Methamphetamine continues to cause problems across our country, and its use and addiction often seem to be raging out of control. Some states are cracking down or putting into place some preventative measures that will hopefully help curb the use of this illegal drug.

Effects of Meth Abuse

Meth is used by people from many different walks of life. In fact, 10 million people in the United States have tried it at least once. The drug, known for the high it produces and the ability to speed up the user, is common in party scenes. It can keep the addict going all week long if they want. But meth has some awful side effects. First of all, it is one of the more addicting substances there is, and many people quickly find themselves caught off guard by the addiction it causes. Meth abuse also causes memory loss, psychotic behavior, and heart damage, among other things. Methamphetamine addiction can easily lead to unemployment, child abuse, and other crimes.

Increasing Meth Labs

Even with all the negatives associated with methamphetamine, it is still growing in popularity. One reason for this is how easily people can get their hands on this drug. It is common in nearly every community, and it can be made in home labs. The home manufacturing of meth has been simplified over the years to a one bottle process, making use of ingredients that can all be purchased legally. Meth labs, however, are dangerous to the makers, as well as their neighbors. There is always the risk of fire and explosion, and meth labs can endanger nearby water supplies with their chemicals.

Statewide Tracking System

Some states are making the pursuit and raid of meth labs a priority. Alabama has assembled task forces to search out meth labs and to enforce a meth prevention program. They are also implementing a tracking system that will monitor the purchase of a key ingredient for home meth labs, pseudo-ephedrine. The database tracks who is buying this ingredient and how much they have bought in the past, in the hopes of investigating those that buy large amounts. The tracking system is being used in 11 states already, and some more are currently considering it. As long as retailers join and work with this kind of system, it could help, and already has helped decrease meth production in some areas.

Meth Treatment

Because of its addictiveness, methamphetamine easily takes over lives, so that to the addict, nothing but the drug matters anymore. This makes treatment of this drug addiction difficult. The grip it takes on a person’s mind and their memory makes it hard for the patient to get past it, and detoxing from this drug is a struggle. Treatment of meth addiction is possible, and the right facility can help make sobriety a reality. But a lot of lives would be saved if more preventative programs were put in place. It’s better to avoid using drugs at all than to waste the years, money, and peace of mind on an addiction like this.

Sources

Web-based system tracks meth chemical purchases

Methamphetamine abuse and addiction

Meth The powder devil

Five years ago our nation’s most costly natural disaster took place, and unfortunately many people are still trying to recover. Hurricane Katrina made landfall this week in 2005, killing 2,000 people and displacing more than 250,000 others. While New Orleans suffered the worst attack because of the city’s massive flooding, the southern part of our country, from Louisiana to Florida, was affected.

The hurricane naturally caused much devastation, injury, and death, but even after surviving the initial blow, residents have found the recovery process to be brutal, and mental illness and substance abuse have been some of the results.

Mental Illness among Victims

Anxiety is a huge concern among Katrina survivors, as well as depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The hurricane was traumatic, the flooding was overwhelming, and the loss of homes, schools, and churches was disturbing. Then there was the death of loved ones that many endured. Trauma like this can be expected to cause mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Feelings of helplessness can really affect the mind, and many people initially felt the toll caused by the devastation.

But long term effects are also plaguing residents. Many lost jobs and have not been able to find new employment. Deserted neighborhoods can still be found, some people still don’t have real homes, and frustrations with insurance and finances are often a daily struggle.

Substance Abuse a Result of Mental Illness

Alcoholism and drug abuse are more common when depression or PTSD are present. Someone who has experienced a shocking event or who daily struggles with feelings of depression often finds substance abuse to be the way they can make it through the day. The mind-numbing drugs or alcohol help them forget their worries, and they become the crutch people begin to rely on. But the effects of drugs and alcohol will eventually catch up to a person and then they are left with substance abuse or addiction on top of all their other troubles.

Help for Hurricane Victims

The way to deal with stress and worry is not to take up drinking or experimenting with drugs. These will only make it worse. What will help these residents is solid advice and counseling from a professional. The residents of Louisiana also need to have some assurance that they will be able to get back on their feet again. Louisiana’s “Road Home” program was made to provide financial aid to hurricane victims, and the Louisiana Spirit Recovery program was a temporary project to help with stress management among residents. We shouldn’t forget about the hurricane victims, or assume they are ok because it has been 5 years. Those with ongoing struggles still need the support and programs to continue to help them rebuild their lives, and to maintain a healthy state of mind.

Sources

Katrina Five Years After: Hurricane Left a Legacy of Health Concerns

Hurricane Katrina Exacts Another Toll: Enduring Depression

A Look Back to 2005: President Bush and Katrina

Recovery Month is right around the corner, and it is time again for us to celebrate sobriety from drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the contributions of treatment providers. The whole month of September is dedicated to recovery and wellness, and activities will be taking place across the country. Get involved with an activity this year, or plan one on your own, but don’t wait until the end of the month to join in on the celebration. Many observances begin already on September 1st.

Encourage Sobriety

This year’s Recovery Month theme is Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever! It stresses the importance of getting treatment now, at this time. We all know how negatively substance abuse changes our lives and affects the lives of our loved ones, yet only 10% of Americans who need treatment actually get it. Those who don’t get treatment are sometimes ashamed to admit their substance abuse, or aren’t aware of treatment options, or have financial limitations. Some people simply haven’t admitted that they have a problem yet. But recovery offers such hope and it is important for everyone to be given that chance at hope.

Recovery is Possible

Recovery Month also celebrates the sobriety of those that have successfully ended their substance abuse. Rehab and treatment are a huge undertaking, and a person can’t go through the process without hard work and perseverance. Recovery Month brings together those that have made it through the first stages of healing and allows them to strengthen each other even more. When we accomplish something great, we want to celebrate. What a great accomplishment it is to gain a life back and break free from substance abuse! Recovery Month is a time to celebrate!

Faithful Treatment Providers

Recovery Month also lauds the work that is done by treatment providers. For many patients, these individuals are life savers. They are the ones that spend long, hard hours working with patients and trying to get through to addicts. They devote their lives to making the lives of others better. Quite often, unfortunately, their work goes unappreciated, which is another reason why this month is so important.

Recovery Month Activities

By dedicating a month to recovery and those involved with the process, we are able to raise awareness about the need for substance abuse treatment. Programs around the country aim to educate the public that addiction is a treatable disease, and to encourage those in need of treatment to get it.

There are may ways to get involved. Check with the Recovery Month website for more information, or to view some of the activities that are planned for this month. Contact your local health department, or recovery professionals group for sponsored activities. Local treatment facilities or AA chapters will sometimes plan events, as well as some veterans groups, colleges, and celebrities. However, anyone can work on a new activity, and resources from the Recovery Month website can help.

Sources

Recovery Month

2010 Recovery Month Web Site Launched on January 2, 2010

Local Non-Profits Form “Voices for Recovery Coalition”

The 15th annual survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) is complete and the reports are in. The study, which consists of phone and internet surveys of teens and their parents, has recorded trends among students for the past decade and a half. This year’s survey has some disturbing results, but also provides useful information about prevention.

Drugs and Gangs

The CASA study first of all calculated the percent of drug-infested schools among its subjects. These were defined as schools where “drugs are used, kept, or sold on school grounds”. It was found that 32% of middle schoolers believe they attend drug infested schools. Two thirds of high schools had drug activity. The study also looked at gangs at schools, and concluded that 46% of public school reported the presence of gangs, and that schools with gangs were more likely to also have drugs.

We may have a great deal of confidence in our kids, but the CASA study showed the danger of kids attending schools that had gangs or drugs. Teens are 5 times more likely to use marijuana, 3 times more likely to drink, and 12 times more likely to smoke, when they attend a drug-laden school. They also found that drug and alcohol use in middle or high school often means substance abuse or addiction as an adult. However, for those that avoid the temptation and peer pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol, there is good news. Those that make it to age 21 without using drugs or alcohol are likely to never start.

Public vs. Private Schools

Studies like the CASA one can be depressing and cause us to lose hope for our nation’s children and their futures. But some of the results of the survey clearly show ways we can slow the drug epidemic among young people. First of all, there are many schools, including private schools, that don’t have the presence of drugs or gangs. Students at these schools are much less likely to get involved with drugs. 78% of students in private or religious schools said there were no drugs at their school.

Parental Involvement for Prevention

The single most important factor, however, affecting whether or not a student will use drugs, is parental involvement. Parents may not always realize it, but they hold the key when it comes to keeping their child drug-free. Teens with weak family ties are 4 times more likely to try tobacco or marijuana as those with a strong family. Spending quality time together and eating meals together are great ways to build the relationships among the family members. Parents’ attitude toward drinking or drugs also has a big impact, and teens need to know that drinking and drugs are not acceptable.

We need to educate both young people and their parents about the dangers of drugs. Parents need tools to help them talk to their kids and learn how to give their teen the best chance at staying clean. Parents can choose a positive environment for their teen to learn, and can get to know their child’s friends. By keeping tabs on what their children are doing, and building a good relationship with them, parents can help their children remain drug-free.  

Sources

Partnership for a Drug Free America Comments on CASA Survey

Drugs, Gangs on the Rise in Schools

Young Teens Becoming More Exposed to Illicit Drugs, According to National Survey 

While drug abuse can occur anywhere, among any group of people, different drugs tend to be more prevalent in certain circles. This makes sense because people often do the drugs that are easiest for them to get their hands on, or experiment with what friends or co-workers are using.

As odd as it may sound, it seems that even Wall Street professionals follow the crowd at times when it comes to drug abuse. A list of drug test data was recently compiled that showed trends among investors. While cocaine used to be high on the list of Wall Street users, it has dropped in popularity. Found in 16% of positive tests in 2007, in 2008 it was only found in 7% of positive tests. The drug of choice now, by far, is marijuana, coming in at 80% of positive tests. Amphetamines are also growing in popularity, up to 10% in 2008 from 3% a few years ago.

Wall Street is a place of fast-paced business, long hours, and grueling responsibilities. It might not surprise us to hear that even these kinds of professionals are sometimes taken over by substance abuse. For these men and women, it usually begins as a feeling of entitlement. They have huge paychecks and successful jobs, they endure hard work and stress; therefore they deserve to treat themselves to some drugs now and then. But the stress doesn’t end, and in fact it builds, and these business people go from occasional user to addict.

Ignoring a Drug Problem

The overall incidence of drug abuse for Wall Street professionals doesn’t seem to be that high, compared to national averages. In a country where 3.6% of the workforce tests positive for drugs, only 2% of the investment industry failed drug tests last year. This doesn’t necessarily mean these business people use drugs less than other workers. It simply means they are getting caught less often. Random drug tests are not as common on Wall Street as they are in many factory settings, for example. And given the power and money that Wall Street investors hold, some employers simply deny that their workers have a problem. If the employee is holding their own and staying productive, some employers will be careful not to cause a stir, even if it means looking the other way when they know an employee is using drugs.

Getting Help

The personality of many investment bankers may be prone to addiction. These are the risk-taking controllers who are under a great deal of pressure. But they are also the kind of people that will do their best to balance an addiction with a full time job. They are hard working, love to live a fast-paced life, and they don’t easily quit.

But it is necessary for even these people to get help for an addiction. There are many detox and rehab facilities that have programs specifically designed to help business men and women. Luxury rehab facilities are often able to whisk the person away, treat them, and get them back to their office in no time. It is important, however, for these professionals to dedicate enough time to recovery and that they continue to work at sobriety after they return.

Sources

Pot Soars on Wall Street, Real Estate Investors Just High All the Time

Wall Street Pee Tests Expose Startling New Drug Trend: Less Coke Snorting, More Pot-Smoking

Wall Street Drug Use: Employees Giving Up Cocaine for Pot and Pills

Drug abuse is common in veterans of any war, but these days we are seeing an increase in substance abuse among veterans from the current wars. In fact, more than 7.1% of veterans (18 million people) had a substance abuse disorder from 2004-2006. Substance abuse is seen most often among younger veterans of current wars, and among those who experienced combat during deployment. Many of these veterans are not getting the help they need for their substance abuse.

Drug Abuse Among Veterans

Veterans form a special group of people; those that willingly put themselves in danger in order to help others. We must all be appreciative to our service men and women for the sacrifice they make for our freedom. But maybe we should be doing more for their welfare, including making sure they get the treatment they need before, during, and after they complete their mission.

PTSD

The trauma that our soldiers witness and experience often has lasting effects. Mental health disorders afflict 25 to 30% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Much of this is due to head injuries or from the stress of combat, which causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These kinds of mental health issues are often connected to drug abuse or alcoholism. Veterans, like all of us, often begin to abuse substances because it makes us feel good and forget our problems and our mental distress.

Prescription Painkillers

Other veterans are placed on prescription painkillers or other medications to treat chronic pain resulting from combat. More than half of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have a painful condition that could be treated with prescription opioids. These prescription drugs are widely abused among veterans.

Funding for Research and Programs

The NIDA and other federal agencies are setting aside funding for programs that research the needs of veterans with substance abuse issues, as well as the treatment of these addictions. Prevention, as always, is the key, and programs that focus on it will also be considered for funding.

The Millennium Cohort Study is one such project that is researching and testing prevention and treatment techniques. This study has created a partnership between government agencies, public health entities, and researchers all coming together to help provide treatment for our veterans. More projects like this should be created in order to come up with real solutions to this problem.

Other approaches and studies are also being carried out to meet the needs of veterans. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is using a grant to research the effectiveness of the VA’s guidelines on prescription painkillers. The protocol for treating PTSD is being reviewed by another group. Other studies for the benefit of veterans include behavioral interventions for dual diagnoses, and virtual reality treatment of PTSD and substance abuse.

In whatever way possible, our country needs to come up with real solutions for prevention and treatment, so that we can meet the needs of those individuals that have given so much for us.

Sources

A Research Update from the National Institute on Drug Abuse

UAMS to study prescription drug abuse by war veterans

UAMS to study prescription drug abuse among war vets

Alcoholism has so many negative consequences for everyone that comes in contact with it, that it has ruined many people’s lives. Alcoholics themselves suffer from health problems such as liver disease and mental health issues. Loss of job, friends, and family create an emotional strain on the alcoholic. Financial problems may also be present.

Alcoholism also has profound effect on the family of the alcoholic, particularly the children. These little victims often go unnoticed or dismissed because they are young and “should be able to bounce back”. But studies show that the effects of a parent that is an alcoholic are often long-lasting, affecting even the adult life of the child.

Consequences for Children of Alcoholics

Depending on the age of the child of an alcoholic, there may be different problems that occur. Younger children may become confused about their home life and the role their parents and older siblings begin to assume in the family. Often, these kids are fearful, untrusting, and unable to emotionally connect with others, even into adulthood. If the child of an alcoholic is older, they may experience low self-esteem, depression, fear, and guilt that they are to blame. These older children may keep to themselves, or they may lash out and get into trouble at school. It is common for children of alcoholics to have problems in school, because of lack of motivation, difficulty relating to friends or teachers, and truancy. The stress at home causes kids to have difficulty concentrating and performing well in school.

Even with all the information that clearly shows the negative effects of alcoholism on children, some people still think their actions as an alcoholic have little impact on the lives of others. How many times haven’t we heard; “It’s my life, I can do what I want. I’m not hurting anyone else”? But lots of people do suffer, and children of alcoholics have to endure a particularly unstable childhood.

Physical and Emotional Abuse

The physical abuse that occurs in some alcoholic homes is the most obvious way many children of suffer, but it is not the only way. Emotional abuse and neglect are also very traumatic. So is living in fear, not having a parent they can rely on, or having to lie to cover up for a parent’s mistakes. These experiences all change who a person is, and it is not fair to the children in a family to allow alcoholism to continue.

This is such a far-reaching problem that there are many support groups for children of alcoholics or grown children of alcoholics. Anyone that has been adversely affected by a parent’s alcoholism should make use of these groups to help with healing.

It is important for anyone struggling with alcoholism to get help, but especially those that have children. These kids can still have a chance at a healthy life if they are given a more normal upbringing. Having a parent that they can depend on helps children grow up to be happy and healthy adults.

Sources

Alcoholism and Its Effect on the Family 

Childhood adversity can shorten lifespan

ChildLine Receives Number of Calls from Kids Reporting Parents’ Drinking Habits

’100 children a week’ call ChildLine about parents’ drink and drug abuse

In this economy, it is difficult enough for many people to keep their job, let alone trying to keep a job while fighting an addiction. Imagine how tough it is for the millions of people in our country doing just that. 80% of all alcohol abusers have either full or part-time jobs. 73% of illicit drug users are also employed, as well as many prescription drug addicts. We know there are a lot of people that abuse substances during work, and many more that come to work high, coming off a high, or hung over.

Functioning Addicts

Substance abuse really has a negative effect on our workforce’s productivity. Yet many addicts are able to keep their job. Despite absenteeism or lowered productivity at times, they hang on to their position, even in an economy where many others are desperate for work. Sometimes people are fired because of an addiction if their job performance slips, but statistics show that functioning drug addicts or alcoholics in the workplace are common.

Leaving Work to Get Help

The message is getting out there, however, that there is help for addiction, and substance abuse is now sometimes viewed as a chronic medical condition by employers. In general, an employer can’t fire someone for having an addiction problem, especially if they are seeking treatment. EAPs are set up to help employees that want help for a substance abuse problem. But, of course, if the employee is absent or late for work, or slacks off on their performance, they are going to have a hard time hanging on to that job.

An employee that needs time off to get treatment must generally be permitted to do so. It is often difficult, however, for employers to sift through what they are legally obligated to permit when it comes to an employee with an addiction. Therefore, someone that is looking for treatment should first of all know their rights as an employee, and secondly, do the best they can at their job in order to avoid creating a cause for termination.

Working after Sobriety

We know that staying employed and keeping busy during or after recovery is usually beneficial. It helps keep a patient motivated and busy, and the structure a job provides is often helpful. But keeping or getting a job after treatment is not easy. An employer usually has many qualified applicants to choose from, and going with the one with the addiction would be taking a huge chance that they are able to stay sober.

Recovering addicts should use all the resources available to them to get treatment and to hang on to a job. There are laws and programs designed to help people that are newly sober that are looking to enter the workforce again. During or after treatment, a patient looking for work may be able to enter the workforce through connections at the treatment facility. From the beginning, EAPs should be considered and made use of, and employee’s legal rights should be reviewed, in order to give the newly sober individual the best chance at success.

Sources

$3.6 million grant awarded to study decisions of drug users

Tough economy poses challenge for addicts

Can depression hurt an economy?

Interventions used to always be very secretive, with the alcoholic being caught off guard by their well-meaning family. Newer practices, however, include enlisting the input of the alcoholic and making them a part of the intervention process.

The Importance of an Intervention

Interventions are sensitive procedures, and most people avoid them whenever possible. But there are times when interventions are necessary and they become the tool needed to get a loved one to accept help for an addiction. Because an intervention can be a family’s last resort, it is important that it is done correctly. Always get the help of a trained professional to ensure the proper steps are taken before, during, and after an intervention.

Benefits of a Systemic Family Intervention

It might not be what we would expect, but it is often in the alcoholic’s best interest to let them know you are organizing an intervention, and invite them to come and hear what people have to say to them. This newer type of intervention is called a Systemic Family Intervention, and it helps avoid embarrassment and shame on the part of the alcoholic. An alcoholic that is surprised by an intervention may feel pressured to go along with the family and tell them what they want to hear. In these cases, the family will think they’ve gotten through, but the alcoholic may have no intention of entering treatment and my go right back to their ways.

A surprise intervention can also cause the alcoholic to feel they don’t have any control in the situation, and that can be scary. We all like to have a say in what happens to us, and to suddenly hear from others what our problem is and how we need to fix it can be intimidating and cause us to resist.

An open family intervention allows loved ones to approach the alcoholic first and let them know they are concerned. The professional interventionist can help with all the communication to help the alcoholic see the importance of meeting with their family in this way. During the process of intervention, the counselor will keep the tone from becoming confrontational, so that family members can say what they need to without causing barriers to go up.

A controlled and directed intervention can help an alcoholic see the hurt their family is in, and that they need help, but also that the family cares about them and will stand together. Of course, the desired end result is that the alcoholic gets help for their addiction. This too is a process, but with the right help the entire family will be able to get the help they need to start functioning again.

Sources

Systemic Intervention Associates

Family Intervention Alcoholism

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hurts Everyone in the Family

Al-anon

“So you don’t think you have a drinking problem? Prove it.” How many times have we felt like saying this to someone? How many people should have said this to us? During the remainder of the summer, we’d like to issue a challenge: Stop drinking so much.

Too Much Drinking

Our society has glamorized alcohol to the point that many people consider it normal to consume large amounts of alcohol. But our society would be better off if we all drank less. We’d reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents or injuries, reduce the incidence of alcoholism, improve our health, and save a lot of money along the way.

People that abuse alcohol don’t often think about their drinking as a problem. The challenge to stop drinking so much will help determine who has a dependency problem and who doesn’t. If we ask everyone to stop drinking for 90 days and see what happens, we’ll find that those that do not have an alcohol abuse problem will be able to do this; the rest will struggle and fail. Someone that is dependent on alcohol will not be able to go even a day without it, and needs medical help to detox from it. These people should go through therapy and support sessions to learn how to abstain from alcohol altogether. For those that aren’t addicted, let’s just start with drinking less, because alcohol abuse is also a problem. If we cut down on the number of drinks we have each day, or every week, we can gain some control over our behaviors and tendencies.

Tips to Reduce Drinking

To drink less, first keep track of how much you actually drink. You might be surprised at the amount you consume. The healthy normal is 1 drink daily for women and 2 for men. If you are consuming much more than this, seriously consider cutting back.

Set a goal, and spell out your reasons for that goal. You know why you should drink less – maybe it’s to improve the relationship with a family member, or to improve your health, or to take charge of your life. If you do plan to drink, don’t let it be more than one or two drinks per day. And set aside some days to not drink at all. Knowing that you can accomplish this will be empowering.

To keep yourself on track, empty out your alcohol cabinet at home. Keep only a few drinks in the house in order to avoid temptation.

Slow down your drinking. Start with a glass of water, and then take your time with the alcohol.

Replace drinking with positive activities. Get involved with a community group, take up a hobby, or go to the gym. Surround yourself with friends that won’t pressure you to drink.

There is much more to life than alcohol. Too often we forget about what’s really important and focus only on having a good time or relieving stress. This summer, make it a goal to drink less alcohol. Encourage friends to do the same. If you find you are not able to control your drinking, get help.

Sources

Alcohol intake of friends, family impact your drinking habit

Drink too much? How to tell

SAMHSA