What a heart wrenching thing to go through – watching a loved one suffer with substance abuse and feeling helpless to do anything about it. Millions of people suffer from substance addiction, and many of them are in treatment for it. But an estimated 7 million adults in the U.S. have co-occurring disorders, meaning they not only have a problem with substance abuse, but they also suffer from some form of mental illness. This dual diagnosis has not been very well understood in the past, and in fact, the government estimates that 90% of these patients today still do not get the treatment they need to care for both disorders.

Substance Abuse along with Mental Illness

People with drug or alcohol dependency may also have a variety of psychiatric problems, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. It is hard to say if the substance abuse or the mental illness is the primary disorder, because each patient is different. For some people, emotional and mental instability can lead to self medication, where they use drugs or alcohol to calm their nerves and numb their psychological pain. It is thought that 50% of people with psychiatric disorders also use drugs or alcohol. In these cases, we would say the person had a tendency toward mental illness, and the substance abuse aggravated it further. For other people, prolonged dependency on drugs or alcohol can lead to psychiatric disorders, such as depression or hallucinations. For these people, the substance abuse was the primary disorder, and the condition was made worse by the developing psychiatric disorder.

The Problem with Treating Dual Disorders

It is widely thought that people with dual diagnosis do not receive the kind of treatment they need for their multiple disorders. If the disorders go undiagnosed, a person might just be treated for drug abuse, and the mental illness won’t even be addressed. This kind of patient needs therapy and rehabilitation, and often medication, to keep the mental disorder under control. If not properly treated, these people will spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth between facilities, or between a facility and the streets, relapsing, and falling further into mental illness as time goes on. Some of these patients will become suicidal, many will be impoverished and homeless, and most will spend years wondering why they aren’t able to get over their addiction.

Hope for Patients with Co-Occurring Disorders

There is hope for those with dual diagnosis. More and more providers are now able to recognize the diagnosis, and treatment facilities are working on protocols for treating dual diagnosis patients. There is still work to be done in this area, however. Continued collaboration between physicians that treat each disorder is important, and education about how the disorders affect each other will help everyone understand how best to treat these patients.

 Sources

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072702248.html?hpid%3Dtopnews

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23049

http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/co-occurring-disorders/dual-diagnosis

If we look closely, we could find a support group for nearly every situation under the sun. There are support groups for cancer patients, divorcees, parents, those going through infertility, those that have lost a loved one, and even for those that are in a lot of debt. The thing about support groups that makes them so popular is that they are so helpful. A lot can be accomplished simply by talking about how a situation makes you feel, and by knowing that there are other people feeling the same thing.

Types of Addiction Support Groups

Addiction support groups are some of the most common types that exist, and have been recommended by professionals for years. Alcoholics anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Dual Recovery Anonymous, and Al-Anon are some of the most well-known substance abuse support groups, but there are many, many more. Some of the groups are for those that are suffering with a drug or alcohol addiction, some are for the families of addicts, some are for loved ones that were left behind when an addict fatally overdosed. There are groups that focus on addiction to certain types of drugs, or those living in certain locations, or those with certain professions. There are also groups for many other types of addiction, such as internet, sex, or shopping addictions.

Benefits of Support Groups

The importance of the support of peers in addiction recovery should not be underestimated. When a person struggling with addiction realizes that they are not the only one with a problem and that others are going through similar situations, it makes it easier to take responsibility for the addiction and open up to treatment. While support groups are nonprofessional groups that do not provide formal treatment, they are often recommended by physicians to aid in a patient’s recovery. Support groups often work in connection with the 12 Steps to help their members achieve a life of sobriety. The emotional support that members of a group are able to give each other has been shown to play a large role in recovery and in continued sobriety.

Another way support groups help their members is through the “helping helps the helper” mentality. For those that would give of their time and energy to help others dealing with the same problem, the helper often sees great benefits. By not only receiving support, but by also giving it to others, members will feel more involved and gain even more from the group experience. 

Support groups are certainly not always necessary for addiction treatment, but they are usually beneficial. People that participate in these groups will have a more positive attitude toward their treatment and are better able to achieve and maintain sobriety.

Sources

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jul/28/embarrassment-turns-to-community-support-for-of/
http://www.aa.org/
http://www.narconon.org/
http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/brochures/pdfs/saib_spring08_v5i1.pdf

Holistic medicine is a popular trend in our country today. But as more and more people have made use of this philosophy of treatment over the years, it is proving to be more than merely a trend. Holistic treatment is now used for many different ailments, including substance addiction and alcoholism.

The definition of holistic treatment is an approach that focuses on mind, body, and spirit to achieve wellness. Holistic methods will usually incorporate things like massage, relaxation techniques, nutrition, and even meditation and spirituality. The goal is to create a feeling of calm and balance in the body and mind, and a relief from stress.

Holistic treatment might not be for everyone. In fact, those that are resistant to getting help, especially a non-traditional type of help, might not see the maximum results. But for those that are open to this type of treatment, here are a few components to holistic treatment they can expect to see:

Nutritional Therapy

We all could probably do a better job of eating healthy, but drug addicts and alcoholics suffer the results of a poor diet more than most of us. Many addicts are more focused on their substance of choice than a healthy diet, and the foods they do eat may react negatively with the substances they are addicted to. For these reasons, focusing on healthy food and nutritional supplements as the patient is going through rehab can greatly improve their health. Sometimes it will mean eliminating things from their diet, such as sugars or additives, and other times it will be adding herbal supplements that are necessary to heal the body.

Exercise and Meditation

The mind of an addict is often clouded and filled with anxiety and stress. Things like Yoga and Tai-Chi are often used to exercise the body, but also provide great benefits to the mind. Drug addicts and alcoholics often struggle to gain control in their lives, and these techniques are known to help people relax and remove the negative thoughts and scattered minds that are often a result of drugs. These types of exercise and meditation are used to balance the body and to put the mind at ease.

Acupuncture and Massage

Physical touch can also help a recovering drug addict. Massage helps relax the body and calm the mind, and acupuncture works to eliminate the imbalance in energy caused by substance abuse. Both of these can help a recovering addict by lessening withdrawal symptoms and help them prepare for the tough journey of sobriety ahead of them.

In addition to the techniques listed above, there are many more ways holistic treatment is used to help recovering addicts. Treatment of this sort should be personalized to suit the needs of the individual, and most people that specialize in holistic treatment would agree that it is most helpful when used in connection with traditional forms of treatment such as counseling or support groups.

Sources

http://www.michaelshouse.com/drug-rehab/about-holistic-drug-rehab.html

http://www.thecyn.com/drug-rehab/holistic-drug-rehab-programs.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/health-illness/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative-medicines/alternative-medicines-for-alcoholism-drug-addiction.htm

Cooperation is defined as two or more forces working or acting together towards a common end or purpose. In active addiction, my concept of cooperation was using and manipulating others, so that I could continue getting high. If a person or thing didn’t fit into my self-centered pursuit of the ‘next one’, I found very little need to involve myself, let alone work together with them towards any positive goal.

Coming into recovery, I learned how to cooperate with others in a healthy context. My life and my ability to stay clean depended on other recovering addicts who were willing to help support me in finding new ways to live in order to get another day clean. I found I was no greater than and no less than the next addict and we were both working towards the same goal of continued recovery. It took work building genuine trust in others to drop my guard just enough to allow them to get to know the real me, in order to help me in my recovery process and to be willing to do the same for them in return.

At TSN, we strongly promote an environment of cooperation and teamwork. Our mission is to provide every addict or alcoholic we come in contact with that is seeking freedom from active addiction the opportunity to achieve a better way of life through recovery. From our CEO, to our Regional Directors, to our Treatment Consultants, Intake Coordinators and Case Managers – everyone at TSN is working towards the same end. With everyone in motion towards the same positive goal, I find typical problematic issues like conflicts of personality and egos quickly take a backseat.

As a unified whole, TSN depends upon the cooperation of referring facilities, EAP’s, families and even the addict or alcoholic themselves, in order to achieve our goal. Addiction is a large and pervasive problem in America and it takes cooperation on a large scale to make a dent in the problem. I’m reminded of the saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ because it requires an entire community to help place suffering addicts and alcoholics on the path to freedom. One day at a time, we here at TSN are committed to doing just that.

Ryan is an Intake Coordinator for Treatment Solutions Network. If you need addiction help don’t hesitate to call him at 877-417-6237

Eating disorders are very much like substance abuse. Some individuals even suffer from both diseases at the same time. The substance of choice, whether it is food or drugs, is used by the person to try to control things in their life, or to block their emotional pain or emptiness. Eating disorders can affect nearly every demographic of people. It is commonly seen in young teenage girls, but it is also finding its way into the lives of older women and men as well.

Eating disorders are very serious and can cause both physical and psychological damage. Treatment is necessary in many cases when the condition has become out of control. Individuals suffering from an eating disorder may either be diagnosed with anorexia, starving oneself, bulimia, cycling between binge eating and purging, or with binge eating disorder, compulsively overeating. Individuals with eating disorders often have high expectations for how they should look, and a poor view of how they do look. Usually these disorders are ways for the individual to deal with their distorted view of themselves, along with their negative feelings.

Getting Help                                                  

The first step to helping a loved one with an eating disorder is to talk to the person. They can’t be forced into treatment, but if they know they have family or friends behind them that care about them, it will be easier for them to seek treatment. Eating disorders will usually get worse without treatment, and early intervention will make the road to recovery easier, so it is important to get help as soon as a disorder is detected.

Treatment Methods

The main goals for the treatment of an eating disorder are to get the person to become physically healthy, to be nutritionally fit, and to resolve any underlying psychological issues. In order to do this, most treatment facilities will offer a program that combines a variety of techniques. Sometimes it is necessary for the patient to be admitted into a hospital or residential setting to begin their recovery. This will happen when the condition is so severe that the person is dangerously malnourished, suicidal, or continuing to get worse quickly.

Many people that get help for an eating disorder will go through outpatient care. Therapy or counseling is important first of all to deal with the emotional issues of an eating disorder. Nutritional counseling is also necessary to help the person learn healthy eating techniques. Support groups are an additional way for individuals to break from this addiction and talk with others going through the same thing.  

Other treatment programs have begun to incorporate things like volunteerism and community service projects when dealing with patients with eating disorders. These ways of giving back to others helps the person get involved with something constructive. Other positive forms of treatment are yoga, creativity groups, spirituality groups, and hobby development. All these things tend to help the patient take their mind off their eating disorder and feel they are contributing to life. Whatever the treatment technique, it is important for the individual to stay in follow-up treatment or aftercare because it generally takes a great deal of time to resolve these disorders.

Sources

http://www.eating-disorder.com/eating_disorder_articles/why-service-matters-eating-disorder-sufferers-heal-by-giving-back.php

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/when-mom-has-an-eating-disorders/?hp

http://helpguide.org/mental/eating_disorder_treatment.htm

Teenagers are one of the largest demographics of people experimenting with and getting hooked on drugs. Numerous programs have been developed to help solve the teen drug problem, and many groups have wisely focused on prevention. D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), possibly the most well-known prevention program there is, has been trying to educate kids about the risks of drugs for years now.

Founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, D.A.R.E. is led by police officers that teach kids up to 12th grade how to stay away from drugs and resist peer pressure. These officers must complete 80 hours of training on child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. They then go into the classrooms and work with teachers on educating the kids about making good choices. The focus is always on helping kids protect themselves when facing peer (or other) pressure to try something they know they shouldn’t. Kids that participate in the D.A.R.E. program are taught how to avoid high-risk situations, whether it be drug use, violence, or other risky behavior.

Criticisms of D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E. has come under attack a number of times in its history for being ineffective. A few studies have published unfavorable results, such as D.A.R.E. has no impact on youths’ choice to do drugs, or that there was an increased rate of drug use among D.A.R.E. graduates, or that over time D.A.R.E. seems to lose its effectiveness with youth. The Surgeon General even categorized D.A.R.E. as a program that “Does Not Work” in a report in 1999. However, D.A.R.E. has pressed on, even with criticisms, and they seem to be constantly re-evaluating and improving the program to be more effective.

New D.A.R.E.

One of the changes D.A.R.E. has worked to implement recently is a high-tech program designed to capture students’ attention. Computer-based models, interactive lessons, and even role playing are all part of the new D.A.R.E. program. By making the message more real to the youth, administrators are expecting a greater amount of learning to take place, with more positive results. But don’t be mistaken, D.A.R.E. advocates have held strongly to the opinion, even through criticism, that their program has had positive results. They cite the vast public support of the program as evidence that it is doing great things. Over 75% of school districts in the U.S. are said to participate in D.A.R.E., and nearly everyone is familiar with both the logo and marketing campaigns. Now also in countries around the world, D.A.R.E. has certainly done a great job of promoting itself.

But D.A.R.E. participants and leaders aren’t just interested in the popularity of their program. They see the problems facing teens today and they work to address those issues. Along with the drug prevention message, the program is known for building relationships between kids and police officers, and spokespersons for D.A.R.E. say that the solution to the teen drug problem is not less D.A.R.E. but more of it.

Sources

http://www.dare.com/home/about_dare.asp

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090625/NEWS01/906250397/DARE+program+likely+to+be+cut+from+budget

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1448384

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/chapter5/sec4.html

Marijuana is one of those substances that seem to regularly cause a lot of stir in our country. It’s the kind of thing that always has a new story popping up about it, and sometimes the topic becomes tiresome. But a group of marijuana advocates in California are hoping to cause a lot more discussion in upcoming days as they use a new tactic to make marijuana legal – taxation.

Potential for Government Revenue

The timing is perfect for these advocates. Just when the Los Angeles City Council was really struggling with balancing their budget, marijuana advocates were given the chance to speak up, and they suggested the government tax their medical marijuana dispensaries. Given the timing of the proposal during an economic crisis and the immense size of the marijuana business in the state, the idea is starting to sound like a good one to many. The issue has no organized opposition as of yet, and voters have already been given the chance to cast ballots regarding the proposal in Oakland.

Because the medical marijuana business is an underground one for the most part, with marijuana being illegal in the eyes of the federal government, no one is sure how much money this kind of tax could bring in. However, advocates estimate the money to be in the millions or even billions of dollars for the state.

Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana has been dismissed by many in recent years as being a harmless drug that everyone tries at some time in their life. Seen as more of a recreation than an addiction, few resources are out there specifically for marijuana addiction treatment. But there are many people in our country that have struggled for years with pot addiction and it ruins their lives. It can easily become an obsession, causing the user to neglect even the important things in their life. It may also be more dangerous because it is so often downplayed, or even romanticized laughed about in movies and books. However, for those that have become dependent on it, it is frustrating to go through the anxiety, sleeplessness, and restlessness that come when they try to quit.

Medical Marijuana

For all the stories of people’s lives being affected negatively by marijuana, there are those that see this substance as a lifeline and the key to peace in their lives. These are the people that use marijuana for medical purposes, to ease chronic pain and anxiety. This other, medical side of marijuana is one of the reasons this subject has caused so much debate in recent years, including the tax debate in California now. 

Future of Marijuana

It’s hard to predict where our country will stand on the issue of marijuana in the future. While the President’s administration has said it has no plans to legalize the drug, it has indicated that it will not criminalize medical marijuana dispensaries in the future. Even if it is made legal for medical purposed only, care must be taken to educate the public about the risks of this drug, and the potential for addiction or the likelihood of it being a gateway to other drugs.

 Sources

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pottax19-2009jul19,0,2020081.story

 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/fashion/19pot.html?hp

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/if-marijuana-is-legal-will-addiction-rise/

While eternally grateful for the opportunity to oversee a business as fulfilling and successful as Treatment Solutions Network, I sometimes find myself getting lost in the day-to-day intricacies of business and lose sight of the big picture with regard to recovery. This is a troubling realization but I thank my Higher Power for the wherewithal to recognize when it is happening. It reminds me of early recovery when the excitement of getting your life back sometimes acts as a distraction from the urgency and importance of putting recovery first.

It always amazes me when my Higher Power steps into my life and slaps me with a perspective shift. I am so lost in mistaken priorities that I never see it coming. I temporarily give importance to the unimportant and forget what it is that TSN and I are all about. I am writing today to share my latest experience and explain why this particular slap still has my face and spirit throbbing.

The Wake Up Call

While in my office reading through countless business related emails and slipping into that CEO cruise control that switches on at about the 214th email pertaining strategic planning, I had my world absolutely rocked by an email I read from Kim, a TSN case manager. Kim was informing me that a young lady that recently completed our adolescent program had committed suicide.

Needless to say, that piece of information blew my mind on several levels. To me, her untimely passing far outweighs Michael Jackson’s in terms of overall importance but I have a sneaking suspicion that Larry King won’t be covering this one. Regardless, it was exactly the stern reminder I needed from my Higher Power to realign my priorities and remind me of who I am and why I created this path in the first place. At the end of the day, I am a salesman who has successfully sold everything from Heroin to long distance service. Selling was a gift and depending on where I was with my personal struggle with addiction, that gift was sometimes a curse.

Buying Into  Hope

I was once a hopeless dope fiend but thanks to my Higher Power, I write this today as a dope less hope fiend. Take away all the titles and BS, and we are simply in the business of selling hope. TSN is such a well-oiled or well-loyaled machine, built on integrity that I know we are the best at what we do…deliver hope. However, I am sad to say that with regard to this young lady who saw death as her only option, we fell short and that is an unbearable realization. In fact, from the moment I received the news about her suicide, I have been excessively angry. I guess it was the moment I caught myself as I was preparing to throw my phone through the TV during a minor argument that I realized I better share, journal, blog, etc. This is saving my life as we speak but we were unable to save hers. I know I will hear “you can’t take responsibility for this girl’s decision” and other things of that sort but at the end of the day, I can’t help but feel we failed this young lady. We could not convince her to buy into hope and that is something we all need to look at.

For me personally, this Higher Power slap just makes me that much more determined to make TSN even better. While running a business has its fair share of mundane tasks, my team and I must never forget that every encounter we have is not just life and death, but also an opportunity to actually save someone’s life and deliver hope…what a gift!

“Don’t let them say you ain’t beautiful, They can all get F—-ed just stay true to you”
-Eminem

* It is estimated that suicide is the third leading cause of death among the age group 15-24. If you have a child or friend who is demonstrating any of these signs talk to them and encourage them to seek help; if they won’t, intervene. The worst thing you can do is nothing. Here are some of the signs that someone may be in trouble:

• Obsession with death
• Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death
• Dramatic change in personality or appearance
• Irrational, bizarre behavior
• Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reflection
• Changed eating or sleeping patterns
• Severe drop in school performance
• Giving away belongings

For more information please go to:
1.800.SUICIDE (784-2433) - National Suicide Prevention Hotline

American Academy of Pediatrics, Preventing Teen Suicide

Teen Mental Health at MedlinePlus

Signs of  Teen Drug Abuse

Help for Families with Addiction Issues (TSN)

-Jim Bevell

CEO TSN

561 577-3174

jimb@tsnemail.com

As kids get older, they naturally begin to pull away from their parents. This is the beginning of them learning to live on their own and have their own lives. Before your kids get too old and independent, however, it is important to make sure you’ve instilled in them all the values you hope for them to know. That’s why it is essential when it comes to talking to your child about drugs that you start when they are young, and continue the conversations as they get older.

We’ve listed a few suggestions to help you as you take on the difficult, but necessary, task of talking to your kids about drugs.

Do it soon. It’s never too soon to talk to your kids about drugs. You can start things out simply when they are young and gradually add more information as they get older. The best way to really communicate with your teen or child is to have an ongoing conversation. Don’t just give your 5 minute talk and be done. Rather, leave the door open for future questions from your child. Let them know you are willing to talk about this topic again and want to hear their concerns and opinions as well.

Keep up with the newest trends. Parents need to stay informed about the latest behaviors and drugs that teens are trying. Know what they experience when tempted to do drugs so that you can better prepare them to say no.

Role play. While it might be uncomfortable at times and your teen might resist it, role playing is actually a great way to help your teen learn what to say when friends are pressuring them to do drugs. Give them excuses to use in those situations – even a simple “No thanks. Drugs are not my thing.” is often an effective reason for them to give their friends.

Be honest. Don’t hide the fact that many teens today do drugs. Let your teen know what they (unfortunately) can anticipate from classmates as they get older and how they will be pressured. Be honest about any past drug use that you were involved with yourself, although be sure to focus on the drawbacks of any drug use, and why you stopped doing drugs.

Be firm. Let your teen know what is expected from them and what the rules of your house are. Tell them you absolutely do not allow drugs or alcohol, and then follow up that statement with consequences if they disobey.

Be involved. Perhaps the best way to keep your child from trying drugs is to be involved in their life. Let them know you care about them and show you are interested in what they are doing. This will help keep them from shutting you out as they go through their teen years. Adolescents (whether they like to admit it or not) need parents to help guide them. Stay involved in their lives and that task will be a little easier.

Sources

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/08/summer-good-time-talk-teens-about-drugs/

http://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com/default.html

http://www.theantidrug.com/

The beauty of the internet as a public forum has truly elevated the idea of free speech to another level. As I see it, this cyber-medium is the last chance for individuals to seek out and deliver pure honesty without fear of censorship or editing, depending on where you choose to speak your truth. That being said, I would like to exorcise my right to be brutally honest and address a few issues that in my humble opinion are at the crux of our collective de-civilization.

Rather than cite historical evidence, let’s keep it current and use Michael Jackson as an example of how most human beings are more easily distracted than a baby with a shiny set of keys. Yes, Michael Jackson was one of the most talented entertainers to walk the earth but make no mistake, the last few times we discussed him, it was regarding his alleged inappropriate involvement with minors and how he had become a literal caricature of his former self. Now we are discussing his untimely passing and it is repulsive to me that only now the discussion turns to the role addiction played in his life and the lives of everyone around him. After the dust settles, we realize that much like millions of other humans, Michael Jackson was an addict just like the bum on the corner, your nephew or yourself. Regardless, he was an addict and if the people around him were the slightest bit honest, he would be moonwalking as we speak. Sadly, the media only covers this topic this thoroughly when it is a person of significant interest. Too bad this much attention wasn’t given to the union laborer or the school teacher when they overdosed…were their lives less important?

We see thousands of people each year with prescription drug addictions; people from all walks of life. Here’s the news-flash – don’t be surprised if Grandma is one of them since we are starting to see more and more cases of prescription drug abuse among the geriatric population. Some estimates out there suggest that the percentage of untreated alcoholics/addicts over the age of 60 are misusing prescription medication is as high as 10% – when was the last time you heard Nancy Grace or Anderson Cooper talk about that? A quick drive around South Florida, where I live, and you will pass several “pain clinics” where prescriptions for heavy narcotics like oxycontin and methadone are freely distributed in large quantities like candy. A quick glance at the parking lot will reveal quite a few out-of-state license plates from as far away as West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Seems like news to me but this topic isn’t one Larry King is on the hustle to cover.

Of the millions, I have personally seen 100’s of deaths in my 18-year career, people I worked with personally, who speaks for them? Yet it seems that everyone wants to speak on behalf of Michael Jackson. Honestly, I will take the publicity any way I can get it and anything that will bring this epidemic to the forefront and create some pressure for change is great as far as I’m concerned. I hope to be proven wrong one day, but I believe that this unnatural “addiction” to Michael Jackson coverage is a sad reflection of our planet’s shallow, gullible and lazy collective consciousness. We have millions of people locked up for crimes committed while under the influence of narcotics or struggling to obtain more drugs and we spend billions of dollars to keep them locked up; however, law enforcement has done very little to decrease the demand for drugs (treatment and social reform).

In the spirit of brutal honesty, let me put this out there – the powers-that-be are frequently individuals who get very rich and have become very powerful as a result of the drug trade and frankly, they don’t want to see this problem go away. That would mean decreased revenue. So in typical American good ol’ boy fashion, we keep throwing money at the problem and give pittance to the solution. It is simple economics, if there is no demand then there is no profit in supply, if there is no profit in supply – people will stop manufacturing and distributing…including the biggest drug dealers of all Phizer, Squibb et al.

So why don’t we start working on decreasing the demand by providing adequate treatment for the disease of addiction? Why does it take the death of Michael Jackson for us to even discuss it? And why in true American fashion will we beat it to death for a month and then be distracted by the next shiny thing and forget all about it? I don’t know how to answer those questions but I am one person who is willing to keep the disease of addiction relevant – long after the death of the next celebrity. If I can get one other person to affect another, and so on, things will change. Maybe Granma can’t do the moonwalk, but she could be an addict and there is no reason why she shouldn’t receive this much attention. Let’s keep things in perspective people – we are all dying of addiction on some level so try not to be so easily distracted!