Alcohol Abuse in the LGBT Community  Many LGBT people face stressors that go beyond the usual pressures of daily life. On top of work targets or relationship struggles, they deal with rejection from family, discrimination at school or work, or laws that make them feel unsafe just for being who they are. These experiences can…

Is Heroin a Depressant There are many myths and misconceptions about how heroin affects the mind and body. Many people do not know that heroin is a depressant. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are drugs that have an immediate calming effect on the body and mind. While this effect may feel good in the short…

Substance Abuse Insurance Coverage Many health insurance plans cover treatment for substance abuse and mental health conditions, but the extent of coverage varies by plan. You can also contact Q Space Detox directly to find out if your insurance can help cover the cost of addiction treatment. If you or someone you love in the…

LGBTQ Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center  Members of the LGBTQ+ community deal with systemic discrimination that can take a toll on both their mental and physical health. Isolation, stigma, and lack of access to affirming care can make it harder to get the mental health support they need. As a result, many turn to substances as…

Can Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Kill You? Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous, even fatal, without expert supervision. The chances of a benzodiazepine withdrawal killing you are rare, but they increase with how much and for how long you have been using the drug. The most dangerous complications include seizures, which can lead to severe brain injury or…

What is Black Tar Heroin Black tar heroin is a dark, sticky, and impure form of heroin primarily produced in Mexico. This variant of heroin is a Schedule I controlled substance because it has no medical uses and a high potential for abuse, addiction, and overdose. Unlike white powder heroin, black tar requires less processing,…

Carfentanil: Another Dangerous Opioid Like Fentanyl  Carfentanil is a dangerously powerful synthetic opioid, about a hundred times more potent than fentanyl and thousands of times stronger than morphine. Originally developed to sedate large animals like elephants, it has no approved medical use in humans. When carfentanil shows up in street drugs (often without users’ knowledge),…

What is Freebasing?  Freebasing is a way of using cocaine that involves transforming it into a more concentrated, smokable form. Unlike crack or powdered cocaine, freebase cocaine is prepared through a chemical process that removes certain additives, resulting in a substance that vaporizes easily when heated. People typically use a glass pipe, often with a…

The New Synthetic Opioid, Isotonitazene  There is a new and dangerously potent drug making its way into street opioids, and most people have never even heard of it. It is called N-desethyl isotonitazene, and it is part of a growing class of synthetic opioids known as nitazenes. Unlike fentanyl, which has already made headlines for…

5 Common Myths about Alcohol Withdrawal Debunked Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most misunderstood aspects of recovery from alcohol use disorder. Many common myths about alcohol withdrawal put people’s lives at risk. From thinking it is safe to detox at home to assuming you need to hit rock bottom before seeking help, these myths…