METH LABS AFFECT FARM SECURITY IN ILLINOIS

Farmers in Illinois and other agricultural states have an unwanted connection to methamphetamine use. Common agriculturally crucial chemicals are being stolen from farms, and used in illegal drug labs to make the highly addictive drug methamphetamine.  

The stakes are driven even higher by citizens (in both rural and urban areas) who are exposed unknowingly to various chemicals when they move into a home or apartment that was once used as a meth lab. Health problems and even death can be the result. 

In Illinois, 5% of all deaths are related in some way to the use of drugs or alcohol. That is over 5,500 Illinois residents per year! And over 4,000 of the state’s residents die each year from accidental injuries that are related to alcohol.

Illinois provides both preventative programs and active treatment options for its citizens. While meth use is only one of many substance abuse drugs, it is one of the most problematic for its negative social, fiscal, health and ecological impact.

View Original Post, Meth Labs Affect Farm Security in Illinois 

Tweet

OPIOID FATALITIES DAILY IN MASSACHUSETTS

Heroin and cocaine are the most commonly used drugs of abuse and addiction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with prescription drug abuse on the rise.  

A recent study by the Bay State reveals that at least two citizens daily die from opiate-related overdoses, and state authorities take these statistics very seriously, recognizing that the numbers are just a stand-in for the human stories behind them. 

Homeless statistics in Massachusetts and many other states show a direct correlation between drug use and homelessness. This is a rock-bottom point for many addicts and alcoholics. 

Use of alcohol by children under the age of 18 is also on the rise in Massachusetts, with over 80% of high school students admitting to having had at least one alcoholic drink. Another study reveals that 33% of 12-20 years olds say they have had alcohol in the last month.  Scary statistics, considering the fact that alcohol use is often combined with an automobile and a driver with only a few years of experience. 

While the statistics in Massachusetts are sobering, it is a state that recognizes the importance of increasing readily available drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services to citizens of all ages, and has solid implementation of a wide variety of programs

Tweet

KEYSTONE STATE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TRENDS

Pennsylvania is almost the mirror image of Florida when comparing drug and alcohol addiction trends. 

Overall, the state of Pennsylvania can claim the lowest rates of alcohol abuse, as well as a below national rate of abuse of prescription painkillers (obtained either legally or illicitly).  Marijuana use is one area in which Pennsylvania ranks higher than the national average. 

Expanding out from urban PA, distributors of South American heroin have been placing increasing emphasis on the rural areas of the state, targeting small towns.  The DEA (US Drug Enforcement Agency) has also noted that rural areas reciprocate by producing methamphetamine that is then distributed in Philadelphia and other metro areas.  Club drugs remain easily accessible on college campuses in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. 

The big ditto:  like all other states that we have discussed so far in this blog series on regional trends, alcohol and drug rehabilitation and treatment centers are on the decline, even though the need for specialized centers is increasing. 

Pennsylvania lawmakers are expressing concerns about another area of addiction:  gambling.   While wanting to make use of the positive financial resources that come from legalized gambling, how will the state handle problems that may arise for some people?  Particularly with the reduction in addiction treatment services and rehab centers?

Tweet

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE CAROLINAS

Bible-Belt doesn’t mean Addiction Free.

Each year more than 50,000 South Carolinians receive direct intervention and treatment services for drug and alcohol problems. While this is lower than the national average, it is still a significant problem for this small state with population of 4.5 million. 

North Carolina is among the ten lowest states falling below the national average.

But the disturbing fact in the Carolinas and other regions of the country is the great disparity between the number of people needing rehab for a drug or alcohol problems, and the number of those actually getting help. A 2009 study shows that 23.5 million Americans need help, but only about 11 percent actually receive specialized care. 

This month an episode of the reality show Intervention highlights North Carolina resident James Heath’s struggle with addiction. Heath’s addiction began like many people, with a dependence on painkillers from an injury. This dependence-then-addiction in his 20s escalated to heroin use. Like many addicts, he has suffered relapses and has had multiple tragic losses in his life because of his drug use. 

Many North and South Carolinians seeking help opt for a rehabilitation center that offers a Christian treatment track as part of their services, combining traditional treatment with Bible-based support.

Tweet

ADDICTION AND REHAB IN CT, NY, AND NJ

National stats and a quick view of Florida were covered in our last blog. Now let’s move north for look at the alcohol and drug addiction issues Connecticut, New York and New Jersey are currently facing. 

The most recent state-specific surveys done by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) gives the following synoptic glimpse of each state compared to national averages.  Some of these may surprise you! 

Connecticut —has among the highest national rates of illicit drug use for all age groups.  Alcohol use (having more than one drink in the last month) was also above the national average

New Jersey —ranks lower than the national average on both illicit drug use and alcohol use

New York—consistently at or above the rates for the country as a whole

Illicit Drug Use other than Marijuana in New York among Persons
Aged 12 or Older, by Substate Region

In general, the SAMHSA data have shown that higher drug and alcohol use also means higher number of citizens requiring help for substance abuse and addiction issues, and higher numbers of people needing alcohol and drug inpatient rehab. 

Sadly, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey are among many states that have lost alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs due to lack of funding both on the state and national levels. 

Another complicated problem that is cropping up in many areas, including the Tri-State region, is the selling of painkillers obtained through legitimate means (using both private and public insurance) by those who don’t need them.  They fill their prescriptions and then sell them to a dealer, who then supplies those with addictions. 

This chain of abuse has an effect financially and socially on each of us. 

View Original Post, Addiction and Rehab in CT, NY, and NJ

Tweet

EXPLORING REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Drug and alcohol addiction strikes hard nationally, but there are some differences from region-to-region.  Our next few blogs will explore regional addictions to drugs and alcohol.  

Heath Ledger, Australian actor
died from toxic combination of
prescription drugs.

Some of the important national survey data released at the end of 2010 gave us the good news that teenagers are using less tobacco, methamphetamines, and cocaine.  But on the sobering side, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that the second-leading cause of accidental deaths nationwide (regardless of age) is prescription drug overdose.  In fact, the non-medical use of narcotics is on the rise, leading to higher and higher addiction rates.  

Quick national stats:  

• an estimated 21.8 million Americans aged 12 or older had used illegal drugs in the month prior to taking the survey 
• the number of illegal drug use among people aged 12 and older had increased 8% over the previous year 
• slightly more than half of Americans aged 12 or older reported drinking in the month prior to the survey (this translates to about 130.6 million people) 
• In 2009, an estimated 22.5 million persons were classified with substance abuse or dependence 
• Of these, 3.2 million were classified with dependence on or abuse of both alcohol and illicit drugs 

Interested in a more complete look at what is happening nationally?—explore the comprehensive results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug use and Health 

Let’s look more closely at Florida drug and alcohol issues, where there is an epidemic of prescription narcotic abuse and addiction.  In fact, 49 of the top 50 prescriber's of oxycodone are located in Florida, and this easy access has led to significant misuse of prescription painkillers in the Sunshine State.  

Of concern to Floridians in light of this epidemic, is the impending closure of the Florida Governor’s Office of Drug Control.  

Alcohol dependence in Florida is right at the national average, with binge drinking slightly below national average, and substance abuse trending above the national numbers.  

Cocaine and crack cocaine abuse in Florida is among the highest in the nation.

View Original Post, Exploring Regional Differences in Substance Abuse

Tweet

"I'M READY FOR REHAB! BUT WHICH CENTER IS RIGHT FOR ME?"

Too much information! And too many places to choose from! 

So just how do you make an informed decision about the drug and alcohol rehab center that is best for you?  How do you find the right place that will give you the rehab success and give you your life back? 

Keep in mind, you are an Individual!  This is key in choosing the right place for you.  Whatever center you choose make sure that the treatment program focuses on you as an individual, and that the care is client-centered, not just a collection of programs that are designed for anyone and everyone. 

Make sure that the success rate of any facility that you consider is based on each individual client and their own personal success, not just a nebulous percentage for the center as a whole.

Alcohol and drug rehab centers vary widely from every corner of the country.  No two are exactly alike.  Be wary of centers that use success rates to sell their programs without being able to provide information on the success of individual clients.  

Again, that important key word:  individual. 




View Original Post, "I'm Ready For Rehab! But Which Center is Right For Me?"

Tweet

SOCIAL MEDIA: FROM FAD TO FANTASTIC RECOVERY SUPPORT!

Social networks  like Facebook, YouTube and RSS Feeds** have opened the doors to approaching sensitive topics people generally don’t feel comfortable expressing in their ‘real’ lives, using them to talk about issues in a more anonymous way to get information, seek help, or share pain.

The Recovery Place team feels the availability of solid information about drug and alcohol addiction, and where to seek help or share issues, is critical—so we are committed to being an active force by using social media frequently and extensively.  It is another way that we can help!

The Recovery Place YouTube channel is packed with videos portraying real life stories of individuals who have struggled with addiction and are now successfully living in recovery.

TRP’s Facebook page offers daily posts filled with statistics, inspirational testimonials, and specific support information.  It is also a place where you can share.  And did we mention that we have a Twitter page?

**RSS Feeds—“what the heck are they and how can I get one?”

In layman’s terms, Really Simple Syndication is the opportunity to gather frequently updated works, like The Recovery Place blogs, into one location on the internet.

You can subscribe to as many RSS feeds as you are interested in, and they can range from recovery specific information to hobbies, news, travel, sports, you  name it!  The newest information on all of your information and blog feeds will be delivered directly to one spot, your RSS Reader. 

A Quick Start Guide to Getting Your Own RSS Reader

Once you get your RSS Reader up and running, make sure you visit The Recovery Place website, add our RSS feed and follow our blog




View Original Post, Social Media: From Fad to Fantastic Recovery Support! 

Tweet