Mixing substances – how common is it? When you picture a raging party, let’s say a college party, it’s not uncommon for the media to spotlight substance use. While alcohol is the most common substance at parties like this, jokes about “doing lines in the bathroom” are not unheard of. How many people actually participate…
When someone mentions the word “cocaine,” what are some of the first things that pop into your mind? Maybe someone snorting a line of white powder in a bathroom at a club or party? Or maybe you think about someone using a needle in their arm to feel a rush? It can feel like such…
Have you ever had a frightening experience and found your hands were shaking afterward? Or maybe one day you hadn’t eaten quite enough and your body was shaking slightly in response? Our bodies can shake for my reasons. Small tremors in our hands aren’t that uncommon, but did you know that alcohol can cause tremors…
Benzodiazepines are primarily prescribed to help those managing anxiety, sleep disorders, and seizures. Occasionally they might be used to help treat alcohol withdrawal as well. Over 43% of New Mexico adults reported symptoms of anxiety within the past year. Benzodiazepines, otherwise known as benzos, are sometimes used outside medical advice. Many times they’re taken in…
Benzodiazepines are a versatile medication that can help with a few different conditions. They’re primarily used to assist those who are managing anxiety, sleep disorders, and seizure disorders, but they can also be used to assist people going through alcohol withdrawal and recovery. Unfortunately, they are known for their generally short half-life, which is how…
Over 2.6 million people have reported using methamphetamines in the past 12 months. Methamphetamine, or meth, is a stimulant that impacts the central nervous system. It can come in a few different forms, so how can you identify it if you think you’ve found it? With the use of meth continuing to be prevalent, especially…
About 13% of New Mexico residents have used cocaine within the year. While many people might know that long-term substance use can come with a variety of side effects, not everyone realizes exactly how detrimental the side effects can be. With long-term cocaine use, one of the many parts of your body that it can…
When people hear about benzodiazepines, they might not immediately recognize or understand the word. However, if you mention Xanax or Valium to someone, they have a higher chance of knowing what it is. These two are the same thing. Benzodiazepines are a category/type of medication and pharmaceuticals like Xanax are a form of benzodiazepines (otherwise…
In 2021, over 41 million people were prescribed Adderall, which is a common substance used to assist those with ADHD. With over 22 states, New Mexico included, legalizing recreational marijuana usage, there’s a good chance that there is some overlap to be found between those who take Adderall and those who smoke weed. But is…
Growing up in a rural town, talk of meth usage was not uncommon. I don’t remember where I learned it, but early on I knew that some people with methamphetamine use disorder had scabs on their bodies. The reason behind the scabs is usually a hallucinatory symptom known as “meth mites.” “Meth mites” has become…
Fentanyl is a short-acting synthetic opioid. It’s primarily used in pharmaceuticals to help those struggling with severe pain, usually post-surgery.. Short-acting relates to how a substance enters your body, how quickly its effects are felt, and how quickly it exits your body. The amount of time that fentanyl takes to start being felt depends on…
In New Mexico, 36 percent of the total number of overdoses in 2018 were related to meth use. Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that creates euphoric effects and a significant energy boost in the short term but contributes to mental health conditions, organ failure, and dependency. Overdosing on meth can be fatal, but treatment for…
The majority of heroin overdose deaths in New Mexico result from opioids like heroin. For individuals using illicit substances, it can be challenging to know what’s in the substances they’re taking. Even dealers who have experience can’t tell when heroin has been mixed with something else because it’s undetectable to human senses. If you suspected…
In 2020, overdose deaths in New Mexico reached an all-time high. Opioids such as heroin significantly contributed to this tragic loss of life. Heroin comes from morphine, which is found in the seed pod of opium poppy plants. These plants are commonly grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Columbia, and Mexico. Opioids such as heroin…
The University of New Mexico reports that New Mexico historically has one of the highest rates of opioid-related deaths in the United States. If you are a New Mexico resident, you have probably read newspaper articles about heroin use in your community. You may even have friends or family members who use or once used…
