Posts Tagged ‘alcohol’

Jonathan Rhys Meyers Returns To Rehab, But How Can He Make Recovery Count?

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Rhys Meyers seeking treatment again.

After an initial recovery attempt at a London treatment facility for alcoholism in 2007, The Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers returns to treatment in hopes this time recovery will continue, leading to a healthier, sober lifestyle.

People.com reports Rhys Meyers’ drunken behavior landed him in both Irish and French prison in 2007 and 2009 for his drunken conduct toward airport staff – uttering racist slurs and making a spectacle, but after his stint in rehab it seems the tools provided there couldn’t quite stick.

For an actor who clearly wants to get better, as evidenced by a low profile and his second sincere attempt, how can recovery this time really count? How to make sobriety last when temptation is everywhere?

His celebrity status makes it all the more difficult to stick to his recovery plan, but with adequate support and confidence, he can come out of this experience a more composed individual, sober and excited to see where the new lifestyle takes him. Continuing care is the best way to go in this respect, it offers a point of contact for weekly updates and coaching, catches slip-ups in the recovery process, and if he does succumb to the pressures his position places him in, the program can get him back on track for lasting sobriety.

Usually those trying to recover need a complete change of scenery and crowd of people, but given the nature of his image, it might be impossible to do so; this makes an adequate aftercare program especially important. He’ll need all the extra support from trained professions he can get if he really wants to overcome this disease.

Tags: alcohol, alcohol addiction treatment, alcoholism, celebrity addiction, celebrity drug addiction
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Increasing Substance Abuse levels in older adults

Friday, January 15th, 2010

According to a press release by SAMHSA, treatment providers and families should be expecting a “dramatic increase” in substance abuse among adults 50 and older.The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the US government agency faced with the goal of improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services for in the substance abuse and mental health fields. SAMSHA’s latest report, published on January 8th, states that services for those of the aging baby boomer generation should be expected to double by the year 2020.

“This new data has profound implications for the health and well-being of older adults who continue to abuse substances,” said Pamela S. Hyde, J.D, the SAMHSA Administrator. “These findings highlight the need for prevention programs for all ages as well as to establish improved screening and appropriate referral to treatment as part of routine health care services.”

The stats point to a rising trend in marijuana use, with 8.5% of men between 50 and 54 reporting having used marijuana in the past year.  And with a rise in prescription drug abuse (up from 1% to 5% of treatment admissions from 1997 to 2009), one can only expect that drug abuse will increase. The National Institute of Health reports that nearly 20% of adults have used prescription drugs for non medical reasons.  Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center, stated: “We need much better support services for the number of older adults who are going to have substance abuse problems.” The New York Daily News even picked up on the story, stating that the Woodstock generation still has a tendency to get high.

So what do we do? Become better educated for prevention and awareness. Talk to your loved ones if you’re concerned about their use. Learn about the signs and symptoms of drug abuse. And when you need it, ask for help. Addiction is a disease of silence; keeping secrets keeps loved ones sick, and the only way to get better is through outside help.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us at 877-320-0247 or visit us on the web at www.a-i-r.com.

Also, for those in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, we will be presenting a family education series in conjunction with Hazelden on February 8th.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, assistance in recovery, chemical dependency, drug addiction, intervention, older adult substance abuse, pain addiction, pain medication, prescription drug abuse, SAMHSA, substance abuse, Treatment
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Mental Health Issues on the Rise

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

A new study from San Diego State University found that FIVE TIMES as many high school and college students are dealing with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues as youth of the same age who were studied in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, anxiety, assistance in recovery, depression, drug addiction, intervention, recovery, recovery assistance, Recovery Assistance Program, substance abuse, Treatment
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Recovery and the Holiday Season

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

The holidays tend to be a tough time for any family struggling with substance abuse or other compulsive disorders. Since there seems to be quite a bit of family time, a family member who may be using drugs or recently out of treatment will most certainly be exposed to more family time than they’re used to, making the holidays a very difficult environment for families who are struggling. The holidays also, it turns out, tend to be a time where alcohol is very present, i.e. toasts, cocktail hour, Christmas parties, etc. When people who normally struggle with substance abuse are in this high-stress environment- not to mention other factors, like the economy, joblessness, etc.- things can very rapidly get out of hand. When that happens, we at AiR are here to support you.

The holidays, and the immediate days following, are a great time to offer a loved one help. With the help of a trained, credentialed interventionist, having the family all together over the holidays generally allows for some honest conversation and work towards setting appropriate boundaries with a loved one who is struggling. Getting a loved one the help that they need is truly the greatest gift a family can offer. What’s better than giving someone their life back?

If a loved one is getting out of treatment before the holidays, our Recovery Management Services can be a great support to the family and to the member who’s been struggling. With some additional support, an traditionally tough emotional time can be navigated significantly easier. Let us help your family make this the best holiday season you’ve ever had. Take action- the sooner, the better.

For immediate help, please call us at 877-320-0247 or visit us on the web at www.a-i-r.com.

Here are some tips from SAMSHA about youth drinking over the holidays.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, alcohol holidays, assistance in recovery, chemical dependency, drug addiction, holiday drinking, intervention, recovery assistance, Recovery Assistance Program, substance abuse, Treatment
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New York State adds stronger drunk driving laws

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

As reported by the Associated Press yesterday (via the New York Times), New York State legislators agreed on tougher drunk driving laws.Basically, the law has created a stiffer penalty for those who drive under the influence with a child in the car, turning the DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony. The agreement will also cause offenders to have a breathalyzer installed in their car to stop offenders from starting a car while under the influence. Although some additional details have to be worked out, officials from both sides said that the any differences would be settled quickly. The law will be named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed when a station wagon full of children driven by a mother accused of drunken driving crashed in Manhattan on Oct. 11.

Her father, Lenny Rosado, had this to say: “Today I consider this a very glorious day and very victorious day for me. For my family, and for my daughter … this is what is going to save lives in her honor.Everyone who takes a drink and gets behind the wheel, is going to think twice about driving whether there are children in the car or outside of the car and taking a life, that my daughter’s name and her death will make a difference.”

On the heels of Diane Schuler, the mother who drove the wrong way down the Taconic State Thruway in New York earlier this year and killed multiple children, this law is a long time coming. We can only hope that those who choose to drink and drive are apprehended and given the help that they need. What we have found interesting in the past is that car insurance companies tend to give more “points,” or items that raise individuals’ insurance rates, to speeding tickets over DUIs. This needs to change. Driving under the influence is one of the most dangerous activities out there- one can only hope people learn to simply call a cab when necessary. Should drinking and driving be something a family member engages in, it’s the family’s responsibility to hold him or her accountable.

For help for yourself or a loved one, please call us at 877-320-0247 or visit us on the web at www.a-i-r.com.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, alcoholism, assistance in recovery, drug addiction, DUI, hazelden, intervention, recovery, Recovery Assistance Program, substance abuse
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Binge eating encourages behavior

Friday, October 30th, 2009

An article in the New York Daily News today talked about a recent study showing that binge eating on junk food created a need for additional junk food. The study, conducted by Dr. Paul Kenny, a neuroscientist, showed that a diet of fast food (i.e. burgers, fries, and other high-salt, high-sugar foods) can create the phenomenon of craving for additional unhealthy food. This study seems to show, as the article states, the first link that junk food and drugs create similar reactions in brain chemistry. “This is the most complete evidence to date that suggests obesity and drug addiction have common neuro-biological foundations,”  Paul Johnson,  Kenny’s colleague, told the Daily Telegraph. An interesting study, and one we can hope will work towards improving brain work around addiction and overeating collectively.

Another interesting piece out of New York today; a Long Island town is requiring parents of high-school seniors to attend an educational seminar around the dangers and warning signs of heroin abuse. The 90 minute meeting in Smithtown provides a number of different ideas around how to prevent and recognize heroin use and abuse. As a mandatory meeting for parents of seniors, one can only hope the school district will replicate the program for younger students as well. We can only hope other communities will learn from this- education around addiction and abuse is one of the few was towards getting people the help that they need. After all, in the words of Robert Rossi, president of the Smithtown school board: “The job of a school district is not just to educate kids, it’s to educate parents.”

For help for yourself or someone you love, contact us directly at 877-320-0247 or visit www.a-i-r.com.

Tags: addiction intervention, addictive eating, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, alcoholism, binge eating, DUI, eating disorder, eating disorders, overeating
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Worldwide Heroin Problems Growing

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Looks like CNN has been reading our blog! A post of theirs last night talked about treating heroin addicts with heroin, something we wrote about almost a month ago. Glad to see a large media source picking up on the news, and making it a topic of discussion.

A headlining article on the CNN website today spoke about the United Nations’ concerns with the ever-growing Afghan heroin trade. According to the article, Afghan opium is responsible for over 100,000 deaths across the globe per year, which is easily more than any other drug. The heroin trade also kills, as stated by UN figures, nearly five times as many people in NATO countries than total casualties of war in the eight-year Afghan conflict. The Taliban forces have been using a local “heroin tax” to raise money for their endeavors, and 15 million or so heroin addicts around the world are a sad part of this $65 billion trade.

Antonio Maria Costa, head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, has said the solution to this problem is very clear. “We need a much greater effort and commitment by governments to prevent drug addiction, to take care of drug addicts … to reduce demand.” Basically, when we provide treatment to heroin addicts, and the treatment is successful, we’re going to be able to decrease demand. However, Ethan Nadelmann, founding executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, had this to say about the UN study: “It’s very good at describing a problem. But it truly is devoid of any kind of pragmatic solution, and it essentially suggests that the answer is to keep doing more of what’s failed us in the past.”

Both are valid points- we need an overhaul of drug policy both in our country and abroad. The best way to do this is innovative treatment options and improving the quality of care that we, in the treatment field, provide. With better rates of success, and better treatment available, we’ll be able to gradually decrease demand- and if not decrease demand, at least provide better solutions to the people who are still struggling. Our Recovery Assistance Program is exactly that. Designed to help families and addicts better manage their early recovery, we’ve provided a step in the right direction to help improve treatment outcomes. We will continue to move forward in providing more comprehensive solutions for families and addicts; our best hope is providing the best help.

In other news, please be sure to check out our addiction education series, put on in conjunction with Hazelden. Find out more details here or call us directly at 877-320-0247.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, alcoholism, heroin, heroin addiction, mental health, mental illness, recovery assistance, Recovery Assistance Program, substance abuse, Treatment
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The Genetic Link to Addiction

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

An article on CNNMoney.com today spoke about the genetic link to addiction. Although widely acknowledged throughout the addiction treatment community, it’s nice to see additional research showing the link between addiction and genetics. According to Dr. David Goldman, the director of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said that according to the massive study they completed of addiction in twins, addiction ranks “among the most heritable of mental illnesses.”

Dr. Goldman also said that social cues and environment obviously contribute to addiction, a valid point. Someone with the “alcoholic gene” who is never exposed to alcohol may never lead themselves down a destructive path. After all, genetics load the gun, and environment pulls the trigger.

“What’s interesting,” Goldman says, “is that the more addictive the substance, the stronger the role of heredity in causing an addiction to it.” Therefore, if someone is using crack cocaine or opiates and has the genetic predisposition towards addiction, the greater the chance of getting hooked. Other environmental things, such as abuse or other instances of trauma, can severely influence the nature of addiction.

Dr. David Oslin, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania, had this to say about the study, “It reinforces for the patients that they are not just a bad person or lack will power. It resonates with the notion that their brain may work a little differently than other people’s and that this really is an illness they can treat like any other.”

As a family member or a loved one, be sure to be aware of the genetic triggers in your family- if a parent struggles with alcoholism, be sure to be aware of your genetic history and approach your drinking carefully. After all, there’s only so much one can do after addiction has taken hold.

Be sure to check out our new Wikipedia page, located here.

For any questions or help with yourself or a loved one, call us directly at 877-320-0247.

Tags: addiction, addiction genes, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, alcoholism, assistance in recovery, chemical dependency, cnn, genetics, gentetics of addiction, intervention, recovery, recovery assistance, substance abuse
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Recovery Assistance, and why it works

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

As was just announced yesterday, we at Assistance in Recovery recently celebrated our 500th Recovery Assistance Program (or RAP) participant. This is a huge step forward in the recovery world; after 60-plus years of people seeking treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, we’ve finally seen a change in how addiction in the long term is being managed. When people first started attending residential treatment centers, they generally would enter a 28 or 30 day program, followed by either outpatient or simply 12-step groups. Nowadays, with the expanding of extended care and sober living homes, we’ve been able to drastically improve the levels of care for clients in need of long term treatment.

But what happens when a client gets out of the safe haven of a treatment center? Besides themselves, and potentially their 12-step groups, there has been very little accountability. We at AiR have developed an amazing solution to this through our Recovery Assistance Program. With clients and families getting an individual case manager who can help the recovering person stay on track, it takes away the need for a family to be the “sober police.” A client can communicate directly with their case manager, ideally providing a safe person for both the family and the recovering individual to speak with when troubles arise. With an intensive collateral contact, featuring connections and support with therapists, psychiatrists, outpatient services, sober living homes and 12 step sponsors, as well as toxicology screenings, we are able to provide a recovering person with that level of accountability, and success, that they wouldn’t get just returning home.

Our goal is to improve treatment outcomes; with the introduction of Recovery Assistance, we’ve been able to see rates of recovery around 84%…a truly amazing figure. We can help guide families through that treacherous time of trying to find resources for their loved one, and help the recovering individual get through the minefield that is early recovery. 500 people have come through our doors so far; with millions of other addicts out there, we can only hope for the number to increase, and seeing more and more people achieve long-term recovery.

For questions about our Recovery Assistance Program, or any of our additional services (including intervention), please call us directly at 877-320-0247.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, alcoholism, assistance in recovery, intervention, pain addiction, prescription drug abuse, Recovery Assistance Program, substance abuse, Treatment
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Intervention through the years

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

A New York Times article brought up by AiR staff member Dave Kelly talks about different intervention approaches and how an intervention could have saved Michael Jackson. There were a couple of pretty good points in this article, namely around denial when dealing with addiction: “Denial is at the core of addiction, and breaking through it, many experts say, can require extreme measures, particularly with celebrities, who can procure an endless supply of drugs and are cocooned by people with an interest in keeping the star’s earnings flowing.”  According to sources close to the Jackson family, there were multiple attempts made by Jackson’s family at an intervention. So the question remains- why aren’t Jackson’s employees, who held his family at bay, held liable for his death? They obviously knew of Jackson’s drug use; in fact, according to sources close to Jackson, they would often pick up his multiple prescriptions. Maybe we need to develop laws that, instead of forcing drug addicts into jail, create accountability for employers and employees who refuse to confront an addict.

Kurt Cobain, the former front man of Nirvana, is also mentioned in the article when talking about harm reduction- a controversial method of “managing” or cutting down ones drinking or using. Cobain apparently asked to do this around his heroin use, and was instead escorted to treatment, of his own choice. A doctor from Seattle talks about harm reduction and motivational interviewing as a method to help addicts “slow down” their using.

The problem with motivational interviewing- and harm reduction- is that by the time an intervention is needed to help a loved one, they are usually too far along to simply “slow down.” Harm reduction creates a pocket that allows addicts to make excuses when they slip up or go on a binge. Via intervention, we at Assistance In Recovery can create a healthy family system surrounding the addicted loved one, regardless of whether or not they choose to get help.

In the end, getting help for an addiction is a choice. But via intervention, we can make that choice easier for your loved one. Intervention, in the end, is the most caring thing you can do for a loved one- and one of the hardest. Make your choice.

Tags: addiction, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, alcohol, assistance in recovery, cnn, drugs, intervention, michael jackson, michael jackson drug abuse, michael jackson intervention, pain killers, recovery assistance, substance abuse
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