In a world where drug addiction affects so many different people, it is important that we each do all we can to fight the good fight against drug abuse. This may not always be at the top of people’s minds, but employers could (or should) play a huge role in stopping drug abuse among employees. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the annual cost for drug use in the workplace is $100 billion due to lost time, accidents, health care and workers compensation costs. Besides the obvious reasons, like that employees on drugs are less productive, less responsible, and less reliable; it should be the moral duty of employers to help those under them that abuse drugs.
Cheating on Tests
Sadly, too many employers are willing to let their workers that are abusing drugs slip by. Drug tests are often easy to cheat on and some employers will use the easiest test to pass or look the other way when they know someone is cheating, just to prevent a big hassle. Most managers either need to or would like to show they’ve tested their employees and that they’ve turned up clean, but the sad thing is that to many of them, this is simply a formality that they can easily tamper with. After all, in many people’s minds, a positive drug test would mean they have to either fire the person, or help them get into detox or treatment, and that would use up money or resources. Besides, a lot of drug addicts have become pretty adept at balancing drug abuse and a job.
Help for Employees
So what needs to be done? There’s plenty that can be done to help employees with their drug habit. To start, employers can bite the bullet and do what’s really best for their employees. They could have an Employee Assistance Program in place that will provide a counselor to help determine the type of help an employee needs. Employers can also provide insurance plans for their workers that cover substance abuse treatment and mental health care. Employers should never shirk their duties to provide a fair drug test, and then, based on the results, should give time off for the person to recover, or let them go if that’s the policy.
Drug-Free Workplace
There is even more that managers can do. They can encourage preventative care or early intervention for employees by providing incentives for regular doctor’s visits. They can host educational events to help employees learn the benefits to staying clean. And employers can create an attitude around the workplace that focuses more on healthy living.
Employers should not assume that recreational drug use is ok. It is harmful and illegal, and it can lead to addiction. Look for outside help, like from the Department of Labor, for ways to get started in providing a drug-free workplace.
As we all sit back and watch the various layers of the U.S. war effort unfold, it is hard enough for us to conceptually grasp the level of loss and violent despair unfolding each minute for our troops in the middle east. Even for family members of soldiers, who risk their lives daily, they may have a different perspective on the madness, but nothing can or will ever compare to the horror each individual soldier experiences.
The reason I bring this up is to shed a little light on a situation we are all facing that is certain to explode like a hidden IED, tripped by an unsuspecting soldier. Four letters we’ve all heard before but you better be ready for since they are about to change the world we live in…PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a bomb being constructed in the middle east as you read this and will be triggered to explode gradually over the next 20 years. Believe me, if you think I’m being dramatic, watch the approaching explosion and think back to this post if you survive it.
Visit http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/fslist-ptsd-overview.asp for a peek at what we will all be faced with but when you’re reading this, remember that only recently has the the U.S. Military’s powers-that-be begun to recognize the the fact that PTSD exists…that is pathetic and unacceptable. While it is wonderful that it is finally being given credibility, the resources set aside for treatment is a pittance compared to what will be needed. Ironically, each returning veteran will have a ticking PTSD IED inside each one of them that can ‘go off’ at any second. Whether an acute PTSD reaction occurs on the street, at work, at school, at church or at home, you can bet your ass that if WE ALL aren’t equipped with a basic understanding of how to deal with it, we will be suffering as a society for generations to come.
Sadly, PTSD cannot be treated like other behavioral disorders and daily we hear reports of treatment facilities failing patients and their families on a daily basis by attempting to treat PTSD along with other behaviorally impaired patients…THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE!!!! These individuals and their families need specialized treatments with professionals specifically trained to deal with PTSD. Do the math, with the numbers of returning veterans, we are in for a shit-storm if we don’t get a handle on this thing and the government has its hands full.
That is why I’ve assembled a team at TSN, who has created a program called HEROES WELCOME. I will share more about the specifics in the next few weeks but in essence, we are assembling the best PTSD experts and centers on the planet and offering treatment for both the victim and their family. As a society and a field, we have a unique opportunity to learn from the past (Viet Nam) and truly help diffuse a generational bomb. This is not a bullshit sticker on a bumper, this is a way for us all to actually support our troops and save our own society.
This is the seed and you are all aware that TSN is growing a solution so don’t pretend you haven’t been informed. If you are interested in learning more or have something to offer, contact Jed Wallace for details since he will be coordinating the effort on my behalf. I encourage you to do some serious research and soul searching – be a part of HEROES WELCOME and do your part to support the veterans that have given their lives, limbs and personalities to protect our freedom…now it is our turn!
Here at Treatment Solutions Network we have very strong ties to those who serve our communities, protecting and serving day in and day out. We are proud of these men and women and have a particular affinity for the Boston Fire Department. We were very happy when one of our friends forwarded us this video detailing the service of Boston Fire. Enjoy!
To learn more about our involvement and commitment to help those who serve us please check out our testimonials page by clicking here.
There are too many alcoholics in the world today, and too many of us are enabling them to continue in their addiction. It’s time for all of us to evaluate our lives and do something to help those suffering from alcoholism.
Alcoholics today are more discreet than ever, and many of them are able to hold down even high-profile jobs, while being dependent upon alcohol. Alcoholics today aren’t always the homeless, jobless, drunks on the street corner. They can be successful businessmen, mothers, doctors, or teachers. The reason people are able to hide alcoholism so well is that many have family, friends, and coworkers that are willing to look the other way and not confront or report the problem.
Alcoholism at Work
Alcoholism in the workplace is a growing problem. Sometimes it is the boss that has the drinking problem and everyone is too afraid to say anything. Or it may be an employee that sneaks a drink at work, or over lunch, and the other workers feel that it is none of their business to say something. This is wrong for a number of reasons: People can fall into alcohol abuse and alcoholism for a variety of reasons and coworkers should care enough about others to not allow this to continue. Employees should also care enough about their business to speak up about alcoholism. There are ways to go about reporting an alcohol problem at work, while allowing the alcoholic to get help for their disease.
Many times it takes a humiliating experience or an accident to finally make someone face their alcoholism. But it shouldn’t have to come to that point. Why should we have to wait until the person messes up and comes to work all tipsy and finds themselves on the floor in front of clients before we offer that alcoholic help? And do any of us really want to be out on the same road as someone that has had too many drinks, or be operated on by a surgeon that has had a drink prior to surgery or is battling a hangover?
Help for alcoholics from loved ones
It is true that confronting an alcoholic, whether at home or at work, can be very difficult. But it usually takes the help of a loved one to get that person into treatment, and there are some ways to go about it to make it more successful.
First of all, we need to stop rescuing the alcoholic in our life. We shouldn’t make any more excuses for their actions or rescue them in other ways from alcohol-related consequences. Secondly, talk to the person. Be honest and fair. Tell them what you’ve seen or know about the problem, and express your concern for their well-being. Then, be ready to help. You can call a hotline to get them help, or call an alcohol rehab center for them.
With all the dangers from violence and alcohol-related accidents we aren’t doing anyone any favors by keeping quiet about alcoholism. The sooner an alcoholic gets help for the problem, the better for all of us.
When an alcoholic is looking for treatment for their addiction, there are many different ways people would suggest that they go about getting help. Some recommend residential treatment and detox, others say go to AA for support meetings, still others say quit cold turkey. One of the newer approaches to treating alcoholism is to use a drug like Vivitrol to end the addiction. The best solution, however, may be a combination of methods.
Eight million people in America are estimated to be alcoholics, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholics. Many of these people continue to live with their alcoholism without getting help, often because getting sober may seem overwhelming to them.
Using drugs to treat alcoholism
Makers of Vivitrol have hopes that their drug will make the recovery process easier for the alcoholic. This drug follows other drugs since the 1940s that were created to treat alcoholism. The first one was Antabuse, which creates bad side effects like nausea when combined with alcohol. But the thing about these drugs is that a person has to keep taking them in order for them to work. If an individual has a weak moment and decides they don’t want to struggle with recovery anymore, they can stop taking the medication, which will start the alcohol cycle all over again.
Another drug, Campral, reduces the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, helping the patient ease out of their addiction. But this drug has to be taken 3 times a day and does not work for everyone.
Naltrexone was the next drug and was the precursor to Vivitrol. It blocks neural receptors in order to reduce cravings for alcohol. Again, Naltrexone has to be taken everyday which makes it really impractical for alcoholics.
Pros and Cons of Vivitrol
Along came Vivitrol, a slow release version of Naltrexone. Vivitrol is given as an injection once a month and it really seems to reduce cravings in some people and decreases their drinking.
But the drug alone is not likely to cure alcoholism, and the lack of sales by the company has shown that not everyone thinks it is a good idea. Some doctors do prescribe Vivitrol along with counseling for their patients that seem to continue to crave alcohol even after treatment. But other people feel strongly against using a drug to treat alcoholism, calling it a crutch. Other doctors stay away from Vivitrol because of the cost and difficulty in getting reimbursed by insurance companies. Still more people don’t like the effects it has on other areas of a person’s life that usually associate with a “high” feeling, such as sex and exercise, which seem to be dulled by the drug also.
So it seems that the magic pill has not yet been discovered, but we will keep looking. Breaking the addiction to alcohol still takes a lot of hard work and determination. A good treatment facility can help a patient coordinate the resources they need, from counseling, to therapy, to medication, in order to stay sober.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Every year at this time we take a few weeks to consider the affects of alcohol and alcoholism in our country. Alcohol is one substance that can affect every age group and every demographic of people in some way. There are countless organizations and facilities that work to help people overcome alcoholism, and many support groups that help people deal with their loved ones’ alcoholism.
Risks for Alcohol Abusers
Alcohol abuse is serious anytime it occurs, but there are some individuals that often put themselves or others at risk because of their drinking.
· College students often binge drink when they go out partying, often risking alcohol poisoning or alcohol related crimes on those nights.
· Those that choose to drink and drive put not only themselves at risk, but all the other motorists they get near.
· Pregnant women endanger their own child if they drink, increasing the risk of mental, behavioral, and physical disabilities of the fetus that is exposed to alcohol.
· Senior citizens that are lonely may soothe themselves with alcohol, risking heart problems and complications with medications.
· Middle age men and women may be long-time alcoholics that struggle to keep a job, and may put their kids and spouses at risk because of abuse at home.
Help for Alcoholics
There is help out there, even for the most serious alcoholics. It might not be easy for an alcoholic to admit they have a problem that they can’t handle, and sometimes it takes a loving family member to arrange for an intervention or help. Once the individual struggling with alcoholism is ready to get help, it will take time to rid their body of the dependence on alcohol. Then, counseling is important to help them get ready to return to every day life. It may also take weekly support group meetings to keep some people free from alcohol for life. But it can be done, and many people have done it. It just takes a good treatment facility and a good attitude to overcoming the addiction.
Help for Families
Those that live with alcoholics and alcohol abusers have daily struggles also. It is terrifying to be the child of an alcoholic because these kids never know if they are going to get beat up or screamed at because their parent is drunk. Parents of college students may watch their kids throw their schooling and future away by abusing alcohol. Spouses see their relationship die out as their loved one constantly turns to alcohol. Groups like Al-anon or al-ateen are great resources for these kinds of families of alcoholics.
These loved ones are the people that most often seek help for alcoholism. Many times it takes the love and knowledge of family to encourage their loved one to enter treatment. It is important to get help as soon as a problem has been identified. Asking for help is the first step to recovery.
The addiction to drugs is a difficult thing for any individual to deal with. Often, addiction leads to the decline of a person’s well-being, financial security, and health. Drug addicts have a hard time keeping a job, their families suffer the consequences, and sometimes the addicts find themselves either in trouble with the law, or homeless on the street.
The issue of treating drug abusers has been discussed in great detail in our country for decades. There are those that say we should buckle down on drug users and increase our illegal drug enforcement in order to put all those drug-using criminals behind bars. However, those that just want to lock up every drug addict are ignoring the fact that drug addiction is a sickness, and without proper treatment, the user will find themselves back on the streets using drugs once they are out of jail.
New help for drug addicts
The idea of treatment vs. jail is one that has come up numerous times in the last few months, as our country struggles with the best way to get drug addicts back on their feet again. New York has recently relaxed laws that date back to the 1970s in order to allow judges to send addict law-breakers to treatment programs, rather than to jail.
Other states and countries are looking into different options also. In Australia, where 70-80% of prisoners are incarcerated because of drug problems, community-based treatment centers are now being offered to those that have served time because of drug related crimes.
Texas is taking a hard look at what they can do to help those with drug addiction that have found themselves chronically homeless, or caught in the cycle of going to jail for drug possession, then back to being homeless and doing drugs, and so on. One of their answers is to solve the housing problem, and then get these people into drug treatment, rather than send them straight to jail.
Cost effective treatment
Overall, it would save states money to focus on fixing the underlying problem of drug addiction, rather than try to manage drug addicts with jail time. If we look at the cost for the court system, law enforcement, jail time, and emergency health care and shelter for those that go right back to drug abuse once they are out of jail; the cost of simply putting a drug addict in jail really adds up.
On the other hand, if a drug addict is sent to a treatment facility where they can get the help they need to overcome drug addiction, the individual stands a chance to get back out into the world and contribute in a positive way to society. In New York’s estimation, sending those convicted of nonviolent drug crimes to treatment rather than jail will save the state a quarter of a billion dollars a year. Financially in the long run, and for the benefit of the addict, it seems addiction treatment rather than jail is the way to go.
This week we mourn the death of Father Joseph Martin, an inspiration for many who are recovering from substance abuse and alcoholism. This co-founder of Father Martin’s Ashley was an icon in the substance abuse treatment industry, helping millions of individuals on their road to recovery.
Early Life
Father Martin was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 12, 1924. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas elementary school and then Loyola High School, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class. He graduated from Loyola College in 1944.
Martin attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore where he studied and was ordained as priest in 1948. Father Martin then entered the Society of St. Sulpice, which is the community of priests devoted to training and educating seminarians. He was assigned to teach high school students in Mountainview, California and soon after moved back to Catonsville, Maryland where he taught at St. Charles College.
Father Martin was struggling with alcoholism at this time, and in June of 1958 he entered Guest House in Lake Orion, Michigan. This facility specialized in treating clergy, and it was there that Father Martin’s life changed dramatically. He met with and learned from Austin Ripley, founder of Guest House, and Dr. Walter Green, another recovering alcoholic. After completing his treatment, Father Martin resumed teaching, while regularly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Chalk Talk
Father Martin often took the opportunity to speak to people about alcoholism, and his enthusiasm, charm, spirituality, and humor made him an instantly popular speaker. He soon became a lecturer and educator in the Division of Alcohol Control for the state of Maryland. He often conducted seminars about alcoholism for doctors, social workers, and lawyers. The U.S. Navy put Father Martin’s lecture on film in 1972 and called it “The Blackboard Talk”. It soon became known as “The Chalk Talk” and it has been used in countless places around the world, from hospitals and treatment facilities, to professionals, and even in most branches of the U.S. government. Being a leader in the addiction treatment field, Father Martin continued to educate and publish films, tapes, CD’s, and DVD’s to help others struggling with substance abuse and alcoholism.
Father Martin’s Ashley
Father Martin, along with Mrs. Mae Abraham, opened Father Martin’s Ashley in 1983 near Havre de Grace, Maryland. The facility, which followed Father Martin’s philosophy for recovery has always been known for its quality treatment. Two years after its opening, Father Martin’s Ashley was named one of the top 10 addiction treatment facilities in the country by Forbes magazine.
Honors and Awards
Father Martin devoted his whole life to the recovery of substance and alcohol abuse. He received many recognitions and awards. He was the recipient of the Andrew White medal in 1986 from Loyola College for his contribution to the betterment of the state of Maryland. He received the Rutgers Summer School of Alcohol Studies Distinguished Service Award. Father Martin was invited by the Vatican to participate in the International Conference on Drug and Alcohol in 1991, and was also the recipient of the Norman Vincent Peale Award in 1992.
Father Joseph Martin died on March 9, 2009 of heart disease at his home in Havre de Grace. He leaves behind him a legacy of hope and healing for those suffering from addiction.
Sometimes we feel helpless when it comes to acknowledging our thanks to the men and women in the armed services that have served in combat to protect our country. We might even wonder what we can do to give our support to these troops, or how we can help them out. One thing the government and veterans would suggest is to help find a way to end the long-term effects of war on the minds of soldiers. One way to do this is to provide more mental health professionals to help with the issues service members deal with every day.
Mental Ailments Increasing
War veterans and those still in the service often suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Statistics for these problems have worsened in recent years, and there are those who are pushing for solutions to these problems.
It is estimated that one third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have mental health problems. Many of these individuals end up turning to drugs and alcohol to silence their pain. Returning service members often have a hard time integrating back into life in America with their families, and even those with a good support system can find themselves overcome by substance abuse and suicide.
Reasons for mental health issues and the problems they bring include the stress of being in combat (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), survivor guilt, grief, and Traumatic Brain Injury. All these can drive people to despair and even alter the brain. The way to handle these issues is to get professional help.
Seeking Help
However, some worry that there is an overall attitude in the armed forces that seeking help is a bad thing, and some people are working to change that. Senator McCaskill (MO) met with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) this week in order to push for her initiative aimed at improving prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse. “The notion that getting help is somehow a black mark on your service needs to be changed,” McCaskill said.
Solutions
In order to assist in the recovery of veterans, IAVA wants to have mandatory screening by a mental health professional for every service member returning from combat. They also are asking for confidentiality for those seeking treatment. And the group wants to be approved for advanced funding by Congress, in order to plan ahead each year financially.
The army has already begun to hire additional mental health care professionals (250 more this year), and provide more education on mental health issues for soldiers. The army has also begun a 5-year collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health to look closely at causes of suicide such as combat, family stress, and long deployments.
Thank a soldier. Service men and women give their service to our country. But as a country we need to ask how we can best help our soldiers get their lives back again.
It can seem like a big task to find just the right drug treatment facility for yourself or a loved one. With all the different options, it may be hard to choose. Below is a list of things that are important to consider about each facility on your list.
Types of treatment offered: The possibilities are endless, but take a look at the treatment programs and what they entail. Make sure there are one-on-one counseling sessions, as well as family counseling. Many facilities have begun offering a wide range of programs in various beautiful locations. The most important thing, however, is that your treatment facility offers the basic addiction treatment that you are looking for.
Drug detox capabilities: For those that are heavily addicted to substances, a detox facility is necessary. These facilities will have experienced physicians on staff to ensure the safety of the patient while withdrawing from drugs or alcohol.
Cost of treatment: Different facilities will charge different rates. Based on the location of the facility, or the programs offered, there may be some that are more affordable to individuals that have to fit the bill on their own.
Insurance coverage or payment plan: Many major insurance carriers and employers will cover the cost of drug abuse treatment. It is important to make sure your plan and the facility will work together.
Success rate: If you are going to select a treatment facility, you want to know that they are able to consistently produce the results you want. Don’t be shy about asking for success rate statistics.
Credentials: Check the credentials of the facility and the staff to make sure the proper licenses are in place. In general, a facility that is accredited will have fulfilled more requirements than one that has only applied for a basic license.
After or extended care: Research has shown that individuals are more likely to stay sober after completing a longer treatment program, such as extended care. Effective treatment facilities will have measures in place to continue to help their patients succeed after they complete the basic programs.
Groups of people treated: Some facilities only treat certain age groups or gender. Check to see if there are any requirements on age, or if there are special programs for certain demographics at your facility of choice.
Dual diagnosis: A fairly new approach to treating addiction is to also diagnose and treat mental illness that may be occurring. Research has shown that substance abuse and mental illness often go hand in hand; leading many facilities to now treat both conditions together.
Typical Length of stay: You will want to know how long you can expect to be in rehab, so look at the typical length of stay at your facility. Keep in mind, however, that each patient is different, and it would be better to stay in a facility for a longer period of time and come out sober, than rush through a program unsuccessfully.
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When an alcoholic is looking for 
The addiction to drugs is a difficult thing for any individual to deal with. Often, addiction leads to the decline of a person’s well-being, financial security, and health. Drug addicts have a hard time keeping a job, their families suffer the consequences, and sometimes the addicts find themselves either in trouble with the law, or homeless on the street.
Sometimes we feel helpless when it comes to acknowledging our thanks to the men and women in the armed services that have served in combat to protect our country. We might even wonder what we can do to give our support to these troops, or how we can help them out. One thing the government and veterans would suggest is to help find a way to end the long-term effects of war on the minds of soldiers. One way to do this is to provide more mental health professionals to help with the issues service members deal with every day.
It can seem like a big task to find just the right 