Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, June 29, 2009
Heroin Addiction Strikes Rural Pennsylvania
Far from the big city, in the rolling farm county of rural Pennsylvania, residents are struggling with heroin addiction. This week, several community organizations hosted an informational session on the dangers of heroin, including a discussion of how accessible heroin has become in rural areas of the United States.
The informational session included a screening of a video titled "Heroin: Lives Forever Changed." A local couple, Kathy and Denzel Morgan, are featured in the video. The Morgans know firsthand about the deadly grip of heroin addiction. They lost their son, Jeremy, to a heroin overdose.
Jeremy attended the University of Pittsburgh and earned a degree in finance. It wasn't until he was starting a successful career as a financial analyst that he began using drugs. Jeremy was introduced to heroin by friends, and his parents tried to help him recover, accompanying him to inpatient and outpatient drug treatment programs.
Jeremy died from a heroin overdose in 2007 at the age of 29. Jeremy's story counters cultural stereotypes about heroin users.
Armstrong County District Attorney, Scott Andreassi, comments on the new face of heroin addiction, saying, "The classic junkie stereotypes that we used to know are right out the window. There's nothing, no income section that drugs -- especially heroin -- hasn't affected."
(Source: www.pittsburghlive.com)
The informational session included a screening of a video titled "Heroin: Lives Forever Changed." A local couple, Kathy and Denzel Morgan, are featured in the video. The Morgans know firsthand about the deadly grip of heroin addiction. They lost their son, Jeremy, to a heroin overdose.
Jeremy attended the University of Pittsburgh and earned a degree in finance. It wasn't until he was starting a successful career as a financial analyst that he began using drugs. Jeremy was introduced to heroin by friends, and his parents tried to help him recover, accompanying him to inpatient and outpatient drug treatment programs.
Jeremy died from a heroin overdose in 2007 at the age of 29. Jeremy's story counters cultural stereotypes about heroin users.
Armstrong County District Attorney, Scott Andreassi, comments on the new face of heroin addiction, saying, "The classic junkie stereotypes that we used to know are right out the window. There's nothing, no income section that drugs -- especially heroin -- hasn't affected."
(Source: www.pittsburghlive.com)
Labels: addiction, drug-abuse, heroin
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 3:17 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, June 26, 2009
Marijuana Damages DNA
According to recent research by scientists in Europe, marijuana smoke damages DNA in a way that may increase the risk of cancer. A sensitive new test that uses a modified mass spectrometry showed "clear and convincing evidence" that marijuana smoke damages DNA, an impact which was suspected but unproven until now.
Researchers wrote about the findings: "In conclusion, these results provide evidence for the DNA damaging potential of cannabis [marijuana] smoke, implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development. The data obtained from this study suggesting the DNA damaging potential of cannabis smoke highlight the need for stringent regulation of the consumption of cannabis cigarettes, thus limiting the development of adverse health effects such as cancer."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Researchers wrote about the findings: "In conclusion, these results provide evidence for the DNA damaging potential of cannabis [marijuana] smoke, implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development. The data obtained from this study suggesting the DNA damaging potential of cannabis smoke highlight the need for stringent regulation of the consumption of cannabis cigarettes, thus limiting the development of adverse health effects such as cancer."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 10:34 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Cocaine and Heroin Harm Placenta
According to new findings by Swiss researchers, cocaine and heroin in combination with methadone harm the placenta by increasing its permeability. This permeability increases the exposure of the unborn fetus to harmful chemicals, especially the drugs themselves.
Antoine Malek, lead researcher at Zurich University Hospital's Department of Obstetrics, commented on the findings: "As the consumption of illegal drugs, especially cocaine, is increasing in many countries, our results concerning cocaine and heroin causing an increased [chemical] transfer may improve the practical management in monitoring pregnant women."
Malek warns that "more toxic substances or bacteria and viruses may cross the placenta and harm the fetus. Previous studies have reported increased prevalence of infectious diagnoses in cocaine-exposed infants."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Antoine Malek, lead researcher at Zurich University Hospital's Department of Obstetrics, commented on the findings: "As the consumption of illegal drugs, especially cocaine, is increasing in many countries, our results concerning cocaine and heroin causing an increased [chemical] transfer may improve the practical management in monitoring pregnant women."
Malek warns that "more toxic substances or bacteria and viruses may cross the placenta and harm the fetus. Previous studies have reported increased prevalence of infectious diagnoses in cocaine-exposed infants."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 9:01 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hawaii Launches Anti-Meth Media Campaign
Hawaii has begun airing a series of public-service warnings about the dangers of methamphetamine. The spots are designed to jar television viewers into awareness about the drug. Authorities hope to match progress in Montana, where a similar program has helped to drastically reduce the use of meth as a major crime problem.
Crystal meth use in Hawaii reached an all-time high in 2005, but began to decline over the next two years. Last year, the Hawaii Meth Project launched its first campaign, modeled on the Montana project. According to an article appearing this week in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, no statewide figures are available for 2008; however, the state's drug-control liaison reports that between the first quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2008, meth use in the workplace decreased by 33 percent.
Hawaii's anti-meth media campaign consists of public service messages delivered via television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet. In addition, statewide education and outreach programs are in the works.
(Source: www.starbulletin.com)
Crystal meth use in Hawaii reached an all-time high in 2005, but began to decline over the next two years. Last year, the Hawaii Meth Project launched its first campaign, modeled on the Montana project. According to an article appearing this week in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, no statewide figures are available for 2008; however, the state's drug-control liaison reports that between the first quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2008, meth use in the workplace decreased by 33 percent.
Hawaii's anti-meth media campaign consists of public service messages delivered via television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet. In addition, statewide education and outreach programs are in the works.
(Source: www.starbulletin.com)
Labels: drugs, methamphetamines
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:59 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ex-Football Player Struggles with Painkiller Addiction
A former professional football player, Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Sam Rayburn, may be nearing the end of a long struggle with painkiller addiction, according to an article appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer this week.
Rayburn first began using painkillers from 2003 to 2006 while he was still playing football professionally, to help with his recovery from playing injuries. Rayburn often sought out painkillers on his own to deal with injuries he didn't want his coach or trainers to worry or know about. However, his use of prescription substances quickly grew into an addiction.
As his habit got out of control, he started taking more drastic measures. He admits stealing a doctor's prescription pad to forge prescriptions for Percocet and Lortab. He began taking medications in excessive amounts. Rayburn recalls, "Especially toward the end, when I was taking obscene amounts, I was hiding it from everybody -- I was even hiding it from myself."
On March 19, 2009, two local associates of Rayburn's tried to fill prescriptions that Rayburn had forged. The men were both arrested and charged with felony counts of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by forgery. Rayburn admitted responsibility for the incident, and said he requested the prescriptions. Rayburn was also arrested and spent 45 days in a drug rehabilitation facility.
After reaching a high of 100 pills per day earlier this year, he has been clean for 80 days.
Rayburn first began using painkillers from 2003 to 2006 while he was still playing football professionally, to help with his recovery from playing injuries. Rayburn often sought out painkillers on his own to deal with injuries he didn't want his coach or trainers to worry or know about. However, his use of prescription substances quickly grew into an addiction.
As his habit got out of control, he started taking more drastic measures. He admits stealing a doctor's prescription pad to forge prescriptions for Percocet and Lortab. He began taking medications in excessive amounts. Rayburn recalls, "Especially toward the end, when I was taking obscene amounts, I was hiding it from everybody -- I was even hiding it from myself."
On March 19, 2009, two local associates of Rayburn's tried to fill prescriptions that Rayburn had forged. The men were both arrested and charged with felony counts of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by forgery. Rayburn admitted responsibility for the incident, and said he requested the prescriptions. Rayburn was also arrested and spent 45 days in a drug rehabilitation facility.
After reaching a high of 100 pills per day earlier this year, he has been clean for 80 days.
Labels: addiction, painkillers, prescription-drug-abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:56 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Massachusetts Battles OxyContin, Heroin Epidemic
Lawmakers in Massachusetts are calling the recent spike in heroin and OxyContin (a chemical cousin of heroin) abuse the worst epidemic to ever hit the state.
At a public hearing last week on drug abuse, state Sen. Steven Tolman commented on the frightening trend: "OxyContin and heroin abuse are destroying lives and tearing families apart throughout Massachusetts and the nation. It does not discriminate based on age, race, sex or geographic region."
Massachusetts has established a 13-member OxyContin and Heroin Commission, which is being led by Sen. Holman, during the 2007-2008 legislative session. The commission's mandate is to study and recommend solutions to increasing rates of opiate abuse. In 10 years, abuse of prescription OxyContin has increased by 1,000 percent. During the same time period, abuse of heroin has jumped by 52 percent.
Sen. Tolman emphasizes that the battle against opiate abuse is really a war, and that lives are at stake. At the hearing, he put the struggle in context: "Between 2002 and 2007, we lost 78 soldiers on the streets and battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, but buried 3,265 citizens during that same period [because of overdoses]. Folks, that's 42-1 to what we're losing in war. We need to change the way we address this problem and, most importantly, we need to find solutions rather than pretend it isn't going on."
(Source: www.iberkshires.com)
At a public hearing last week on drug abuse, state Sen. Steven Tolman commented on the frightening trend: "OxyContin and heroin abuse are destroying lives and tearing families apart throughout Massachusetts and the nation. It does not discriminate based on age, race, sex or geographic region."
Massachusetts has established a 13-member OxyContin and Heroin Commission, which is being led by Sen. Holman, during the 2007-2008 legislative session. The commission's mandate is to study and recommend solutions to increasing rates of opiate abuse. In 10 years, abuse of prescription OxyContin has increased by 1,000 percent. During the same time period, abuse of heroin has jumped by 52 percent.
Sen. Tolman emphasizes that the battle against opiate abuse is really a war, and that lives are at stake. At the hearing, he put the struggle in context: "Between 2002 and 2007, we lost 78 soldiers on the streets and battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, but buried 3,265 citizens during that same period [because of overdoses]. Folks, that's 42-1 to what we're losing in war. We need to change the way we address this problem and, most importantly, we need to find solutions rather than pretend it isn't going on."
(Source: www.iberkshires.com)
Labels: drug-abuse, heroin, OxyContin
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 2:52 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, June 15, 2009
Hawaii: High Alcohol Addiction, Low Drug Addiction
According to a new government study released this week, Hawaii has one of the nation's highest rates of alcohol addiction, but has the lowest rate of any state for drug dependence.
According to the study, more than 4 percent of Hawaii residents over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol. Only Montana and the District of Columbia had higher rates of alcohol addiction, and the national average is 3.4 percent.
By contrast, only 1.4 percent of Hawaiians reported drug dependence -- the lowest of any state and well below the national average of 1.9 percent. The study was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, an agency of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
(Source: www.starbulletin.com)
According to the study, more than 4 percent of Hawaii residents over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol. Only Montana and the District of Columbia had higher rates of alcohol addiction, and the national average is 3.4 percent.
By contrast, only 1.4 percent of Hawaiians reported drug dependence -- the lowest of any state and well below the national average of 1.9 percent. The study was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, an agency of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
(Source: www.starbulletin.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 10:49 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, June 12, 2009
National Partnership Meets to Review Addiction Treatment and Justice Programs
The National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime (NPAMC), a body that contains representatives from more than 50 federal agencies, is meeting in Washington, D.C., this week to evaluate addiction treatment as a component of new justice programs.
NPAMC is a public-private partnership that brings together stakeholders on the issue of alcohol misuse and crime. The partnership works to effectively change the way the U.S. justice system manages and rehabilitates alcohol-involved offenders. The one-day conference will focus on the vital role of addiction treatment in the management of alcohol-involved offenders.
NPAMC President and Founder Stephen Talpins, a former national policy director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a former DUI prosecutor for the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office, comments on the purpose of the partnership: "The justice system has been trying for decades to mitigate both the economic and public safety impact of alcohol misuse. Research is showing, time and again, that treatment-based programs for addicted offenders are, dollar for dollar, the most effective way to reduce the extraordinary burdens placed in justice agencies and to reduce the cycle of recidivism."
(Source: prnewswire.com)
NPAMC is a public-private partnership that brings together stakeholders on the issue of alcohol misuse and crime. The partnership works to effectively change the way the U.S. justice system manages and rehabilitates alcohol-involved offenders. The one-day conference will focus on the vital role of addiction treatment in the management of alcohol-involved offenders.
NPAMC President and Founder Stephen Talpins, a former national policy director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a former DUI prosecutor for the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office, comments on the purpose of the partnership: "The justice system has been trying for decades to mitigate both the economic and public safety impact of alcohol misuse. Research is showing, time and again, that treatment-based programs for addicted offenders are, dollar for dollar, the most effective way to reduce the extraordinary burdens placed in justice agencies and to reduce the cycle of recidivism."
(Source: prnewswire.com)
Labels: addiction, alcoholism, treatment
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:42 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Addicted to Cheese?
Experts have known for a while that cheese, one of America's favorite foods, contains addictive opiates. In 1981, researchers at Wellcome Research Laboratories found traces of morphine in cow's milk. Further investigation revealed that cows actually produce morphine, codeine, and other opiates in their livers.
Milk contains a protein called casein that releases various opiates called casomorphins during digestion. Casomorphins can contain up to one-tenth the pain-killing power of morphine. The cheese-making process creates a much higher concentration of casein than the casein levels in milk. In addition, cheese contains an amphetamine-like chemical called phenylethylamine, which is also found in chocolate.
Significantly, cheese cravings, like opiate cravings, are reduced by the drug naloxone. Naloxone is a special narcotic used to reverse the effects of other narcotics, especially opiates.
Although knowledge of cheese's addictive properties has existed for several decades, the information has become especially pertinent in recent years, with the rise of obesity in the United States. Cheese consumption per person in the United States has tripled since 1975, from 11 pounds per year to 31 pounds per year and is expected to rise to 37 pounds by 2017. Since 1990, the average American has gained 13 pounds.
Both the federal government and cheese producers promote cheese consumption. In a 2000 USDA report to Congress on dairy promotion programs, the agency reported partnering with cheese makers to encourage fast food restaurants to increase the use of cheese in their foods. Currently, as a result of these efforts, Domino's Pizza is launching a new line of pizzas that uses 40 percent more cheese.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
Milk contains a protein called casein that releases various opiates called casomorphins during digestion. Casomorphins can contain up to one-tenth the pain-killing power of morphine. The cheese-making process creates a much higher concentration of casein than the casein levels in milk. In addition, cheese contains an amphetamine-like chemical called phenylethylamine, which is also found in chocolate.
Significantly, cheese cravings, like opiate cravings, are reduced by the drug naloxone. Naloxone is a special narcotic used to reverse the effects of other narcotics, especially opiates.
Although knowledge of cheese's addictive properties has existed for several decades, the information has become especially pertinent in recent years, with the rise of obesity in the United States. Cheese consumption per person in the United States has tripled since 1975, from 11 pounds per year to 31 pounds per year and is expected to rise to 37 pounds by 2017. Since 1990, the average American has gained 13 pounds.
Both the federal government and cheese producers promote cheese consumption. In a 2000 USDA report to Congress on dairy promotion programs, the agency reported partnering with cheese makers to encourage fast food restaurants to increase the use of cheese in their foods. Currently, as a result of these efforts, Domino's Pizza is launching a new line of pizzas that uses 40 percent more cheese.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 2:37 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, June 8, 2009
Oklahoma Congressman Battling Alcoholism
This week, U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, a Republican from Oklahoma, officially requested a leave of absence from Congress for the rest of the month. Mr. Sullivan's request is the result of his current battle with alcohol addiction.
The lawmaker will be using the leave of absence to seek treatment for his addiction. He checked himself into a treatment facility last Thursday. Sullivan's official statement did not address how long he would be gone; however, based on typical treatment protocols, his treatment is expected to last at least 30 days.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman issued a statement supporting Sullivan, saying, "We wish him the best in his recovery from his illness, and our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Sullivan and his family as they attend to this private matter."
(Source: www.tulsaworld.com)
The lawmaker will be using the leave of absence to seek treatment for his addiction. He checked himself into a treatment facility last Thursday. Sullivan's official statement did not address how long he would be gone; however, based on typical treatment protocols, his treatment is expected to last at least 30 days.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman issued a statement supporting Sullivan, saying, "We wish him the best in his recovery from his illness, and our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Sullivan and his family as they attend to this private matter."
(Source: www.tulsaworld.com)
Labels: alcoholism, treatment
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:34 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, June 5, 2009
Cancer Drugs May Help with Alcohol Addiction
Drugs approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer may help fight alcohol addiction, according to new research from the University of California, San Francisco.
The drugs, which inhibit a receptor for the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), have been shown to cause rats to spontaneously consume less alcohol when it was freely available to them, while their consumption of sugar water remained the same. In addition, flies and mice treated with this class of drugs grew more sensitive to alcohol.
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
The drugs, which inhibit a receptor for the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), have been shown to cause rats to spontaneously consume less alcohol when it was freely available to them, while their consumption of sugar water remained the same. In addition, flies and mice treated with this class of drugs grew more sensitive to alcohol.
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 11:31 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Army Fails to Address Soldier Substance Abuse
According to a story published this week in USA Today, Army commanders are failing to seek treatment for increasing numbers of soldiers who are testing positive for substance abuse.
A May 8 memo to Army commanders from General Peter Chiarelli stated that hundreds of soldiers involved in "substance abuse-related misconduct (including multiple positive urinalyses)" were not discharged, and that many also were not referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program for help.
General Chiarelli also expressed concerns that commanders may not be addressing substance abuse-related problems because of pressure to maintain numbers of soldiers. General Chiarelli stressed that identifying and treating substance abuse problems will help improve the Army's mental health and decrease the incidence of suicide. He commented, I am asking you to ensure that soldiers are provided the help that they need when they need it ... and that regulatory requirements regarding the referral and initiation of separation processing of substance abusers are enforced."
(Source: www.usatoday.com)
A May 8 memo to Army commanders from General Peter Chiarelli stated that hundreds of soldiers involved in "substance abuse-related misconduct (including multiple positive urinalyses)" were not discharged, and that many also were not referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program for help.
General Chiarelli also expressed concerns that commanders may not be addressing substance abuse-related problems because of pressure to maintain numbers of soldiers. General Chiarelli stressed that identifying and treating substance abuse problems will help improve the Army's mental health and decrease the incidence of suicide. He commented, I am asking you to ensure that soldiers are provided the help that they need when they need it ... and that regulatory requirements regarding the referral and initiation of separation processing of substance abusers are enforced."
(Source: www.usatoday.com)
Labels: substance abuse, treatment
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:28 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, June 1, 2009
Prescription Disposal Program in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida
In response to ongoing concerns about the recreational, non-medical use of prescription drugs, authorities in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Fla., have organized a new drug disposal program.
"Operation Medicine Cabinet" will provide adults in the two counties with a safe and secure means to dispose of unused prescription substances -- a safer alternative than letting the medications sit in medicine cabinets within easy access of curious teens.
Recent studies have shown that a significant percentage of youth who use prescription medications for non-medical/recreational purposes obtain the substances from their own homes, or those of family members or friends.
Prescription drug abuse is a particular problem in Florida. According to Palm Beach County spokeswoman Teri Barbera, prescription drug overdoses killed 300 people in Palm Beach County last year; only motor vehicle accidents claimed more lives.
Participants in Operation Medicine Cabinet will be able to drop off their unused prescriptions at several area drug stores, and in return they will receive a $5 gift card.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
"Operation Medicine Cabinet" will provide adults in the two counties with a safe and secure means to dispose of unused prescription substances -- a safer alternative than letting the medications sit in medicine cabinets within easy access of curious teens.
Recent studies have shown that a significant percentage of youth who use prescription medications for non-medical/recreational purposes obtain the substances from their own homes, or those of family members or friends.
Prescription drug abuse is a particular problem in Florida. According to Palm Beach County spokeswoman Teri Barbera, prescription drug overdoses killed 300 people in Palm Beach County last year; only motor vehicle accidents claimed more lives.
Participants in Operation Medicine Cabinet will be able to drop off their unused prescriptions at several area drug stores, and in return they will receive a $5 gift card.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
Labels: prescription-drug-abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:54 PM
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