Psych Gumbo » addiction

Heroin Gains Popularity Among College Students

Psychgumbo — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:26:41 +0000

No longer considered a drug for the fringe substance abuser, heroin has gained more mainstream popularity, even among college students. Heroin is an opiate in the same class as painkillers such as lortab, percocet or oxycontin. Although it is more recognizable in its injectable form, it can also be smoked, ingested or snorted. The widely accepted drug culture on college campuses has made it socially acceptable to experiment with various drugs, including heroin. Experimentation is not always innocuous, however, as heroin is a drug with a potential for drug addiction and a highly uncomfortable withdrawal. Accidental overdoses are particularly deadly, as some students do not even realize what they may be snorting at a party is in actuality heroin. To learn more, check out my latest article in The Tulane Hullabaloo.

Students should be aware of effects of MDMA

Psychgumbo — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 23:56:45 +0000

Pop culture icons such as Miley Cyrus, Madonna and Kanye West have glorified through their music the use of a popular drug called Molly, also known as MDMA or ecstasy. The drug has become very popular in the college party scene with a reported 5.8% of college students having used the drug in 2013. Although drug users often report a euphoric high from the drug, there is a dark side including serious physical and mental health risks. Check out my latest column to learn more!

Self-injury is common and treatable in college

Psychgumbo — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 01:02:47 +0000

As a psychiatry resident working in New Orleans, I have the opportunity to treat a wide range of interesting people. I also have the great opportunity to work with college students when they show up to the Tulane emergency room in crisis. Something that I often see in these students and other young adults is a pattern of self-injury.

What may seem strange or scary to some, is a daily impulse for others. Check out my latest column in The Hullabaloo:

Craving: Why We Can’t Seem to Get Enough

Psychgumbo — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:30:12 +0000

“When we find ourselves wanting something strong enough, we’ll do just about anything to get it–sometimes at the expense of our bodies, brains, bank accounts and relationships. So why do we sometimes have the irrepressible feeling that we need something–such as food, cigarettes, alcohol, or sex–that we really just want? And how do we satiate that feeling without indulging it?”

Dr. Holly Peek interviews Dr. Omar Manejwala about his newly published book “Craving: Why We Can’t Seem to Get Enough.” On this episode of Psych Gumbo, they explore the phenomenon of cravings and addiction.

Visit Dr. Manejwala’s site at cravingbook.com to learn more and to order a copy of this very interesting book!

College Psychostimulant Abuse Proves Dangerous

Psychgumbo — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:18 +0000

Psychostimulants, such as Adderall or Ritalin, are one of the most abused legal drugs on college campuses. These drugs have become very prevalent within the college culture nationwide, particularly in high achieving students in professional schools. Although they prove to be helpful when properly prescribed to ADHD patients, they can also be very dangerous to those who misuse them. Check out my article in The Hullabaloo to learn more: