Should IV Illicit Drug Users Be Offered PICC Lines Or Venous Access Devices

Should patients who have known IV addictions be offered a PICC line or similar in order to reduce their risks of infections, blood clots, scarring, circulatory damage/ impairment, injecting into arteries or damaging nerves in the surrounding structures, or should these types of device be avoided in order to reduce the temptation the other associated risks of having a VAD in place for any length of time? This is the topic of todays blog post and we want to know what you think!

Getting To The Point – Could You Have A Needle Fixation?

Needle fixation occurs when the actual act of injecting the drug into their veins becomes compulsive, rewarding and equal to, or more important than the actual act of using the drug itself. Certain experts actually consider needle fixation to be a separate addiction, with some referring to it as a behavioural addiction, or as part of a ritual that they follow every time they use their substance of choice. Those with needle fixations may also inject water or other substances when their drug(s) of choice aren’t available to satisfy their psychological need to inject.

In this article, you will find out what needle fixation is and what it takes to overcome needle fixation.

Can You Cure Yourself of A Drug Addiction, Simply By Wanting It? Actor Charlie Sheen Seems To Think So!

Actor Charlie Sheen, known for his heavy cocaine and alcohol use, has been stating in interviews that he freed himself of his drug habit “simply by closing my eyes and make it so” according to him.

Is this public display damaging the hard work that those in the recovery field work so hard to build upon, and the addicts who come to succeed in their recovery thanks to various coping strategies, organisations and fellowship groups?

Find out all you need to know inside this article!…

How Chronic Substance Use And Addiction Increases Your Risks Of Infectious Diseases, Including The Coronavirus

Many substance users and addicts suffer with weakened immune systems. This puts them at a greater risk of infections, viruses, illnesses, cancer and even the coronavirus.

The chronic use of alcohol and nearly every type of drug that people misuse or become dependent upon, taxes the body, and more specifically, the immune system of an individual. This potentially results in compromised immune system functioning.

The use of most drugs that many people use recreationally and become dependent upon, including alcohol, leads to the suppression of the ability of the immune system to fight off infections, viruses, illnesses, impact the recovery from injuries and increase your risk of cancer development. In general, severe chronic alcoholics and drug addicts are considered immunocompromised hosts.

Dummies Guide To Harm Reduction For Those Who Are Addicted To Drugs And Alcohol

Harm reduction refers to a broad range of policies and practices that try to reduce the physical, mental and societal harms that people do to themselves and/or others from their drug and alcohol use.

This article covers a wide range of harm reduction strategies and best practice suggestions for those who use drugs and alcohol, those around them, their communities and the country as a whole, including those involved with sex work, those who drink/drug drive and what help and support is available to those who want it.

All You Need To Know About… Heroin

In this article, you will find everything you ever wanted to know and more about Heroin!
We use an 8 point risk-rating system to give a general overview of Heroin as well as explain its characteristics, treatment options, withdrawal symptoms, its prevalence as well as recovery and abstinence from heroin.

Opiate vs. Opioid – Do You Know the Difference?

Do you know the difference between an Opiate and an Opioid? It seems there are stories in the news every day about the dangers of opioids and opiates and how they are devastating families and communities. But few people know the difference between the two. Here are some facts about both. The poppy plant creates

Homelessness, Rough Sleeping And Addiction – What Can We Do To End This Spiral Of Destruction?

Why are those who are homeless or sleep rough more dependant on substances to cope or end up dying earlier than those who are housed in permanent accommodation? What can we do about it? How can you help? Can you volunteer or donate? Read on to find out more!

Why Is Addiction More Prevalent In The LGBTQ+ Community?

Why is substance addiction more prevalent within the LGBTQ+ community? Find out here in our guide to addiction, Chemsex and the LGBTQ+ community.

Harm Reduction – Reducing Your Risks With Drugs And Alcohol

What Is Harm Reduction? In our lives, we try to reduce the harm that we do to ourselves and others and having an addiction to substances is no different. Harm reduction is a proactive approach to reducing the damage done by alcohol, drugs, and other substances, as well as addressing broader health and social issues,