You don’t have to hide. That’s the message to some probationers in Pima County, Ariz., thanks to a new initiative with nationwide potential.

Our last blog summarized some recent drug trends. Now, we turn our attention to two additional substances posing a public health threat: Isotonitazene and Xylazine.

As your knowledge hub, Averhealth is committed to sharing drug trends with you. This blog summarizes a recent webinar presented by Dominique Delagnes, our Chief Operating Officer, about substances you need to know about.

Neurontin, better known as Gabapentin, is an anticonvulsant/anti-seizure medication that some of us may already as a helpful prescription. Approved for both youth and adults, this drug (aka Gaby or Gabby on the street), is commonly prescribed for seizures, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), and shingles or diabetic nerve pain. It has also been used to treat alcohol withdrawals, sleep disorders, and other medical conditions. 

Operating a high-quality, forensically focused lab is more than simply reporting accurate results. It’s about having the right people, physical requirements, quality management, and administrative details to earn the trust of customers. Averhealth’s own laboratory is certified by the College of American Pathology Forensic Drug Testing (CAP-FDT) program – a mark of excellence reflecting industry best practices. It’s a distinction we’re proud of because it means we’re doing everything possible to ensure consistent processes lead to legally defensible, accurate results.

“Rainbow fentanyl” is the nickname the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has assigned to the brightly colored fentanyl that has recently been making its rounds across the country in the form of pills, powders, and blocks resembling sidewalk chalk. Despite its unassuming vibrant coloration, rainbow fentanyl is just as dangerous as any other, more conventionally colored fentanyl. 

What are synthetic cannabinoids? Read this new blog to learn more about the science behind these synthetic variants.

Court and probation professionals face countless challenges in helping justice-involved individuals get the help they need. In many cases, these challenges are intertwined.

According to the CDC, fentanyl overdose is now the leading cause of death among US adults between the ages of 18 and 45. While intentional fentanyl use accounts for many of these tragic fatalities, a growing percentage of individuals are overdosing due to unknowingly consuming fentanyl-laced substances. 

Accurate and reliable testing results are vital for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) who are justice-involved. Evidence-based practices show that laboratory results are the most effective way to guide clients toward recovery.

Averhealth is one of only approximately 30 US laboratories with a CAP-FDT certification from the College of American Pathology (CAP). It’s like a badge of honor, illustrating our focus on forensic toxicology and confirming that we follow all industry best practices.

Last month we praised the vital role of treatment courts in helping those with substance use disorder find alternatives to incarceration on the road to recovery. For many, these courts are the difference between life and death.

Too often, we see the results of substance use disorder: Broken families, broken hearts – broken lives. It’s easy to get dejected, too.

Averhealth is proud of our long-time partnerships with treatment courts around the nation to reclaim lives, unite families, and strengthen communities.

For Brad Bell, it came down to one word: Willingness. “I was in pain. I needed help,” he recalls his addiction struggles after leaving the Marine Corps. “But I had the willingness to change.”