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Clinically Reviewed By: Dr. Brian Wind, PhD The phrase “gas station opioid” keeps appearing in news coverage, applied to both kratom and 7-OH. They’re not the same thing, but both are dangerous. Kratom is a Southeast Asian leaf with a long traditional history and more than two dozen active alkaloids. 7-OH, short for 7-hydroxymitragynine, is … Continued
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JourneyPure recently hosted a vibrant Open House and Blood Drive, uniting alumni, business partners, and community members for an afternoon dedicated to wellness and giving back. Held on Feb. 20 at JourneyPure At The River, the event, in partnership with the Red Cross, showcased JourneyPure’s commitment to supporting recovery and strengthening community ties. As a … Continued
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The illicit drug supply in the United States faces a new and deadly threat. Xylazine, a powerful veterinary sedative never approved for human use, has infiltrated the street drug supply at an alarming rate, particularly in combination with fentanyl and other opioids. This emerging trend poses unprecedented challenges for healthcare providers, first responders, and addiction … Continued
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of severe illnesses potentially associated with consuming Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies. These edible products are marketed as containing a proprietary blend of mushroom extracts, which may include the potentially dangerous … Continued
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Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has gained popularity in the United States in recent years. Kratom is not approved for medical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there is ongoing debate about its safety and potential for abuse and addiction. Federal Regulations on Kratom At the federal … Continued
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Medetomidine, sold under the brand name Domitor, is a potent veterinary sedative and analgesic that has recently emerged as a dangerous adulterant in illicit drugs across the United States. Originally developed for use in both small and large animals, medetomidine produces sedation, pain relief, muscle relaxation and anxiolytic effects. However, this drug is not approved … Continued
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April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to recognize the profound impact that alcohol use can have on our lives. Sadly, the U.S. struggles with one of the highest rates of alcoholism in the world: according to recent statistics from The National Institutes on Health (NIH) an estimated 14 million Americans are struggling with an … Continued
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The Tennessee Opioid Crisis is growing. “We’re going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of money on the opioid crisis,” said president Trump as he declared a state of emergency in August. More than 100 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Recent data is revealing Tennessee … Continued
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A synthetic opioid originally developed to be a potential replacement for morphine is now causing a number of deadly overdoses across the United States. The drug, U-47700, is more commonly referred to as just “U4” or “Pink” due to its pinkish coloration. Dr. Donna Seger, Executive Director of the Tennessee Poison Center, says that while … Continued
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Here’s a wake-up call for all of us: In 2015, more Tennesseans died due to opioid-related causes than in car crashes. Opioid use is on the rise in the Volunteer State, and there’s no real sign of it subsiding. According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, almost five percent of the … Continued
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Filling The Void In the wake of the opioid addiction crisis, many “pain clinics” have sprung up all over Tennessee to fill the high demand for prescription painkillers. Many of these clinics fail to meet safe and ethical medical standards and supply prescription drugs to anyone capable of paying a high premium for them. … Continued
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Tennessee state leaders have issued a warning to citizens, particularly those struggling with opiate addiction. The underground market for painkillers, which many addicts find themselves entangled in, has recently been flooded with Fentanyl-laced counterfeit opiates being sold as legitimate drugs, leaving many unsuspecting users at perilous risk of overdosing. These fake pills are being purported … Continued
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Facing Up A recent US Surgeon General’s report uncovered some staggering facts about the magnitude of America’s drug problem. Several highlights from the report provide surprising context for just how widespread the addiction epidemic has become: In 2016 more people used prescription painkillers than tobacco. The number of people with substance abuse disorders in America … Continued
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The death toll from heroin overdoses has surpassed the annual rate of gun homicides in the US for the first time. In 2007, gun homicides outnumbered opiate overdoses 5-1, and a shift this drastic is alarming news for public health officials, who are trying to manage the devastating impact of the addiction crisis. The rising … Continued
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In recent years, opioid abuse rates in Tennessee have grown to epidemic levels. This statistic includes both users of heroin and legal prescription drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Many people who become addicted to a prescription painkiller end up abusing both prescription drugs and illegal drugs like heroin that can be easier and … Continued
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1960s Heroin Use To understand how heroin travels into the U.S. now, it’s important to understand the drug’s origin. Heroin was first synthesized in 1874 by English chemist C.R. Alder Wright. From the beginning, its intended purpose was for medicinal use. However, like most opioids, heroin soon found its way into the drug sub-culture for … Continued