Opioid painkiller use has been on the rise for a few years now. Among women in the US, overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have eclipsed all other drug overdoses.

Breaking the tobacco habit is a sensible goal of many smokers. Meeting that target has clear payoffs. For some, including older women, it also may raise concerns about weight gain.

Quitting any addiction cold turkey can be really tough. A replacement for cocaine, like methadone for heroin addicts, may pave the way for a new therapy to help addicts quit. 

Quitting smoking can be extremely difficult. There may be a slight possibility that an electronic cigarette could help smokers wean off the habit, but long-term risks are still unknown.

Is food addiction real? A candy bar can’t exactly be compared to heroin, but the sugar spike from candy may wake up the same part of the brain that substance abuse can trigger.

Many of us will remember what it was like to be an awkward, clumsy teenager. Remember bonking our heads on a door after staring a bit too long at our high school crush? How often are injuries like these serious?

There is good news on the smoking front: adults in America have been saying no to smoking more and more over the years.

Most people associate health problems from smoking with the lungs. But smoking is linked to other health issues as well, like hearing loss — even for babies exposed in the womb.

Surgery tends to make the body weaker and more vulnerable. So before being wheeled into the operating room, it's advisable to be in the best possible health.

Any time is a great time to quit smoking. But quitting before having brain or spine surgery might be essential to a successful surgery and a healthy recovery.