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Woman in Santa hat is waking up after Christmas party. She is suffering of headache after New Year.

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More

What is alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)? Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the name for the symptoms that occur when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake. With AWS, you may experience a combination of physical and emotional symptoms, from mild anxiety and fatigue to nausea. Some symptoms of AWS are as …

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Benzodiazepines

Tracking the Trail of Opioids and Benzodiazepines

The following is a summary of “Mandatory prescription drug monitoring programs and overlapping prescriptions of opioids and benzodiazepines: Evidence from Kentucky,” published in the February 2023 issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence by Nguyen et al. As a result of the opioid epidemic, numerous states have established mandates necessitating healthcare providers to verify prescription drug …

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When Benzodiazepine Deprescribing Goes Awry Florida

Complex Persistent Benzodiazepine Dependence When Benzodiazepine Deprescribing Goes Awry

Benzodiazepines were discovered serendipitously in the 1950s and later marketed as safer alternatives to barbiturates, leading to increased popularity over subsequent decades. Though touted as safe treatments for anxiety and insomnia, problems with benzodiazepines became more apparent by the 1980s, especially risks of physiological dependence, misuse, and addiction. Although clinicians’ enthusiasm for benzodiazepines has waned, …

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Xanax Addiction Florida

Dependence on Xanax, similar sedatives lead OHSU physicians to coin new diagnosis

The sedatives — benzodiazepines — are considered an underrecognized contributor to public health crisis of drug overdoses. Millions of Americans suffering from anxiety and insomnia are prescribed a class of sedatives known as benzodiazepines. Known under the popular trade names Xanax, Valium and Ativan, these medications have been widely prescribed beginning in the 1970s. However, …

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Young man drinking alcohol in bar

Drinking any amount of alcohol causes damage to the brain, study finds

London CNN — There is no such thing as a “safe” level of drinking, with increased consumption of alcohol associated with poorer brain health, according to a new study. The researchers noted that drinking had an effect on the brain’s gray matter – regions in the brain that make up “important bits where information is …

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Palm Beach, Florida outpatient detox Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse vs. Addiction: What’s the Difference?

“Substance abuse” and “addiction” are closely-related terms, but there are key distinctions between them. Learn how to recognize the differences between the two. In everyday conversation, the distinction between substance abuse and drug addiction can sometimes be ambiguous. However, while both substance abuse and addiction can have detrimental effects on your life, not everyone who …

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