Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, October 30, 2009
Peer Pressure Is Main Cause of Addiction in Malaysia
The results of a recent study in Malaysia suggest that the influence and coaxing of friends may be a main cause for narcotics addiction.
The study, conducted by Malaysia's National Drug Agency (AADK), collected information on 26,841 drug addicts between 2007 and 2008. Among study participants, 55 percent reported becoming hooked on a drug after friends introduced them to it; 35 percent reported becoming addicted after trying out drugs purely for fun and out of curiosity.
The study also found that the highest concentration of drug addicts was found among workers in the construction, sales, fishing, plantations and service industries. Collectively, they made up 70 percent of addicts. Approximately 68 percent of drug abusers were in the 18-39 age group. According to study results, most addicts had received some education; only 2.6 percent never received any schooling.
(Source: www.thesundaily.com)
The study, conducted by Malaysia's National Drug Agency (AADK), collected information on 26,841 drug addicts between 2007 and 2008. Among study participants, 55 percent reported becoming hooked on a drug after friends introduced them to it; 35 percent reported becoming addicted after trying out drugs purely for fun and out of curiosity.
The study also found that the highest concentration of drug addicts was found among workers in the construction, sales, fishing, plantations and service industries. Collectively, they made up 70 percent of addicts. Approximately 68 percent of drug abusers were in the 18-39 age group. According to study results, most addicts had received some education; only 2.6 percent never received any schooling.
(Source: www.thesundaily.com)
Labels: addicts, drug-abuse, peer pressure
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:11 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wisconsin Teen Arrested in Connection with 8,000 Marijuana Plants
Authorities arrested a 19-year-old Wisconsin man last week for possession of a large amount of marijuana. He was detained near the eastern Wisconsin site where law enforcement officials confiscated about 8,000 marijuana plants last week.
Shawano Sherriff's Captain Thomas Tuma told the press that the man was spotted in the Navarina Wildlife Area acting suspiciously. A police dog reacted to the man's vehicle, where drug paraphernalia and plant materials are believed to have been found.
Authorities had previously dismantled four camp and work sites in the same area and processed them as evidence. A hunter tipped off law enforcement about the growing operation, which had been abandoned for some time before authorities arrived.
(Source: Associated Press)
Shawano Sherriff's Captain Thomas Tuma told the press that the man was spotted in the Navarina Wildlife Area acting suspiciously. A police dog reacted to the man's vehicle, where drug paraphernalia and plant materials are believed to have been found.
Authorities had previously dismantled four camp and work sites in the same area and processed them as evidence. A hunter tipped off law enforcement about the growing operation, which had been abandoned for some time before authorities arrived.
(Source: Associated Press)
Labels: marijuana
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:05 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, October 26, 2009
States Release Inmates Early for Completing Rehabilitation
More and more states are passing laws that allow prison inmates to cut their sentences if they complete a substance abuse rehabilitation program. Many states are utilizing these strategies to help relieve overcrowding in prisons and alleviate budget deficits.
But some experts worry that releasing inmates may increase crime rates, particularly if rehabilitation programs are not effective. Proponents believe that rehabilitation programs that cut sentences are successful at motivating inmates to create real change in their lives.
Rhode Island is one state that has recently adopted such a strategy. Rhode Island Corrections Director A.T. Wall, a supporter of exchanging prison time for rehabilitation, commented on the approach: "I would rather have an inmate released three weeks earlier, knowing that he had dealt with his substance abuse addictions, than waiting the three weeks and releasing him untreated."
Critics believe, however, that many inmates simply "go through the motions" to get out early.
John Murphy, executive director of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, which opposes a rehabilitation-for-time-off proposal in Ohio, commented: "If they cared about getting their rehabilitation, they'd be in this program without having this carrot dangled in front of them."
(Source: Associated Press)
But some experts worry that releasing inmates may increase crime rates, particularly if rehabilitation programs are not effective. Proponents believe that rehabilitation programs that cut sentences are successful at motivating inmates to create real change in their lives.
Rhode Island is one state that has recently adopted such a strategy. Rhode Island Corrections Director A.T. Wall, a supporter of exchanging prison time for rehabilitation, commented on the approach: "I would rather have an inmate released three weeks earlier, knowing that he had dealt with his substance abuse addictions, than waiting the three weeks and releasing him untreated."
Critics believe, however, that many inmates simply "go through the motions" to get out early.
John Murphy, executive director of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, which opposes a rehabilitation-for-time-off proposal in Ohio, commented: "If they cared about getting their rehabilitation, they'd be in this program without having this carrot dangled in front of them."
(Source: Associated Press)
Labels: addiction, rehab, substance abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 3:57 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, October 23, 2009
Cocaine Use a Growing Problem at the University of North Carolina
The recent arrests of seven current and former University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill students has alerted Chapel Hill residents that cocaine use may be a growing concern.
Two of the arrests involved charges for felony drug trafficking as the result of a raid on a student's apartment. During the raid, authorities recovered 121 grams of cocaine broken up into one-gram packets.
A surge in cocaine use would contradict the recent history of UNC-Chapel Hill, where student behavioral incidents involving alcohol are far more prevalent than incidents involving any other substance. As recently as 2008, UNC students pointed to alcohol and marijuana as the two most popular substances on campus: 69 percent of survey respondents said they'd consumed alcohol in the last 30 days, about 20 percent had used marijuana in that period and just 2.5 percent had used cocaine.
(Source: www.charlotteobserver.com)
Two of the arrests involved charges for felony drug trafficking as the result of a raid on a student's apartment. During the raid, authorities recovered 121 grams of cocaine broken up into one-gram packets.
A surge in cocaine use would contradict the recent history of UNC-Chapel Hill, where student behavioral incidents involving alcohol are far more prevalent than incidents involving any other substance. As recently as 2008, UNC students pointed to alcohol and marijuana as the two most popular substances on campus: 69 percent of survey respondents said they'd consumed alcohol in the last 30 days, about 20 percent had used marijuana in that period and just 2.5 percent had used cocaine.
(Source: www.charlotteobserver.com)
Labels: cocaine, college drug use
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 11:07 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Drugs Costing Scottish Society $5.6 Billion Per Year
Drug abuse is costing Scottish society 3.5 billion pounds (approximately $5.6 billion) per year.
Researchers confirm Scotland as the addiction capital of Europe -- Scottish addicts spend about 1.4 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) per year on purchasing drugs. Experts estimate that the cost of treating addicts and the impact of substance abuse on the criminal justice system adds about 2 billion pounds.
These figures, which are based on data from 2006, were generated by research conducted by the Scottish government. The data shows a 30 percent increase in the number of addicts injecting drugs since 2003.
"These figures underline all too clearly why we must continue to invest in treatment, focus that investment on the most effective range of treatment, care and rehabilitation services," said David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, "including in areas like housing, family support and employability, and continue to address the underlying issues of poverty, deprivation and other social and health inequalities."
(Source: www.timesonline.co.uk)
Researchers confirm Scotland as the addiction capital of Europe -- Scottish addicts spend about 1.4 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) per year on purchasing drugs. Experts estimate that the cost of treating addicts and the impact of substance abuse on the criminal justice system adds about 2 billion pounds.
These figures, which are based on data from 2006, were generated by research conducted by the Scottish government. The data shows a 30 percent increase in the number of addicts injecting drugs since 2003.
"These figures underline all too clearly why we must continue to invest in treatment, focus that investment on the most effective range of treatment, care and rehabilitation services," said David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, "including in areas like housing, family support and employability, and continue to address the underlying issues of poverty, deprivation and other social and health inequalities."
(Source: www.timesonline.co.uk)
Labels: addiction, substance abuse, treatment
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 3:48 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, October 19, 2009
Cocaine Vaccine May Reduce Addiction
An anti-cocaine vaccine shows promise in treating cocaine addiction. A study conducted by researchers at Yale University and funded by the National Institutes of Health found that a shot of the vaccine reduced cocaine use in 38 percent of study participants.
Like vaccines for infectious diseases, the cocaine vaccine causes the human body to produce antibodies to cocaine. When cocaine is ingested, the antibodies bind themselves to the cocaine molecules in the blood and prevent them from entering the brain and producing a high.
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, commented on the results:
"The results of this study represent a promising step toward an effective medical treatment for cocaine addiction ... Provided that larger follow-up studies confirm its safety and efficacy, this vaccine could offer a valuable new approach to treating cocaine addiction, for which no [Food and Drug Administration]-approved medication is currently available."
The study, which appeared in the most recent issue of the journal Archives in General Psychiatry, tracked the progress of 115 people over 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine or a placebo.
(Source: weblogs.baltimoresun.com)
Like vaccines for infectious diseases, the cocaine vaccine causes the human body to produce antibodies to cocaine. When cocaine is ingested, the antibodies bind themselves to the cocaine molecules in the blood and prevent them from entering the brain and producing a high.
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, commented on the results:
"The results of this study represent a promising step toward an effective medical treatment for cocaine addiction ... Provided that larger follow-up studies confirm its safety and efficacy, this vaccine could offer a valuable new approach to treating cocaine addiction, for which no [Food and Drug Administration]-approved medication is currently available."
The study, which appeared in the most recent issue of the journal Archives in General Psychiatry, tracked the progress of 115 people over 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine or a placebo.
(Source: weblogs.baltimoresun.com)
Labels: addiction, cocaine, cocaine vaccine
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 11:26 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, October 16, 2009
Half of Heroin and Crack Addicts Quit Drugs after Six Months of Treatment
A new study by British researchers shows that about half of cocaine and crack abusers are able to quit the drugs after six months of treatment.
For the study, researchers monitored the progress of more than 14,600 patients throughout England who were addicted to heroin, crack cocaine or both. Heroin addicts received oral methadone for at least six months, combined with counseling. Crack addicts received counseling, but not substitute drug therapy, since an approved medical substitute for crack does not currently exist.
After six months, 42 percent of heroin addicts and 57 percent of crack addicts reported that they had stopped using. Among participants addicted to both drugs, about half reported quitting both after six months.
Although the results of the study are considered encouraging, many substance abuse treatment experts warn that six months may not be long enough to provide adequate treatment. Many experts, including Dr. Thomas McLellan, deputy director of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, compare treating heroin and crack addicts to managing patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
"Addiction is best thought of as a chronic condition," McLellan said. "There is no cure, but we can manage it."
(Source: Associated Press)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 3:42 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Prescription Drugs Now the Biggest Cause of Fatal Drug Overdoses
Prescription drugs are now the leading cause of fatal drug overdoses in the United States. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that prescription drugs cause more than 26,000 fatal overdoses each year.
According to statistics recently released by the CDC, the number of overdose deaths from opioid painkillers (a group of drugs that includes morphine, codeine and OxyContin) more than tripled between 1999 and 2006 to 13,800. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians estimates that, each year, about 120,000 Americans go to the emergency room after overdosing on opioid painkillers.
The trend of prescription drug abuse and overdose has upset the historical pattern of overdose deaths. In the past, most overdose deaths involved illegal street narcotics, such as heroin, and occurred in urban areas. The CDC now reports that prescription painkillers have surpassed heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of overdose deaths and that the rate of fatal overdoses is about the same in rural and urban areas. The CDC estimates an overdose rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 people in rural areas, compared to 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people in cities.
"The biggest and fastest-growing part of America's drug problem is prescription drug abuse," said Robert DuPont, a former White House drug czar and a former director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The statistics are unmistakable."
(Source: USA Today)
According to statistics recently released by the CDC, the number of overdose deaths from opioid painkillers (a group of drugs that includes morphine, codeine and OxyContin) more than tripled between 1999 and 2006 to 13,800. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians estimates that, each year, about 120,000 Americans go to the emergency room after overdosing on opioid painkillers.
The trend of prescription drug abuse and overdose has upset the historical pattern of overdose deaths. In the past, most overdose deaths involved illegal street narcotics, such as heroin, and occurred in urban areas. The CDC now reports that prescription painkillers have surpassed heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of overdose deaths and that the rate of fatal overdoses is about the same in rural and urban areas. The CDC estimates an overdose rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 people in rural areas, compared to 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people in cities.
"The biggest and fastest-growing part of America's drug problem is prescription drug abuse," said Robert DuPont, a former White House drug czar and a former director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The statistics are unmistakable."
(Source: USA Today)
Labels: opioids, overdose, painkillers, prescription-drug-abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:26 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, October 12, 2009
Alcoholism Disrupts Sleep, Even After Long Periods of Sobriety
A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal Sleep indicates that prolonged alcoholism affects sleep patterns, even after long periods of sobriety. The effect was found to be similar in men and women.
The study revealed that for long-term alcoholics who had not had a drink in up to 719 days, the percentage of slow-wave sleep was significantly lower. Recovering male alcoholics had about 6.6 percent slow-wave sleep versus 12 percent for the control group of males who had not been alcoholics. Recovering female alcoholics had 11.1 percent slow-wave sleep versus 12.1 percent for the control group of females who had not been alcoholics.
According to the study's researchers, having less deep, slow-wave sleep and more light, stage 1 sleep is reflective of poorer sleep quality, which could act as an exacerbating factor in alcoholics' cognitive decline.
Principal investigator Ian Colrain, PhD, director of the SRI International Human Sleep Research Program and a professional fellow in psychology at the University of Melbourne in Australia, commented on the findings:
"Previously, the REM changes in the acute detox period were assumed to be related to a rebound of the REM suppression effects of alcohol ... The persistence indicates that there is some possibly permanent structural/functional change in REM regulation mechanisms produced by long-term alcohol abuse."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
The study revealed that for long-term alcoholics who had not had a drink in up to 719 days, the percentage of slow-wave sleep was significantly lower. Recovering male alcoholics had about 6.6 percent slow-wave sleep versus 12 percent for the control group of males who had not been alcoholics. Recovering female alcoholics had 11.1 percent slow-wave sleep versus 12.1 percent for the control group of females who had not been alcoholics.
According to the study's researchers, having less deep, slow-wave sleep and more light, stage 1 sleep is reflective of poorer sleep quality, which could act as an exacerbating factor in alcoholics' cognitive decline.
Principal investigator Ian Colrain, PhD, director of the SRI International Human Sleep Research Program and a professional fellow in psychology at the University of Melbourne in Australia, commented on the findings:
"Previously, the REM changes in the acute detox period were assumed to be related to a rebound of the REM suppression effects of alcohol ... The persistence indicates that there is some possibly permanent structural/functional change in REM regulation mechanisms produced by long-term alcohol abuse."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Labels: alcoholism, long-term-effects
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 3:25 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, October 9, 2009
Surfing as Rehabilitation for Addicts
Darryl Virostko, of California, has been surfing big waves for a long time. Until a year ago, he usually surfed high -- on acid, meth and an array of other drugs. Now, Virostko is using surfing, in collaboration with treatment from a local drug rehabilitation center, to tackle his addiction.
Virostko has been sober for one year. As part of his recovery, he is working with the local drug rehabilitation center to also teach surfing and other sports to patients undergoing supervised alcohol and drug rehabilitation. He hopes that his new program -- named FleaHab, after his nickname, Flea -- will help others to stay sober by teaching them to replace the high of drugs with the endorphin rush of strenuous physical activity.
(Source: www.nytimes.com)
Virostko has been sober for one year. As part of his recovery, he is working with the local drug rehabilitation center to also teach surfing and other sports to patients undergoing supervised alcohol and drug rehabilitation. He hopes that his new program -- named FleaHab, after his nickname, Flea -- will help others to stay sober by teaching them to replace the high of drugs with the endorphin rush of strenuous physical activity.
(Source: www.nytimes.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 4:31 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Task Force Urges Anti-Gambling Measures for College Campuses
A national gambling task force, the Task Force on College Gambling Policies, published a report this week urging colleges to treat problem gambling as a form of addiction. Problem gambling by students, the task force says, should be treated as a health issue and schools should establish policies to restrict wagers on campuses and to treat students who develop destructive gambling habits.
A 2005 report by the Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, found that only 22 percent of colleges have written gambling policies, in spite of the fact that nearly half of all college students reported gambling at least once in the previous year.
Christine Reilly, a task force member and executive director of the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders in Beverly, Mass., commented, "It is important, we believe, for schools to send a clear, unified message about acceptable behaviors ... It's very common for schools to have different rules for alcohol use ... and for gambling, and so we think this is an issue that colleges should think about."
(Source: www.ap.org)
A 2005 report by the Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, found that only 22 percent of colleges have written gambling policies, in spite of the fact that nearly half of all college students reported gambling at least once in the previous year.
Christine Reilly, a task force member and executive director of the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders in Beverly, Mass., commented, "It is important, we believe, for schools to send a clear, unified message about acceptable behaviors ... It's very common for schools to have different rules for alcohol use ... and for gambling, and so we think this is an issue that colleges should think about."
(Source: www.ap.org)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 10:28 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, October 5, 2009
Underage Drinking a Growing Problem in Georgia
A recent Georgia Youth Risk Survey found that underage drinking is a growing problem in the state. The survey collected answers from nearly 2,400 high school students, and approximately 38 percent reported binge-drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a row) at least once in the month prior to the survey.
The survey also found that teen drinkers are more likely to drink hard alcohol than beer, including bourbon, rum, scotch, vodka and whiskey. Beer was the second most popular type of alcoholic beverage, followed by malt liquor and wine coolers.
Approximately 58 percent of respondents reported drinking in someone else's home, and fewer than 30 percent did so in their own homes. Teen also reported drinking at restaurants, bars, public places and events, on school property, and even while riding in or driving a car.
In a recent report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse about underage drinking, Vice President Elizabeth Planet commented: "The message is loud and clear. If your teen is drinking, the odds are your teen is getting drunk. And teens who get drunk are much likelier to try marijuana and hang out with friends who are abusing prescription drugs and illegal drugs."
(Source: www.northwestgeorgia.com)
The survey also found that teen drinkers are more likely to drink hard alcohol than beer, including bourbon, rum, scotch, vodka and whiskey. Beer was the second most popular type of alcoholic beverage, followed by malt liquor and wine coolers.
Approximately 58 percent of respondents reported drinking in someone else's home, and fewer than 30 percent did so in their own homes. Teen also reported drinking at restaurants, bars, public places and events, on school property, and even while riding in or driving a car.
In a recent report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse about underage drinking, Vice President Elizabeth Planet commented: "The message is loud and clear. If your teen is drinking, the odds are your teen is getting drunk. And teens who get drunk are much likelier to try marijuana and hang out with friends who are abusing prescription drugs and illegal drugs."
(Source: www.northwestgeorgia.com)
Labels: alcohol, binge-drinking, teens
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 1:25 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, October 2, 2009
California Unveils Prescription Drug Database to Curtail Abuse
This week, California State Attorney General Jerry Brown unveiled a new secure website to track prescription drug use. The database is designed to assist doctors and law enforcement officials battle prescription drug abuse.
The website represents a significant upgrade to the state's previous tracking system, which required doctors to request information about individual patients by phone, fax or e-mail. Website users will have instant access to prescriptions filled for schedule II, III and IV drugs -- including powerful painkillers like morphine, hydrocodone and codeine.
According to Brown, 38 states have some kind of tracking system in place and, of those, 25 have Internet-based resources. California is the 26th and largest state to introduce a web-based tracking system for prescription medications.
(Source: www.mercurynews.com)
The website represents a significant upgrade to the state's previous tracking system, which required doctors to request information about individual patients by phone, fax or e-mail. Website users will have instant access to prescriptions filled for schedule II, III and IV drugs -- including powerful painkillers like morphine, hydrocodone and codeine.
According to Brown, 38 states have some kind of tracking system in place and, of those, 25 have Internet-based resources. California is the 26th and largest state to introduce a web-based tracking system for prescription medications.
(Source: www.mercurynews.com)
Labels: codeine, morphine, prescription-drug-abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 2:16 PM
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