Podcasts about opioids

To justify bombing Venezuela and abducting President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump falsely accused him of leading the so-called "Cartel de los Soles". But the US Department of Justice was forced to admit that this "Suns Cartel" doesn't exist. The USA lied -- while the CIA actually has trafficked drugs in Latin America. Ben Norton reports. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44c0jf5ygyE Topics 0:00 US attacks Venezuela 0:21 (CLIP) Trump wants Venezuela's oil 1:12 Trump's colonial war on Venezuela 2:08 US DOJ admits it lied about Maduro 3:25 92-year-old judge oversees show trial 3:53 "Cartel de los Soles" doesn't exist 5:05 WMD lie 5:46 Venezuela does NOT produce fentanyl 6:28 Cocaine-producing countries 7:12 (CLIP) Biden official admits truth 8:21 CIA trafficked drugs in Venezuela 11:01 (CLIP) 60 Minutes on CIA drug trafficking 11:42 DEA agent accuses CIA of trafficking 12:58 CIA, cocaine, Nicaraguan Contras 14:47 Trump pardoned Hondura drug trafficker 16:13 (CLIP) Juan Orlando Hernández 16:39 Ecuador's drug-linked President Noboa 17:42 Colombia's drug lord Álvaro Uribe 18:50 USA armed Mexican cartels 19:34 US allies in Mexico are narcos 20:23 Drug links to Argentina's Javier Milei 20:43 Marco Rubio's links to cocaine trafficking 22:52 US Special Forces links to drugs 23:55 Trump attacks Colombia President Petro 24:37 Afghanistan opium production 25:59 Opioid epidemic in USA 26:34 Purdue Pharma and Sackler family 28:55 US imperialism based on lies 29:42 Outro

It's been nearly three years since landmark settlements were reached between states and major opioid producers. Since then, roughly $100 million has been dispersed to combat addiction, but it's unclear how much of that money has been spent so far.   The Current's Alena Mashke joins us for more on the lack of spending transparency. From Star Wars to Jurassic Park, Hollywood movies and TV shows have long relied on special effects to bring supernatural stories to life. This process often involves sculpting, puppetry, animatronics and technology – and has many times involved Louisiana native and Emmy-award winning special effects artist, Lee Romaire.Romaire grew up in Morgan City, Louisiana, before attending LSU and later moving to Hollywood to pursue a career in the industry. He joins us now for more on his 25 years in special effects and how his background in taxidermy set the foundation for his career.Tomorrow night marks the beginning of the 2026 Mardi Gras season. And in New Orleans, the Krewe of Joan of Arc will take to the streets on Twelfth Night. Back in 2018, WWNO's Jessica Rosgaard spoke with the Krewe's founder, Amy Kirk Duvosin, about the parade's history.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Buprenorphine is well-known for opioid use disorder—but what about for acute pain? Drs. Terry Ahern and Jon Lee join host Maiya Smith to discuss low-dose buprenorphine for pain management in the emergency room, covering pharmacology, dosing, patient selection, and why it may be a safer, underused analgesic.  

⏰ Time for a Checkup ⏰ Dr. Luke Enderiser from AltaPointe joined Sean Sullivan to talk about something our community truly needs: First Step, a new six-bed, medically managed withdrawal unit in Mobile. This is real help for people trying to step away from alcohol or opioids safely and with dignity. Here's the part that stops you mid-scroll:  Quitting alcohol “cold turkey” can actually be dangerous, even deadly, without medical support. Opioid withdrawal may not be life-threatening, but it can be so painful that it becomes the wall people can't climb alone. First Step exists to help people through that wall with medical care, proven medications, and compassionate support. And it doesn't end there. After withdrawal, AltaPointe connects patients with peer specialists, therapists, outpatient or inpatient programs, and medications that reduce cravings and help sustain recovery. This is not just about stopping. It's about starting over with support. If this hits close to home for you or someone you care about, help is just a phone call away:  

John Greenwood, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-founder of Goldfinch Health, joins guest host Thomas Beadle to discuss how they are trying to reduce the unnecessary use of opioids for surgery recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

60 MinutesPG-13This is a re-release of an episode with Trey Garrison. He is an author and investigative reporter who came on the show to talk about a book he wrote with his partner Richard McClure, "Opioids for the Masses: Big Pharma's War on Middle America and the White Working Class"Opioids for the MassesPete and Thomas777 'At the Movies'Support Pete on His WebsitePete's PatreonPete's SubstackPete's SubscribestarPete's GUMROADPete's VenmoPete's Buy Me a CoffeePete on FacebookPete on TwitterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-quinones-show--6071361/support.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holdings CEO Dr. Seth Lederman joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce that the company has secured exclusive worldwide licensing rights to TNX-4900, a highly selective small-molecule Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) antagonist with demonstrated analgesic activity across multiple preclinical models of neuropathic pain. Lederman explained that Sigma-1 receptor antagonism has attracted growing scientific and clinical interest as a promising new class of non-opioid, non-addictive pain therapies. Tonix has leveraged computer-aided and artificial intelligence–driven drug design approaches to develop this next generation of selective S1R antagonists. TNX-4900 has demonstrated robust and durable pain-relief activity in several validated neuropathic pain models, alongside an encouraging preclinical safety profile. TNX-4900 emerged from a structure-based drug design program led by researchers at Rutgers University, which generated a series of potent and selective triazole-based Sigma-1 receptor antagonists. The compound binds to the human Sigma-1 receptor with nanomolar affinity (Ki = 7.5 nM), exhibits greater than 100-fold selectivity over the Sigma-2 receptor, and shows strong penetration of the blood–brain barrier. In addition, TNX-4900 demonstrates favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, including attractive absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) properties and an oral bioavailability of approximately 28%. These attributes support its potential suitability for chronic oral administration in pain indications. In preclinical models of both diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, TNX-4900 produced significant and sustained reductions in pain-related behaviours following both acute and repeated dosing. Importantly, these analgesic effects were observed without evidence of tolerance development or motor impairment, key limitations associated with many existing pain therapies. Tonix plans to advance TNX-4900 through expanded pharmacokinetic, formulation, and safety studies as part of an IND-enabling development program. According to Lederman, the company believes TNX-4900 represents a compelling opportunity to address a large unmet medical need with a differentiated, non-opioid therapeutic option for patients suffering from neuropathic pain. #proactiveinvestors #tonixpharmaceuticalsholdingcorp #nasdaq #tnxp #Biotech #kidneydisease #massachusettsgeneralhospital #massgeneral #VaccineDevelopment #ClinicalTrials #PharmaceuticalNews #MedicalResearch #WHO #GlobalHealth #InfectiousDiseases #SethLederman #ChronicPain #TNX4900 #TONMYA #FibromyalgiaTreatment #NeuropathicPain #PostherpeticNeuralgia #FDAApproval #PharmaNews #ProactiveInvestors

On the Tuesday, Dec. 23rd edition of Georgia Today: An update on the men who escaped the DeKalb County jail; Federal charges have been filed against an Atlanta Housing Authority executive; UGA researchers warn that opioid pain medications may increase infection risk

Mississippi Today health reporter Allen Siegler and health editor Laura Santhanam give an update on the state's plan to spend its initial pot of opioid lawsuit settlement money. Siegler's in-depth reporting has chronicled some issues and raised serious questions about how the state and local governments are spending the money, which is supposed to help address the scourge of opioid addiction, which has cost at least 10,000 lives in Mississippi since 2000.

The 2025 year draws to a close with the December episode of RAPM Focus, where RAPM Social Media Editor Alopi Patel, MD, converses with Benjamin S. Brooke, MD, PhD, and Michael “Jay” Buys, MD, following the April 2024 publication of their original research paper, “Postsurgical opioid prescribing among veterans using community care for orthopedic surgery at non-VA hospitals compared to a VA hospital with a transitional pain service: a retrospective cohort study | Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.” The research study looked at opioid prescriptions after orthopedic surgery for veterans, comparing veterans who underwent surgery at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital to those in the community. Dr. Brooke is a Professor of Surgery, Biomedical Informatics (adjunct), Population Health Sciences (adjunct), and Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Utah. He grew up in Salt Lake City, receiving his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Utah before heading east to complete his internship and residency in General Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. During his surgical residency, Dr. Brooke received his PhD in Clinical Investigation at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He then completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Buys is an Associate Professor (Clinical) of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah and Chief of the Acute/Transitional Pain Section at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center. He completed his medical degree at the University of Iowa and residency in anesthesiology at the University of New Mexico, after which he served as an active duty anesthesiologist in the US Air Force at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio and at Craig Joint Theater Hospital in Afghanistan. *The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice, and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner's judgement, patient care, or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others. Podcast and music produced by Dan Langa. Find us on X @RAPMOnline, LinkedIn @Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, Facebook @Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, and Instagram @RAPM_Online.

A state-mandated task force led by Mayor Joe Hogsett has recommended a major shakeup for Indianapolis schools. Lauren Roberts is seeking damages from the City of Indianapolis after she was forcibly removed from a City-County Council meeting earlier this year. Indiana University is expanding its emergency opioid response. After Indiana cut preschool scholarships, communities are looking for ways to fill the gap. Parkview Health and the University of Notre Dame are partnering together, with help from a development fund, to create an AI-enabled solution to improve health care in rural communities. An Indianapolis tutoring program to address K through third-grade literacy gaps at public schools says it has improved reading for over 750 at-risk students. If you shop for holiday décor this year, experts say to expect higher prices and less inventory. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Take your veterinary dental expertise to the next level — save $100 on any online course with code START26! Access our full library of live and on-demand courses today: https://internationalveterinarydentistryinstitute.org/veterinary-dental-online-webinars-courses-discount/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcastlink&utm_campaign=start26  —------------------------------------------------------------------- Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM In this episode of The Vet Dental Show, Dr. Victoria Lukasik, DVM, DACVAA, discusses strategies for optimizing pre-anesthetic medication protocols. They discuss how drug choices, administration sites, and dosages impact sedation quality, patient experience, and potential side effects. Gain insights into selecting appropriate tranquilizers, analgesics, and anticholinergics to enhance patient comfort and safety during dental procedures. What You'll Learn:  ✅ Understand the impact of premedication administration sites on drug efficacy.  ✅ Discover the benefits of intranasal Dexmedetomidine for sedation.  ✅ Simplify the selection of appropriate tranquilizers and analgesics.  ✅ Apply strategies to minimize opioid-induced side effects in cats.  ✅ Master the use of anticholinergics and preventative eye care.  ✅ Recognize the importance of considering non-anesthetic drugs. Key Takeaways:  ✅ Intramuscular injections into the semimembranosus muscle provide higher quality sedation with more predictable onset times.  ✅ Intranasal Dexmedetomidine offers comparable sedation to IM administration with reduced cardiovascular effects.  ✅ Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lower blood pressure; monitor patients accordingly.  ✅ Tailor opioid selection based on patient-specific needs, considering chronic pain and potential psychological effects.  ✅ Cats with dilated pupils may be sensitive to bright light; minimize light exposure to reduce stress. Questions This Episode Answers:

We tell athletes to “shake it off,” “tough it out,” and “get back in the game.”But what happens when the injury is inside the brain, quiet, cumulative, and deadly?In this episode of Hope Illuminated, Dr. John Gaal shares the devastating story of losing his 24-year-old son to suicide and the painful discovery afterward that his son's brain showed hallmark signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).That grief became a catalyst for John's work at the intersection of repetitive head trauma, depression, pain, opioids, identity loss, and suicide risk, especially among athletes.This conversation brings together heart and science to ask a question our culture often avoids:How many deaths are we calling “mental health problems” when they may also involve brain injuries we never diagnosed? For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/157

“Behind the Evidence” is the addiction medicine podcast of the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, and a project of the Center's free bimonthly newsletter Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence (AODH). This episode was recorded 19 May 2025 and features an interview with J. Cedric Woods, PhD on his article, “Trends in Fatal Opioid-Related Overdose in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, 1999-2021” published in The American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Click here to read AODH's summary of this article.Hosts: Honora L. Englander, MD and Marc R. Larochelle, MDProduction: Raquel Silveira, MBAEditing: Casy Calver, PhDMusic and cover art: Mary Tomanovich, MAMiriam Komaromy, MD is the Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction, and co-Editor-in-Chief of AODH, together with David Fiellin, MDLearn more about AODH and subscribe for free at www.aodhealth.org“Behind the Evidence” is supported by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center. It is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The views expressed here are our own, and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or the authors of the articles we review. All patient information has been modified to protect their identities.

Tomi Lahren sits down with interventionist and recovered addict Darren Hobbs, known for his work helping families on A&E's Intervention, for a powerful and emotional conversation about addiction, the fentanyl crisis, and what it really takes to save lives in today's opioid epidemic.If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this candid discussion offers hope, guidance, and real-world insight from one of the leading interventionists in the country. This episode is sponsored by Incogni. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TOMI at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/tomi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Smerconish dives into today's provocative poll question: Would legalizing heroin and cocaine actually reduce fentanyl deaths and improve global stability? Inspired by a listener's message and supported by Kofi Annan's striking 2016 essay, Michael examines the arguments for and against a radical shift in drug policy. He also updates listeners on the ongoing mystery around the unreleased video of the second Venezuela boat strike and how the administration's messaging continues to shift. Listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Legal Nurse Podcast, where complex medical topics meet the world of litigation. In this episode, host Pat Iyer sits down with Dr. Allison Muller, a seasoned toxicologist who brings her expertise to the forefront of the ongoing opioid crisis. Together, they delve into the multifaceted role opioids play in patient care, legal cases, and toxicology, offering invaluable insights for legal nurse consultants and medical professionals alike. Throughout their conversation, Pat Iyer and Allison Muller unpack the intricacies of opioid administration, the significance of accurate medical record documentation, and the challenges of interpreting toxicology reports, especially in postmortem cases. Dr. Muller sheds light on key concepts such as opioid tolerance versus naivety, risks of over-sedation, and the life-saving but often misunderstood role of naloxone in reversing opioid overdoses. Whether you're navigating your first toxicology-related case or looking to deepen your understanding of opioid implications in acute care settings, this episode offers practical guidance and real-world examples. From common pitfalls in toxicology interpretation to the criteria for bringing a toxicologist onto your legal team, Dr. Muller and Pat Iyer provide a roadmap for safer patient care and stronger case outcomes. What you'll learn in this episode on Navigating Opioid Cases: Insights from a Toxicologist on Medical Records and Overdose Risks Here are five intriguing questions that this podcast answers: How should medical records be reviewed to accurately track opioid administration in acute care settings, and what are the limitations of toxicology blood levels in this context? Why do toxicology reports from autopsies take so long to be completed, and what complexities are involved in determining the substances present in a decedent's system? What is the difference between opioid naive and opioid tolerant patients, and why is understanding these distinctions critical for safe opioid prescribing? What are the best practices for administering Naloxone (Narcan) in cases of opioid overdose, and why is timing so crucial for its effectiveness? When is it appropriate for a legal nurse consultant to recommend involving a toxicologist in a case, especially when interpreting complex toxicology results? Listen to our podcasts or watch them using our app, Expert.edu, available at legalnursebusiness.com/expertedu. Get the free transcripts and also learn about other ways to subscribe. Go to Legal Nurse Podcasts subscribe options by using this short link: http://LNC.tips/subscribepodcast. Grow Your LNC Business 13th LNC SUCCESS® ONLINE CONFERENCE April 23, 24, and 25, 2026 Skills, Strategy, Results Gain deposition mastery, marketing confidence, and clinical–legal insight from industry leaders you can apply to your next case and client call. Build a Practice Attorneys Remember Learn exactly how to showcase expertise, attract referrals, and turn complex medical records into clear, defensible stories that win trust. Learn From the Best—Then Ask Them Anything Get step-by-step training, live “hot seat” solutions, and exclusive VIP Q&A time with Pat Iyer to accelerate your LNC growth. Register now- Limited spots available Your Presenters for Navigating Opioid Cases: Insights from a Toxicologist on Medical Records and Overdose Risks Pat Iyer Pat Iyer is a seasoned legal nurse consultant and business coach renowned for her expertise in guiding new legal nurse consultants to successfully break into the field. As the host of the Legal Nurse Podcast, Pat addresses critical challenges that legal nurse consultants face, such as difficulty in landing clients and lack of response from attorneys. Through her insightful episodes, she emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating one's value to potential clients. With a wealth of experience, Pat has empowered countless consultants to overcome these hurdles and thrive in their careers. Connect with Pat Iyer by email at patiyer@legalnusebusiness.com Allison Muller Toxicologist with a passion for science, family, and the outdoors. Board-certified clinical toxicologist, fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, affiliate fellow of the American College of Medical Toxicology, and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Scientist with a flair for explaining the hard stuff to the triers of fact and anyone who wants to learn toxicology! When she isn't on this podcast, she's caring for an orange tabby cat and a dwarf bunny (luckily the tabby doesn't know his best friend is a bunny!) Connect with Allison Muller by email at Allison@AcriMullerConsulting.com

For families, the tragedy of opioids is beyond measure. The opioid epidemic has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Canada and has been recognized as a public health crisis, but it's also an economic one – and it disproportionately affects workers in key sectors like construction and the trades. As Ottawa ramps up its push to build major projects fast, could the ongoing toxic drug crisis slow it down?Today, Globe reporter Jason Kirby joins the show. As part of our Poisoned series, he spoke with workers, companies, unions and health researchers to understand the grip the crisis has on the construction industry and what's being done about it.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SPONSORS: 1) AMENTARA: Go to https://www.amentara.com/go/julian and use code JD22 for 22% off your first order! 2) MOOD: Discover your perfect mood and get 20% off your first order at http://mood.com and use code JULIAN at check out! 3) HOLLOW SOCKS: For a limited time Hollow Socks is having a Buy 2, Get 2 Free Sale. Head to http://Hollowsocks.com today to check it out. . #Hollow Sockspod PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey (***TIMESTAMPS in description below) ~ Tyler Oliveira is an American YouTuber. He made several challenge videos before transitioning to videos centered on man-on-the-street interviews and deep dive documentaries. TYLER's LINKS: YT: https://www.youtube.com/tyleroliveira X: https://x.com/tyleraloevera IG: https://www.instagram.com/tyleroliveiraofficial/# FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY INSTAGRAM (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/juliandoreypodcast/ INSTAGRAM (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://twitter.com/julianddorey JULIAN YT CHANNELS - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Clips YT: https://www.youtube.com/@juliandoreyclips - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Daily YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JulianDoreyDaily - SUBSCRIBE to Best of JDP: https://www.youtube.com/@bestofJDP ****TIMESTAMPS**** 00:00 – Intro 01:14 – Cow-Dung Festival, Shiva Origin, Lakshmi, Rituals, India Cow Laws, Cancer Claims 09:42 – Cow Dung Studies, Small Village Tradition, Caste System, Infant Mortality 24:24 – Gender Dynamics, Immigration Balance, Racism Labels, American Identity Unraveling 36:36 – Assimilation Debate, Economic Exploitation Claim, Identity Crisis, Hamtramck & Dearborn 50:51 – Importing Conflicts, Genocide Examples, Kensington Crisis, H1B Lottery 01:02:41 – Nepotism, Diploma Mills, Visa Farms, Scammer Systems at Scale 01:20:33 – Remittances, Japan Demographics, Immigration, Youth Opportunity Loss, AI Arms Race 01:30:58 – Risk/Reward of Immigration, Fourth Turning, Dangerous Male Energy 01:40:20 – Fixing America, Who Benefits?, Housing Crisis, Corporate Power, Crony Capitalism, AI God 01:53:07 – Unabomber, Pyramids, Scammers, Epstein Island 02:09:20 – Influencer Binders, MTG, Maxwell Textbooks, NYC Tunnels, Bohemian Grove, Shirley 02:38:34 – Kash Patel Lawsuit, Palantir, 9/11, Taliban Pros, 0pium War Reversal, Mexico Relations 02:49:13 – We're Screwed Either Way, Opioids, Narcan, Harm Reduction, Ethereal Economy 03:04:15 – Wage Stagnation, Dating Crisis, MAID Canada, Sarco Pod, Man in the High Castle 03:07:21 – Tyler's work CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 363 - Tyler Oliveira Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan Jones, author of "Opium Slavery: The Civil War, Veterans, and Americas First Opioid Crisis"

Today from SDPB - the Department of Social Services and the Attorney General's office are at odds over how opioid settlement dollars should be used, some schools facing financial sanctions receive their fate from legislators and a look at overdose deaths in the state's prison system.

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

When "stigmatizing" has become a bad word and a bad thing everywhere and for every one, one brave British curmudgeon dares to demand it's return!  Romancing Opiates: Pharmacological Lies and the Addiction Bureaucracy By: Theodore Dalrymple Published: 2006 160 Pages Briefly, what is this book about? This book aims to shatter some of the myths around opioid addiction. The first part covers the myth that stopping opioids cold turkey is both painful and dangerous. The second part dissects the myths propagated by literature, primarily Coleridge and De Quincey. The final part ties it into an addiction bureaucracy, though that part still references De Quincey an awful lot.  What's the author's angle? Dalrymple worked as a prison doctor and psychiatrist for many years. Accordingly, he has a lot of experience with addicts. But he's also very culturally conservative. The combination of the two leads him to strongly oppose coddling addicts, arguing instead that they should be stigmatized. Who should read this book? I'm a fan of Dalrymple. I've enjoyed his columns over the years, and I appreciate his curmudgeonly British insight. I previously enjoyed and reviewed his book Life at the Bottom. I would definitely recommend that book before this book. Actually, I would not recommend this book period, unless, for some reason, you want a really deep dive into Coleridge and De Quincey's writings about opium.  Specific thoughts: Opioid addiction is not a disease?

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/medicine

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/drugs-addiction-and-recovery

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the Civil War, the utility and widespread availability of opium and morphine made opiates essential to wartime medicine. After the war ended, thousands of ailing soldiers became addicted, or “enslaved,” as nineteenth-century Americans phrased it. Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction's health and social consequences. Medical and government authorities compounded veterans' suffering and imbued the epidemic with cultural meaning by branding addiction as a matter of moral weakness, unmanliness, or mental infirmity. Framing addiction as “opium slavery” limited the efficacy of care and left many veterans to suffer needlessly for decades after the war ended.  Drawing from veterans' firsthand accounts as well as mental asylum and hospital records, government and medical reports, newspaper coverage of addiction, and advertisements, in Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis (UNC Press, 2025) Dr. Jonathan S. Jones unearths the poorly understood stories of opiate-addicted Civil War veterans in unflinching detail, illuminating the war's traumatic legacies. In doing so, Jones provides critical historical context for the modern opioid crisis, which bears tragic resemblance to that of the post–Civil War era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.

David Segraves is the founder of Elite Pain Doctors, an interventional pain management group that provides non-opioid solutions for chronic pain sufferers.. Growing up in an Indiana town crippled by the opioid epidemic, David shares his personal struggles and subsequent triumph in creating a business model dedicated to offering non-opioid pain relief. Through strategic partnerships with medical experts and leveraging imaging technology, Elite Pain Doctors provide sustainable solutions for patients.The discussion extends to explore the sociocultural and economic factors contributing to the pervasive opioid crisis, particularly in the Midwest. David describes the systemic issues within the pharmaceutical industry and emphasizes his approach of radical transparency in patient care. His story is a testament to resilience and innovation in healthcare, as he expands his business model nationwide to tackle opioid dependency. Furthermore, David touches on the unique interdisciplinary nature of his practice, combining various healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive pain management.Key Takeaways:Transformative Business Model: Elite Pain Doctors emphasize non-opioid pain relief solutions, making significant strides in chronic pain management.From Personal Struggle to Solution Provider: David's journey from an opioid-affected community to a healthcare innovator shows resilience and determination.Nationwide Expansion: Plans are in place to grow the model nationally, advocating for policy changes to support innovative pain management techniques.Interdisciplinary Approach: The incorporation of diverse medical professionals ensures holistic patient care and improved outcomes.Advocacy and Transparency: Radical transparency in interactions and educating patients on their treatment options is pivotal for patient empowerment and trust.Notable Quotes:"We're changing lives that way. We find exactly what is wrong with the person and then do a procedure to get them out of pain.""I grew up in a small town, Indiana, that was very much affected by the opioid epidemic and had my own struggles with that.""The community I grew up in is what I would say, we used to joke about our high school and call it the pharmacy.""It's a terrible situation, and when you get into those situations, it's gone so far.""We're taking this thing nationwide...a model that should be adopted by every state, especially the ones that had opioid epidemics."Connect with David Segraves:WebsiteInstagramElite Pain DoctorsConnect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

In this gripping episode of the Medical Sales Podcast, Samuel sits down with Jennifer Jones, a former top Purdue Pharma rep who lived through one of the most turbulent eras in pharmaceutical history. Jennifer recounts her shocking personal encounters with the FBI, the emotional strain of grand jury testimony, the collapse of Purdue from the inside, and the complicated reality reps faced far beyond the headlines. She shares raw stories of ethical dilemmas, patient advocacy, "pill mill" misconceptions, and the unseen pressures of pain management in the 2000s. Jennifer then opens up about rebuilding her life and identity after Purdue's shutdown, scaling a thriving wine business, launching a coaching company, and ultimately returning to medical device sales where she now leads in cardiology. This conversation delivers rare honesty about pharma, entrepreneurship, career reinvention, and what it truly takes to survive, grow, and lead in medical sales today.   Connect with Jennifer Jones: LinkedIn Connect with Me: LinkedIn Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here's How »

In this episode, James Campbell, MD, MS, FAAP, discusses the AAP's updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines in infants, children and adolescents. David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Scott Hadland, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP, about the use of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder in young people. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.

Fatal Opioid Overdoses by Historical and Contemporary Neighborhood-Level Structural Racism

This episode represents the series finale for the Someone You Know: Facing the Opioid Crisis Together podcast.  Host Heather Major looks back and reflects on the podcast series, and features impactful clips from a number of guests over the past 6 years. On this episode, you will learn the origin story of the podcast and how its purpose of destigmatizing the disease of addiction and helping to reduce the social stigma of the disease, came to life. The episode concludes with a few key takeaways, a call to action to continue the conversation and what is next in terms of podcasting from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.  Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website to learn how we are collaborating to address this crisis: www.ibxfoundation.org. TM 2025 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimers The information contained in this podcast is solely for informational purposes and should not replace advice from a medical provider when making healthcare decisions. This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with. Nothing discussed in this podcast shall constitute or should be construed as endorsement by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation or Independence Blue Cross, LLC of any product or service discussed herein. We will discuss opioid use and opioid treatment, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is suffering from opioid addiction, please visit ibxfoundation.org/SYK.

As read by George Hahn. https://www.profgalloway.com/the-next-opioid-crisis/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov. 19, 2025- The state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board has helped steer millions of dollars, but where is it going and who is on the receiving end? We explore those questions and recommendations on spending for the future with Toni Smith, state director in New York for the Drug Policy Alliance, which analyzed the first few years of settlement dollar spending.

Los Angeles County's jail system is in the middle of one of its deadliest years on record. According to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, there have been more than three dozen in-custody deaths so far this year, and many have involved overdoses. Now, new reporting from CalMatters reveals that access to critical opioid addiction treatment has been quietly scaled back. Guest: Cayla Mihalovich, CalMatters The Trump administration is suing California over a new law that bars local and federal law enforcement from wearing masks while on duty. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AP correspondent Marcela Sanchez reports on a major opioid settlement.

Star Tribune writer Reid Forgrave joins Chad to share some of the details from his new story about the horrific toll opioid addiction had on a Minnesota family by taking the life of a young woman.

Grow your management tools for opioid withdrawal in the hospital. Investigate how to decide between methadone and buprenorphine, additional medications to manage symptoms and how and when to use short-acting opioids for management of withdrawal. We're joined by Ashish Thakrar, MD at the University of Pennsylvania.  Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! By listening to this episode and completing CME, this can be used to count towards the new DEA 8-hr requirement on substance use disorders education. Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | iTunes | CurbsidersAddictionMed@gmail.com | CME! Show Segments Intro, disclaimer, guest bio Guest one-liner Case from Kashlak; Definitions Symptoms of opioid withdrawal Medications for the management of opioid withdrawal Buprenorphine precipitated withdrawal Starting Buprenorphine: Experiences and Strategies  Titrating Methadone: Dosage and Adjuncts Adjunctive short-acting opioids Emerging Trends in Drug Supply: Xylazine and Medetomidine Outro Credits Producer, Show Notes: Zina Huxley-Reicher Infographics: Zina Huxley-Reicher MD and Zoya Surani Hosts: Carolyn Chan, MD MHS, Zina Huxley-Reicher MD, Shawn Cohen, MD Reviewer: Payel Jhoom Roy, MD, MSc Showrunner: Carolyn Chan, MD, MHS Technical Production: PodPaste Guest: Ashish Thakrar, MD MHSP

In our news wrap Friday, a federal bankruptcy judge will approve Purdue Pharma’s latest deal to settle lawsuits over the damage of opioids, Charlotte is bracing for an expected surge of federal agents as President Trump looks to expand his immigration crackdown and the Trump administration is dropping plans to make airlines compensate passengers for flight delays caused by carriers. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Welcome back to Resoundingly Human, the INFORMS podcast! After a short break this summer, we are back with more great content and interviews featuring INFORMS members whose work is helping make Smarter Decisions for a Better World. In this episode, Margaret Brandeau, professor at Stanford University, and the opening plenary speaker at the 2025 INFORMS Annual Meeting, gives valuable insight into how operations research is helping to inform better public policy to save lives.

On the Friday, Nov. 14 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump has a new lead prosecutor; a second round of opioid lawsuit settlement money will soon hit Georgia; and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns wants you to imagine what it would be like to live during the American Revolution.

A Rutgers-led trial found that ibuprofen plus acetaminophen provided better pain relief and fewer side effects than opioids following dental surgery, challenging traditional prescribing habits. A Swiss national cohort showed that non–beta-lactam antibiotics nearly doubled surgical-site infection risk compared to beta-lactams, reinforcing their role in prophylaxis. Finally, a meta-analysis confirmed that acetaminophen remains safe during pregnancy when used appropriately, with no proven link to neurodevelopmental disorders.

The state's largest psychiatric hospital is coming to Oklahoma City.Oklahoma rock band Broncho is celebrating the release of its new album.Treatment for America's opioid crisis has been problematic.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

In this powerful episode of The Tudor Dixon Podcast, Tom Wolf opens up about his devastating descent from middle-class stability into homelessness and opioid addiction. He exposes the growing impact of fentanyl, the failures in America’s addiction recovery system, and the urgent need for reform. Tom shares how accountability and access to real rehabilitation can save lives—and what policymakers must do to combat the homelessness crisis driven by addiction. The Tudor Dixon Podcast is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. For more visit TudorDixonPodcast.com Learn more about Tom's Mission HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we talk about OxyContin, opium, and the British East India Company.We also discuss isotonitazene, fentanyl, and Perdue.Recommended Book: The Thinking Machine by Stephen WittTranscriptOpioids have been used as painkillers by humans since at least the Neolithic period; there's evidence that people living in the Iberian and Italian Peninsulas kept opium poppy seeds with them, and there's even more evidence that the Ancient Greeks were big fans of opium, using it to treat pain and as a sleep aid.Opium was the only available opioid for most of human history, and it was almost always considered to be a net-positive, despite its downsides. It was incorporated into a mixture called laudanum, which was a blend of opium and alcohol, in the 17th century, and that helped it spread globally as Europeans spread globally, though it was also in use locally, elsewhere, especially in regions where the opium poppy grew naturally.In India, for instance, opium was grown and often used for its painkilling properties, but when the British East India Company took over, they decided to double-down on the substance as a product they could monopolize and grow into a globe-spanning enterprise.They went to great lengths to expand production and prevent the rise of potential competitors, in India and elsewhere, and they created new markets for opium in China by forcing the product onto Chinese markets, initially via smuggling, and then eventually, after fighting a series of wars focused on whether or not the British should be allowed to sell opium on the Chinese market, the British defeated the Chinese. And among other severely unbalanced new treaties, including the ceding of the Kowloon peninsula to the British as part of Hong Kong, which they controlled as a trading port, and the legalization of Christians coming into the country, proselytizing, and owning property, the Chinese were forced to accept the opium trade. This led to generations of addicts, even more so than before, when opium was available only illicitly, and it became a major bone of contention between the two countries, and informed China's relationship with the world in general, especially other Europeans and the US, moving forward.A little bit later, in the early 1800s, a German pharmacist was able to isolate a substance called morphine from opium. He published a paper on this process in 1817, and in addition to this being the first alkaloid, the first organic compound of this kind to be isolated from a medicinal plant, which was a milestone in the development of modern drug discovery, it also marked the arrival of a new seeming wonder drug, that could ease pain, but also help control cold-related symptoms like coughing and gut issues, like diarrhea. Like many such substances back in the day, it was also often used to treat women who were demonstrating ‘nervous character,' which was code for ‘behaving in ways men didn't like or understand.'Initially, it was thought that, unlike with opium, morphine wasn't addictive. And this thinking was premised on the novel application method often used for morphine, the hypermedia needle, which arrived a half-century after that early 1800s isolation of morphine from opium, but which became a major driver of the new drug's success and utility. Such drugs, derived scientifically rather than just processing a plant, could be administered at specific, controllable doses. So surely, it was thought, this would alleviate those pesky addictive symptoms that many people experienced when using opioids in a more natural, less science-y way.That, of course, turned out not to be the case. But it didn't stop the progression of this drug type, and the further development of more derivations of it, including powerful synthetic opioids, which first hit the scene in the mid-20th century.What I'd like to talk about today is the recent wave of opioid addictions, especially but not exclusively in the US, and the newest concern in this space, which is massively more powerful than anything that's come before.—As I mentioned, there have been surges in opioid use, latent and externally forced, throughout modern human history.The Chinese saw an intense wave of opioid addiction after the British forced opium onto their markets, to the point that there was a commonly held belief that the British were trying to overthrow and enslave the Chinese by weighing them down with so many addicts who were incapable of doing much of anything; which, while not backed by the documentation we have from the era—it seems like they were just chasing profits—is not impossible, given what the Brits were up to around the world at that point in history.That said, there was a huge influx in opioid use in the late-1980s, when a US-based company called Purdue Pharma began producing and pushing a time-released opioid medication, which really hit the big-time in 1995, when they released a version of the drug called OxyContin.OxyContin flooded the market, in part because it promised to help prevent addiction and accidental overdose, and in part because Purdue was just really, really good at marketing it; among other questionable and outright illegal things it did as part of that marketing push, it gave kickbacks to doctors who prescribed it, and some doctors did so, a lot, even when patients didn't need it, or were clearly becoming addicted.By the early 2000s, Purdue, and the Sackler family that owned the company, was spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to push this drug, and they were making billions a year in sales.Eventually the nature of Purdue's efforts came to light, there were a bunch of trials and other legal hearings, some investigative journalists exposed Purdue's foreknowledge of their drug's flaws, and there was a big government investigation and some major lawsuits that caused the collapse of the company in 2019—though they rebranded in 2021, becoming Knoa Pharma.All of which is interesting because much like the forced legalization of opium on Chinese markets led to their opioid crisis a long time ago, the arrival of this incredibly, artificially popular drug on the US market led to the US's opioid crisis.The current bogeyman in the world of opioids—and I say current because this is a fast-moving space, with new, increasingly powerful or in some cases just a lot cheaper drugs arriving on the scene all the time—is fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that's about 30-50 times more potent than heroin, and about 100 times as potent as morphine. It has been traditionally used in the treatment of cancer patients and as a sedative, and because of how powerful it is, a very small amount serves to achieve the desired, painkilling effect.But just like other opioids, its administration can lead to addiction, people who use it can become dependent and need more and more of it to get the same effects, and people who have too much of it can experience adverse effects, including, eventually, death.This drug has been in use since the 1960s, but illicit use of fentanyl began back in the mid-1970s, initially as its own thing, but eventually to be mixed in with other drugs, like heroin, especially low-quality versions of those drugs, because a very small amount of fentanyl can have an incredibly large and potent effect, making those other drugs seem higher quality than they are.That utility is also this drug's major issue, though: it's so potent that a small amount of it can kill, and even people with high opioid tolerances can see those tolerances pushed up and up and up until they eventually take a too-large, killing dose.There have been numerous efforts to control the flow of fentanyl into the US, and beginning in the mid-20-teens, there were high-profile seizures of the illicitly produced stuff around the country. As of mid-2025, China seems to be the primary source of most illicit fentanyl around the world, the drug precursor produced in China, shipped to Mexico where it's finalized and made ready for market, and then smuggled into the US.There have been efforts to shut down this supply chain, including recent tariffs put on Chinese goods, ostensibly, in part at least, to get China to handle those precursor suppliers.Even if that effort eventually bears fruit, though, India seems to have recently become an alternative source of those precursors for Mexican drug cartels, and for several years they've been creating new markets for their output in other countries, like Nigeria, Indonesia, and the Netherlands, as well.Amidst all that, a new synthetic drug, which is 40-times as potent as fentanyl, is starting to arrive in the US, Europe, and Australia, and has already been blamed for thousands of deaths—and it's thought that that number might be a significant undercount, because of how difficult it can be to attribute cause with these sorts of drugs.Nitazenes were originally synthesized back in the 1950s in Austria, and they were never sold as painkillers because they were known, from the get-go, to be too addictive, and to have a bad tradeoff ratio: a little bit of benefit, but a high likelihood of respiratory depression, which is a common cause of death for opioid addicts, or those who accidentally overdose on an opioid.One nitazene, called isotonitazene, first showed up on US drug enforcement agency radars back in 2019, when a shipment was intercepted in the Midwest. Other agencies noted the same across the US and Europe in subsequent years, and this class of drugs has now become widespread in these areas, and in Australia.It's thought that nitazenes might be seeing a surge in popularity with illicit drugmakers because their potency can be amped up so far, way, way higher than even fentanyl, and because their effects are similar in many ways to heroin.They can also use them they way they use fentanyl, a tiny bit blended into lower-quality versions of other drugs, like cocaine, which can save money while also getting their customers, who may not know what they're buying, hooked, faster. For context, a fifth of a grain of nitazene salt can be enough to kill a person, so it doesn't take much, less than that, if they want to keep their customers alive, to achieve the high they're looking for. A little bit goes a long, long way.This class of drugs is also difficult to detect, which might be part of the appeal for drug makers, right now. Tests that detect morphine, heroin, and fentanyl do not detect natazines, and the precursors for this type of drug, and the drugs themselves, are less likely to be closely watched, or even legally controlled at the levels of more popular opioids, which is also likely appealing to groups looking to get around existing clampdown efforts.Right now, drug agencies are in the process of updating their enforcement and detection infrastructure, and word is slowly getting out about nitazenes and the risk they potentially pose. But it took years for sluggish government agencies to start working on the issue of fentanyl, which still hasn't been handled, so it's anyone's guess as to when and if the influx of nitazenes will be addressed on scale.Show Noteshttps://www.wired.com/story/a-new-type-of-opioid-is-killing-people-in-the-us-europe-and-australia/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02161116https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00024-0/fulltexthttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/03/nitazenes-synthetic-opioid-drug-500-times-stronger-than-heroin-fatalhttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03280-5https://theconversation.com/10-times-stronger-than-fentanyl-nitazenes-are-the-latest-deadly-development-in-the-synthetic-opioid-crisis-265882https://www.cato.org/blog/fentanyl-nitazenes-why-drug-war-keeps-making-danger-worsehttps://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/fentanyl-and-us-opioid-epidemichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purdue_Pharmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodonehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanylhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitazeneshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioidhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_opioid_epidemichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid_epidemic This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

11/09/25The Healthy Matters PodcastS05_E03 - Addiction Recovery in Real Time - LIVE!With Special Guests:  Dr. Lauren Graber and Dr. Charlie ReznikoffAddiction can come in a lot of different forms, and although the opioid epidemic has been at the fore of the conversation, we often forget that cigarettes and alcohol continue to claim the most lives.  Truth is, 1 in 3 Americans is affected in one way or another by someone with a substance use disorder, which is to say that it's not just a problem for the individual with the condition.  But how does one get addicted in the first place?  Who's most at risk?  And what can be done to help them?Addiction is not about willpower or a moral shortcoming, it's actually a complex medical condition that can affect the brain and body, and on the next episode of our show, we'll be joined by addiction medicine specialists Dr. Lauren Graber and Dr. Charlie Reznikoff to help us detangle the matter.  Join us for an insightful conversation (in front of a live studio audience!) with two experts who have helped countless people find help and hope in recovery.Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?Email - healthymatters@hcmed.orgCall - 612-873-TALK (8255)Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.