Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, November 30, 2009
Drug-Related Deaths Increase in West Virginia
This week, a psychiatrist with the Chestnut Ridge Center at West Virginia University Hospital, spoke to substance abuse prevention advocates about the increasing prescription painkiller problem in the state. The speech was part of the 17th annual West Virginia Statewide Substance Abuse Prevention Conference, held at the Charleston Civic Center.
The psychiatrist, Dr. Jim Berry, sees patients frequently who are struggling with painkiller addiction and who know people who have died from accidental overdoses, and it's becoming a more and more common occurrence.
Berry commented, "We've noticed a big problem with prescription pain pills. A lot of people are dying."
In 2007, West Virginia led the United States in overdose deaths. The state also experienced an increase in "poisonous deaths" from 2001 to 2006. Of these, 78 percent were considered to be accidental overdoses and most involved opioids such as oxycodone or methadone.
Berry relates that painkillers seem to be accessible to more and more people at younger and younger ages: "Nowadays, more and more people I'm seeing for detox (say they) started using opioids before they starting used anything else ... and at a very young age."
(Source: www.herald-dispatch.com)
The psychiatrist, Dr. Jim Berry, sees patients frequently who are struggling with painkiller addiction and who know people who have died from accidental overdoses, and it's becoming a more and more common occurrence.
Berry commented, "We've noticed a big problem with prescription pain pills. A lot of people are dying."
In 2007, West Virginia led the United States in overdose deaths. The state also experienced an increase in "poisonous deaths" from 2001 to 2006. Of these, 78 percent were considered to be accidental overdoses and most involved opioids such as oxycodone or methadone.
Berry relates that painkillers seem to be accessible to more and more people at younger and younger ages: "Nowadays, more and more people I'm seeing for detox (say they) started using opioids before they starting used anything else ... and at a very young age."
(Source: www.herald-dispatch.com)
Labels: overdose, painkillers, substance abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 9:55 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, November 27, 2009
California Cuts Drug Treatment for Inmates, Officials Fear Rising Recidivism Rates
California's budgetary woes are resulting in $1.2 billion in cuts. As part of these cuts, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will be reducing drug treatment for inmates by approximately 80 percent.
The current budget is providing funding to treat 12,164 inmates. Next year, this number will dwindle to 2,350 inmates. In addition, programs that currently provide nine months of treatment to inmates will be reduced to three months.
Darrol Monfils, a drug counselor at the California Institution for Women, commented on the impact of the cuts: "Those inmates will have very little treatment service to deal with behavioral issues that they've spent years to develop, most of which was put on them from an early age. Their chances of succeeding are slim.
"California prisoners will be paroling inmates with little or no rehabilitation. They will be paroling with the same behaviors as they did when they arrived. Now, having said that, there will be a few exceptions to the rule, but they will be the larger minority."
California officials fear that crime recidivism rates will increase as a result of the reduction in drug treatment programs. Substance abuse is a significant factor in the commission of non-violent and violent crimes in California.
(Source: www.contracostatimes.com)
The current budget is providing funding to treat 12,164 inmates. Next year, this number will dwindle to 2,350 inmates. In addition, programs that currently provide nine months of treatment to inmates will be reduced to three months.
Darrol Monfils, a drug counselor at the California Institution for Women, commented on the impact of the cuts: "Those inmates will have very little treatment service to deal with behavioral issues that they've spent years to develop, most of which was put on them from an early age. Their chances of succeeding are slim.
"California prisoners will be paroling inmates with little or no rehabilitation. They will be paroling with the same behaviors as they did when they arrived. Now, having said that, there will be a few exceptions to the rule, but they will be the larger minority."
California officials fear that crime recidivism rates will increase as a result of the reduction in drug treatment programs. Substance abuse is a significant factor in the commission of non-violent and violent crimes in California.
(Source: www.contracostatimes.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:45 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
College Binge Drinking on the Rise in Indiana
According to a new annual report released by the Indiana Collegiate Action Network, binge drinking among Indiana college students has increased by 4 percent over the past year and currently surpasses the national average by 8 percent.
In 2009, 48 percent of Indiana college students reported binge drinking in a two-week period, compared to 44 percent in 2008. Nationally, the rate of college binge drinking declined from 47 percent in 2008 to 40 percent in 2009.
The 2009 Indiana College Substance Use Survey collected responses from 5,000 students. Of students who participated and reported drinking, 30 percent admitted feeling bad about their drinking; 19 percent said they had missed a class or assignment because of drinking; 17 percent confessed to driving while under the influence of alcohol; and 12 percent reported engaging in risky sexual behavior because they were drinking.
(Source: www.jconline.com)
In 2009, 48 percent of Indiana college students reported binge drinking in a two-week period, compared to 44 percent in 2008. Nationally, the rate of college binge drinking declined from 47 percent in 2008 to 40 percent in 2009.
The 2009 Indiana College Substance Use Survey collected responses from 5,000 students. Of students who participated and reported drinking, 30 percent admitted feeling bad about their drinking; 19 percent said they had missed a class or assignment because of drinking; 17 percent confessed to driving while under the influence of alcohol; and 12 percent reported engaging in risky sexual behavior because they were drinking.
(Source: www.jconline.com)
Labels: alcohol, binge-drinking
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:42 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, November 23, 2009
Janet Jackson: Family Knew About Michael's Drug Problems
In an exclusive interview with ABC News this week, Janet Jackson confirmed that the Jackson family knew about Michael's addiction to painkillers and that they even staged several interventions over the years without success.
Janet said that she reached out to her brother on several occasions: "I did. Of course, that's what you do. Those are the things that you do when you love someone. You can't just let them continue on that way. And we did a few times. We weren't very successful."
Janet also admitted that she believed her brother was in denial about his addiction. Michael's autopsy report found that the singer had lethal amounts of the painkiller propofol -- a powerful sedative used almost exclusively in hospital operating rooms -- along with a number of other drugs in his system at the time of his death. His death has been ruled a homicide.
(Source: www.adbnews.go.com)
Janet said that she reached out to her brother on several occasions: "I did. Of course, that's what you do. Those are the things that you do when you love someone. You can't just let them continue on that way. And we did a few times. We weren't very successful."
Janet also admitted that she believed her brother was in denial about his addiction. Michael's autopsy report found that the singer had lethal amounts of the painkiller propofol -- a powerful sedative used almost exclusively in hospital operating rooms -- along with a number of other drugs in his system at the time of his death. His death has been ruled a homicide.
(Source: www.adbnews.go.com)
Labels: drug-abuse, painkillers, prescription-drug-abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:40 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, November 20, 2009
Inadequate Drug Treatment in the United States?
Although Americans have become more accepting of substance abuse treatment over the last few years, some experts believe that drug treatment resources in the United States are alarmingly scarce. According to data from the federal government, approximately 7.6 million Americans needed treatment for illicit drug use in 2008 and only 1.2 million (16 percent) received treatment.
Recent research clearly indicates that treating addicts, even in lengthy residential programs, is ultimately less expensive than incarcerating them. Experts are urging money-strapped states to consider expanding substance abuse treatment as a cost-saving measure. However, many states are shying away from spending on drug treatment programs in the current economic climate, and some are even cutting successful existing programs. California, for instance, has cut all but a small amount of state funding from a successful prison-diversion and treatment program that voters approved in 2000.
The appointment of treatment expert Tom McLellan as deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in April was seen by some as an indication that the Drug Czar's office will be putting more emphasis on prevention and treatment in the future.
McLellan recently commented: "For the first time, it can truly be said that we know what to do -- we know the things that work. But do we have the economic and political willingness to put them into place? If we do, we'll see results.
"Law enforcement is necessary, but it's not sufficient. You need effective preventive services, addiction and mental health services integrated with the rest of medicine. You shouldn't have to go to some squalid little place across the railroad tracks."
(Source: www.msnbc.com)
Recent research clearly indicates that treating addicts, even in lengthy residential programs, is ultimately less expensive than incarcerating them. Experts are urging money-strapped states to consider expanding substance abuse treatment as a cost-saving measure. However, many states are shying away from spending on drug treatment programs in the current economic climate, and some are even cutting successful existing programs. California, for instance, has cut all but a small amount of state funding from a successful prison-diversion and treatment program that voters approved in 2000.
The appointment of treatment expert Tom McLellan as deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in April was seen by some as an indication that the Drug Czar's office will be putting more emphasis on prevention and treatment in the future.
McLellan recently commented: "For the first time, it can truly be said that we know what to do -- we know the things that work. But do we have the economic and political willingness to put them into place? If we do, we'll see results.
"Law enforcement is necessary, but it's not sufficient. You need effective preventive services, addiction and mental health services integrated with the rest of medicine. You shouldn't have to go to some squalid little place across the railroad tracks."
(Source: www.msnbc.com)
Labels: drug-abuse, substance abuse, treatment
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:05 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Junk Food Addiction?
A new study suggests that junk food may be addictive in the same was a drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The study, conducted by researchers at Scripps Research Institute in Florida, found that rats that were given unlimited access to high-fat, high-calorie foods became compulsive overeaters. The foods included those typically available at convenience stores such as HoHos, candy bars, and sausage.
As the rats' neurological pleasure pathways became less and less responsive to the foods, the rats consumed more and more to achieve the same level of pleasure. The rats even endured a slight electric shock in order to access the foods. The researchers state that these behaviors are classic hallmarks of addiction. After 40 days of unfettered access to junk food, the rats were deprived of all junk food and given healthy food pellets instead. The rats refused to eat the pellets, even though they were starving.
Paul Kenny, an associate professor of molecular therapeutics at Scripps, reported at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience: "Not only did we find that the animals' brain reward circuits became less responsive at they continued to overeat and become obese ... but that decrease in responsiveness was similar to what our laboratory has seen previously in rats as they become addicted to cocaine or heroin."
(Source: www.washingtonpost.com)
As the rats' neurological pleasure pathways became less and less responsive to the foods, the rats consumed more and more to achieve the same level of pleasure. The rats even endured a slight electric shock in order to access the foods. The researchers state that these behaviors are classic hallmarks of addiction. After 40 days of unfettered access to junk food, the rats were deprived of all junk food and given healthy food pellets instead. The rats refused to eat the pellets, even though they were starving.
Paul Kenny, an associate professor of molecular therapeutics at Scripps, reported at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience: "Not only did we find that the animals' brain reward circuits became less responsive at they continued to overeat and become obese ... but that decrease in responsiveness was similar to what our laboratory has seen previously in rats as they become addicted to cocaine or heroin."
(Source: www.washingtonpost.com)
Labels: addiction
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:02 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, November 16, 2009
Scientists Call for End to Alcohol Industry Sponsorship of Sports
Some scientists are calling for a ban on alcohol industry sponsorship of sports and say that it should be replaced with an alcohol tax. The British and Australian scientists authored a highly publicized study in 2008 that showed that alcohol industry sponsorship of professional and community sports was associated with risky drinking behaviors among sports participants. Based on this study, the authors have published an article in the latest edition of the international journal Addiction calling on governments to outlaw alcohol industry sponsorship of sports.
Dr. Kypros Kypri from Newcastle University in Australia, one of the study authors, commented: "The latest moves by the major sporting codes in Australia to lobby against the regulation of alcohol sponsorship of sport show that these bodies remain in denial of alcohol-related problems in their sports. In addition, it is clear that these organisations have enormous vested interests in continuing to receive alcohol money and government should be careful to act in the public interest rather than to cave in to the sports and Big Booze.."
Dr. Kerry O'Brien from the University of Manchester in Britain, study co-author, commented: "Sport administrators are sending mixed messages to participants and fans when, on the one hand, they embrace and peddle alcohol via their sport, while on the other they punish individual sport stars and fans when they display loutish behaviour while intoxicated."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Dr. Kypros Kypri from Newcastle University in Australia, one of the study authors, commented: "The latest moves by the major sporting codes in Australia to lobby against the regulation of alcohol sponsorship of sport show that these bodies remain in denial of alcohol-related problems in their sports. In addition, it is clear that these organisations have enormous vested interests in continuing to receive alcohol money and government should be careful to act in the public interest rather than to cave in to the sports and Big Booze.."
Dr. Kerry O'Brien from the University of Manchester in Britain, study co-author, commented: "Sport administrators are sending mixed messages to participants and fans when, on the one hand, they embrace and peddle alcohol via their sport, while on the other they punish individual sport stars and fans when they display loutish behaviour while intoxicated."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 10:59 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, November 13, 2009
PGA Tour Suspends First Player for Substance Abuse Violation
Doug Barron has become the first player suspended by the PGA Tour for violating the tour's substance abuse policy. The 40-year-old recently became the first tour player to test positive for performance enhancers. The specific substance has not been disclosed. Barron has played eight full seasons on the PGA Tour.
In an issued statement, Barron commented on his suspension, "I would like to apologize for any negative perception of the tour or its players resulting from my suspension. I want my fellow tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on tour."
Golf is the latest professional sport to become embroiled in the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing substances and professional athletes.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
Labels: performance enhancers, substance abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:54 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Marijuana and Meth Are Drugs of Choice in Iowa
According to a report released earlier this week, marijuana and crystal methamphetamine (meth) are the two most abused illicit drugs in Iowa. The report, which is compiled annually by the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy for the legislature, states that 23 percent of adults in Iowa seeking substance abuse treatment say that marijuana is their drug of choice. The percentage is even higher for youth.
Dr. Gary Kendell, the director of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy, comments, "Marijuana continues to be a sufficient problem here in the state. In the neighborhood of 55 percent of the juveniles that are in drug treatment in our state are there because of marijuana as the primary drug of abuse."
The report also shows that alcohol accounts for 61 percent of all clients who are receiving drug treatment services, while approximately 8 percent of individuals in treatment cite meth as their drug of choice. The fastest growing form of substance abuse is prescription drug abuse; investigations of pharmaceutical cases by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement spiked by 243 percent over the past year.
(Source: www.radioiowa.com)
Dr. Gary Kendell, the director of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy, comments, "Marijuana continues to be a sufficient problem here in the state. In the neighborhood of 55 percent of the juveniles that are in drug treatment in our state are there because of marijuana as the primary drug of abuse."
The report also shows that alcohol accounts for 61 percent of all clients who are receiving drug treatment services, while approximately 8 percent of individuals in treatment cite meth as their drug of choice. The fastest growing form of substance abuse is prescription drug abuse; investigations of pharmaceutical cases by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement spiked by 243 percent over the past year.
(Source: www.radioiowa.com)
Labels: marijuana, methamphetamines, substance abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 8:53 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, November 9, 2009
Florida Father Speaks Out Against Pain Clinics
Florida father, Terri Parker, is losing his 21-year-old son, Michael James McGilvary, to a devastating painkiller addiction -- and he is speaking out against the pain clinics that have been supplying his son and other area youth with prescriptions to pain pills.
McGilvary, once a healthy and productive young man, became hooked on the narcotic painkiller OxyContin approximately two years ago. Since then, he has been able to obtain prescriptions for multiple types of pain pills from local clinics.
His father recalls how his son's habit quickly spun out of control, and says that the medications have turned his son into a shell of a person and a small-time criminal: "He got so bad here, he was taking this needle, instead of shooting it in his arm, shooting it under his tongue, under his fingernails, two, three, four, five times a day, because these drugs are so addictive."
McGilvary tried to stop taking the pills, but couldn't, and ended up attempting suicide. Parker says that local pain clinics are partly to blame for his son's downward spiral: "These doctors do not care at all. Yes, they care. They care for that $175 they get to write that prescription so they can [sail] on their boat and play golf Saturday and be with their children. They can take their child to soccer. My child's in jail.
"Somebody has got to alert the people about what these doctors are doing, these pain clinics. It's destroying lives. It's time that we stopped this. I can't save my kid. I might save somebody else's kid."
(Source: www.wpbf.com)
McGilvary, once a healthy and productive young man, became hooked on the narcotic painkiller OxyContin approximately two years ago. Since then, he has been able to obtain prescriptions for multiple types of pain pills from local clinics.
His father recalls how his son's habit quickly spun out of control, and says that the medications have turned his son into a shell of a person and a small-time criminal: "He got so bad here, he was taking this needle, instead of shooting it in his arm, shooting it under his tongue, under his fingernails, two, three, four, five times a day, because these drugs are so addictive."
McGilvary tried to stop taking the pills, but couldn't, and ended up attempting suicide. Parker says that local pain clinics are partly to blame for his son's downward spiral: "These doctors do not care at all. Yes, they care. They care for that $175 they get to write that prescription so they can [sail] on their boat and play golf Saturday and be with their children. They can take their child to soccer. My child's in jail.
"Somebody has got to alert the people about what these doctors are doing, these pain clinics. It's destroying lives. It's time that we stopped this. I can't save my kid. I might save somebody else's kid."
(Source: www.wpbf.com)
Labels: clinics, OxyContin, painkillers
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 1:50 PM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Friday, November 6, 2009
Crushing Cigarettes in Virtual Reality Reduces Nicotine Dependence
Crushing cigarettes in cyberspace may help to treat smoking addiction, according to a new study by Canadian researchers.
The researchers randomly divided 91 smokers enrolled in a 12-week anti-smoking support program into two groups. All participants attended four weekly sessions of cyber treatment. In a computer-generated virtual reality environment, one group simulated crushing virtual cigarettes, while the other group grasped balls. Participants who crushed cigarettes exhibited significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of smoking abstinence than participants who grasped balls.
At the end of 12 weeks, the smoking abstinence rate for cigarette crushers was 15 percent versus 2 percent for the ball-grasping participants. In addition, cigarette crushers stayed in the treatment program longer, and at a six-month follow-up, 39 percent of cigarette crushers reported not smoking during the previous week versus 20 percent of ball graspers.
Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCIA, Editor-in-Chief of CyberPsychology and Behavior, from the Interactive Media Institute in San Diego, Calif., commented on the study: "It is important to note that this study increased treatment retention. All too often individuals drop out of treatment prior to completion. It will be interesting now to go further and compare this to other popular treatments such as the nicotine patch."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
The researchers randomly divided 91 smokers enrolled in a 12-week anti-smoking support program into two groups. All participants attended four weekly sessions of cyber treatment. In a computer-generated virtual reality environment, one group simulated crushing virtual cigarettes, while the other group grasped balls. Participants who crushed cigarettes exhibited significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of smoking abstinence than participants who grasped balls.
At the end of 12 weeks, the smoking abstinence rate for cigarette crushers was 15 percent versus 2 percent for the ball-grasping participants. In addition, cigarette crushers stayed in the treatment program longer, and at a six-month follow-up, 39 percent of cigarette crushers reported not smoking during the previous week versus 20 percent of ball graspers.
Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCIA, Editor-in-Chief of CyberPsychology and Behavior, from the Interactive Media Institute in San Diego, Calif., commented on the study: "It is important to note that this study increased treatment retention. All too often individuals drop out of treatment prior to completion. It will be interesting now to go further and compare this to other popular treatments such as the nicotine patch."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Labels: addiction, cigarettes, nicotine, smoking
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 9:32 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Drug Abuse Treatment Could Save Oklahoma Millions
Providing substance abuse treatment to select groups of recipients could save the state of Oklahoma millions in Medicaid expenses, according to a Washington State economist. Dr. David Mancuso, a health economist with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, testified this week to an Oklahoma House budget panel regarding the fiscal and social benefits of increasing substance abuse treatment services.
Dr. Mancuso described a program implemented in Washington State in 2005 that resulted in significant savings with fewer hospital visits and nursing home stays and declines in morbidity rates among the targeted population. The program expanded substance abuse treatment for adult Medicaid recipients who receive state-funded medical benefits. Dr. Mancuso reported that a $16.3 million state investment in the program in fiscal year 2008 resulted in a total savings to the state of more than $21 million.
He commented: "We've seen absolute declines in the per-member, per-month Medicaid costs -- even higher than we projected. What's basically happened in our state is that the debate is essentially over as to whether chemical dependency treatment will save money."
(Source: www.newsok.com)
Dr. Mancuso described a program implemented in Washington State in 2005 that resulted in significant savings with fewer hospital visits and nursing home stays and declines in morbidity rates among the targeted population. The program expanded substance abuse treatment for adult Medicaid recipients who receive state-funded medical benefits. Dr. Mancuso reported that a $16.3 million state investment in the program in fiscal year 2008 resulted in a total savings to the state of more than $21 million.
He commented: "We've seen absolute declines in the per-member, per-month Medicaid costs -- even higher than we projected. What's basically happened in our state is that the debate is essentially over as to whether chemical dependency treatment will save money."
(Source: www.newsok.com)
Labels: Medicaid, substance abuse, treatment
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 9:30 AM
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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Blog
Monday, November 2, 2009
Worcester County, Maryland - Highest Drug Arrests Statewide
According to a new study by the University of Maryland Center for Substance Abuse Research and the Harvard School of Medicine, Worcester County has the highest number of substance abuse arrests in the state and has more people in need of substance abuse treatment services than any other area except Baltimore City.
The study utilized data from 2001 to 2005, and the report was presented last week to state government leaders.
Local health leaders attribute the high arrest rates to the annual influx of summer visitors to Ocean City; however, the health department cites binge drinking as an increasing concern in the county, especially among residents in rural areas. The director of the Worcester County Health Department, Doris Moxley, stated that at least 50 percent of addicts discharged from treatment programs have used drugs within the last 30 days. According to Ms. Moxley, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine are the most commonly abused substances in the county.
In addition, Ms. Moxley commented that drug abuse may be increasing due to the recent economic recession, which commenced after the study period: "When people are stressed out, [drug use] tends to be one of the coping factors people use."
(Source: www.wboc.com)
The study utilized data from 2001 to 2005, and the report was presented last week to state government leaders.
Local health leaders attribute the high arrest rates to the annual influx of summer visitors to Ocean City; however, the health department cites binge drinking as an increasing concern in the county, especially among residents in rural areas. The director of the Worcester County Health Department, Doris Moxley, stated that at least 50 percent of addicts discharged from treatment programs have used drugs within the last 30 days. According to Ms. Moxley, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine are the most commonly abused substances in the county.
In addition, Ms. Moxley commented that drug abuse may be increasing due to the recent economic recession, which commenced after the study period: "When people are stressed out, [drug use] tends to be one of the coping factors people use."
(Source: www.wboc.com)
Labels: alcohol, binge-drinking, cocaine, marijuana, substance abuse
posted by Drug-Rehab.com at 9:28 AM
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