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A few weeks back, Soma Snakeoil, an artist and the founder of Los Angeles-based organization the Sidewalk Project, came across a man overdosing on a street corner. She asked his girlfriend what he had taken and administered naloxone, but he was still non-responsive. Working quickly, she created a cone with her hands, and performed rescue…

As 2021 dawns, plenty of people are resolving to give up drinking — for a month or forever. “Dry January,” a no-alcohol challenge, has gained steam in recent years, with adherents swearing off all alcoholic beverages for the month. Part post-holiday reset, part chance to reexamine one’s relationship with alcohol, it’s particularly popular with young…

Many Americans increase their alcohol consumption during the holiday season, often beginning with the night before Thanksgiving. The coronavirus pandemic has been cause for even more imbibing. Heading into the holidays during a pandemic, then, means anyone who wants to remain sober may have their work cut out for them. But experts say it’s possible…

The government eased access to drug addiction treatment during the pandemic. Now that could go away. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced much of the US to lock down in the spring of 2020, officials and experts worried the necessary social distancing measures would make another public health crisis — the opioid epidemic — worse. Addiction…

Let’s just focus on eating the pie, shall we? The holiday season has arrived. And, just like every year, it brings with it a mix of emotions for all of us. Whether you’re excited, anxious, or a little bit of both, remember that the holiday season can be a great opportunity to flex your sober…

Oregon to decriminalize all illegal drugs in historic first, while voters in many states vote to abolish penalties for possession On Tuesday night, a number of US states voted in favor of decriminalizing drugs in an unprecedented drug law overhaul. Thanks to a push by drug reform advocates, in every state where the ballot was…

Marijuana legalization advocates, afraid that efforts to win ballot initiatives would go up in smoke given the challenges of a pandemic, are fired up about chances in five states this fall. The difficulty of safely getting signatures in person helped doom marijuana legalization efforts in some states, like Idaho and Missouri. But voters will decide…

An “effective pain killer” in a time of trauma sparks concern among experts. Joe Dinan felt an anxious pulse in his ears as he walked out of CVS and spotted the liquor store across the street. Having lost his job during the pandemic, he’d had plenty of time to run errands. But he couldn’t shake…

September is National Suicide Prevention Month All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. A FEW FACTS: From 2009 to 2018, the age-adjusted suicide death rate increased from 11.76 to 14.24 per 100,000 people. From 2009 to 2018, the rate increased from 19.23 to 22.79 per…

At Northshore Recovery High School, students are greeted with hugs and “I love yous” from their principal. They text their teachers, telling them that they spent the night before smoking weed or popping pills. They have a bathroom specifically for taking drug tests. It’s all done to keep them alive. The Beverly, Mass., school for…