05.24.09
Posted in Addiction, Florida Prescription Drug Abuse, Medical Discoveries, Painkillers, Prescription Drugs, Scientific Study, Social Issues, Teens at 5:00 am by ezraf
A frightening report from the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), known as “The National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment 2009 (NPDTA),” was recently released and reflected an excessive abuse of nonmedical, prescription drug use in the US. The most startling figure, however, was the absorbent amount of youths (12-21) that were included in the results.
The very first sentence of the report reads: “Approximately 6.9 million individuals aged 12 or older were current (past month) nonmedical users of prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs (opioid pain relievers tranquilizers, sedatives, or stimulants) during 2007, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).”
The report goes on to note: “the number of deaths and treatment admissions involving CPDs, particularly prescription opioids, increased significantly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, unintentional overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increased 114 percent from 2001 (3,994) to 2005 (8,541), the most recent nationwide data available.”
The data is based upon an accumulation of information collected from local law enforcement authorities and public health officials across the US. For the full report of The National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment 2009, please click the following links:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs33/33775/index.htm
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs33/33775/33775p.pdf
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05.07.09
Posted in Addiction, California NA, Get Help, Narcotics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous basic text, Prescription Drugs, Rehabilitation, Teens, na blog at 5:00 am by Ernesto
As stated in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, on page nine, “Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.” Here at the NA Blog, we are dedicated to keeping anyone in the recovery community informed about Narcotics Anonymous meetings and events throughout the US. This specific article focuses on Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Los Angeles.
The NA 12 Steps tradition is embraced at all of the 31,000 weekly meetings held around the world in the 100+ countries that form the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship. Luckily, there is now a resource one can access easily online for up to date NA meetings information. That resource part is offered through In the Rooms and can be located at: meetings.intherooms.com. Below, please find a listing of just a few Narcotics Anonymous meetings the NA Blog has filtered through to provide those area-specific to LA. We hope it helps someone out there find recovery. For the full listing, click here.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Los Angeles:
AADAP
5318 South Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90043 Sunday 4:00PM
Agape Home Mission
2205 South Hobart Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018 Saturday 7:30PM
AT Center
1773 Griffith Park Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026 Wednesday 8:30PM
Avalon Carver Center
4920 South Avalon
Los Angeles, CA 90011 Wednesday 7:00PM
BHS Community Center
3421 East Olympic Blvd
Downstairs Wednesday 8:00PM
Cafe Tropical
2900 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Silverlake Monday 12:00AM
California Building Plaza
5419 West Sunset Boulevard # 7
Los Angeles, CA 90027 Friday 5:00PM
Casa Mexicana
2900 Calle Pedro Infante
Los Angeles, CA 90063
enter at Calle Pedro Infante Thursday 8:00PM
Circle of Help Foundation
2120 West 8th Street Suite 330
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Third Floor Wednesday 4:30PM
Covenant House
1325 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Speaker on 1st Sunday of month only Sunday 7:00PM
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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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04.21.09
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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01.16.09
Posted in Get Help, Narcotics Anonymous, Party Drugs, Recovery, Teens at 5:07 am by community
Teen use of narcotics is an overwhelming problem among parents today. With the pressures of high school, not being able to connect with your teen during these times of young adulthood can be difficult as they are learning and growing in their own ways. Making mistakes is part of being a teenager but being a go-to parent and teaching your teen the consequences of Substance Abuse, is most important.
If your child has a substance abuse problem, including marijuana use, get them to a local teen group meeting. They are out there and more frequent than you think. You could also attend some Narcotics Anonymous meetings yourself. Even though pot’s not a narcotic, I promise hearing some of these people tell their stories would have an effect on you.
Marijuana has always been said to be the ‘gateway drug’ and I strongly agree with that. Teens feel like ‘oh, well its just a little weed, what could it hurt?’ but that kind of thought process is one that you then access EVERY TIME your faced with a new drug. ‘Oh well I did try weed and nothing happened, so why not cocaine?’ Once that initial boundary is crossed its hard to find the same mentality as you had before.
You may ask yourself, what can I do to prevent my teen from becoming so irresponsible and naive? Its simple, recognition is the first step. combined with the knowledge to do better, it can make approaching your son/daughter much easier and provide less tension.
Here is a great Group Support Link.
- Recovery Connection: This website focuses more on helping you find group support. Many argue that group support is a good first step is helping you realize that you have a problem. The website aims to connect you to every possible group support out there ranging from Overeaters Anonymous to Codependents Anonymous. Search within your state for a support Teen Narcotic group meeting near you
Keeping your Teen clear of drugs, will help prepare them for the tedious road into Adulthood. Help give your teen the opportunity of a life time and be DRUG FREE. Talk to them and keep them, as well as yourself, INFORMED.
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01.14.09
Posted in Get Help, Narcotics Anonymous, Painkillers, Prescription Drugs, Recovery, Teens at 11:23 am by community
Another great way to help in the road to Narcotic Recovery is In The Rooms. This is the premier, most comprehensive online social network for the Recovery community worldwide. Their mantra is known as H.I.T.C.H. which means to Help, Inform, Touch, Connect and Heal those already in Recovery, seeking Recovery and the family and friends whom support Recovery around the globe.
The site has so many different people from all walks of life and helps connect you to others who share a similar story of addiction. With thousands of personal profiles, users can choose to join a particular fellowship is he/she desires. Virtual meetings, speaker libraries, daily meditations and affinity groups help make this the best online social network for the Recovery community worldwide.
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12.12.08
Posted in Narcotics Anonymous, Party Drugs, Teens at 5:39 pm by community
MDMA, called “X” or “ecstasy,” is a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and methamphetamine, which are known to cause brain damage.
The rise in ecstasy use among young adults in the US has risen dramatically over the past 10 years and is believed to have been introduced into society in the 60s. Teens these days are becoming more and more aware of effects of Ecstasy and are itching to try it.
MDMA is taken orally as a capsule or tablet. It was initially popular among adolescents and young adults in the nightclub scene or at weekend-long dance parties known as raves.
Between 2005 and 2007, past-year abuse of MDMA increased among 12th-graders, from 3.0 percent to 4.5 percent; and between 2004 and 2007, past-year abuse of MDMA increased among 10th-graders, from 2.4 percent to 3.5 percent.
Repeated use of Ecstasy ultimately may damage the cells that produce serotonin, which has an important role in the regulation of mood, appetite, pain, learning and memory. There already is research suggesting Ecstasy use can disrupt or interfere with memory.
Users report a number of side effects, including:
- Heatstroke (also known as hyperthermia)
- Nausea
- Muscle tension
- Blurred vision
- Faintness
- Chills
- Sweating
- Teeth clenching
- Day-after depression
Also, pills sold as Ecstasy may not be Ecstasy at all. MDMA purchased on the street is frequently laced with other drugs like cocaine, heroine, PCP, or toxic chemicals like PMA and DXM, atropine, and rat poison. In a 1996 study of Ecstasy content, 19 out of 33 pills (58%) were found to contain less than 25% MDMA. Only 5 pills (15%) were more than 75% MDMA.
As you can see, Ecstasy is a dangerous drug that isn’t worth the risks involved. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself than having to resort to street drugs.
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