NARCONON AUTHOR

Ren

After working in addiction treatment for several years, Ren now travels the country, studying drug trends and writing about addiction in our society. Ren is focused on using his skill as an author and counselor to promote recovery and effective solutions to the drug crisis. Connect with Ren on LinkedIn.

DRUG INFORMATION

Microdosing LSD: A Drug Use Trend with Dangerous Consequences

There is an ongoing debate on whether or not psychedelic drugs should be used as an alternative health therapy. To this point, a new study has shown that, at least when it comes to the common hallucinogen LSD, microdosing on psychedelics does not have any health benefits. On the contrary, experimenting with such drugs comes with a fair degree of risk.

DRUG PREVENTION

Investments in Prevention and Treatment Make Good Financial Sense

Addiction is extremely costly on an individual and societal level. Investing in programs that educate people, treat addicts, prevent the spread of drugs, and help recovering addicts reintegrate into society are all programs whose benefits far outweigh...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Alcohol Addiction Linked to 232 Million Missed Workdays Annually

A new study found strong evidence of a connection between alcohol addiction and a shocking number of missed workdays in the United States. These findings suggest a need for an increased focus on treating alcohol addiction, given that the crisis is both...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Opioid Addiction on the Rise Among Older Americans

The opioid addiction epidemic is a nationwide public health crisis that’s claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans since the turn of the century. The epidemic has become so widespread that it’s affected every demographic of the American...

DRUG INFORMATION

Military Personnel at Higher Risk for Alcohol Addiction but with Fewer Options for Treatment

One branch of the military, National Guard soldiers, are at higher risk than other service members of falling prey to alcohol addiction. Unfortunately, this group has fewer options for treatment than members of other military branches. These factors create...

NEWS

Johnson & Johnson and Major Distributors Agree to $26 Billion Settlement for Role in Opioid Epidemic

In late February of this year, drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major pharmaceutical distributors agreed to settle with plaintiffs from almost every U.S. state for the role J&J and the distributors played in fueling the opioid epidemic.

STATISTICS & TRENDS

Opioid Addicts Just as Likely to Die as Heart Attack Patients

A new study revealed that opioid addicts who survive a drug overdose have the same death rate following hospital discharge as people who survive a heart attack. But why draw the comparison? Because while it is well known that heart attacks are a major...

NEWS

New Study Finds Half of Alcohol Consumers Cannot Safely Measure Their Level of Intoxication

It’s a known fact that alcohol consumption impairs one’s awareness of self, making the individual a poor judge of their physical abilities and tolerance. With that in mind, it’s quite concerning but not surprising that a new study found upwards of...

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

Drug Addiction Among Finance Professionals

One common belief about drug addiction is that such addictions only occur in people who are unemployed, impoverished, or already beset with a serious life crisis. Contrary to that notion, anyone can struggle with addiction, including business professionals...

DRUG INFORMATION

Debunking Stimulant Abuse for “Improved College Performance”

Years have gone by and the myth of prescription stimulant use for “improved college performance“ still exists among college students seeking to boost their test scores. Finally, there is enough scientific data on the real effects of misusing prescription...

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Aviation

Substance abuse negatively affects every American industry through critical harms like: Lost productivity. Workplace accidents. Injuries. Missed work. Excessive sick days. Low morale. Interpersonal conflicts. Increased illness.

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

The Myth of Functional Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction are serious crises of the body and mind that can affect anyone. Even managers and business owners, persons who appear to be doing well in their chosen careers, can fall prey to addiction.

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

Drug Addiction in Professional Sports

Drug addiction can appear in all walks of life, even among the very successful. Given the psychological stress and the physical demands of professional sports, even America’s top athletes can sometimes become addicted to opioid pain relievers, alcohol,...

DRUG INFORMATION

Cannabis Use and Unemployment

Is there a connection between cannabis use and unemployment?

ADDICTION

Addiction Among Doctors

The prevalence of addiction among medical doctors exceeds that of the general population. Why do doctors fall prey to addiction? How important is it that they get help as soon as possible?

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

Addiction Puts a Successful Career at Risk

It isn't just impoverished individuals who become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Anyone, from any walk of life, can become addicted, including people who have successful careers. However, no one can use drugs and alcohol AND manage a successful career...

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

Drug Addiction Has Unequal Impact on Differing Careers

Is it possible to predict someone’s risk for developing a drug addiction or an alcohol addiction based on the type of career they have? Do some professions exhibit more drug or alcohol misuse among employees than others? And if so, what unique factors...

STATISTICS & TRENDS

2020 Brings Record High Drug Overdoses

Drug and alcohol addiction is always dangerous. In 2020, it was even more dangerous. How do we know this? Because more people died from drug overdoses in 2020 than in any other year on record.

PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS & ADDICTION

Addiction Among Legal Professionals

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can manifest in any workforce. This article looks at the prevalence of substance abuse among legal professionals.

DRUG INFORMATION

Pharmacies— Do They Help or Harm in the Opioid Epidemic?

What role have pharmacies played in the opioid epidemic? How have they contributed to it? How have they worked against it?