Presidential Candidate Proposes Drug Plan

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on September 10, 2015 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News | Comments are off for this article

As part of the 2016 race for the presidency, Hillary Clinton has submitted her plan to target the growing drug problem in the United States. After listening to concerned citizens in New Hampshire and Iowa, Clinton has vowed to wage a strong attack against drug use and abuse. Her plan is to use $10 billion to increase drug prevention efforts locally, increase the treatment options for addicts and arm more first responders with life-saving doses of naloxone for those in the midst of an opiate overdose. Additionally, Clinton wants to spend part of the budget on further education for health providers to improve their skills in spotting and preventing early addiction signs.

“It’s time we recognize that there are gaps in our health care system that allow too many to go without care – and invest in treatment. It’s time we recognize that our state and federal prisons, were 65 percent of inmates meet medical criteria for substance use disorders, are no substitute for proper treatment – and reform our criminal justice system,” explained Clinton in her open letter to voters.

A major part of Clinton’s proposal is to treat addicts that are in prison. Currently, thousands of addicts are incarcerated for drug-related offenses and not receiving treatment for their problem. It has been found that that the recidivism rate for these offenders is incredibly high, as most of them go right back to their drug of choice after being released from prison. Because they are not receiving the proper treatment while in prison, addicts are bouncing back and forth from prison to the streets. This is a cycle that costs taxpayers millions of dollars and many believe can be addressed by solving the drug dependence that gets ignored while behind bars.

Clinton also developed an incentive for state governments to create more treatment options for addicts. For every $1 million spent by the state, Hillary proposes to grant $4 million towards the state’s efforts. While it is still early on in the presidential race, it is important that candidates are acknowledging the drug problem that has affected so many families throughout the country.

Drug addiction has been a focal point for several other candidates as well, and will be interesting to see how much of their platforms will revolve around the overall health of our nation and helping people inside our own country.

Replacing Addiction

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on September 1, 2015 under AZ Drug Rehab News, Prescription Drugs | Comments are off for this article

There are many different definitions for addiction, and whether you want to call it a disease or something else, there are more aspects that can be agreed on regarding the behaviors surrounding it. One philosophy is that there is a genetic predisposition, while another says that the individual has a hole that he or she is trying to fill with alcohol or drugs.

This concept of having a hole, or that there is something missing in life, has been described by many people who have later gone on to fully recover. Some wind up finding a way to fill that void themselves, while others look for other, more positive, activities. In the case of one Arizona man, working out replaced his prescription drug addiction.

John Williams was addicted to pills for 11 years, and then one day his 16 year old son confronted him about the problem, and he knew it was time for a change. Williams said that at the height of his addiction he was taking 20 pills a day or more. In addition to the prescription drug problem, he was very overweight, topping out at about 400 pounds. He decided to change is focus to working out and fixing his health.

Now, 4 years later, Williams is still sober and is still working out. He is able to be there and enjoy his family, and he is on a mission to help spread the word about ending addiction. John plans on traveling and sharing his story in hopes that it will inspire others to do the same and give up drugs for a healthier lifestyle.