Prescription Drug Abuse Can Be Stemmed With Innovation, Not Restriction
Updated: 2012-05-31 18:11:30
Balancing the needs of patients with chronic pain with policymakers’ efforts to rein in the nation’s growing prescription drug crisis is a delicate task that requires nimble planning and a touch of entrepreneurship. So claim the authors of an opinion piece published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine, as they offer their vision for an “ideal” software for curbing Rx drug overuse.
“Paradoxically, there are simultaneous pressures to [...]
Scientists are calling for a change; they feel (and they make a valid point, being scientists and all…) that the hard bans on drugs like ecstasy (MDMC), LSD, ketamine and magic mushrooms have made it difficult — or impossible altogether — to … Continue reading →
Sixty-three days sober and for the past several nights I've had dreams about taking the first drink. In the dreams, I am sober and just relapse mindlessly. Last night I dreamed I was a waitress in...
For years my husband owned his own company and when that went under he went back to school to become a teacher (he's 41). This has been very difficult and I have not been the most supportive. Anyway,...
God I hate these kind of posts but I am doing this with the permission of the family, and the hope that someone gets a wake up call. My old drinking buddy Andy lost his battle with the bottle...
It's been a while since I had a friend. I am starting to notice some people actually like being around me. I am making new friends at work. No one knows about my drinking problem. I have always been...
I've been sober for over 2 years now. I try to make meetings regularly and practice the steps in my life. Of course, some days I follow the program better than others. In general, I feel pretty good....
Yippee!!!!:hyper
Hello friends- I'm just over 15 months sober. I used to spend alot of time here and it was a huge help in my early recovery, I'm glad you've found this site too. I've read posts here where a...
I'm on day 45 and so far things have been going well, however, since memorial day I have had really bad cravings to drink or use drugs. When I was abusing substances, summer was the time I would...
I am now on day three and must admit I am feeling good coming home from work at 4 yesterday experienced a craving but managed to get home and had something to eat.At this point I am praying everyday...
I quit drinking every Sunday, now for over 4 years. This past weekend was like having 2 Saturdays in a row, I stayed sober for one. I'm glad I didn't have 2 drunk Saturdays but I rarely drank 2...
Saying Goodbye is the first national set of remembrance services for people who have suffered miscarriage, early term loss or early infant loss. Following the loss of 5 children through miscarriage and missed miscarriage, Zoe Clark-Coates and her husband Andy – both International Directors of a successful global Event Management company – felt compelled to launch read more »
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Alcoholic Rehab Recovery for Alcoholic Rehab Introduction to Alcoholic Rehab Program Addiction and alcoholism is such a lonely disease especially for people over 65 As a person becomes more dependent on their drug of choice , people isolate themselves , cutting themselves off from family , friends and activities they used to enjoy . Even when they want to come out of that world , they think they can or must do it alone This is not true The last thing a person needs at the very beginning of recovery is to be alone . The addict will say , I’ll cut back , or I just have to have the will power to stop doing drugs . One addict told
SBB has talked a lot about how drug addiction is a complicated brain disease. But it’s not the only one. Obesity also involves the brain and is the subject of an HBO special that takes a serious look at this complex problem. The 4-hour documentary series “The Weight of the Nation” covered everything from fatty [...]
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Prescription Addiction Causes About Prescription Addiction : Prescription addiction causes and is caused by many problems : including Unhappiness Crime Divorce Major illness Even death What are the underlying causes of Prescription addiction When we take drugs , either for medical purposes or recreation , there is a benefit or reward that we are trying to achieve . For example pain Prescription is intended to bring relief to an injured or stressed area of our body . The beginning stages of Prescription addiction causes us to crave more and to use more . The unintended consequences of that is our need to take more and more of the
In the late 70′s, PCP — Phencyclidine, and often referred to as “angel dust” — was one of the most popular drugs in America, known for its pain-numbing, hallucinogenic effects that often turn one dangerously delusional; doctors say PCP can … Continue reading →
19-year-old Georgia Davis is thought to be the heaviest teenager in Britain, weighing in at a staggering 60 stone. After losing a significant amount of weight at a U.S. Fat Camp for a television programme, she has now piled on even more weight that she arrived with. During the three years after the show, Georgia read more »
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Causes of Drug Addiction Causes of Drug Addiction By Ned Wicker It has always fascinated me that people of good will , people of letters , qualified people who study and earnestly try to understand the nature of addiction , can so often completely disagree with each other . Is drug addiction caused by a human being's response to pain Is it genetic Is it socio-economic Is it caused by a lack of love Many Theories on the Causes of Drug Addiction The Mayo Clinic offers a scientific explanation of when drug addiction occurs , stating , Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug alters reward pathways in your
How much is your fertility worth to you? According to Project Prevention, a nonprofit organization that advertises in homeless shelters, methadone clinics, and AA meetings across the US, it might be worth about $300 – at least, that’s what they’re offering to women who are struggling with addiction. 
Pupils in Plymouth, Devon are being given mental health talks as part of a new campaign to raise awareness of mental health problems. The project sees Plymouth Community Healthcare’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service team up with Plymouth High School for Girls to host a series of talks and workshops about mental health. Cindy read more »
DRUG ADDICTION – USA Indiana doctor’s medical license limited after drug rehab – Indianapolis Star A Fort Wayne doctor’s medical license has been placed on indefinite probation after he was charged with leading police on a high-speed chase while on illegal drugs. DRUG REHAB – USA Missing ‘Terminator 3′ actor Nick Stahl tells friends he [...]
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Enabling Addiction Enabling Addiction You Need , I Take Cynthia” never thought life was going to get so absurd , to the point where she felt like a prisoner in her own house . For over 20 years she has been living with an addictive husband . She spoke of his methamphetamine and alcohol addiction , his ugly mood swings and broken relationships with family and friends . It was a grizzly story , but she did wrap it up with a happy ending , saying that he no longer used meth and alcohol . That was the good . news The story didn’t end , she spoke of another problem . She explained that she was being treated for anxiety and that her
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site A Year on Step 7 A Year on Step 7 By Debbie Wicker During a recent recording session for Recovery Now the internet radio show , our guest Jim mentioned that he spent an entire year going through Step 7 of the 12 Step recovery program . It seemed impossible in our modern world , that someone could actually spend 12 months working on one single step . We live in a society that demands instant gratification , so taking a year to achieve anything is hard to believe . Most people that I’ve seen in groups want the 12-Step process to work immediately , as in RIGHT NOW They want to cut to the chase . Give me a pill to stop the cravings
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Addiction and Poverty Addiction and Poverty By Ned Wicker I was asked recently if drug addiction and alcohol were caused by poverty . The short answer is no but it’s a good question . Drug addiction and alcoholism do not discriminated based on economic status , social standing , educational level or any ethnicity . Poverty often a contributing factor Poverty can be a contributing factor , especially in situations where someone uses drugs , or drinks to feel better” about life . You have heard about drowning your sorrows . Addiction is not necessarily a result of poverty , but it can cause poverty as a person slips deeper into
Drug users and alcoholics are to be forced to enter treatment or face losing out-of-work benefits, Iain Duncan Smith will announce today.
The Work and Pensions Secretary will reveal that 160,000 dependent drinkers are in receipt of one or more of the main welfare handouts, with large numbers having been claiming for a decade or more.
Around [...]
The tribe has filed a $500 million lawsuit against some of the world’s most recognizable beer manufacturers and distributors along with the four retailers in Whiteclay that sell alcohol. 
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site About Drug Abuse The more you know about drug abuse the harder it is to understand why people start at all Here is a story of drug abuse that we received from a reader of the site . It is a true story about drug abuse and one that is being repeated every hour of every day . If you want to truly understand drug abuse read this story from someone who lives in . Indiana Other Information My Addiction Story My addiction began with a guy I was with that was a heroin addict yes not to smart I know Anyways I had a UTI and was in a lot of pain and he gave me a pill , that what I came to find out later , was Oxycotin . I was so messed up
Next to contracting blood borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis C, the risk of overdose is one of the most significant issues facing active injection drug users. Heroin addicts are at highest risk; according to The Fix, about 15,000 people die every year due to opiate overdoses. The quizzical aspect of this phenomenon is the [...]
Whether you lean towards the political left or right, here’s a stance on which many can and should agree: Obama and his team believe drug addiction should be handled as a public health problem, just as much as it’s considered … Continue reading →
This week is the first annual National Prevention Week (NPW)—a celebration of what people and organizations do in their communities to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and to promote mental and emotional well-being. We want to celebrate every teen that makes healthy choices when it comes to drug abuse and mental health. How Are You [...]
New research shows that people who have depression tend to develop different Internet habits to those who show no signs of depression. The Missouri University of Science and Technology study is thought to be the first to use actual Internet data compiled anonymously to explore the links between online habits and depression. The study involved read more »
After Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) posted an eyebrow-raising photo on Instagram recently, many people started to make comparisons between her and her idol, Whitney Houston. 
In 2011, a law proposal in Ohio, if passed, was originally intended to cut off funding for welfare recipients who failed drug tests; anyone on welfare would have been required to take — and pass — drug tests, in order … Continue reading →
Mental health charity Mind has reported record levels of calls to counselling helplines since the onset of the UK’s economic crisis. Demand for help is so high that 40% of calls are going unanswered, suggesting a serious need for further funding. The number of people calling for help with finance and employment issues has doubled read more »
Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey is concerned about the number of people being cycled through the court system due to drug charges, often over and over again. The court costs, and the costs of law enforcement and legal assistance, on top of the cost to incarcerate these people (which Gov. Christie says is $49,000 [...]
Politicians in Washington are starting to notice the out-of-control abuse of prescription drugs in America today, partly due to the fact that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now categorize the issue as an epidemic. In reaction to the extreme rise in addiction to medications, especially prescription painkillers, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health [...]
Some may assume that with a title like that, Matlin must focus on the trials and triumphs she has endured as a result of losing her hearing due to a childhood illness. However, the title actually refers to the response she gave when she found out she was nominated for an Oscar while at drug rehab.
Have you ever had a night when you just couldn’t fall asleep? It’s a terrible feeling. Tossing and turning, watching the minutes click closer to dawn, dreading how tired you’re going to be the next day—the more you try to sleep, the harder it gets. Everyone has trouble sleeping sometimes for many different reasons, like [...]
A selection of home movies from days gone by are being used to trigger memories of the past in individuals living with dementia and memory loss. The Memory Bank project was thought up and established by the Yorkshire Film Archive (YFA), who worked closely with a group of healthcare professionals and carers during the development read more »
Whitney overdosed in a hotel bathroom. Amy died of alcohol poisoning. Lil Wayne admitted to his codeine addiction. It’s all too common that celebrity musicians — people whom so many of us admire, respect and aspire to be — die … Continue reading →
On March 1st, Purdue Pharma made a drastic business decision and ceased all production of OxyContin in Canada. They were not cutting the market off completely from the chemicals in the pill used to control severe pain; instead, they were replacing the old medication with a form called OxyNEO. The new formulation is supposed to [...]
By Julissa Pardomo, Destiny Ramos, and Naya Zapata, SADD Florida Did you know that of the top 22 substances teens abused across the country in 2011, 8 were prescription drugs often found in the family medicine cabinet? “Abuse” of prescription drugs includes taking them without a prescription, even if you’re taking them for medical reasons. [...]
Austerity measures self-imposed by a hard-hit middle class are causing many children to ‘lash out in school’, according to charity Crisis Counselling. Young people used to regular half-term holidays, after-school clubs and a variety of enrichment activities are feeling noticeably deprived of life’s luxuries since the onset of the UK recession. As well as pining read more »
When a baby is in utero, drugs that the mother takes can pass through the placenta and reach the developing fetus. 
In recent years, most experts have viewed Florida as one of the epicenters of the prescription drug epidemic, both due to sharp rises in addiction and the sheer number of pills diverted to the black market that are then distributed nationwide by illegal dealers. In response to this, officials and law enforcement in Florida have [...]
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Addiction Mental Health Addiction Mental Health : Chemical Crap Shoot By Ned Wicker A young man left home for college full of hopes and aspirations . He had been a model son and the pride of his parents’ lives , but during his first year at college , this promising young man’s life went seriously wrong . His behavior changed dramatically , and one day he had a psychotic episode . A bright and full of life young man was suddenly suicidal , incapable of continuing his college studies and had to be removed from school . He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but other Addiction Mental Health problems often can appear at the same .
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Marijuana Addiction Facts Marijuana Addiction Facts : It is Addictive Marijuana , like many other drugs , is addictive and harmful . According to recent research approximately 1 in 10 regular users will because physically addicted . Like other drug addictions it is a disease of the brain and withdrawal symptoms will occur is the addict stops . using What’s interesting is due to the lobbing to legalize it people think marijuana isn’t addictive or harmful . It seems that a good media campaign can convince anyone of anything , especially for those who are already using and predisposed to be deceived . Because it is disease of the
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Over the Counter Drug Abuse Over the Counter Drug Abuse : Just What We Don’t Need By Ned Wicker In the last decade the abuse of opiate pain killers and Over the Counter Drug Abuse has spiked dramatically , mainly because of the availability of drugs like OxyContin , made from the highly addictive hydrocodone . The abuse is rampant and the availability of the drug on the street is ample . Now it appears as though the oxy is child’s play in comparison to a new drug in development . Enter Zohydro , manufactured by Zogenix of San Diego . Imagine having a choice of taking Vicodin , or having an alternative that is 10 times more
Jerry Stahl is this generation’s William Burroughs – his novels are a stark, honest addition to the collection of heroin literature that includes Confessions of an English Opium Eater and Naked Lunch. A writer on the 80s cult hit, Alf, during his active heroin addiction, Stahl eventually kicked the habit and began producing novels that [...]
Thomas Kincade, known as the “Painter of Light” — whose pastoral landscape, countryside and lighthouse scenescape paintings found in 1-in-every-20-homes in America — died this past April. After receiving results from the coroner, it’s been reported that Kincade died of … Continue reading →
Today, communities and organizations across the country will help people understand how important it is to take care of children’s mental health. This year’s focus is on helping children recover from traumatic experiences. Learn more about the observance and the effects of trauma on the brain by reading our previous post, Mental Health and Young [...]
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Crack Cocaine Addiction Crack Cocaine Addiction It’s a popular drug , but it’s HIGHLY ADDICTIVE Abuse is associated with having good times with your friends , having money and power . They write songs about it . They glamorize . it But it’s a lie Let’s take a closer look at Crack Cocaine Addiction and see if it’s as desirable after the facts are presented . Knowing the facts about cocaine , the truth , might save someone’s life , maybe your . own Derived from the coca plant Other names for cocaine include , but are not limited to coke , snow , lady , flake , gold dust , freebase and . crack Cocaine is derived from the leaves of
During NIDA’s most recent Drug Facts Chat Day,“Kid” from Totino-Grace High School in Minnesota, asked: “Why is peer pressure such a huge factor in teens’ temptations [to experiment with] drugs and alcohol?” Risk Versus Reward New research shows that, when making a decision, teens think about both the risks and rewards of their actions and [...]
Late last week, the governor of Indiana signed off on the Lifeline Law, which potentially protects people from being arrested for various drinking charges — like public intoxication or underage drinking — if they call 911 for emergency help after … Continue reading →
You’re at a party and someone offers you a beer. Your answer? It’s some form of “no,” but when you’re a recovering alcoholic, how do you respond and make sure no one – including you – feels uncomfortable? Humor Sometimes humor is the best way to go. Your recovery is a serious matter but a [...]
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Al-anon What is Al-anon For over 50 years , Al-Anon which includes Al-ateen for younger members has been offering hope and help to families and friends of alcoholics and drug addicts . It is estimated that each addict alcoholic affects the lives of at least four other people . alcoholism is truly a family disease . No matter what relationship you have with an alcoholic , whether they are still drinking or not , all who have been affected by someone else’s drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the . fellowship Other Information How can it help me Many who come are in despair , feeling hopeless , unable to believe
This week, news broke: eleven people were charged for their involvement in a Florida-based crime ring tied to the major Connecticut heist in 2010, where thieves stole $80 MILLION in prescription drugs from a warehouse in CT. The investigation has been ongoing ever since, … Continue reading →
You wake up thinking about drinking. Every movie that depicts someone snorting, smoking or injecting a drug makes you salivate for your drug of choice. Every person who shares a part of their drug history at a 12-step meeting sends you down your own memory lane. Your inability to stop thinking about getting high or [...]
You may have heard marijuana referred to as a “gateway drug,” meaning that it can open doors to other kinds of drug abuse. But did you know that prescription painkillers can be gateway drugs to heroin? Some studies show that people who are addicted to heroin often started out abusing prescription painkillers (opioids), like OxyContin [...]
Family Issues Alcohol Abuse Other Drugs About This Site Treatment Issues Addiction Information Drug Abuse Information Substance Use Disorder Subscribe To This Site Drug Abuse Effects What are the major drug abuse effects It is everybody’s problem . An addict might : say I’m not hurting anybody . I’m only hurting myself . However , we can quickly see that the statement is false , because there is no such thing as an addict who is only hurting him herself . The problem is found everywhere , from the rich and privileged , to the lost members of society . For over 30 years the United States government has had its War on Drugs , but in that time frame we have seen in increase in crime , increase in healthcare costs and an alarming increase in the use of dangerous drugs such as cocaine , heroin