04.29.09
Posted in Addiction, Florida Prescription Drug Abuse, Prescription Drugs, Social Issues at 4:59 pm by Ernesto
Last week the Florida State Senate passed legislation that would crack down on the long-standing problem the state has had with pain clinics and the growing number of people “doctor shopping” for addictive medications, by implementing a statewide database that would monitor prescriptions. The initiative was proposed by Sen. Mike Fasano and passed unanimously in the state senate.
Although 38 other states, nationwide, had previously established such monitoring systems, Florida meandered in its decision due to the implicated, privacy issues associated with monitoring personal prescriptions. Still, many Floridians are more than happy to compromise the possibility of minor unwanted inquiries to their prescriptions, in return for a system especially designed to target the more potent opiate painkillers like oxycodone that are responsible for prescription drug overdoses across the state.
Prescription-drug overdoses have seemed to reach epidemic proportions in recent years; for example, the Tampa Bay area has had an average of about 500 fatalities annually, due to prescription-drug overdose, which are almost as many fatalities as those of car crashes in the area. Statewide the annual fatality rate, attributed to prescription-drug overdose, averages at about 2,000 a year, which is currently more than 3 times that of either cocaine or heroin.
Currently, the bill awaits approval from the House, before it can pass on to Governor Charlie Crist for a final signature. Nonetheless, the controversial stigma of privacy issues the policy carries with it has addiction experts, like Joel Kaufman of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse, skeptical about the bill’s final authorization and official implementation. “It feels great that it’s gotten this far,” Kaufman said in a recent interview, “but until it gets to the governor’s desk, I’m cautiously optimistic.”
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Posted in Addiction, Get Help, Medical Discoveries, Narcotics Anonymous, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs, Scientific Study, Social Issues at 5:00 am by Ernesto
According to a recently published report by John Hopkins University, online drug treatment programs can provide short term counseling that is considered “just as effective” as traditional in-person group counseling. Former U.S. drug czar, Barry McCaffrey, was on hand for the announcement and said: “People need effective, science-based treatment that is appropriate for their community. This Internet delivery behind health care is going to be a big thing for us in the coming years.”
To prove the effectiveness of online recovery programs, researchers put 37 participants that sought a methadone treatment program into two groups, the first being a traditional counseling group and the second an online video-based group. Sic weeks later, researchers found that the online group attended 90 percent of the time, while the traditional group had only attended 76 percent of the time.
The findings are very exciting for individuals of low-income status that cannot afford the often pricey cost of in-patient treatment. However, traditional meetings such as AA and NA charge nothing for attending, while many online sessions, similar to those mentioned in the article “cost $50 each, and participants take part for 24 sessions. That comes to $1,200 for twice-weekly sessions over three months, only slightly less than in-person treatment,” according to Greg Warren, executive director of Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems.
Still, there are now social networking websites, such as IntheRooms.com that are a marriage of the two, by providing free memberships to recovering addicts seeking online recovery interaction with others. In the Rooms is considered a website were recovering addicts can go between their traditional group meetings to connect with others in the community to supplement their recovery efforts.
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04.28.09
Posted in Addiction, Get Help, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs, Social Issues at 5:00 am by Ernesto
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, rececntly unveiled its first comprehensive Physicians’ Outreach Initiative, NIDAMED, which gives medical professionals tools and resources to screen their patients for tobacco, alcohol, illicit, and nonmedical prescription drug use. The NIDAMED resources include an online screening tool, a companion quick reference guide, and a comprehensive resource guide for clinicians. The initiative stresses the importance of the patient-doctor relationship in identifying unhealthy behaviors before they evolve into life threatening conditions.
The NIDAMED tools were developed because doctors are in a unique position to discuss drug-taking behaviors with their patients before they lead to serious medical problems. Research shows that screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment by clinicians in general medical settings, can promote significant reductions in alcohol and tobacco use.
A growing body of literature also suggests potential reductions in illegal and nonmedical prescription drug use. Yet many primary care physicians express concern that they do not have the experience or diagnostic tools to identify drug use in their patients. For more information on NIDAMED visit www.drugabuse.gov. The online screening tool is an interactive Web site that guides clinicians through a short series of questions and, based on the patient’s responses, generates a substance involvement score that suggests the level of intervention needed.
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04.25.09
Posted in Recovery, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs at 12:28 pm by Ernesto
G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment has added the use of Mild Hyperbarics to treatment protocols. Long used around the world, including Scotland and Russia, mild hyperbarics are not generally associated with drug and alcohol treatment in the U.S. However, G & G is now offering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to help repair and restore the body and mind.
HBOT is a method of administering increased levels of oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressure to a patient in order to help heal tissue damage. HBOT appears to be effective at restoring cell function to tissue everywhere in the body. According to some experts, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can even restore some cells in the brain through its delivery of higher than normal concentrations of oxygen.
The use of HBOT in poisoning cases, stroke victims and other brain injuries provides a foundation for efficacy with use to treat the brain injuries which result from long term drug and alcohol abuse. Brain scans of addicts show areas of reduced circulation and functioning in the brain much like those of stroke and gas poisoning victims. The ability of HBOT to restore the cellular functioning and to promote the growth of new blood vessels to damaged brain tissue has been demonstrated in stroke victims both immediately following the tissue damage as well as much later.
HBOT is cost-effective, noninvasive, and safe and works well with other treatments. It is an accepted, reimbursable treatment for more than 15 different types of disorders ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning to “crush” injuries of the brain to diabetic wounds. Over the years, G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment has maintained the highest professional standards, continually bettering their services through innovative and promising treatment.
For more information visit:
http://www.holisticdrugrehab.com
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04.24.09
Posted in Get Help, Party Drugs, Social Issues, Teens at 5:00 am by Ernesto
Methamphetamine affects your brain in many ways. In the short term, meth causes emotional changes such as anxiety, euphoria, and depression. Long-term effects include chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, and permanent psychological damage.
Methamphetamine affects your body by creating a false sense of energy. The drug pushes the body faster and further than it’s meant to go and increases heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke.
Methamphetamine affects your self-control. Meth is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause aggression and violent or psychotic behavior. An overdose of meth can result in heart failure. Long-term physical effects such as liver, kidney, and lung damage can also kill you.
Methamphetamine is illegal in all states and highly dangerous; get the facts. For example, the toxic nature of the chemicals used to produce meth can cause fires, produce toxic vapors, and damage the environment. Another fact is that in 2001, meth use sent more people to the emergency room than use of any other club drug. Over half of these cases involved meth in combination with another drug, such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine.
There are a lot of risks associated with using methamphetamine, including irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain and the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS for Meth users who inject the drug and share needles.
How can you tell if a friend is using meth? It may not be easy to tell. But there are signs you can look for. Symptoms of methamphetamine use may include:
Inability to sleep
Nervous physical activity, like scratching
Irritability, dizziness, or confusion
Tremors or even convulsions
Inhaling paraphernalia, such as razor blades, mirrors, and straws
Injecting paraphernalia, such as syringes, heated spoons, or surgical tubing
Other street names for methamphetamine, include: Crystal, Crank, Tweak, Go-fast, Glass, Black Beauties
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04.23.09
Posted in Social Issues, Teens at 5:00 am by Ernesto
For many including myself, the name Salvia means nothing. However, an article recently published at WCCO.com, a Minnesota-based news source, is educating people on the harmful affects of the still-legal herb and the dangers of its glorification spreading like wild fire these days on Youtube.
It turns out that the potent-hallucinogenic herb, Salvia divinorum, is still not illegal in Minnesota, and the article called on parents to be cautious of its existence because so many videos are spreading around the net about its status. The article went on to share the opinion of drug experts in the state that feel Salvia divinorum should be made illegal.
To date, only a dozen or so states have totally outlawed Salvia including, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Virginia. These states categorize the status of the drug as a schedule I substance, the most dangerous ranking, while the US government has yet to put it on a schedule.
Still, there is much debate over the severity of Salvia divinorum. In poll taken by the Miami Herald in March of 2008, when the question was posed: “Should Florida lawmakers place restrictions on salvia?,” of 670 respondents 79% were opposed, while only 21% favored regulation.
Nonetheless, studies have shown that when considered by mass alone, the herbs active chemical, Salvinorin A, is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive compound known. The proof is in the more than 4,000 Youtube videos that show people taking one single puff and seconds later losing all control of motor skills.
At this point, I would advocate for the restriction of Salvia divinorum. The reality of the situation is that the drug’s use is spreading rampantly, and even more dangerously, to youths. Finally, more research must be done to take Salvia divinorum serious and find out its full extent: addictiveness, health risks, potential effects on the community, etc.
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04.22.09
Posted in Get Help, Recovery Testimonials, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs at 5:00 am by Ernesto
This summer, Four Circles Treatment Center, for young adults, will co-host its second annual professional development workshop for clinicians interested in recovery therapies that focus on spirituality. The conference will take place in Asheville, North Carolina on June 5th and the daylong presentation called “Integrating Spirituality into Therapy.” This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. David J. Powell, President of the International Center for Health Concerns.
Amongst other things, Dr. Powell is Co-editor of the Journal of Chemical Dependency Treatment, as well as an internationally recognized trainer, presenter, and author who holds a doctoral degree in human relations and psychology. He is also a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor, marriage and family therapist, and has served as a diplomat to the International Academy of Behavioral Medicine.
The June 5th workshop is a natural complement to Four Circles’ holistic approach to substance abuse treatment. Four Circles has been offering its outreach programming to professionals in the field of substance abuse treatment since 2006. Additionally, Four Circles Treatment Center continues working to provide valuable continuing education opportunities to professionals in the substance abuse recovery community. For more information about Four Circles Recovery Center, please visit: www.fourcirclesrecovery.com
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04.21.09
Posted in Get Help, Narcotics Anonymous, Recovery, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs, Social Issues, Teens at 5:00 am by Ernesto
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), more than a quarter of a million youths in the US are admitted to rehab treatment centers annually. To put it in other terms, that’s 1 out of every 70 youths (Middle school to High school aged). Thankfully, some US organizations, like the Association of Recovery Schools, have taken progressive action to curb youth addiction and substance abuse. Currently, there are more than 20 “Recovery High Schools” across nine US states. But what exactly is a Recovery High school?
Most of these innovative High schools are usually funded by a mix of support from statewide Department’s of Public Health and local school districts. Their aim is to provide students more intimate drug-free environments (smaller class sizes, typically, 50 students), where they can focus on their studies. In addition, the majority offer group sessions, 12 step programs as part of the curriculum, as well as random, weekly urine tests. Upon completion, students are awarded a state-certified diploma authenticating their accomplishment of the program.
Although some of the schools that form the Recovery High schools, haven’t been around very long, others like Sobriety High first opened 1987 outside Minneapolis. Since the first Sobriety High school’s opening, three more of its kind have sprouted in the surrounding area. For a nationwide index of currently active Recovery High schools, click this link: http://www.recoveryschools.org/schools_highschool.html
Included on the list is Northshore Recovery High School, which has been around three years and was recently featured in CNN’s new documentary, Addiction – Life on the Edge. One student interviewed by host Sanjay Gupta, Lucy Gross, said that Northshore Recovery High School, “helps me so much,” adding, “I can’t imagine staying clean without it.”
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04.20.09
Posted in Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs, Scientific Study, Social Issues at 5:00 am by Ernesto
The University of Washington recently published a study in the mental health journal, Psychiatric Services, to determine the efficiency of Seattle’s mental health services and whether the majority of addicts or people with psychiatric disorders seeking treatment were deterred based on social stigmas.
The study was conducted in conjunction with the Center for Healthcare Improvement for Addictions, Mental Illness and Medically Vulnerable Populations, or CHAMMP. CHAMMP and the University of Washington’s psychology Department, the Harborview Medical Center, worked together to interview the staff of fifteen local community health care clinics. The interviews were 90 minutes long and asked staff members to relate their personal experiences of addicts and mentally ill individuals’ treatment at the clinics.
The results of the study showed that current approaches to psychotherapy and addiction recovery treatments in Seattle needed to embrace more positive practices and had to be more readily available throughout the community, especially when it came to the handling of individuals with disadvantaged status who sought treatment.
Based on the findings, the researches suggested that many Seattle residents living with mental health disorders and chemical dependence issues were reluctant to seek professional help due to the lack of available services, and even more so, in impoverished portions of the city. As it stands, the problems of low funding for clinics, poor organization and a more beneficial attitude toward the person seeking treatment must be improved to ensure better results.
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04.17.09
Posted in California NA, Get Help, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Programs at 5:00 am by inrecovery
A New Life treatment center, which is dedicated to Christian Alcohol and Drug Rehab, has recently opened in Southern California. The curriculum of the new Christian residential treatment program integrates scripture, Christ-centered therapy, and family reconciliation. Clients of the A New Life treatment center are transported to Saddleback Christian church for their addiction recovery counseling.
There, clients commune with others and take part in the program’s 8 Recovery Principals, designed by Pastor Rick Warren, with the goal of receiving fundamental life changes by working and employing Biblical principles to commence spiritual growth. This freedom produces peace, serenity, joy and most importantly a stronger personal relationship with God and with others. Celebrate A New Life operates at Hope by The Sea, a state certified and licensed facility.
For more information visit the website: http://www.celebratedrugrehab.com
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