners of all backgrounds, but particularly those historically under-serviced.

Stars With Mental Health Platforms

Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefy, And Daniella Pierson’s Wondermind

First announced in late 2021, Wondermind is a startup company founded by mother-daughter duo Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefy and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. The basic idea of the project is to help people practice mental fitness, emphasizing that just like every other muscle in the human body, one must dedicate time to strengthen the mind. With an aim to appeal to “everyone with feelings,” (as opposed to solely those who experience mental illness) Pierson told Forbes in an email that their goal in Wondermind’s design was to create “a sexier, more entertaining competitor to Psychology Today, WebMD, etc. for the millions of people searching about mental health daily.” Wondermind provides resources like journal prompts, real stories, articles on everything from ‘reasons to try therapy’ to various life hacks for different conditions, as well as an option to sign up for their newsletter.

Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

Created in memory of and named after her father, Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) aims to “[eradicate] the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community.” During the spring of last year, BLHF launched an awareness campaign called The Unspoken Curriculum which intended to highlight the ways in which Black students experience mental health issues in schools. Henson also co-hosts a Facebook Watch Original show with best friend, Tracie Jade, that explores Black experiences with mental health. Through personal stories, Peace of Mind aims to “bring mental health out of the shadows” and make transparent the disparity in overall mental wellness experienced in the Black community.

J Balvin’s App, OYE

Around the same time Megan Thee Stallion announced her new website, Colombian reggaeton artist J Balvin launched OYE, a bilingual app intended to provide a space for people to channel their mental struggles into creativity. Translating to “listen,” OYE can easily be switched between Spanish and English and features tools like emotional check-ins, creative wellness videos and exercises, a personal goal setting tool, and more. In a statement shared with TODAY, Balvin says he created OYE “to bring a deeper understanding of the healing powers of these creative wellness practices to the global community—for both Spanish and English speaking audiences worldwide.”

Does Celebrities’ Openness About Mental Health Actually Help Their Fans?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 1 billion people around the world live with a mental health disorder. In the United States alone, the numbers show 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness. Thanks to social media and the widespread accessibility of the internet, it’s feasible to wonder if/how celebrities’ involvement could change things for their followers. Clinical assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Denver, Dr. Breigh Jones-Coplin told CNN of celebrities:

They have a reach that obviously a lot of the mental health professionals in the field don’t have. Of course, that comes with a lot of pros and cons. Having the influence is one (pro), but also making sure you use that power for good to get across accurate and helpful information. People just don’t know where to start…which is what makes these platforms really useful.

For many people, it can feel invasive or uncomfortable to talk about their feelings, especially considering various cultures and often the lack of acceptance or understanding of the validity of mental wellness. Dr. Amanda J. Calhoun, Yale University psychiatry resident said, “As a Black woman, I represent less than 2% of psychiatrists (in the US). There is a lot of power in having a mental health professional who looks like you. [A]s a Black women and as a psychiatrist, I also spend a lot of time educating myself on things that are not taught in my standard psychiatric education.”

Overall, the general consensus is positive; stars who use their voice and platform to extend awareness and resources show their fans that mental wellness is just as important as physical health. However, just like any other information that is widely accessible, these websites and platforms are not meant to serve as a sole means to achieve mental soundness.

If You Are Struggling With Your Mental Health, Get Professional Help

As mental health slowly becomes less stigmatized and people—stars and laypeople alike—continue to share their experiences, it is important to remember to not self-diagnose or seek treatment/medication without the help of a professional. Resources like Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too, Wondermind, OYE, and BLFH help us feel more connected and less alone, but should not be used to determine the state of your mental health. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness, help is available. Contact a therapist and get started on your wellness journey, today.

The post Megan Thee Stallion Releases A Mental Health Website appeared first on Addiction Center.

A new type of animal tranquilizer called Xylazine is appearing more frequently in drug supplies across the country and is thought to be responsible for thousands of overdoses in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and New Jersey. Also known by the street name, “Tranq,” Xylazine poses a major threat to public health, as not only can the drug be lethal, but it can also cause necrosis (death of bodily tissue) which can lead to loss of fingers, toes, and even limbs in severe cases.

Xylazine belongs to a class of drugs known as sedatives and is sold under the brand names Rompun®, Sedazine®, and AnaSed®. Currently, it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary medicine only, where it is used as a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant for horses and cattle, similar to tranquilizers like Ketamine.

The Dangers Of Tranq

Officials say drug suppliers are lacing the Fentanyl and Heroin supply with Xylazine because it is cheap and easy to get. This means that many users may be using the drug unknowingly. Because Xylazine isn’t an Opioid, it can’t be detected by Fentanyl testing strips, nor can its effects be negated using Naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of drug overdoses. The drug has been said to be so powerful that it can “knock out” users for about 6 to 8 hours, far longer than most Opioids.

Shawn Westfahl, an overdose prevention coordinator for Prevention Point, Philadelphia’s only needle exchange, says the combination of Xylazine and Fentanyl can put a person to sleep for hours, making it harder to determine whether someone is experiencing an overdose.

Along with its extremely addictive nature, Xylazine poses serious risks for users. Since the drug is often mixed with Opioids like Fentanyl or Heroin, it can not only be ingested unknowingly, but it can also be extremely deadly.

Jamill Taylor, a member of Philadelphia’s narcotics unit, says that “[Xylazine] is basically eating them alive. It causes them to rot from the inside out.” Taylor is referring to perhaps the most alarming symptom of Xylazine use: necrosis. In many cases, the use of Xylazine use can cause skin cells to die, leading to loss of fingers, toes, and even limbs in some cases. Health officials in Philadelphia report that a woman who had been admitted to the hospital for Xylazine needed both an arm and leg amputation due to “severe necrosis.”

Symptoms of Xylazine Use

According to officials with the US Drug Enforcement Agency, reports of non-fatal Xylazine cases ranged from concentrations of 30 to 4,600 mL. In non-fatal cases, some of the most reported symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Disorientation
• Drowsiness
• Staggering
• Coma
• Miosis (constriction of the pupils)
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

Reports of fatal overdoses involving Xylazine were identified as those with a drug concentration up to 16,000 mL. According to the DEA, it is extremely difficult to ascertain exactly where the threshold of lethal and non-lethal doses of Xylazine is due to the wide range of reported doses.

When used frequently, in high concentrations, or alongside other substances like Fentanyl, Xylazine can have serious, life-threatening symptoms. These include:

• Respiratory depression
• Bradycardia (slowed heart rate)
• Skin lesions
• Frequent, persistent skin infections
• Necrosis
• Overdose

Furthermore, the DEA has urged extreme caution surrounding Xylazine use, as normal overdose-prevention medications, like Narcan, will not work on someone heavily sedated on Xylazine. Given the high prevalence of Opioids like Fentanyl that are commonly mixed with Xylazine, health officials still say Narcan should be administered should someone display overdose symptoms.

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Where Is Xylazine Coming From?

While it’s unclear where exactly the surge in supply of Xylazine is coming from, what public health officials do know is that Philadelphia has become ground zero for this new, deadly drug.

Health officials in the city claim that an “alarming” amount of the drug has entered the city in the last few years, leading to a spike in cases of Xylazine-related overdoses. Researchers in Pennsylvania estimate that Xylazine is in 91% of the Heroin and Fentanyl supply in Philadelphia, and claim its prevalence is making its way west. Additionally, the Detroit Free Press reports that deaths involving the tranquilizer increased 87% from 2019 to 2020 in the state of Michigan.

Other states that have been plagued by the recent spike in Xylazine include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, all of which have seen a staggering increase in overdoses in the last year. In Maryland alone, which ranks 6th in the country for the rate of fatal overdoses (44.6 per 100,000), Xylazine was involved in nearly 20% of all fatal drug overdoses in 2021.

Treating Xylazine Addiction

While Xylazine in and of itself is not a “new” substance, its use outside of veterinary medicine has skyrocketed in the last few years. Since the drug has not been studied for its effects on humans extensively, along with the fact that much of the Xylazine in circulation is laced with Opioids like Fentanyl, it can be extremely difficult to determine when someone may be experiencing an overdose or severe adverse effects.

Since health officials know very little about the drug, it is not advised for anyone who is using Xylazine to detox alone. Experts suggest undergoing a supervised medical detox at an inpatient rehab facility for the safest possible outcome.

Once detox is completed, treatment may include a variety of methods, including medically assisted treatment (MAT), recreational therapies, group therapies, and other specialized treatment methods geared toward specific Xylazine withdrawal symptoms. Certain psychological counseling modalities have shown to be particularly successful in treating addictions to similar substances like Ketamine. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

Get Help Today

Should adverse effects or signs of addiction to Xylazine or other drugs be present, the time to get help is now. Xylazine has no authorized use outside of veterinary medicine, meaning any use of the drug is not only illegal but can have potentially life-threatening side effects.

To start your journey toward recovery, contact a treatment provider to learn more about what treatment options are available to you.

The post Animal Tranquilizer Xylazine Poses Major Threat appeared first on Addiction Center.