Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Smoking Interferes with Recovery from Alcohol-Related Brain Damage
A new study indicates that chronic smoking interferes with an individual's ability to recover from alcohol-related brain damage. Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) often experience damage to the brain, but usually at least part of this damage is reversible.
However, researchers at the University of California at San Francisco have found that smoking may prevent reversible damage from being reversed because smoking limits brain blood flow. In particular, the frontal and parietal corticles are affected.
Anderson Mon, a researcher at UCSF, explains the significance of the finding: "With abstinence from alcohol, brain perfusion abnormalities may recover [from AUDs], but there are several factors that may influence recovery, such as age, diet, exercise, genetic predispositions and -- the topic of our research -- other substances such as tobacco products. In short, prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption is bad for your brain, but a combination of alcohol with smoking is worse."
(Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 11:16 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, May 29, 2009
Schizophrenics More Likely to Commit Crimes with Substance Abuse
Researchers in England have found that substance abuse significantly increases the chances that individuals with schizophrenia will commit violent crimes.
The new study included data on more than 8,000 people with schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that is known to cause delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. The patients included in the study came from a nationwide Swedish registry of hospital admissions and criminal convictions from 1973 to 2006.
Researchers found that patients with schizophrenia were two times more likely to have committed a violent crime than the general population. Approximately 13.2 percent of patients with schizophrenia had at least one violent offense, compared to 5.3 percent of the general population. By comparison, almost 1 in 3 (28 percent) of patients with schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders had committed a violent crime, while only 8.5 percent of schizophrenics who didn't abuse substances had committed a violent offense.
The study authors commented on the findings: "We demonstrate that the risk of violent crime in schizophrenia in patients without comorbid substance abuse is only slightly increased. In contrast, the risk is substantially increased among patients with comorbidity and suggests that current practice for violence risk assessment and management in schizophrenia may need review."
(Source: www.forbes.com)
The new study included data on more than 8,000 people with schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that is known to cause delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. The patients included in the study came from a nationwide Swedish registry of hospital admissions and criminal convictions from 1973 to 2006.
Researchers found that patients with schizophrenia were two times more likely to have committed a violent crime than the general population. Approximately 13.2 percent of patients with schizophrenia had at least one violent offense, compared to 5.3 percent of the general population. By comparison, almost 1 in 3 (28 percent) of patients with schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders had committed a violent crime, while only 8.5 percent of schizophrenics who didn't abuse substances had committed a violent offense.
The study authors commented on the findings: "We demonstrate that the risk of violent crime in schizophrenia in patients without comorbid substance abuse is only slightly increased. In contrast, the risk is substantially increased among patients with comorbidity and suggests that current practice for violence risk assessment and management in schizophrenia may need review."
(Source: www.forbes.com)
Labels: schizophrenia, substance abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:10 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Nation's New Drug Czar Renames "War on Drugs"
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has a new director, Gil Kerlikowske. Mr. Kerlikowske wants to end references to a "war on drugs" and focus on drug addiction as a public health concern.
Mr. Kerlikowske commented to the Wall Street Journal last week, "Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them."
Mr. Kerlikowske's vision may take some time to implement, however, as the analogy of a "war" is entrenched in drug policy lingo and communications. Last week, Attorney General Eric H. Solder, Jr., spoke to the House Judiciary Committee of "targeting" cartels and "deploying" federal agents to the Southwestern border.
(Source: www.washingtonpost.com)
Mr. Kerlikowske commented to the Wall Street Journal last week, "Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them."
Mr. Kerlikowske's vision may take some time to implement, however, as the analogy of a "war" is entrenched in drug policy lingo and communications. Last week, Attorney General Eric H. Solder, Jr., spoke to the House Judiciary Committee of "targeting" cartels and "deploying" federal agents to the Southwestern border.
(Source: www.washingtonpost.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:07 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, May 25, 2009
Online Substance Abuse Treatment
A 50-patient pilot study recently published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment indicated that participants who received addiction treatment online were more satisfied with their overall treatment, compared to participants who received counseling in traditional group sessions.
Officials commented, "An individual's pathway to recovery can be varied. There are some who will flourish with online counseling and others will need the face-to-face."
Individuals receiving online counseling were also more likely to "attend" counseling sessions. Online patients attended 92 percent of their scheduled sessions, while those in traditional treatment attended 76 percent.
(Source: www.explorebaltimorecounty.com)
Officials commented, "An individual's pathway to recovery can be varied. There are some who will flourish with online counseling and others will need the face-to-face."
Individuals receiving online counseling were also more likely to "attend" counseling sessions. Online patients attended 92 percent of their scheduled sessions, while those in traditional treatment attended 76 percent.
(Source: www.explorebaltimorecounty.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 1:41 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Sunday, May 24, 2009
NIDA Releases Online Drug Screening Tools for Physicians
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has developed a new set of online tools for physicians to use when screening patients for tobacco, alcohol, illicit drug and nonmedical prescription drug use.
One online screening tool is designed for use during routine office visits. The tool provides a set of questions designed to determine the frequency of use of an array of substances, including tobacco, alcohol, sedatives and prescription opioids.
NIDA Director Nora Volkow, MD, commented on the need for such tools, "Many patients do not discuss drug use with their physicians, and do not receive treatment even when their drug abuse escalates ... [these tools enable the physician to be] the first line of defense against substance abuse and addiction."
(Source: www.ama-assn.org)
Labels: addiction, alcohol, prescription-drug-abuse, tobacco
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 10:41 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, May 22, 2009
Iowa Prevention Specialists Warn Against Salvia
Prevention specialists in Fort Dodge, Iowa, are warning residents about the effects of a hallucinogenic plant that shares the same name as a common garden herb.
Salvia can be ground up and smoked to induce a hallucinogenic high. Salvia is legal and widely available in the United States, but prevention specialists warn that the legality of the substance doesn't mean it's safe. Salvia can cause frightening hallucinations and rapidly changing emotions.
The United States Drug Enforcement Agency lists salvia as a "drug of concern." Liddy Hora, executive director of the Drug Free Alliance of Fort Dodge, said a counselor at Fort Dodge Senior High School recently spotted a photo of salvia on a student's cell phone. She comments, "Parents need to be aware of this drug and talk to their kids about its negative effects."
(Source: www.messengernews.com)
Salvia can be ground up and smoked to induce a hallucinogenic high. Salvia is legal and widely available in the United States, but prevention specialists warn that the legality of the substance doesn't mean it's safe. Salvia can cause frightening hallucinations and rapidly changing emotions.
The United States Drug Enforcement Agency lists salvia as a "drug of concern." Liddy Hora, executive director of the Drug Free Alliance of Fort Dodge, said a counselor at Fort Dodge Senior High School recently spotted a photo of salvia on a student's cell phone. She comments, "Parents need to be aware of this drug and talk to their kids about its negative effects."
(Source: www.messengernews.com)
Labels: hallucinogens, salvia
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:31 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Heroin Addicts Wait up to Two Years for Treatment in Ireland
The chief executive of Ireland's largest voluntary drug treatment project, Merchants Quay Ireland, is warning that extremely long wait times may be deterring addicts from getting the help they need.
Tony Geoghegan made the statement based on data published last month that show waiting times of up to two years for areas outside the capitol city of Dublin. Mr. Geoghegan points out that such long wait times are contrary to best practices in treating addiction because programs are unable to admit addicts when they reach a moment of wanting to stop using.
"It is in the nature of addiction that while an addict may get to a point where they want to get off the drug there is a conflicting compulsion to keep using too," he said. "So when they are motivated to get off it, it is vital the service is there to grab them at that point, to seize on the moment of motivation. There needs to be an emphasis on access to treatment. There is a concern that in a time of economic downturn people will have greater recourse to drugs."
(Source: www.irishtimes.com)
Tony Geoghegan made the statement based on data published last month that show waiting times of up to two years for areas outside the capitol city of Dublin. Mr. Geoghegan points out that such long wait times are contrary to best practices in treating addiction because programs are unable to admit addicts when they reach a moment of wanting to stop using.
"It is in the nature of addiction that while an addict may get to a point where they want to get off the drug there is a conflicting compulsion to keep using too," he said. "So when they are motivated to get off it, it is vital the service is there to grab them at that point, to seize on the moment of motivation. There needs to be an emphasis on access to treatment. There is a concern that in a time of economic downturn people will have greater recourse to drugs."
(Source: www.irishtimes.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 6:52 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, May 18, 2009
Attorneys Struggle with Addiction in Poor Economy
According to an article appearing in the National Law Journal, lawyer assistance programs in several states are seeing a significant increase in cases -- twice as many in California and Illinois, and similar increases in New York and North Carolina.
Many of the attorneys seeking assistance are dealing with serious personal problems such as depression and addiction to substances. Officials from the assistance programs believe that increased stress due to a poor economy may be the key factor.
(Source: www.abajournal.com)
Many of the attorneys seeking assistance are dealing with serious personal problems such as depression and addiction to substances. Officials from the assistance programs believe that increased stress due to a poor economy may be the key factor.
(Source: www.abajournal.com)
Labels: addiction, depression
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 2:12 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Paula Abdul Admits 12-Year Painkiller Addiction
In this month's Ladies Home Journal, singer, dancer and "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul talks about her 12-year addiction to painkillers and how she recently kicked the habit.
Abdul admitted being suicidal and said that withdrawal from the painkillers was "the worst thing. I was freezing cold, then sweating hot, then chattering and in so much pain. It was excruciating. But at my very core, I did not like existing the way I had been."
Abdul first started using painkillers to manage chronic severe pain -- the result of years of cheerleading and dancing as well as a 1992 auto crash and a 1993 plane crash. Paula's recovery from the plane crash involved 15 spinal surgeries and a diagnosis of sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. The illness gave her disabling pain, chattering teach and skin lesions.
(Source: www.foxnews.com)
Abdul admitted being suicidal and said that withdrawal from the painkillers was "the worst thing. I was freezing cold, then sweating hot, then chattering and in so much pain. It was excruciating. But at my very core, I did not like existing the way I had been."
Abdul first started using painkillers to manage chronic severe pain -- the result of years of cheerleading and dancing as well as a 1992 auto crash and a 1993 plane crash. Paula's recovery from the plane crash involved 15 spinal surgeries and a diagnosis of sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. The illness gave her disabling pain, chattering teach and skin lesions.
(Source: www.foxnews.com)
Labels: addiction, painkillers
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:22 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, May 15, 2009
Prenatal Exposure to Meth Linked to Abnormal Brain Development
A new first-of-its-kind study indicates that prenatal exposure to methamphetamines causes abnormal brain development in children. The study, conducted by the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, included 29 children between the ages of 3 and 4 whose mothers used meth while pregnant. The 29 children received brain scans, which were compared with brain scans of 37 children whose mothers had not used meth while pregnant.
Linda Chang, MD, the study author, comments: "Methamphetamine use is an increasing problem among women of childbearing age, leading to an increasing number of children with prenatal meth exposure. But until now, the effects of prenatal meth exposure on the developing brain of a child were little known.
"Our findings suggest prenatal meth exposure accelerates brain development in an abnormal pattern. Such abnormal brain development may explain why some children with prenatal meth exposure reach developmental milestones later than others."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Linda Chang, MD, the study author, comments: "Methamphetamine use is an increasing problem among women of childbearing age, leading to an increasing number of children with prenatal meth exposure. But until now, the effects of prenatal meth exposure on the developing brain of a child were little known.
"Our findings suggest prenatal meth exposure accelerates brain development in an abnormal pattern. Such abnormal brain development may explain why some children with prenatal meth exposure reach developmental milestones later than others."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Labels: brain_chemistry, methamphetamines
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:17 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Recovering Addicts Are Vulnerable to Memories
A new study indicates that recovering addicts, even those who have been abstinent for a long period of time, may be vulnerable to relapse because of memories of prior drug use. Experts are in the process of developing a drug that may ease the strength of memory associations for addicts and help them create new associations which are less likely to lead to relapse.
M. Foster Olive, Ph.D., co-author and senior investigator, explains the study: "In this study, we found that after repeatedly giving cocaine injections to rats within a particular environment, the rats developed a strong preference for that environment over another environment where a placebo was given. Next, we treated the animals with an experimental drug called CDPPB, and found that it decreased the rats' preference for the cocaine-associated environment during subsequent tests."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
M. Foster Olive, Ph.D., co-author and senior investigator, explains the study: "In this study, we found that after repeatedly giving cocaine injections to rats within a particular environment, the rats developed a strong preference for that environment over another environment where a placebo was given. Next, we treated the animals with an experimental drug called CDPPB, and found that it decreased the rats' preference for the cocaine-associated environment during subsequent tests."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:12 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, May 11, 2009
Exposure to Smoke May Increase Risk of Sudden Infant Death
Researchers at the Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, have identified exposure to cigarette smoke as the greatest modifiable risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The researchers found that smoke-exposed infants displayed depressed levels of the neurological activity necessary to wake from sleep. Low levels of this activity, known as subcortical activation, have been observed frequently in victims of SIDS prior to death.
Rosemary Horne, Ph.D., scientific director for the Ritchie Centre, commented, "Our study suggests that maternal smoking can impair the arousal pathways of seemingly normal infants, which may explain their increased risk for SIDS."
SIDS is currently the third-leading cause of infant mortality in the United States.
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
The researchers found that smoke-exposed infants displayed depressed levels of the neurological activity necessary to wake from sleep. Low levels of this activity, known as subcortical activation, have been observed frequently in victims of SIDS prior to death.
Rosemary Horne, Ph.D., scientific director for the Ritchie Centre, commented, "Our study suggests that maternal smoking can impair the arousal pathways of seemingly normal infants, which may explain their increased risk for SIDS."
SIDS is currently the third-leading cause of infant mortality in the United States.
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Labels: cigarettes, smoking
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 12:08 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, May 8, 2009
Drug-Resistant HIV Transmittable Among Untreated Individuals
Researchers from the University College London and the British Health Protection Agency have found that drug-resistant HIV is transmittable between individuals who have received anti-retroviral treatments. Previously, experts believed the resistant HIV, which presents a heightened public health risk, was only transmittable between individuals who had actually received drug treatment for HIV.
The fact that drug-resistant strains of HIV may be able to be transmitted to anyone has serious implications for public health. One very high-risk group for contracting HIV, and potentially drug-resistant strains, are intravenous drug users. These findings indicate that greater numbers of people may begin contracting drug-resistant forms of HIV.
Professor Deenan Pillay, a researcher on the project, commented: "Our results indicate that although the incidence of drug resistance has been declining, this might not continue -- which could have implications for planning and management of treatment programmes."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
The fact that drug-resistant strains of HIV may be able to be transmitted to anyone has serious implications for public health. One very high-risk group for contracting HIV, and potentially drug-resistant strains, are intravenous drug users. These findings indicate that greater numbers of people may begin contracting drug-resistant forms of HIV.
Professor Deenan Pillay, a researcher on the project, commented: "Our results indicate that although the incidence of drug resistance has been declining, this might not continue -- which could have implications for planning and management of treatment programmes."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:05 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Prescription Drug Abuse on the Rise in California
On Dec. 16, 2007, 23-year-old Cyrus Moinzadeh overdosed on OxyContin and died. Moinzadeh was smart (spoke three languages) and well-liked, but spent time with a group of young people who frequently abused the drug.
Of Cyrus' five closest friends from high school, three have died from drug overdoses. OxyContin, a chemical relative of heroin, is frequently prescribed as painkiller for back pain, cancer pain, bone fractures, and other severe injuries. Many teenagers obtain the drug over the Internet from unscrupulous companies in Canada and Mexico.
OxyContin is produced as a time-release tablet, so non-medical users will often smash up the pills to snort them or melt them to smoke (they will place the pills on foil and apply heat from underneath). Scott Henderson of the San Diego Police Department narcotics division advises parents to be aware of their teenagers' activities.
Henderson recommends looking on teens' Facebook and MySpace pages, because that's commonly where they exchange information about getting drugs. Henderson also said to be on the lookout for the tinfoil used to smoke it since Oxy leaves black charred streaks. "If you're running out of tin foil and you don't make a lot of casseroles, I'm telling you right now something is amiss."
(Source: www.delmartimes.com)
Of Cyrus' five closest friends from high school, three have died from drug overdoses. OxyContin, a chemical relative of heroin, is frequently prescribed as painkiller for back pain, cancer pain, bone fractures, and other severe injuries. Many teenagers obtain the drug over the Internet from unscrupulous companies in Canada and Mexico.
OxyContin is produced as a time-release tablet, so non-medical users will often smash up the pills to snort them or melt them to smoke (they will place the pills on foil and apply heat from underneath). Scott Henderson of the San Diego Police Department narcotics division advises parents to be aware of their teenagers' activities.
Henderson recommends looking on teens' Facebook and MySpace pages, because that's commonly where they exchange information about getting drugs. Henderson also said to be on the lookout for the tinfoil used to smoke it since Oxy leaves black charred streaks. "If you're running out of tin foil and you don't make a lot of casseroles, I'm telling you right now something is amiss."
(Source: www.delmartimes.com)
Labels: heroin, OxyContin, prescription-drug-abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 9:28 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, May 4, 2009
Boston Researchers Find that Medical Training on Addiction Is Lacking
Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) have found that medical training lacks sufficient education on addiction, which is resulting in suboptimal medical care for individuals with addictive behaviors.
The researchers found that a CRIT (Chief Resident Immersion Training program) in addiction is an effective way to disseminate needed information to medical staff. The chief resident takes information from this program and teaches it to residents through a "train-the-trainer" model.
Lead author of the study, Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH, FACP, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of Chief Resident Immersion Training in the Addiction Medicine Section of General Internal Medicine at BMC, commented: "Training chief residents who have a primary responsibility for educating medical trainees, appears to be one important pragmatic strategy to address the compelling need for better physician training in the identification and management of patients with addiction. This program effectively transferred evidence-based addiction knowledge and practice to 64 chief residents in generalist disciplines and more importantly, enhanced the addiction curriculum in 47 residency programs."
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
The researchers found that a CRIT (Chief Resident Immersion Training program) in addiction is an effective way to disseminate needed information to medical staff. The chief resident takes information from this program and teaches it to residents through a "train-the-trainer" model.
Lead author of the study, Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH, FACP, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of Chief Resident Immersion Training in the Addiction Medicine Section of General Internal Medicine at BMC, commented: "Training chief residents who have a primary responsibility for educating medical trainees, appears to be one important pragmatic strategy to address the compelling need for better physician training in the identification and management of patients with addiction. This program effectively transferred evidence-based addiction knowledge and practice to 64 chief residents in generalist disciplines and more importantly, enhanced the addiction curriculum in 47 residency programs."
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
Labels: addiction
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:55 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, May 1, 2009
Oregon May Cut Treatment for Gambling Addiction
A $4.4 billion budget shortfall in Oregon is forcing all state departments to cut back by about 30 percent. The Department of Health has named treatment for gambling addiction as one of the programs that may fall victim to these cuts.
The suggestion has caused controversy among Oregon residents, however. Michele Tantriella-Modell, an addiction counselor in Eugene, Ore., commented, "I believe it's the state's responsibility, if they're going to sell and promote gambling, that they provide prevention and treatment for those folks it affects."
Currently, Oregon state law requires that 1 percent of the net proceeds from the Oregon Lottery go to a problem gambling fund; this provision may not stand up to impending budget cuts.
(Source: www.kval.com)
The suggestion has caused controversy among Oregon residents, however. Michele Tantriella-Modell, an addiction counselor in Eugene, Ore., commented, "I believe it's the state's responsibility, if they're going to sell and promote gambling, that they provide prevention and treatment for those folks it affects."
Currently, Oregon state law requires that 1 percent of the net proceeds from the Oregon Lottery go to a problem gambling fund; this provision may not stand up to impending budget cuts.
(Source: www.kval.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 11:52 AM
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