Posted by azdrugrehabctr on February 29, 2016 under Addiction Trends, Opiate Abuse, Prescription Drugs | 
There has been a lot of investigation into the link between prescription drug abuse and heroin abuse. Since prescription painkillers are very similar to heroin as opioids, it is not a stretch to think that an addict who cannot get their hands on pills would turn to heroin eventually. Not only are the drugs similar in the effect that they have on the body, but heroin is generally less expensive and easier to find on the street.
Additionally, some people fear that the efforts being taken to decrease the availability of prescription painkillers among the public have forced addicts to begin using heroin. These factors would seem to come together to prove that heroin abuse is rising because of the prescription painkiller addiction. However, a recent study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), indicates that this belief is not necessarily valid.
“As an alternative explanation, we explore the complexity and reciprocal nature of this relationship and review the pharmacologic basis for heroin us among people who use prescription opioids nonmedically, the patterns of heroin use among people who use prescription opioids nonmedically, the current trends in heroin use and their correlates, and the effects on heroin use of policies aimed at curbing inappropriate prescribing of opioids,” explained the authors of the study.
The study showed that people who abuse prescription painkillers are not as likely to turn to heroin as some might think, though most heroin users did start out with prescription narcotics. Polices that have been enacted to reduce and monitor prescription painkiller abuse should remain in effect, as they don’t cause people to seek out heroin. The less these drugs are available and the more prevention and treatment practices used, the less opiate addicts we will have. The same drive should also be taken when it comes to heroin or any other substance that is abused.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 30, 2015 under Addiction Trends, Synthetic Drugs |
Earlier this month the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made an announcement about its progress in reducing the amount of synthetic drugs hitting the streets. According to their release, they seized thousands of kilograms of various types of synthetic drugs as well as weapons, cash and assets totaling more than 15 million dollars.
There are several types of substances that fit into this category, including synthetic marijuana, flakka, bath salts and more. The surge in these types of chemicals has fueled concerns throughout the country as more incidents involving users going to the emergency room are reported. The DEA reports that most of these substances come from china and then the final processing, packaging and distribution happens here in the U.S.
“This poison ruins and takes too many lives; this is incredibly dangerous stuff,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. “Project Synergy III demonstrates our collective commitment to pursue those who produce and distribute this garbage to our children and I am grateful for the partnership of HSI and CBP on this operation.”
In addition to reducing the flow of synthetic drugs into the United States, the project continues to reveal the transfer of millions of dollars from the sale of these drugs to countries of concern in the Middle East.
It has also been revealed through national surveys that users of synthetic drugs like these are also much more likely to abuse other drugs. Aside from law enforcement tactics, the more people are aware of the dangers of the substances, the more lives we can save.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on May 17, 2015 under AZ Drug Rehab News |
Keeping drug abuse a secret has proven not to help anybody. The addict suffers because they are able to continue using the substances that are killing them. Families suffer because they oftentimes feel that they have no one to talk to or anyone to provide advice for how to deal with their loved ones. Members of the community suffer because they are not aware that the drug problem is infiltrating their towns, schools and neighborhoods. In order to bring communities together, some areas are conducting surveys. The surveys are intended to provide a truer, deeper look into the drug activities of residents. Understanding this information will better help law enforcement and public officials monitor the drug scene and create better, more effective programing.
“It is extremely important for individuals to participate in this survey. The results of this survey will give us a glimpse into the needs of the community as we work on prevention and treatment efforts,” explained Kirsty Nichols, a coordinator that is working with communities to better handle the drug crisis.
One particular survey that is being administered in New Mexico by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation is geared towards finding out about the drug use and perceptions about drugs and alcohol in the community. The survey asks questions regarding drinking and driving, mental health, specific questions regarding past drug and alcohol use and how survey takers feel about narcotics. Understanding these types of topics will help to create more tailor-made programming for community members. The goal is to make drug and alcohol abuse something that people feel comfortable discussing and getting out in the open.
New Mexico, in particular, is a state that has an extreme problem with drug and alcohol abuse. However, it is not the only state that is suffering from the drug epidemic that is sweeping throughout the country. The hope is that other states will agree to become more involved with their residents and find out how drug and alcohol abuse is affecting families throughout the country.
Maybe parts of Arizona can emulate similar practices to help reduce the drug problem in our communities as well.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on May 9, 2015 under Addiction Trends |
Oftentimes the media and law enforcement focus on the dangers and threats of drug abuse as it pertains to teens and young adults. This may be because those under 18 are exposed to more drugs than ever before, however there are plenty of other groups of people that are struggling with substance abuse as well. One of the most difficult includes mothers who are addicted to drugs while pregnant.
Many mothers are unable to quit their addictions after finding out they are pregnant, thus jeopardizing their health as well as their unborn baby’s. As more incidents of drug-abuse during pregnancy occur, treatment centers and public outreach programs are focusing on this group and the children born to these mothers. Some mothers find the inspiration of being pregnant enough to quit on their own, while many need help to do so.
“I was waiting for it to take away every craving that I had, every want to go and get high. And it didn’t do that. It’s just so shameful,” explained Linsey Vanover, a recovering addict who abused drugs while pregnant with her son. The assumption and hope that the pregnancy and love for the unborn child will trump the addict’s need to get high is not uncommon. Unfortunately, the addiction is oftentimes so intense that these women continue to abuse the drugs anyway. This leads to babies being born with serious health complications and a physical addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Babies whose mothers abused heroin during their pregnancy are born addicted to heroin (or dependent on methadone or buprenorphine from treatment) and have to undergo the painful withdrawal symptoms.
As a way to answer the growing need for treatment and education for potential mothers and women who are already addicted to drugs as well as pregnant, some treatment centers are welcoming these women and helping them overcome their addictions so they can be involved in their children’s lives. Some treatment centers are even specifically geared to pregnant and single mothers. Focusing on rehabilitating mothers is necessary in stopping the addiction from continuing on to the children. Studies show that children who grow up in households where family members abuse drugs are more likely to abuse drugs and/or alcohol themselves, and helping mothers to become free of addiction so they have a better ability to raise their children is something that benefits all of society.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 23, 2014 under Addiction Trends |
The teenage years are often very difficult for children and parents. These soon-to-be adults are learning who they are as people and developing their own viewpoints and opinions about life. They have more freedoms than they have had in the past, they are much more influenced by their peers and they are confronted with a lot of hard decisions.
One thing that makes the teenage years especially hard for parents and children is the increased amount of pressure to experiment with drugs. Studies indicate that at this age teenagers are more likely to listen to their peers than their parents, so when their friends are consuming drugs the chances that poor decisions are going to be made increase exponentially. Due to all this, it is becoming more important to discuss drugs with children than ever before.
Some parents are content with letting the educational system lecture children on the dangers of drug abuse. Uncomfortable conversations about choosing friends, drug abuse, sex and peer pressure are often avoided to keep the peace during these tumultuous years. Some experts share why this is detrimental to the safety of teenagers and why parents need to have open, honest conversations regarding all of these topics – because they are real issues going on in most teenager’s lives.
Telling a teenager not to do something can often be a fatal mistake. At this age, teenagers are oftentimes rebellious and believe that they know best. Since they are already more inclined to take advice and direction from their peers instead of their parents, it is important to not alienate them further by forbidding them from association. Instead of taking such a contentious route, it is better to help them understand why they should not experiment with drugs. Using examples from their life will help them to see that they do not want to take chances with drugs. For instance, if a teenager is very involved with sports, show them how drugs would prevent that sort of lifestyle from continuing. Using real life examples is better for this age group, as extreme examples tend to be brushed off as too hypothetical to happen to them.
Praise and encourage teenagers when they make good, healthy decisions. Acknowledging a correct decision is important when building self-confidence and it shows the teenager that they have the ability to do the right thing for themselves.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 15, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News |
Federal law enforcement took action against hundreds of websites participating in activities ranging from selling illegal goods and services, including dozens of “dark market” websites selling illegally selling drugs. According to the United States Department of Justice, the website addresses and computer servers hosting these websites was seized early this week as a part of an international law enforcement collaboration.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell stated that criminals are using advanced technology to commit and conceal evidence of their illegal activity. “The global law enforcement community has innovated and collaborated to disrupt these ‘dark market’ websites, no matter how sophisticated or far-flung they have become,” Caldwell said.
“Dark market” websites are designed to work through anonymity of both the seller and the buyer. The sites are only accessible through the Tor anonymizing network, and payments to the sites for illicit goods and services are made via anonymous virtual currency like bitcoin.
The operation involved the seizure of more than 400 Tor website addresses (.onion addresses) and the servers hosting them. Examples of the websites seized during the operation are “Pandora” (pandora3uym4z42b.onion), “Blue Sky” (blueskyplzv4fsti.onion), “Hydra” (hydrampvvnunildl.onion) and “Cloud Nine” (xvqrvtnn4pbcnxwt.onion). These sites are similar to Silk Road 2.0. They offered illicit goods and services ranging from illegal drug sales, selling medications without prescriptions, counterfeit money and fake identification documents.
The investigation into these “dark markets’ is an ongoing effort between federal, state and international law enforcement agencies.
Associate Director Peter Edge of Homeland Security Investigations said that underground websites like Silk Road and Silk Road 2.0 are like the Wild West of the internet. “We will continue to use all of our resources and work closely with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to shut down these hidden black market sites,” Edge said. He also said he wants to hold criminals responsible for using anonymous internet software to conduct illegal activities.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 8, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News |
Two and a half hours after being born, a newborn baby boy passed away in Tucson, AZ. When doctors looked into the reason behind the death they found that the baby had methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in its system. As the hospital staff looked into the devastating turn of events they found that the baby’s mother had been abusing drugs while she was pregnant.
The medical examiner’s office released a report, stating that the cause of death was, “prematurity with substance abuse by his mother as a contributing factor to his prematurity and subsequent death.” Perhaps even more shocking than the mother’s alleged extreme negligence and reckless endangerment is that seven months later she has still not been charged with any crime.
The Tucson Police Department reported that they are still investigating the case; however some people are skeptical that anything is going to be done to avenge the baby’s death. The police department cites complicated loopholes regarding infant death so soon after birth as the main reason why no charges have been filed yet, they are still investigating to ensure that they have a solid case before committing to charges. It should also be noted that the baby’s mother was arrested on drug charges only one month prior to the child being born.
Drug and alcohol abuse during pregnancy is one of the most dangerous things a mother can do to her child. The baby becomes addicted to the drugs while still in the womb and can develop serious and life-threatening complications. Once born, if the baby survives, the child has to go through painful withdrawal in order to get off the drugs. Withdrawal symptoms are typically something that an adult cannot handle, let alone an infant. The types of withdrawal symptoms a baby may experience depend on what drugs the mother was abusing during the pregnancy.
If a mother was abusing heroin or any kind of opiate the child may experience painful flu-like symptoms, inability to sleep, severe aches and pains, cravings for the drug and vomiting. What is even scarier is that when a baby is going through withdrawals their heart rate increases and they become dehydrated.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on September 20, 2014 under Prescription Drugs |
Robin Thicke has had a roller coaster of a year. His song “Blurred Lines” was a huge success. The fan and media attention that he received from the hit single was enough to jump-start a lackluster career, however there have been some serious problems along the way.
Several months ago Thicke’s wife, Paula Patton, left the singer after almost twenty years of marriage. He has recently come out to say that the separation was because of his behavior and that he has also been under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In addition to his substance abuse problems, Robin Thicke is also being sued by the family of Marvin Gaye, claiming that “Blurred Lines” is a copy of “Got to Give It Up”.
During his recent deposition, Thicke admitted that he was so heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol throughout the making of the song and the press afterwards that he doesn’t remember much. He admits to abusing prescription painkillers like Vicodin and Norco. In fact, Thicke is on the record during several interviews claiming that he helped write “Blurred Lines”, however he now says that it was mostly Pharrell Williams and that he just wanted to share in the credit of having written such a hit song.
Prescription drug abuse is a problem that is being felt throughout the country. Shockingly, children are the most affected by the prescription drug abuse trend. More and more high school children are coming into contact with prescription drugs and the peer pressure to try pills like Vicodin and Norcos is continuing to mount. When singers like Robin Thicke also abuse prescription painkillers what message does it send to our children?
Even with the concentrated efforts of law enforcement, policy makers, health care providers, educators and parents, fighting prescription drug abuse among teens is a losing battle when Hollywood openly admits to abusing the same drugs.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on June 15, 2014 under Addiction Trends |
Since marijuana became legal in Colorado, shops all over the state began selling the drug in an edible form. Users can go into any marijuana shop and purchased pot brownies, cupcakes, candy and even salsa to experience a more powerful, long lasting high than when marijuana is smoked. This can be extremely dangerous because users are not able to control the amount of marijuana they are ingesting. The high is intense and lasts for a long time. Even those who have ingested marijuana for years are surprised by the intensity.
Because marijuana is now being dispensed legally, it is important to realize that the drug in an edible form is dangerous to people. They do not know how much they are getting, they have less of a chance of controlling themselves and the high can be scary, some people likening it a psychedelic.
The reason why marijuana is much more intense in food, rather than in a joint has to do with the way the body metabolized it. When someone smokes a joint it gets into the body faster, but also leaves the body faster. It gets deposited into the blood stream and produces a high. The high wears off faster than it would if you ate an item of food with marijuana in it. When you eat marijuana it goes right to the liver. Once it reaches the liver the THC gets altered and the person feels the effect of the drug. Due to the fact that the marijuana is now being metabolized by the liver, the person is feeling a much more intense high.
“In a nutshell, eaten cannabis gets metabolized by the liver, so delta-9 THC becomes 11-hydroxy-THC, which passes the blood-brain barrier more rapidly and has more of a psychedelic effect than standard THC. Smoked or vaporized cannabis bypasses the liver and doesn’t create the same 11-hydroxy-THC.” Understanding Marijuana author Mitch Earleywine, a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Albany told The Daily Beast.
While some drug users may consider this a good thing, it actually makes the drug more dangerous for most people. Instead of feeling the desired effect of the drug, users are thrown into an intense experience that has been reported as very freighting. It is very difficult to predict the outcome when the marijuana is ingested in a food. Dealing with a marijuana addiction can be even harder when you are able to purchase items like food laced with the drug.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 21, 2013 under Synthetic Drugs |
Last week the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) carried out its intent to place three more synthetic drug compounds on the Schedule I list as having no medicinal value and made them illegal. The compounds are powerful hallucinogens called synthetic phenethylamines.
The move from the DEA makes them outlawed for two years initially, at which point a decision can be made to have them become permanently illegal. According to a release the Administration, these drugs have been responsible for at least 19 deaths in the past year or so.
The abbreviate chemical names for the drugs are 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe and have reportedly been found in powdered form, liquid solutions on blotter paper and combined with edible items.
The DEA says that NBOMe compounds are substantially more potent than other hallucinogenic compounds, and the data suggest that extremely small amounts of these drugs can cause seizures, cardiac and respiratory arrest, and also death, as evidenced by the recorded loss of lives.
The continued pursuit of identifying and outlawing synthetic compounds have had the DEA constantly playing catch-up, and the aftermath caused by the new drugs in terms of damage to lives has been a difficult transition for treatment professionals. If you have a loved one in need of help for a problem with synthetic drugs of any kind, contact us today for treatment solutions.
