Recovery experts have identified five distinct problem drinking personalities that reveal when alcohol consumption crosses the line from social enjoyment to dependence. Understanding these patterns could be the first step towards developing a healthier relationship with alcohol. When Drinking Becomes a Problem “When alcohol is the answer to every emotional state, it’s probably less about...
A comprehensive analysis by Australia’s National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has revealed alarming trends in the online availability of nitazenes, a class of dangerous synthetic opioids never approved for medical use. Between September 2021 and August 2025, researchers identified 5,945 nitazene listings across 37 cryptomarkets—online platforms where criminals trade illicit substances. While these synthetic...
Treating trauma behind drug addiction represents the “best bang for your buck” when tackling substance abuse, addiction counsellors have told Ireland’s Oireachtas Committee on Drugs. James O’Shea, chair of Addiction Counsellors of Ireland, emphasised that whilst addiction proves difficult to treat, trauma can be addressed more successfully. “PTSD can be treated and cured, it’s the...
A Cleveland psychiatrist has raised alarm over how Ohio cannabis legalisation affects young people’s mental health. He warned that, as a result, the growing normalisation of cannabis use may mask serious psychiatric risks. For example, Dr Fawad Taj described treating a patient in his 20s who began using cannabis gummies for sleep. However, what started...
A comprehensive decade-long study examining drug and alcohol presence in Victorian road crashes has revealed alarming trends, with methylamphetamine emerging as the most prevalent illicit substance detected in both injured and fatally injured drivers between 2010 and 2019. The research, published in Injury Prevention and led by Monash University, represents the largest investigation of its...
The notion that addiction can be “cured” in 28 days is fundamentally flawed, according to Dr Brian Fuehrlein, a leading addiction psychiatry expert at Yale University. In a recent Ask the Expert interview, Dr Fuehrlein, who serves as associate professor of psychiatry and director of the VA Psychiatric Emergency Room at Connecticut Healthcare System, shared...
In a recent episode of Tucker Carlson’s podcast, renowned psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist Dr Daniel Amen shared startling insights about cannabis use and its effects on brain function. Drawing from decades of research and over 300,000 brain scans, Dr Amen’s findings challenge widespread perceptions about the safety of marijuana. The Physical Impact of Cannabis...
A disturbing trend is emerging in emergency departments across the United States and beyond: young people presenting with severe, uncontrollable vomiting and abdominal pain caused by chronic cannabis use. This condition, known as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), represents a stark contradiction to the widely held belief that marijuana is harmless, particularly amongst adolescents and young...
Stirling University academics interviewed 31 paramedics, technicians and senior staff at the Scottish Ambulance Service. A groundbreaking study has exposed the alarming reality facing Scottish emergency responders, revealing widespread violence, aggression and sexual harassment during alcohol-related callouts. The research highlights the urgent need for stronger regulation of late-night alcohol sales to protect frontline staff. The...
Cannabis use disorder affects millions globally, yet approved medication options remain unavailable. A comprehensive review of 37 studies involving 3,201 participants reveals the current state of pharmacological interventions and highlights why psychological approaches remain the primary treatment method. Understanding the Scale of the Problem Globally, cannabis use is prevalent and widespread, with an estimated 228...