Back to School

Back to school—a time filled with both dread and excitement. A time for old friends, new friends, different experiences and situations which may bring new peer pressures that aren’t always positive. While some parents may believe their child is immune to such things, in reality they are mistaken. With fall traditions such as school dances, football games, and back to school parties right around the corner, now is one of the most crucial times to address the many dangers that can come from alcohol and drug abuse. For some under the radar shocking statistics and a heart wrenching story to help guide you and your teen in the right direction for the new school year, click here.


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The Extended Dangers of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Alcohol and drug addiction bring health problems as it is, but have you ever considered all the extended dangers in suffering from the disease of addiction? Alcohol and drug addiction play a pertinent role within the family of an addict, not to mention the neurological effects of alcohol and drugs on the human brain drastically alter the decision making process of an addict causing the individual to make dangerous decisions they may not have made not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Needless to say, addictive drugs have no boundaries on the deterioration of the human body, often causing death. The added dangers in poor decision making while under the influence only heightens our concerns on substance abuse.

For a real-life harrowing account of what the controlling disease of addiction can lead to click here.


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Marijuana Plea Rejected

We could sit here and list numerous celebrities that have gotten caught with drugs or driving under the influence of alcohol. As a matter of fact, you could probably come up with at least 5 off the top of your head right now. Celebrities that have gotten caught doing something illegal yet faced little to no repercussions; caught for offenses any “average Joe” could and probably would get in big trouble over… but we aren’t going to do that.

One judge from West Texas has decided to do something different— take a stand towards celebrities that feel as though they don’t deserve the same consequences for their reckless acts involving alcohol and drug abuse. Find out what celebrity faced marijuana possession charges the way they should have.
Click here for the full story.


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Josh Hamilton’s Testament to Drug Addiction Recovery

Shocked, saddened, distraught. These are all emotions going through Major League pitcher Josh Hamilton’s mind after a devastating accident took place during a recent game. A fan, Shannon Stone, fell to his death while attempting to catch a baseball tossed towards him by Hamilton. And yet, making sense of this horrible tragedy is not the only demon Hamilton has had to deal with. Earlier in his career, after suffering a car crash which left him on the bench, Hamilton suffered from alcohol and drug addiction. It took hitting rock bottom for Hamilton to work his way towards alcohol and drug addiction recovery and back to the Major League. In an inspirational comeback, Hamilton made it back into the majors and even won the 2010 American League MVP award.

See how he did it here, and Let Josh Hamilton’s courageous story be an testament to falling into alcohol and drug addiction but finding the strength to rise above it and follow your dreams.


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The Deadliest Day of the Year

Alcohol abuse has become a major part of holidays, as more and more people are binge drinking around the holidays such as 4th of July, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, etc. As a matter of fact, the 4th of July is statistically the deadliest day of the year from alcohol abuse and the poor decisions associated with being under the influence.

While the day is supposed to be filled with happiness and celebration, there is a frightening statistic that lurks in the shadow. Between 2000 and 2009, more people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents on July 4th than any other day of the year and 40 percent of July 4th fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit of 0.08 or higher.

Yet it’s not just the drinking and driving that we have to worry about. Hospital emergency room visits involving underage drinking for males double during the holiday weekend.

Find the full story at TheRecoveryPlace.net and find out how to stay safe on this dangerous holiday.

As you go about celebrating this weekend try to stay aware of the possible dangers that could end in tragedy and don’t forget to have a blast! Happy 4th of July everyone!


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Poppies Are More Than a Pretty Flower

How can something so beautiful be so deadly? While visually beautiful, poppy fields hold a more sinister side as one of the largest factors in producing the lethal drug—Heroin, a growing epidemic amongst today’s youth.

It’s no secret that we are currently in a recession and because of that fewer jobs are available for everyone as well as teenagers. Fewer jobs equal less money which leads today’s younger generation searching for new ways to get a cheap high; and that’s where heroin comes in. Mexican drug traffickers have since expanded their reach throughout the United States, covering the Midwest and Atlantic Seaboard in addition to their already heavy presence in California and Texas making the lethal and addictive drug more accessible.

Heroin’s appeal has also changed. What was once considered an “inner-city” drug is now a drug that can be snorted or smoked, and is appealing to suburban and even rural high school youth. Heroin is the new prescription pain reliever. Those pills often cost upwards of 50 to 80 dollars a tablet, while at around 15 dollars a hit, heroin is considerably cheaper; therefore leading to an upwards rise in heroin usage and addiction among teens.

Find more shocking statistics about the rise in Heroin abuse here


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More than Just a Revamp

A complete renovation and improvement..

Technology is always changing. Alcohol and drug abuse trends are always changing. Alcohol and drug rehab treatment programs need to keep up with those trends, and thus, are always changing...

What must a quality drug rehab and alcohol treatment center do to keep up with the dynamic world we live in, full of billions of people and millions of web surfers?—Answer questions, provide quality and up to date information, constantly update, utilize interactive mediums like social media, photos, videos, chat systems, search engines, etc.

We have done exactly that! Recognized the changes and updated our website to accommodate people of all demographics.

We've implemented a user friendly interface, including a search bar so users can find the exact information they are seeking much faster than before. We have linked our home website to our social world where people have a sense of ownership and connection with each other and with us. We have provided multiple ways to contact us directly in case our website doesn’t answer all the questions you may have, or to give you options in seeking the alcohol and drug addiction treatment you need for yourself or a loved one.

Find out what our past clients are saying about us with dozens of testimonials and Google Places reviews. Keep up with our blogs and subscribe to the RSS feed to get them sent straight to you. Or stop by to find resources like Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups in one easy-to-find location.

After weeks of brainstorming, developing, designing, and applying, the new "www.TheRecoveryPlace.net" has arrived and we are excited to share this valuable source with you! Please take a look and tell us what you think—it’s a source for you, so we want your feedback.


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Rising Drug Epidemic in New Jersey

“To put it bluntly, today’s young Percocet, Vicodin, and OxyContin users are becoming tomorrow’s heroin junkies, and the demand for those drugs has spawned new levels of crime and violence.” These words, uttered by the State Commission of Investigation Chairman Patrick Hobbs, further highlight the deadly drug abuse epidemic currently affecting New Jersey. According to a state investigation released last Wednesday, crooked doctors, rogue internet sites, and deceitful smartphone applications within the state of New Jersey are roadblocks derailing the attempt to fight this epidemic. Just last year, in an investigation by the State Commission of Investigation it was discovered that law enforcement has unfortunately, been outpaced by the alarmingly advanced technology being used by drug dealers. The investigation also found that the surge in teenagers experimenting with prescription pain relievers, most of the time right out of their parent’s medicine cabinet; is in fact leading to an even more alarming and perilous behavior within New Jersey: heroin addiction.

In an effort to examine what drugs were being used, who was using them, where they were being obtained and how dealers were evading detection, a team of investigators used forensic analysis of more than a dozen front businesses, visits to pain treatment centers, and interviews with confidential informants. One such informant, who sold 500 prescription pills per week in his New Jersey high school at the height of his addiction, stated that after starting to abuse prescription pain relievers at age 11 and after abusing them for three years, the prescription pain relievers no longer got him high. So what did he do next? He switched from prescription pain relievers to heroin at the mere age of 14, and many of his customers followed. According to investigative agent Rachel Denno most teenagers consider prescription drugs easier to obtain than street drugs, with 3 in 10 not even aware that they are addictive. On top of that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more overdose deaths nationally from legal drugs than from cocaine and heroin.

Within New Jersey, drug dealers are adopting new and sophisticated technology at such a quick and efficient pace that it is leaving police and law enforcement scrambling. These drug cartels are not just simply only using bogus online pharmacies that peddle narcotic medications to anyone with a computer; they are branching out and using social networking sites and even video games to connect dealer and buyer right under authorities’ noses. They are even utilizing smartphone applications that allow users to mask their real phone number with any number they choose making tracking calls nearly impossible. And that’s not all that law enforcement has to deal with. They also have to contend with legal entities and professions that are co-opted for New Jersey’s drug trade. As Detective James Scoppa Jr. of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s office puts it when referring to physicians who sell prescription pain relievers to drug-seeking patients, “We have a real problem with dirty doctors.” Forensic analysis of business records show that it is legitimate businesses such as car dealerships, beauty salons, clothing retailers, and liquor stores, which are used to hide the drug money. By splitting up revenues into smaller amounts and then comingling them with the funds of front businesses, dealers seek to evade the Bank Secrecy Act which requires paperwork to be filed for all transactions exceeding $10,000.

Are you struggling with drug addiction from living in the drug heavy state of New Jersey? The best chance for successful recovery is to remove yourself from the environment associated with your drug abuse. Call us today and find out how The Recovery Place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida can help you even if you are from New Jersey—especially if you are from New Jersey stricken with an unfortunate drug epidemic.


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Life Long Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Impaired judgment, loss of employment, domestic violence are just a few of the many consequences associated with alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Alcohol has been an integral part of society and human civilization for thousands of years. About 2 billion people across the world consume alcoholic drinks; and while it is commonly associated with pleasure and sociability, its use has severe consequences.

According to James R. Milam, Ph.D., and Katherine Ketcham in Under the Influence—A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism, Currently, there are over 76 million people who suffer from alcohol abuse disorders. Alcohol abuse can have adverse social and economic effects on the individual drinker, the drinker’s immediate environment and society as a whole. People suffering from alcohol abuse or alcoholism have an increased risk of committing criminal offenses, such as child abuse, domestic violence, rape, burglary, and assault. You may lose your car, your job, your house, your spouse. You may neglect to fulfill all your responsibilities, or even get arrested for driving under the influence. These are just a few of the short term consequences associated with alcohol abuse or alcoholism.

Because these consequences don’t always seem long lasting, it sometimes leads to a sense of denial about the issue. “Oh, I’ll be fine. I’ll find a new job,” or “He only hits me when he’s drunk, everything is great otherwise.” Furthermore, many don’t take into the account the long term effects that have been going on seemingly unnoticed and will affect them for the rest of their lives. Some of the long-term effects of alcohol abuse are:

• Heart Failure: Heart failure is a major cause of death from alcohol abuse and alcoholism with some symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, or heart disease, being heart palpitations and labored or difficult breathing. High blood pressure is another common condition among untreated alcoholics and a contributor to heart failure.

• Fatty Liver: Whenever alcohol is in the body, the liver uses it for fuel rather than the more difficult and time consuming fat, thus letting the fat build up in the liver. As the fat accumulates, it begins to crowd the highly specialized liver cells, many of which die. This condition, called fatty infiltration of the liver or alcohol liver disease, is where as more and more liver cells are injured, the fatty deposits enlarge, causing the liver to swell.

• Cirrhosis of the liver: As the alcoholic continues to drink, so many liver cells get destroyed to the point where scar tissue begins to form. This condition has a profound effect on the alcoholic’s behavior and emotions. The toxic alcoholic is confused, his thought process jumbled and rambling, and memory and judgment muddled. Even his balance and equilibrium may be affected. If the drinking continues and scar tissue begins to form, the blood vessels will be gradually choked off and the liver cells will sicken and die until the formerly mighty and complex factory of the liver is reduced to a decrepit, fragile structure clogged with poisons, wastes, and dead cells; incapable of sustaining life.

• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Milam and Ketcham in Under the Influence, explain that alcohol sabotages the protective system designed to prevent the stomach from digesting itself by assaulting the fat and protein layer of the membranes and weakening the tight links between the cells that make up this barrier. Digestive juices may now leak through the cells and onto the membranes. This leads to the lining of the stomach becoming seriously inflamed, a condition known as gastritis. Gastritis can be severe enough to cause bleeding, and its symptoms include indigestion, bloating, nausea, headache, and abnormal increase or decrease in appetite.

• Respiratory Tract Disease: In general, alcoholism causes damage to the lungs by interfering with the body’s normal defense mechanisms. This thereby makes the alcoholic susceptible to respiratory infection and injury. The interference with normal functioning can lead to infections, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung abscess. The acute inflammation or infection of the lungs, pneumonia, is a frequent cause of death for late stage alcoholics.

• Cancer: Also in Under the Influence, while alcohol isn't a widely accepted cancer-causing agent, there are strong indications that large amounts of alcohol taken over a prolonged period of time definitely contribute to or aggravate cancers throughout the body. Alcoholics appear to have an increased risk of head and neck, esophageal, lung and liver cancers.

• Pancreatitis: Large and continuous does of alcohol injure the pancreas, causing it to activate and release certain digestive enzymes which, in turn, aggravate the inflammation of this vital gland located behind the stomach and the liver. Pancreatitis is characterized by severe pain in the upper abdomen, often radiating to the back and lower chest, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

• Malnutrition: All alcoholics suffer from malnutrition to some degree. Large doses of alcohol interfere with digestion and passage of nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Without adequate nutrients, the cells, already weakened by long exposures to alcohol’s toxic effects, are not able to create bone, tissue, blood, or energy. The sick and injured cells thus don’t have the resources to repair themselves, and damage continues to go unchecked.

These long-term life threatening effects often get overlooked in comparison to short term consequences. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and one of the most difficult obstacles is getting an alcoholic to admit that they have a problem. Alcoholics are able to drink more and more each day which further contributes to these long term effects as well as the short term ones.

See the signs in your loved one before it’s too late and help them get the care and alcohol abuse treatment they need and deserve.


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The Lesson Behind Celebrity Relapse

“Amy Winehouse back in Rehab!” One of many headlines taking over the Internet, heard on the radio, talked about around the “water cooler” at work… Yet another celebrity is going back to rehab! How are we supposed to trust that rehab actually works if we are constantly inundated with headline after headline of celebrities that are going back into drug rehab time and time again?

Assuming you’ve been caught a gossip column or two, it seems as though celebrities are using drug rehab like a revolving door. If these celebrities, some of which are role models for today’s youth, and others respected by the masses, aren’t able to overcome their addiction is there any hope for the average person considering celebrity access to drug rehab facilities that are starting to resemble upscale resorts. With so many posh treatment facilities near Hollywood it is easier than ever for stars to check in and out, as if they were on a mini vacation. Yet as luxurious as some may seem, checking into a drug rehab facility often isn’t the first choice for a celebrity who’s in trouble. As Stacy Kaiser, Los Angeles-based psychotherapist and panelist on the reality TV show “Celebrity Fit Club,” says, "You really have to hit your personal bottom in order to get better. Sometimes these celebs are going into rehab simply to avoid going to jail, so they haven't really hit their bottom," Kaiser says. "Or else, they've been dragged in by the law or suggested by their agents or families and don't want to go on their own accord." For instance, in Amy Winehouse’s case, it was her father who pushed her back into rehab again; furthermore, Winehouse is entering drug rehab in order to be ready for performances in Europe this summer, not for her own well-being.

However, many of the celebrities that end up checking back into rehab time and time again, highlights the fact that in order to be successful one must fully commit to the drug rehab program that they are in for it to be effective treatment. According to research statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, patients in a drug rehab program will reach a milestone in their recovery after 3 months, however, that doesn’t mean that everyone’s recovery is done after only three months or that additional treatment will not be helpful. When people leave treatment early their chances for a full recovery drop significantly. Addiction is a chronic disease, something that since there is no cure for, needs to be constantly managed. While there are plenty of celebrities relapsing and reentering drug rehab programs, there are some that set a good example by fully acknowledging that you need to take control of your addiction in order to manage it. Take Mathew Perry for example, who pressured by a manager or parent, wasn’t forced to do so by the law, isn’t only trying to get ready for some new project, and didn’t even relapse; yet he has reentered a drug rehab facility to work on his ongoing recovery.

Lesson to be learned—Effectively treating alcohol and drug addiction requires hard work and dedication; one cannot simply go through the motions to recovery expecting a miraculous “cure.” Celebrity or not, addiction is a disease which requires constant monitoring, and through a combination of individualized treatment and a dedicated work ethic, long lasting recovery is definitely possible…don’t let the headlines scare you from making the choice to live a healthier life!


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Inhalant Abusers Are Older Than You Think

My mom is doing what??

While traditional thinking has led us to believe that adolescents are the ones most likely to try inhalants, a new report has shown that a significant number of inhalant abusers are actually adults. The term inhalants, refers to the vapors from toxic substances which are inhaled in order to reach a quick high. People who abuse inhalants inhale the chemical vapors directly from open containers, also called “sniffing,” or breathe the fumes from rags soaked in chemicals, also called “huffing,” and “bagging,” where the user may inhale fumes from substances inside a paper or plastic bag. Some even go so far as to spray the substance directly into the nose or mouth, or pour it onto their collar, sleeves or cuffs and sniff them periodically. Inhalants can produce mind-altering effects; while chronic use can also cause irreversible damage to the brain, kidneys and lungs as well as death.

There are more than 1,000 products that can be abused by inhalants and can be found simply laying around the house. You know that glue you bought to help your daughter with her arts and crafts? It is one of the products most often abused as an inhalant. These are products that are easily purchased at drugstores and other stores alike throughout your neighborhood. As we have been under the belief that adolescents were the ones most likely to abuse inhalants, it has become commonplace for store employees to refuse to sell certain items that can be used as inhalants to those under 18. However, most don’t think twice when selling the same product to an adult, under the impression that they are all responsible enough not to abuse it.

Yet, as stated above, a new study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, has shown that 54 percent of treatment admissions related to inhalants abuse in 2008 involved adults ages 18 or older. For example, Erin Davis, a 42-year-old mother of a 16-year old daughter explained, “I am an adult, not a teenager, and know firsthand how these inhalants can destroy your life.” She explained that she inhaled computer duster for two years, starting when she was 38 years old and went on to say that, “the people that I used with were all over the age of 34.”

The findings from SAMHSA’s study highlight the magnitude of the inhalant problem among adults, finding that an estimated 1.1 million adults over the age of 18 have used inhalants in the past year. Now that’s a pretty big number. As H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment said, “Inhalant abuse is an equal opportunity killer that does not discriminate on the basis of age, background, or gender. Although we have been understandably focused for many years on the danger huffing poses to our kids, these new data highlight the need for everyone to be aware of and effectively address the serious risks it poses to adults and all segments of our society.”


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Drunkorexia

Sure, we have all heard of Anorexia and Bulimia, the two most common eating disorders plaguing our society today, but Drunkorexia? What’s that?

While women are more commonly associated with eating disorders, more than a million males also battle the illness every day, especially in regards to college. Between fraternity binge drinking and the social norms of alcohol on campus, guys are also trying to find ways to control their weight while having a good time as well. That’s where the term Drunkorexia comes into play.

While Drunkorexia isn’t yet considered a medical term, it has become the new slang term used to describe the behavior of someone who skips meals in order to save calories for alcoholic beverages, as well as someone who abuses the overconsumption of alcohol to purge food. Among those that fall into the Drunkorexia category are college-age binge drinkers, starving themselves all day in order to offset the calories they consume that night in alcohol.

While one might think that anorexics would avoid alcohol because of its high calorie count, alcohol abuse by anorexics has become an increasingly common trend. Some drink to calm down or ease the anxiety of having indulged in a meal. Others consume alcohol as their only sustenance; while on the other hand, others still use drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine to suppress their appetites.

According to Douglas Bunnell, the director of outpatient clinical services for the Renfew Center, “There are women who are afraid to put a grape in their mouth but have no problem drinking a beer.” Our society has an obsession with being skinny and combined with the social acceptance of drinking and using drugs, problems can occur. As Bunnell states, “Both disorders are behaviors that are glorified and reinforced, binge drinking is almost cool and hip, and losing weight and being thin is a cultural imperative for young women in America. Mixing both is not surprising, and it has reached a tipping point in terms of public awareness.”

Psychologists stress that the main cause of Drunkorexia is addiction itself. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “alcoholism and eating disorders frequently co-occur and often co-occur in the presence of other psychiatric and personality disorders.” While, as stated earlier, Drunkorexia isn’t considered a medical term yet, a growing number of researchers have begun to examine the psychological and neurological links between eating disorders and substance abuse.


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Relieving Stress with Alcohol May Increase Stress Later

“I don’t drink every night; I’m just having fun with my friends!” or “We’re celebrating tonight, so let’s go big!” or “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!”

Have you ever said or thought any of those statements?

When you can’t immediately see the negative consequences that go along with your actions, it is very easy to make the leap to “if nothing bad is happening now while I’m young, then my actions won’t cause any negative consequences in the future as well…right?”

Wrong. In regards to alcohol abuse and binge drinking during adolescence, the exact opposite has proven to be true.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming more than four or five drinks in a single session. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 36 percent of youths between the ages of 18 to 20 reported at least one binge-drinking episode during the past 30 days. The majority of college students are between the ages of 18 and 20, and with finals right around the corner, many will turn to binge drinking as a way to let loose and try to take away from all the stress final papers and tests bring. However, many don’t realize that while they may feel as if they are relieving stress now, in reality they may be shaping themselves up for even more stress among other negative consequences in adulthood, as a result of binge drinking.

The findings from a study done by researchers from the Loyola School of Medicine, suggest that alcohol exposure during puberty permanently alters the system by which the brain triggers the body to produce stress hormones. In essence, exposing young people to alcohol could permanently disrupt connections in the brain that are normally formed during puberty and are necessary to ensure healthy adult brain function.

In addition, teenage binge drinking has also been linked to damage to one’s prospective memory. Prospective memory is the cognitive ability to remember to carry out an activity at some future point in time. For example, you use your prospective memory when you remember to pay your rent on the first of the month. Imagine forgetting to pay your rent on time and getting evicted from your house or apartment. How horrible would that be?

And it doesn’t stop there; these examples are only two on a long list of ways in which binge drinking as an adolescent can affect you well into adulthood. Other negative consequences that may occur in adulthood as a result of binge drinking include:

An increased risk of anxiety
An increased risk of depression
An increased risk of stroke or heart-related death in men with high blood pressure
An increased risk in developing alcoholism
Face social exclusion as adults
Find themselves with a string of criminal convictions in adulthood
An increase in the risk for hemorrhagic stroke

When you reach for the bottle the night you finish your finals take a minute to think about your future.


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Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center Smoking Bans

Can smoking cigarettes during your drug rehab and alcohol treatment determine whether you have recovery success or not? Rehab centers are beginning to think so.

Recently, a new tobacco-free policy was instituted at an Ohio women’s drug abuse treatment center. While tobacco-free treatment facilities began in New Jersey during the 1990’s, this treatment center was the first in Ohio to go tobacco free. Tobacco-free facilities have begun to make their way to other parts of the country as well.

Now did banning smoking really make a difference at the treatment center in Ohio? Yes…just not in the way they were expecting.

In a study done during the first few months after the tobacco-free policy was instituted, it was found that both smokers and non-smokers alike were more likely to leave treatment early. The researchers also found that the percentage of patients who completed their program at the women’s center decreased from 70 to 42 percent. The success rate wasn’t the only thing that dropped, the average number of days that patients remained in the program dropped from 61 to 48 days. Those are both pretty substantial decreases in just a few months.

Drug rehab and alcohol treatment facilities have generally tended to allow patients to smoke because many believe that treating someone for smoking in addition to other substance abuse is just too difficult and will likely end in failure. In addition many facilities fear that simply, banning smoking will cause them to lose business. The other train of thought is that since many patients use cigarettes as a crutch to help them cope while trying to defeat other addictions, their smoking could pose to be just as much of a problem.

Gretchen Hammond, who works for Amethyst Inc. in Ohio stated, “You behave very similarly with a cigarette as you would with any drug. For example, if I’m having a bad day I’ll try to smoke it away verses talking to someone or going to therapy and working on the problem.”

Now which train of thought is better? There is no definite answer yet. The results from the previously mentioned study in Ohio, don’t necessarily mean that treatment centers shouldn’t try and implement smoking bans, but rather shine a light on the challenges that are associated with implementing a new policy which goes against years and years of conventional thinking.

Have you ever tried to change an extremely stubborn friend’s mind? It’s hard isn’t it? With no definite answer, the question remains, to ban smoking in treatment centers or to not ban smoking?


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Getting Dressed Up For An Alcohol Related Accident

With prom and graduation right around the corner, these next few months should be some of the happiest moments of one’s teenage years, not a time clouded by tragedy. Sadly the two seem to go hand in hand more often than they should.

Annually, parents and communities nationwide are forced to face the sad reality of mourning the death of a young life cut off before its prime. A national study of more than 2,500 eleventh and twelfth graders found that 90 percent of teens believe their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night, and that 79 percent believe that the same holds true for graduation night. However, this belief doesn’t necessarily translate to concern over the dangers of drinking and driving on prom and graduation night. According to the study only 29 percent and 25 percent of teens say that driving on prom night and graduation night, respectively, is dangerous.

Every year between the months of April, May, and June, YouTube, Facebook, newspapers, and television alike are laden with tales of tragedy about carless and drunk driving on prom and graduation nights. Unfortunately, an “it won’t happen to me” attitude has become prevalent in teens today diminishing the truth that this is a very real problem- Alcohol abuse. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007, there were 380 teen alcohol-related fatalities during prom and graduation season. In 2001 alone, there were 1,012 fatalities of children under the age of 21 as a result of alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

It’s no secret that children under the age of 21 are drinking alcohol. To help keep teenagers safe during these monumental occasions, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) recommend that parents maintain an open line of communication with their children in regards to drinking, and set clear and straight-forward rules for major events such as prom and graduation.

Prom and Graduation should be joyous occasions for everyone, where kids get dressed up for dancing and fancy dinners- Not for funerals.


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BIPOLAR DISORDER AND THE ABSENCE OF INVINCIBILITY

It seems like ‘every-day average joes’ are constantly under the impression that celebrities, athletes and entertainers are different than us—invincible almost. At the same time TMZ and other celeb-gossip columns alike are flooded with headlines of another addiction, another civil suit, drug bust, arrest, or ‘sexting’ scandal. So are they different? Or are they human beings just like us, that make mistakes and need a little help every now and then.

Photo: celebritieszone.com

Catherine-Zeta Jones has just recently been treated for bipolar disease, a disease that flared up from her every day stress and could easily happen to any of us, as psychological diseases can manifest themselves within us unknowingly. More specifically, Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is both lifelong and recurrent. One can have bipolar ‘episodes’ every few years or go through them constantly. It has classifications of bipolar I where people literally have ‘polar’ opposite moods of either feeling like everything is perfect or get very irritable and angry, and bi-polar II where people swing from severe depression to a milder and briefer manic state called hypomania.


Catherine-Zeta Jones has been diagnosed with bipolar II which is one of the leading causes of drug and alcohol addiction. As you may have read in previous blogs, drug and alcohol addiction is commonly linked to other psychological problems called dual-diagnosis, and often not treated properly which is one of the highest relapse rates also.


No one is invincible! Don’t be afraid to admit a struggle and seek the help necessary to recover. And if you or a loved one are suffering from bipolar disorder (or another psychological problem) and drug addiction, seek out a dual-diagnosis program that with properly treat both. 




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WHO SAID THERE WAS A LEGAL DRINKING AGE

Less than a month ago a family in an area right outside of Detroit went to an Applebee’s thinking they would have a nice evening with family. That was before their 15-month-old toddler was served a margarita instead of apple juice. With a blood alcohol level of 0.10 (where the legal limit for adults to drive is 0.08) the boy was taken to the hospital escaping alcohol poisoning and possibly death.

Less than a week later an Olive Garden in Florida served a 2-year-old boy sangria instead of the ordered orange juice. The mother reports that “he was acting up, misbehaving, [and] his eyes were bloodshot.” After 30 minutes of this behavior the restaurant finally realized the boy was served a mixture of orange juice, pineapple juice and white wine, one of Applebee’s sangria mixtures. The young boy was rushed to the hospital, treated with IV fluids and released with no permanent damage.

This past Sunday yet another spout of alcohol interference with a toddler hit a mainstream restaurant. A 4-year-old little girl was given a mudslide blended drink instead of a chocolate milkshake at a Chili’s in the Chicago area. Brooklyn Morris, after taking a few drinks said “I don’t like it” causing her mother to take a drink immediately tasting alcohol. Brooklyn was taken to South Medical Center in Blue Island, Illinois and was diagnosed with alcohol ingestion overdose.

Mistakes happen, but when it comes to children extra precautions should be taken to ensure they don’t. Granted, all three restaurant chains have changed their standard protocols on serving children beverages, unfortunately it shouldn’t have had to come to flirting with toddler alcohol poisoning to do so.

What do you think about these ‘mistakes’ made and how they were all made so close to one another? Does this happen more often and go unnoticed?

Needless to say, check your child’s drink before this happens to you.

HEADLINES ADDICTED TO OXYCODONE

Photo: iStock 

Oxycodone is a "hot" drug on the market with a heavy illegal distribution. Beyond the money making industry it has produced, there are multiple side effects to the usage of Oxycodone, such as, heavy allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, slowed or difficult breathing, tremors and vision changes. Oxycodone is also one of the most abused prescription drugs and, according to the DEA is "certainly the most dangerous." 

• Two Rochester residents plead guilty to drug conspiracy charges involving oxycodone – Fosters.com 
• Oxycodone Child Case Goes To Court - MetroNews 
• Deputies: Man trespassing on railroad tracks found with 45 Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills – news-press.com
• West Virginia man pleads guilty to dealing in contraband cigarettes, oxycodone tablets – CB Online 

These are only 4 of the numerous headlines flooding the breaking news feeds as of late. Across the globe, we are seeing a major outbreak of Oxycodone addiction and illegal distribution that has caused fatalities, jail sentences, broken families, and thousands of dollars in legal investigation fees. 

This just in! 

Photo: vosizneias.com

The United States Government is also on the brink of closing up shop over budget disputes. This means our troops aren’t getting paid, tax returns will be put on hold, between 800,000 and 1.9 million government employees will be furloughed and “it will be open season for anyone wanting to defy the Securities and Exchange Commission, because it will most likely shut down” (Cohan, DailyFinance). 

But what else could turn into an “open season?” Drug trade? Cartels? A quasi legalization of illegal substances? Without government regulations the skies the limit and with the recent death toll on such drugs as oxycodone, are we on the brink of a drug addiction epidemic? 

What are your thoughts on the current debacle within our government? What do you think could ensue without normal regulations in place? 

Know someone struggling with an oxycodone addiction? Call us today! 


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BREAST CANCER RISK WITH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Photo: Susan G. Komen

In it's recent "enews" mailing, the Susan G. Komen foundation brought to the public's attention the increased risk for breast cancer in women who drink alcohol. Many of us at The Recovery Place have personal experiences with breast cancer, and many live with loved ones who are battling the disease. We believe that anyone who has seen the insidious effects of breast cancer would want to insure that their loved ones take every reasonable precaution to prevent the disease or its spread. We are all too familiar with the other harmful and life threatening effects that alcohol addiction can have on someone.  


The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines excessive drinking as more more than one alcoholic drink a day for women, and more than two alcoholic drinks a day for men. Per the CDC,  "over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases, neurological impairments and social problems."   


The CDC lists the risks of excessive alcohol drinking as:  

• Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.
• Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension. 
• Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems.
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. In general, the risk of cancer increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
• Liver diseases, including— Alcoholic hepatitis. Cirrhosis, which is among the 15 leading causes of all deaths in the United States.  

For women, "Having even just a few alcoholic drinks each week appears to modestly increase the risk of breast cancer." The numbers in the research are frightening, as the risk of breast cancer was 20% higher for women who drank two to three alcoholic drinks a day than for women who didn't drink alcohol. that's a fairly high increase in breast cancer risk, and one we believe most women would not want to take. 


While the exact cause and effect between drinking and increased breast cancer in women is not precisely defined, what is known is that alcohol is very high in calories and very low in nutrients. Drinking can lead to weight gain, and excess weight is a cancer risk. In addition "heavier women have higher levels of blood estrogen and higher levels of estrogen are linked to an increase risk of breast cancer."  


We urge our female clients and friends to consider this as one more reason why they should not consume alcohol, in any amount.  


We also are pleased to recommend that you support the work of the Susan G. Komen foundation. You can read more about it and donate throught their website. 

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CHARLIE SHEEN PLAYS US LIKE JOAQUIN

April Fool’s!

Unfortunately Charlie Sheen is still heavy on his reign of terror unlike Joaquin Phoenix’s hoax brought to light back in September of 2010. It doesn’t seem like the biggest hoax of our time was over six months ago, but here we are in April of 2011. 


April 1st is commonly known as April Fool’s day. Did you know that April Fool’s Day originated way back in the 1500s? It’s believed that the term was coined when the Gregorian Calendar was introduced by Charles IX around 1582, which declared January 1st as New Year’s Day instead of the week of March 25th through April 1st as New Year’s Week. Since News traveled at molasses speed in the 1500s some people weren’t aware of this change until years later and were labeled fool’s for continuing the New Year’s celebrations in late March.


Many years later and the first of April is still considered the day where practical jokes are both accepted and expected. But don’t let the allusion of trickery keep you from seeing the signs of addiction. Are you struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction? Does a friend or family member seem to have picked up habits from out of the ordinary—Habits that could be signs of a battle with the disease of addiction?


We can get caught up in the excitement of special days that pop up throughout the year and forget to take care of more important matters, like our health, or our loved ones. 


Have some fun on a day dedicated to jokes and laughter, but don’t be fooled by its tricks. 

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USING DRUGS TO CURE DRUG ADDICTION

Doesn't sound like it makes much sense, does it? How could injecting a drug take away an addiction to another drug? 

Vaccines to help guide recovery in nicotine, cocaine, heroin and meth addictions are in the works. Doctors have actually already seen a 38% reduced use of cocaine in addicts with the use of one of these new vaccines.

They work by stimulating the body’s immune system and creating antibodies that adhere to the abused drug and prevent it from reaching the brain. This process will inhibit the abused drug from creating a 'high' which is the characteristic in drugs people get addicted too. We start to crave the next 'high' and thus, abuse substances to achieve such. Without the ‘high’ in place we will no longer feel the need to continue use of addictive substances.

So what is the likelihood that vaccines for drug addiction will actually hit the market?

Legal and financial barriers seem to be set in place, but the government looks to fund a large clinical trial of a nicotine vaccine based on the findings of the cocaine vaccine. Recent scientific developments have shown enough promise of these vaccines to continue work, but only the nicotine vaccine has promise of reaching the market in the near future.

What do you think about these scientific findings? Should they be considered a medical advancement? Or are they a setback, in that, they are justifying injecting another foreign substance that alters the body’s natural processes?

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