Posted by azdrugrehabctr on April 21, 2017 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News, Prescription Drugs | 
The origins of substance abuse is still not really known among healthcare workers and experts. And while the disease is rampant throughout the country and the rest of the world, many in the medical community are still trying to figure out if it is genetic or a learned behavior. So, in an effort to better understand where addiction stems from, researchers in Sweden decided to tackle one group of people where the chances of substance abuse are increased significantly.
People with ADHD are much more likely to report problems with drugs and alcohol. In fact, reports show that up to 30% of adults with ADHD will also suffer from a drug addiction problem at some point in their lives. Because of the increased risk of substance abuse, the research team at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm poured over data gathered from more than 62,000 ADHD patients, and their relatives.
From this information, they determined that not only are the patients with ADHD more likely to develop a substance abuse problem, but so are their immediate relatives. This was a surprise to the researchers, as previous studies have never looked into the link between previous generations connection with ADHD and substance abuse.
One interesting conclusion of the study was that the previous hypothesis of stimulant medication causing an urge for more drugs may not be true. The researchers in this particular study believe that the connection between ADHD and substance abuse may be more of a genetic issue, rather than a problem with the medication.
“The main clinical implication is that the overlap between ADHD and SUD [substance use disorder] is likely not explained by harmful effects of stimulant medication. This is important, given that concerns around the safety of central stimulant treatment in ADHD might result in the withholding of essential and effective pharmacological treatment in affected individuals,” stated the authors of the study.
And while this is only one study, it does provide more insight into the role of ADHD on future generations and may also help medical professionals prevent against younger generations succumbing to substance abuse problems with better screening techniques.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 19, 2016 under Addiction Trends, Prescription Drugs |
Some may find it strange that students immersing themselves in the legal and ethical structure of our country have greatly increased their non-medical use of study drugs like Adderall or Ritalin. But, the immense academic and social pressures of being a law student has forced many to rely on the same drugs that are sweeping through college campuses across the country.
Adderall and Ritalin are prescribed to people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and are designed to help people with this problem to focus better and complete tasks. However, those who do not have the disorder consume the drug in order to study for a test, stay awake in class or complete a project. And, like any other drug, continuous use of Adderall and Ritalin lead to a dependence not unlike cocaine or methamphetamine. The similarities to cocaine and methamphetamine do not end there, the energy and focus achieved while taking ADHD drugs is very similar to the feeling one receives after taking street stimulants.
A new survey entitled “Suffering in Silence: The Survey of Law Student Well-Being” showed that 14% of those that filled out the survey took prescribed ADHD medication in the last 12 months. The researchers are unsure how many students are taking non-prescribed Adderall or Ritalin, but they believe it is much higher than the 14% who are legitimately prescribed the drug. This information has sparked many colleges and universities to rethink their approach when it comes to helping students come forward and address their dependence issues.
This research wasn’t restricted just to prescription stimulants, but also the use and abuse of other substances and mental health problems among law students as well. It showed that many of the students are reluctant to communicate about the difficulties they face and therefore they typically do not receive the help they need.
“We’re trying to communicate that we care about you as a student. If the message comes out we’re headhunting, then we’re definitely driving the students underground. You risk turning students off from getting help,” explained David Jaffe, associate dean for student affairs at American University Washington College of Law.
Perhaps one of the most important takeaways from the study was the level of responsibility colleges and universities have to take for this growing problem. The incredible demands placed on law students may need to be cut back in order to see a decrease in prescription stimulant and other substance abuse. Law students often feel the pressures of keeping up with other students, making the right connections and doing well enough in school to get a well-paying job that will help them pay back the student loans required to pay for law school in the first place.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 9, 2016 under Addiction Trends |
Going away to college for the first time is an exciting time for most teenagers. For many, this is the first time they are living away from home, without the constant supervision of their parents. This newfound freedom, combined with the stressors of college and the influence of hundreds of new classmates, can join together to become catalysts for drug use and excessive alcohol consumption. However, these are mainly assumptions and observations, until now.
A new study being conducted among first-year college students seeks to track the actual influences regarding alcohol and drug use. The researchers at Brown University are also looking at the effects of media and social media on these behaviors as well.
“We know that (peers) become more important than parents as a source of information and a source for modeling. Peers are the most influential when it comes to health-related topics. Social networks allow us to study those connections,” explained Nancy Barnett, professor of behavior and social sciences at the School of Public Health at Brown University.
The project will be called Squad2020 and is being conducted by Barnett and a group of students, who came up with the name. The group specifically wanted to target freshman students because they are still at an age where they are developing their friendships, meeting new people and all share the common experience of drastically changing their social environment.
The researchers hope to be able to publish the results of the study in the spring of 2018. The hope is that the study will highlight how social media impacts new college students and their inclination to use drugs and drink. If researchers can better understand the pressures presented to students, they will be more able to develop new methods of prevention and help students in need.
Colleges students throughout the country are faced with much of the same temptations and anxieties. These feelings, paired with the immediate flood of pictures and posts of other students drinking and using drugs can only exasperate the issue.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on July 30, 2016 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News, Opiate Abuse, Prescription Drugs |
Drug or alcohol addiction does not discriminate. White, Black, Muslim, Christian, Asian or any other race or religion can fall victim to substance abuse. Immigrants can be particularly susceptible to opiate abuse because of the culture shock and overwhelming feelings of living in a new country. Heroin and painkillers can be a way to escape these overwhelming feelings. While there are apparently no current studies that effectively break down drug use by ethnicity, there is evidence that minority groups all over the country are suffering from increased use of heroin and prescription drug use.
In order to include immigrants and minorities in substance abuse prevention and education, it is important for the public to understand why these groups can turn to drugs in the first place. Unlike white suburban teenagers, immigrant teenagers are likely to turn to heroin or other illicit drugs because their new lives in America can be very overwhelming. Many other countries do not create public service announcements or programs to educate children on the dangers of certain drugs, so when people immigrate to the United States they are often unprepared to deal with the temptations of drugs.
One woman explained just how different it is to raise children in America. “It’s the transformation of how you raise your kids back home and the whole village is taking care of your kids to here. You’re in America; the only village taking care of your kids is the street,” explained Kathy Khatari, a Muslim immigrant.
Some experts have also pointed out that families of immigrant drug users are also not likely to come forward and discuss a drug addiction. The threat of shame and embarrassment that falls onto the family is often too much to allow parents and family members to speak out and educate other immigrants. Treatment and prevention efforts should be much more all-inclusive to be able to catch all of the people that are affected by addiction.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 8, 2015 under Addiction Trends |
The United States Surgeon General is the top spokesperson regarding medical issues and concerns in the United States. Several decades ago the Surgeon General came out with a warning on tobacco. Until that time the majority of the population considered cigarettes and other tobacco products to be safe and ok for consumption. Experts credit the study for drastically reducing the amount of people that use tobacco products. This landmark study illustrates the power of the Surgeon General. The office is hoping to duplicate their success with tobacco when it comes to illegal and prescription drug abuse.
The Office of the Surgeon General announced that it would be releasing information from a comprehensive study in 2016 that encompasses all illegal and prescription narcotics. The goal of the study is to examine all the relevant medical research that has been conducted over the years and compile it into one package. This will allow medical professionals, behavioral health professionals and members of the general public to better understand the specific risks imposed by drug consumption.
“We’re going to look at the best science on everything, from heroin and marijuana, to alcohol and prescription opioids. And we’re going to launch a national campaign to tackle the prescription drug crisis because we know that someone dies from an opioid overdose every 24 minutes in this country,” explained Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General.
In addition to delving into the effects of drug use on the user, the project will also investigate how families and children are affected by drug use. This is vital information because current studies show that children are more likely to abuse drugs if a close family member abuses drugs. In order to have as significant of an impact as they hope, the Surgeon General and his team will need to cover all aspects of addiction.
Once the study is completed, the idea is that the information could be used to streamline and improve treatment and prevention practices as well.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on July 22, 2015 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News |
Despite the fact that a handful of states have approved marijuana for recreational use, youth perception of the drug has decreased overall. A recent study was published in the The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse looked at marijuana use statistics and youth attitudes about the drug.
According to the report, about 75% of adolescents aged 12-14 reported strong disapproval of the drug. There was also a 6 percent drop in usage for that age range. Meanwhile, teenagers aged 15-17 showed a decline in usage from 26% to 22%.
Our nation currently faces some interesting developments in the realm of substance abuse and treatment. On one hand there are more states voting to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults and regulate its sale. On the other, there are more people gaining access to treatment and drug courts and other treatment-oriented diversion programs are being used.
While some people get caught up in the debate over which drugs are worse, we choose to instead discourage people from seeking an escape through addiction and are advocates of treatment, intervention and prevention programs that work.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on July 6, 2015 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News, Prescription Drugs |
In the past, one tactic used in order to keep teenagers from experimenting with drugs was to pretend that the problem did not exist. This means that many parents and schools, in their fear about drug use, never discussed the inevitable curiosity that teenagers would experience and the definite dangers of substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription painkillers.
It soon became clear that this approach to drug education was not a good one. More and more teenagers find themselves in situations where they are presented with an opportunity to experiment with drugs or alcohol. Instead of hoping that one’s child will not succumb to peer pressure or curiosity, experts agree that it is best to arm children with facts about drugs and alcohol and help guide them into making the right decision. Children presented with facts have a better chance of not being tempted into drug use, and oftentimes those facts can counter the things their friends or other drug users may be saying to them.
Some helpful facts to discuss with children can include things like when an addiction is likely to start, what drugs do to the body and developing brain, how drug and alcohol abuse can affect one’s long term plans and what sort of danger the drugs pose.
According to a recent study, 90% of adults that are addicted to illegal drugs started using substances before they were 18. So, while not all teenagers who experiment with drugs are doomed to a life of addiction, the vast majority of addicts began their journey to drug addiction as a child experimenting with drugs. There is still debate surrounding marijuana if it should be considered a gateway drug (a gateway drug is a substance that opens the door to other substances can ultimately lead to an addiction). Some experts are saying that prescription painkillers are the new gateway drugs.
The popularity of pills like Roxycet, Percocet and Vicodin has led many people to dependency, and then on to a heroin addiction. Since heroin is cheaper and easier to obtain, prescription painkiller addicts often resort to this drug to keep their habit satisfied.
Teenagers are surrounded by pressures almost as soon as they get into high school. Drugs and alcohol may be one of the most common problems they have to deal with. In order to equip children with the best tools to stay away from drugs, parents and educators need to arm them with the facts. Overall, the more information that is shared about the devastation caused by substance abuse, the better the chances are that people of all ages will make healthier decisions regarding drugs and alcohol.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on April 23, 2015 under Addiction Trends, Opiate Abuse, Prescription Drugs |
The 2016 race to become the next President of the United States has officially begun with multiple hopefuls announcing their candidacy recently. Hillary Clinton is one of those seeking the office of Commander in Chief. As she began a tour throughout the U.S., she admitted that she was unaware that substance abuse issues were so extreme in the country. She explained that she understood that drug use was a continuing problem throughout the nation, but up until she began meeting with constituents, had no idea that people felt so strongly and that so many people were affected by the drug epidemic in the United States.
“I want to hear from people of New Hampshire what’s on their minds. I have to tell you, before I went to Iowa last week I wasn’t aware of the depth of feeling people had about substance abuse issues, so here again, I heard it in New Hampshire, so I want people to know that I’m listening,” explained Clinton during her stop to New Hampshire. Like other candidates, she will be covering areas that are considered key for primary elections.
Clinton discussed that she wants to see more resources allocated for people to be able to get the treatment they need. There may be more things that can be done to stop the drug problem in our country from escalating to epidemic proportions though. Educating doctors and healthcare providers that prescription narcotics are not the only solution to pain management and helping them understand the signs of drug abuse and drug seeking behavior are all important topics to tackle.
Hillary Clinton went on to say that she wants to make drug abuse and mental health problems a serious focus of her campaign. Will other candidates step up to speak in favor of substance abuse treatment and prevention? They should take some cues from the fact that there are record numbers of overdose-related deaths in our country. Saving lives is way more important than foreign trade or economic issues.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on April 20, 2015 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News |
Public officials and lawmakers in some states are calling attention to the amount of people who are on welfare programs like Medicaid and have substance abuse issues. They say that people are unable to get off of welfare due to drug problems, transportation problems and the lack of a high school diploma. In an effort to address the growing welfare problem and provide services to people that allow them to provide for themselves, it was necessary to take a look at the difficulties that welfare recipients faced that kept them near the poverty level.
“There are a lot of things that have happened in these people’s lives to get them to the situation where they’re so heavily dependent on public assistance programs, and it’s not going to be overnight that they’re suddenly going to get off,” explained Joel Potts, head of one state’s Job and Family Services Directors Association.
There also appears to be a disconnection between employers and potential applicants. A recent survey revealed that many people on welfare claim that there are not enough jobs, while many employers responded that there are not enough applicants who appear committed to working or who can pass the required drug test.
As more and more states take a look at their budgets and realize that more effective programs need to replace those that are not producing, getting people off welfare and more viable on their own becomes more important. Research shows that the best way to achieve this goal is by providing more one on one counseling, at-home visits and more individually-based treatment. This is much different from the current standard of practice, and also requires more time and resources to achieve it.
In order to properly help those that are suffering from an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol with the eventual goal of getting those on welfare into more stable, higher paying jobs, more attention needs to be paid to treatment and counseling programs. If these effective services aren’t implemented to help reverse the trend, many people will either wind up losing the benefits they need or the money will be pulled from other programs. The goal should always to help people become healthy and productive as soon as possible.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on March 24, 2015 under Synthetic Drugs |
Man-made drugs that mimic popular street drugs have become more popular among children and teenagers in Arizona and throughout the country. Manufacturers are producing drugs that create similar effects as many illicit drugs. One of the most popular types of synthetic drugs is synthetic marijuana, which is often called Spice or K2. Synthetic marijuana has been available gas stations and has been sold as other types of products. Manufacturers package and market the drug as potpourri, although it is understood that the intention is to smoke the dried leaves.
Once in the system, the synthetic marijuana quickly goes to work making the person feel high and lethargic, much like marijuana does. But this is where the similarities often stop. Synthetic marijuana has some dangerous side effects. Users of the drug, children and teenagers being the overwhelming majority, have reported feelings of intense paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, cravings and depression.
Recently, researchers set out to investigate the risk factors associated with synthetic marijuana usage. Researchers determined that young, white males were the main demographic who abused synthetic marijuana. Further study showed that teenagers that abused synthetic marijuana were more likely to abuse other drugs down the road. Despite the perception that synthetic marijuana is a safer alternative, most children were using the “potpourri” as a stepping stone to other illicit drugs down the road. The study indicated that teenagers that were abusing synthetic marijuana were twice as likely to suffer from alcohol problems in the future as well.
The main concept here is that regardless of the substance, if a young person is willing to ingest something looking to create some type of altered state, then that same intention translates to other drugs. In that sense, any first type of substance abuse ultimately becomes the “gateway drug.” Helping to eliminate that desire through other meaningful interaction is a great step in the direction of drug prevention.
