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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today is taking a bold step to protect Americans from dangerous, illegal opioids by recommending a scheduling action to control certain 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The FDA is specifically targeting 7-OH, a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant; it is not […]

There’s a drug war going on in Florida but you may not be aware of it. The results of the latest battle were announced Sept. 8 by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson as more than 17,000 packages of “isolated and/or concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine” were removed from retail stores in more than 20 counties. Florida bans

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31 each year. This somber day functions as a remembrance of more than 500,000 lives lost and a reminder of how far we have come in combatting addiction across America.1 True awareness requires reflection on the crisis’ origins, actions to mitigate its consequences, and ideas to move us forward

Alcohol dependence or alcoholism is a very serious and widespread medical issue that can cause permanent physical damage to the body if it is not addressed and treated properly. When an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms from alcohol if he or she does not have a drink for any extended period of time, then an alcohol

Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome typically characterized by sleep disturbances, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, hand tremors, sweating, difficulty concentrating, dry retching and nausea, some weight loss, palpitations, headaches, muscular pain and stiffness, and a host of perceptual changes. In high-dosage cases, more serious developments such as seizures

WHAT IS KRATON Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Consumption of its leaves produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses), and can lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence. Kratom leaves contain two major psychoactive ingredients (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine). These leaves are crushed and

Drinking increases during the holidays. Here’s how the extra booze affects your health, according to a doctor. Americans drink double their typical amount of alcohol during the holiday season, according to estimates, which can have a serious impact on health. On “CBS Mornings Plus” Tuesday, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook broke down

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — After three overdose deaths, just on Monday alone, the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) is warning the public. WPBPD said that while the exact cause of each death is still under investigation, detectives suspect synthetic opioids may be involved. “We urge the public to stay vigilant – this

Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay $300 million to settle claims that it unlawfully filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. In its complaint, the Justice Department, along with other federal agencies, alleges that for more than a decade pharmacists at the second largest pharmacy chain in the U.S. knowingly filled prescriptions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Friday passed a bill that would result in more prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers as both Republicans and Democrats seek to show they can act to rein in distribution of the deadly drug. The bill passed the Senate on an 84-16 vote, with all the nay votes from Democrats.