Meth use has been a problem in Colorado and other western states for decades, but the opioid crisis has taken the main headlines in recent years. Now, another substance is beginning to gain more attention as meth addiction and abuse is rising in Colorado. It may be surprising, but methamphetamine is now more fatal in Colorado than heroin. Crystal meth … Read More

The nation’s opioid crisis is still in full effect, and many doctors are looking to explore non-opioid options for chronic pain management. As of August 2, 2019, Colorado doctors have been granted a new possibility. With the enactment of SB 19-013, doctors in the state can now recommend medical marijuana in place of opioid painkillers. The decision does have its … Read More

A new apartment complex in Colorado Springs is catered specifically toward people with nowhere else to turn. Created by the Springs Rescue Mission, Greenway Flats serves to help local people escape chronic homelessness and get back on their feet. Many people suffer from conditions that make it nearly impossible to maintain an income, which quickly leads to homelessness. For those … Read More

In 2020, a Colorado bill to reduce drug possession penalties will go into effect. According to HB 19-1263, the charge for possession of certain Schedule I or II substances will change from a felony to a misdemeanor. By effectively decriminalizing the use of many substances, fewer people in Colorado will find themselves in jail for drug-related charges. In addition, Colorado’s … Read More

Many people turn to alcohol in an attempt to ease uncomfortable feelings that stem from anxiety. Anxiety causes people to be filled with stress and tension, and alcohol’s depressant effects can calm this anxiety and the feelings associated with it. Unfortunately, this form of self-medication can backfire. A person’s tolerance builds up as they habitually drink alcohol, and anxiety can … Read More

The state of Oklahoma is piloting an opioid relapse prevention program that includes giving the drug Vivitrol to prison inmates. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office will now allow the use of this treatment, which is a form of the drug naltrexone, for people in prison. Vivitrol blocks opioid receptors in the brain and can provide help for people in recovery … Read More

When a substance is regulated, there’s usually an expectation that the industry and the substance will become safer and more controlled. It’s a key argument that many marijuana legalization advocates put forth in states across the country. Now that recreational and medical marijuana has been legalized in 33 states altogether, has weed become safer? Not necessarily. While it’s still a … Read More

Many states across the nation legalizing medical and recreational cannabis has raised many questions. What impact will legal marijuana have on local communities? Will legal marijuana cause more traffic accidents? Will legal marijuana lead to more drug use? Researchers studying the impact of legal marijuana recently found a remarkable trend: There was a 24.8% decrease in opioid-related deaths in states … Read More

A new bill in Colorado now allows physicians to prescribe medical marijuana for pain management as an alternative to opioids. This bill also changes the laws for who can prescribe medical marijuana to people under 18 years of age, allowing the drug to be prescribed outside of a debilitating condition. People who suffer from acute pain after surgery are the … Read More

According to a recent press release, Medical Coaches is going to produce six mobile health units to help provide treatment to those struggling with opioid addiction. Medical Coaches is a company that manufactures mobile medical clinics. These new units will specialize in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Colorado. The mobile medical units are being created as part of the State’s Opioid … Read More