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Addiction Solution Source Addiction Alternative Solutions Sun, 26 Aug 2018 05:11:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 89708887 Seven Alternative Pain Treatments to Use While Pregnant /natural-pain-relief-in-pregnancy/ /natural-pain-relief-in-pregnancy/#respond Sun, 19 Aug 2018 01:05:52 +0000 Pregnancy is a joyous time, but few women speak about the pain you’ll have during the nine months. Discomfort, sciatic nerve pain, lower and upper back pain are common ailments, but the list is never-ending. The body prepares to not only support life, but also give it. This explains why so many women experience bouts […] The post Seven Alternative Pain Treatments to Use While Pregnant first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Pregnancy is a joyous time, but few women speak about the pain you’ll have during the nine months. Discomfort, sciatic nerve pain, lower and upper back pain are common ailments, but the list is never-ending. The body prepares to not only support life, but also give it. This explains why so many women experience bouts of intense pain from their pregnancy; however, it doesn’t count for outside factors such as injury. With the changes in the body and discomfort due to pregnancy may mothers to be are tempted to try self-medication. This can lead to substance abuse or addiction which increases risk of harm to both the mother and baby. Safe relief options are limited when pregnant too, which can add stress and make pain feel worse than it is. This can lead you to options that are more dangerous for both you and baby. Natural pain relief in pregnancy is the goal mothers. So, try one of these natural and safe pain relief techniques instead. 1. Support Your Bump Consider purchasing a belly band that grows (stretches) with your belly. This helps lift the weight of your baby bump and relieves the pressure on the lower back and shoulders. Another item that can ease aches and pains is a wedge or body pillow you place between your thighs when sleeping and resting. Doing this helps align your hips and spine while reducing pressure on your lower back. 2. Heat Therapy If you don’t have a heat pack, fill a cotton sock with two cups of uncooked rice. Tie a knot at the open end. Toss it in the microwave for about 60 seconds and you have an instant heating pad to apply wherever you need it. You can also add a few drops of essential oil (or a blend of favorites like lavender and lemon oil) to the rice for a spa-like experience. 3. Exercise With your doctor’s permission, you can add gentle exercises to stretch and work out sore muscles. Exercise has added benefits of decreasing depression and anxiety. When you exercise, your body releases feel good chemicals called endorphins. These lift your mood and reduce the sensation of pain. As long as you have your doctor’s okay, you can exercise how you want. Do be sure to drink plenty of water and listen to your body. 4. Acupuncture This traditional medicine has long been associated with relieving morning sickness and easing many aches and pains that come with pregnancy. As well as helping with physical pain such as headaches and lower back pain, it also helps with depression and anxiety. Furthermore regular acupuncture induces relaxation and rest time while lowering stress levels. This is beneficial for both mother and baby.. 5. Change Your Sleep Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. As your body changes, you will find yourself more exhausted than usual. Your body won’t function properly inside if you don’t sleep for long enough. You may wake up with aching and stiff muscles the next day. Lack of sleep also affects your mood and can lead to increased irritability, depression, and anxiety. While you are pregnant you may need a few more hours sleep at night or short naps during the day. 6. Ditch Your Fashion Statement Footwear If you’re still wearing high heels, consider switching them for flat or lower heeled footwear. What you wear on your feet can affect your lower back as well as your legs, knees, and feet. Heels can also lead you to accidents with slips and falls, so be kind to your body and optimize your footwear for balance and safety. There are many fun, fashionable styles are available today to suit any wardrobe. 7. Reevaluate Your Posture Poor posture is a major cause of lower and upper backache. This can also extend to your shoulders and arms as well as your hips. If you sit for long periods of time, don’t forget to take stretch breaks and to constantly realign your posture when you find yourself hunching forward. A lumbar support cushion might also be a wise investment. If you’re on your feet all day, be sure your shoulders are back and that you’re not slouching forward. If any pain worsens, is accompanied by severe cramping, fever, burning with urination, vaginal bleeding, or pain that lasts longer than two weeks, contact your doctor straight away. Don’t self-medicate. Pregnant women should never use opiates because they pass through the placenta. They are unsafe for both the mother and unborn child, and using them while pregnant can lead to opiate addiction for the mother and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome for the unborn child. Opiate use while pregnant can also lead to birth defects, low birth weight, and stillbirth. If you’re currently using or addicted to opiates and pregnant, please seek treatment immediately.The post Seven Alternative Pain Treatments to Use While Pregnant first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /natural-pain-relief-in-pregnancy/feed/ 0 2315 Can you legally buy marijuana in the United States? /can-you-legally-buy-marijuana-in-the-united-states/ /can-you-legally-buy-marijuana-in-the-united-states/#respond Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:39:54 +0000 In the United States, it is quite common to hear about the war on drugs and what the government is trying to do to stop the inflow of drugs. Every government agency from the federal government all the way down to the city government is doing their part to stop the flow of drugs. Border patrols are doing what they can at the borders, while the DEA and local police departments are setting up specialized narcotic units to help get a grip on this growing problem. Marijuana Marijuana can now be legally bought in Colorado Even with all of this talk about the war on drugs, many Americans don’t think it should pertain to marijuana. If you listen to these people talk, they actually say that marijuana is not a real drug because you cannot become addicted to it. And since it isn’t a “real” drug then there is no reason that it should be illegal. The post Can you legally buy marijuana in the United States? first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> In the United States, it is quite common to hear about the war on drugs and what the government is trying to do to stop the inflow of drugs. Every government agency from the federal government all the way down to the city government is doing their part to stop the flow of drugs. Border patrols are doing what they can at the borders, while the DEA and local police departments are setting up specialized narcotic units to help get a grip on this growing problem. Even with all of this talk about the war on drugs, many Americans don’t think it should pertain to marijuana. If you listen to these people talk, they actually say that marijuana is not a real drug because you cannot become addicted to it. And since it isn’t a “real” drug then there is no reason that it should be illegal. Marijuana for Medical Conditions A few years ago some of the more liberal states passed laws allowing citizens to apply for a medical marijuana card. What this card did was allow them to carry a small amount of marijuana and buy it legally as long as they had a qualifying medical condition. The problem with these medical marijuana cards is how easy they were to get, nobody ever really checked on your qualifying medical condition. I know several people who simply said they suffered from chronic pain or even cataracts and were able to get a medical marijuana card. In fact, it wasn’t long after this passed in the more liberal states that there was even more talk about making marijuana legal. Marijuana can now be legally bought in Colorado I know several people who feel you should be able to legally purchase marijuana in the United States. These people often sound like broken records because they use the same reasons to support their cause. Perhaps the biggest reason they think you should be able to legally obtain marijuana in the United States is because people who smoke pot are nothing like meth, crack, or heroin users. All that pot smokers want to do is eat everything in sight. I will have to say I do agree with pot smokers getting the munchies, but I also know marijuana is what we refer to as a gateway drug. Why you should be able to buy marijuana legally in the United States? Of course, these people have a list of other reasons as to why you should be able to legally buy marijuana in the United States, ranging from the government making money from the sales tax to putting less people in jail. I will say legalizing the sale of marijuana could be a great way to increase sales tax revenue the problem is you are still going to have people selling it illegally because they don’t want to pay their taxes. In terms of keeping people out of jail, I really don’t see that happening, as look at alcohol and how many people are inside for alcohol related crimes. Now even though I don’t think you should be able to legally buy marijuana in the United States the people of Colorado obviously think it is a good idea. As of January 1, 2014, Colorado became the first state where people can legally buy marijuana in the United States. While everything seems to be going smoothly so far, it will be interesting to see how this develops. Click Here! to quit. Click Here for addiction solutions. What do you think? Should people be able to get marijuana legally in the United States?The post Can you legally buy marijuana in the United States? first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /can-you-legally-buy-marijuana-in-the-united-states/feed/ 0 1667 Could Your Job Support Your Addiction /could-your-job-support-your-addiction/ /could-your-job-support-your-addiction/#respond Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:00:09 +0000 If you or a loved one has struggled with drug or alcohol abuse, you know that it’s a complex, hard-to-understand circumstance. It can be difficult to make sense of the situation, and finding answers can be a seemingly impossible road to follow. Recently, however, studies have revealed that drug and alcohol abuse could have a […] The post Could Your Job Support Your Addiction first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> If you or a loved one has struggled with drug or alcohol abuse, you know that it’s a complex, hard-to-understand circumstance. It can be difficult to make sense of the situation, and finding answers can be a seemingly impossible road to follow. Recently, however, studies have revealed that drug and alcohol abuse could have a common underlying link that was previously unexplored: career choice. The video info-graphic below provides details to support this claim, but keep reading for a brief overview. The Statistics While no one wants to be a statistic, in certain cases, especially this one, statistics bring certain trends and commonalities to light. 73% of illegal drug users work full or part time. 3.1% of professional workers have used drugs before or during work hours. 60% of the world’s illegal drugs are consumed by Americans. Individuals struggling with drug and alcohol abuse are professionals. They are trying to maintain a productive lifestyle, but something holds them back…could it be their employment? Which Careers Are Most Conducive to Drug Addiction? While there are individuals struggling with drug abuse across a variety of industries, those listed below have the highest rates: Mining Construction Manufacturing Wholesale Food Service Protective Service Workers Community and Social Service Workers. What do they have in common? More than what appears to be on the surface. Stress and Its Link According to a recent study, Americans are working harder than ever. Americans work longer hours with more stress, less vacation time and a later average retirement age than at any point in history. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that over 20% of the American workforce – 25 million – works a minimum of 49 hours a week, with 11 million of those working over 59 hours a week. In the video info-graphic below, the fact that high stress, fatigue and long hours contribute to addiction is illustrated, which brings the aforementioned facts to light. If Americans are working more than they have ever worked before, in high-stress industries, it makes sense that there is more than a casual link between career choice and drug addiction. The Impact of Drugs on the Workplace The American economy is impacted by increasing levels of addiction. In fact, 500 million workdays – 4 billion hours – are lost annually due to substance abuse, with the average drug user calling off 2 days per month. Furthermore, the situation is dangerous, as 10-20% of workplace deaths have a direct link to drug or alcohol use. It’s important to note that careers do not cause drug addiction. There are many professionals employed in the industries listed that do not struggle with addiction. Genetics, family life, the environment and numerous other factors often contribute to addiction. Conclusion The good news is that help is available. Those struggling with addiction do not need to face the situation alone. Taking the time to evaluate contributing factors is one of the first steps to recovery. Check out the video below to learn more. The post Could Your Job Support Your Addiction first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /could-your-job-support-your-addiction/feed/ 0 1643 Regulating Recreational Drugs /regulating-recreational-drugs/ /regulating-recreational-drugs/#respond Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:59:31 +0000 For the first time in history, a country - New Zealand - has created a regulatory agency to oversee recreational drugs. If implemented carefully, New Zealand's new laws offer the first genuinely scientific and public health-oriented approach to dealing with the negative aspects of drugs. The post Regulating Recreational Drugs first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> For the first time in history, a country – New Zealand – has created a regulatory agency to oversee recreational drugs. Passed by their government this past summer on a vote of 119 to 1, the legislation has already granted interim approval to over 50 products. We should watch this development closely to see what happens. If implemented carefully, New Zealand’s new laws offer the first genuinely scientific and public health-oriented approach to dealing with the negative aspects of drugs. All new drugs will still be illegal for people under 18. They can only be sold at specific, licensed outlets and must carry packaging identifying the ingredients and including health warnings about the known and potential risks. No advertising is permitted, except inside the store itself. Regulation won’t make recreational drug use completely safe — this is clear from our experience with alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs. But, it also won’t add to the harm done by drug dealers and throwing people in prison. There will always be some people that seek chemical euphoria and escape from reality — so instead of locking them up and ceding the market to organized crime, we need to give them the safest possible choices and spend the money on treatment and education instead. With strict regulation of the recreational and street drugs along the entire production supply line should ensure that the quality and purity is guaranteed. This alone should help because it is widely known that drug dealers currently mix in other dangerous substances to make even more drugs to sell. What do you think? Will this work?The post Regulating Recreational Drugs first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /regulating-recreational-drugs/feed/ 0 1606 Alternative Recovery Program For Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addictions /alternative-recovery-program-for-overcoming-drug-and-alcohol-addictions/ /alternative-recovery-program-for-overcoming-drug-and-alcohol-addictions/#respond Sat, 12 Oct 2013 16:30:23 +0000 Learn the truth about drug recovery programs and what they need to include to be effective and not have the patient relapse. The post Alternative Recovery Program For Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addictions first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Are you searching for the truth about how to overcome alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse / addiction? You will get your answers here. Drug Addiction Alternatives Most drug recovery programs are a failure and people keep relapsing! Most people also do not know they have options regarding drug recovery programs. Don’t waste your money. Get my reports and you will see why. Continue with this post and you will see a chart that shows the difference between conventional drug treatment and alternative drug treatment programs. You do have options! See the comparisons on the chart below. (Chart provided by Dr. Joan Mathews-Larson) For complete recovery without relapse, you have to use the alternative health approach and treat the whole person – mind, body and spirit (holistic)… and you have to start with healing the brain first. Your answers are on this site.The post Alternative Recovery Program For Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addictions first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /alternative-recovery-program-for-overcoming-drug-and-alcohol-addictions/feed/ 0 213 Molly is a Dangerous Drug /molly-is-a-dangerous-drug/ /molly-is-a-dangerous-drug/#respond Sun, 29 Sep 2013 15:34:36 +0000 Molly is the street name for a drug that is pushed as the pure powder form of a banned substance known as MDMA, the main chemical in ecstasy. In the last five years, Molly has made its way into popular culture, helped by references to it made by various entertainers. The post Molly is a Dangerous Drug first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Molly is the street name for a drug that is pushed as the pure powder form of a banned substance known as MDMA, the main chemical in ecstasy. In the last five years, Molly has made its way into popular culture, helped by references to it made by various entertainers. If you’re in your twenties and frequent music events such as raves — you have more than likely encountered the drug. While ecstasy was popular in underground nightclub raves in the nineties, molly has become the drug of choice for millennials. Every generation is characterized by one drug or another: the sixties and seventies with pot and hallucinogenics, the eighties with cocaine, and so on. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers MDMA to be a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse, and no accepted use in medical treatment. The DEA notes that MDMA can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, and drug craving. The drug also can cause muscle tension, tremors, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle cramps, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, and blurred vision. High doses of it can interfere with the ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), leading to liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure. Severe dehydration can result from the combination of the drug’s effects and the crowded and hot conditions in which the drug is often taken. It appears that the Molly drug usually comes from labs in China so everyone should be aware that the product could be mixed with other chemicals or substances — such as caffeine, amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine. Its purity is always in question. Do you have a drug abuse problem? The solution: street drugs alternativeThe post Molly is a Dangerous Drug first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /molly-is-a-dangerous-drug/feed/ 0 1594 Medical Marijuana Benefits and Legal Issues /medical-marijuana-benefits-and-legal-issues/ /medical-marijuana-benefits-and-legal-issues/#respond Thu, 12 Sep 2013 02:26:58 +0000 More research needs to be done about the benefits of marijuana but since the federal government considers it (cannabis) illegal it is very difficult to get any studies done. Research has been done around the world that shows benefits such as pain relief, PTSD relief, and anti-cancer effects among other health disorders. The post Medical Marijuana Benefits and Legal Issues first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, recently completed a documentary titled “Weed”, which discusses the value of medical marijuana. He stated that the public has been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years because marijuana was listed as a Schedule 1 substance and one of the most dangerous drugs that has “no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse.” But in reality the Drug Enforcement Agency does not have the science to back it up. Dr Gupta did express a concern that young people who are still developing their brains are likely more susceptible to harm from marijuana than adult brains. Some recent studies suggest that regular use in teenage years leads to a permanent decrease in IQ. Other research hints at a possible heightened risk of developing psychosis. He urged the youth to wait until their mid 20s after the brains are developed to try it. More research needs to be done about the benefits of marijuana but since the federal government considers it (cannabis) illegal it is very difficult to get any studies done. Research has been done around the world that shows benefits such as pain relief, PTSD relief, and anti-cancer effects among other health disorders. If you want to overcome a marijuana addiction, see this: Marijuana Addiction Alternative TreatmentThe post Medical Marijuana Benefits and Legal Issues first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /medical-marijuana-benefits-and-legal-issues/feed/ 0 986 Alcohol vs Fructose /alcohol-vs-fructose/ /alcohol-vs-fructose/#respond Sat, 07 Sep 2013 04:12:23 +0000 Watch this enlightening video that talks about how similar alcohol and fructose is in the damage that it can do to your body. The post Alcohol vs Fructose first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Watch this enlightening video that talks about how similar alcohol and fructose is in the damage that it can do to your body. When you compare the metabolism of 150 calories of soda with 150 calories of beer (a 12-ounce can of each), about 90 calories reach the liver in either case. Fructose causes most of the same toxic effects as ethanol because both come from sugar fermentation. Both ethanol metabolism and fructose metabolism lead to belly fat, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Resource: The post Alcohol vs Fructose first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /alcohol-vs-fructose/feed/ 0 977 Are You Drugging Yourself or Child For ADHD? /are-you-drugging-yourself-or-child-for-adhd/ /are-you-drugging-yourself-or-child-for-adhd/#respond Sun, 28 Jul 2013 23:21:27 +0000 Do not give your child (or take as an adult) a drug such as Ritalin, which has a similar affect on the brain as cocaine, until you have seen this information. The post Are You Drugging Yourself or Child For ADHD? first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Watch Gary Null’s outstanding documentary, The Drugging of Our Children. Children’s behavioral problems including what might seem to be a serious mental disorder are very frequently related to a poor diet, exposure to toxins or at least 6 other risk factors. Do not give your child (or take as an adult) a drug such as Ritalin, which has a similar affect on the brain as cocaine, until you have read the information at the link below. There are alternatives. Click Here! Twelve Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child: Drug-Free Alternatives for Attention-Deficit Disorders Healing ADD Revised Edition: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the 7 Types of ADDThe post Are You Drugging Yourself or Child For ADHD? first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> /are-you-drugging-yourself-or-child-for-adhd/feed/ 0 952 Are you a Pill Popper? /are-you-a-pill-popper/ /are-you-a-pill-popper/#respond Sun, 28 Jul 2013 22:30:57 +0000 Many people are taking several drugs for various disease symptoms. Are you one of them? Are you a "guinea pig" for the pharmaceutical companies? Watch the video to learn more and help you make a good decision. The post Are you a Pill Popper? first appeared on Addiction Solution Source. No related posts. ]]> Watch this interesting video by the BBC about prescription drugs. Some drugs have benefits – usually short term. There is no such thing as a “side effect”. They all have effects on your body and no one knows if it will be safe to you. Some of you may remember the pain killer drug VIOXX which was finally removed from the market after causing over 100,000 heart attacks and more than 30,000 deaths. Most seniors are taking several drugs for various chronic disease symptoms. Are you one of them? Are you a “guinea pig” for the pharmaceutical c

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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336Sun, 10 Aug 2025 06:32:03 +0000addictionsober living by the searehabsober livingaddiction recoveryRecoveryaddiction tomorrowCRC healthsober housesobrietyaddiction newsdrug abusedrug rehabfaces and voices of recoveryalcoholalcoholismwar on drugsfacebookmarijuanatwitteraddiction researchobamaaddiction treatmentsadvocacybinge drinkingcelebrity rehabdrug addictiondrug czardrug wareating disorderhazeldenpassagesresearchtreatmentaddiction exerciseanorexiacigaretteseating disorder booksfergusonhealthcareinterventionjaywalker lodgelinkedinmichael jacksonmichael jackson addictionrelapseDr. DrewDr. Drew Pinskyaddiction and codependencyaddiction and cyclingaddiction in mexicoadi jaffeafflicted and affectedaftercarealcohol treatmentalcoholicall about addictionban on drugsbill simmonsbritish binge drinkingbulimiacocainecocaine addictioncodependencycollegecollege alcoholicsdrug awarenessdrug lawsdrug treatmentequinox fitness life storiesintervenejoin togetherlance armstronglegallegalizationlegalizemalibumichael jackson demerolmike fergusonoverdoseovereatingpain medicationphoenix multisportrelapse preventionsex addictionsmokingsocial networkingsteroidsstimulus packagetobaccotobacco legislation12 angels30 for 30DJ AMESPNFDAFerguson BHCIAEDPJanet Jackson interventionLen BiasLen Bias drug overdoseMichael PhelpsMilitaryNEDANIDAUCLAa and eadam goldsteinaddiction indexaddiction podcastaddiction sportsaddiction treatment initiativeadolescent treatmentadult friend finderalcohol rehaballtreatmentanimal houseaspirinbaby boomer eating disorderbaseballbidenbilly maysbilly mays cocainebongbowling greenbusiness of addictionc4 recoverycalifornia addictioncalifornia budgetcalifornia prisonchalkchalk talkchewing tobaccococaine overdosecocaine vaccinationcocaine vaccinecodependency treatmentcollege binge drinkingcore companycrack addictioncrystal methcyber millenialscyclingdecriminalizationdoping and cyclingdoping tour de francedr. adi jaffedr. stephen grinsteaddrug offendersdrug useeconomistepoequinox fitnessexerciseexpeditionfamily diseasefat americansfat taxfather martinfather martin's ashleyferguson behavioral health consultingfoundations recovery networkfunny or diegenegene shallotgeneticsgray wolf ranchgreater milwaukee foundationhealthcare reformhelphero househghhigh functioning alcoholicillegalinsuranceinternet addictionjack osbournejane eigner mintzjoe schrankjohnson institutejosh hamiltonjosh hamilton relapsejust say nokennedykerlikowskelaptop hunterslegalize itlivestronlivestronglos angeles rehabluxuryluxury rehabmajor league baseballmarijuana addictionmarijuana clinicmarijuana consequencesmarijuana legalizationmartinmatch.commethadonemethamphetaminemethodonemexican legalizationmichael beasleymichael beasley rehabmichael jackson interventionmichael jackson propofolmichael jackson xanaxmichiganmilitary suicidemillenialsmilwaukeemitchell reportmoments of claritymyspacenaltrexonenew york timesnew yorkernonprofitobese americaobesityolder women eating disorderoutliersoverweightparitypercocetpersonal recovery advisorpfzier finepossessionprescription drug abuseracing for recoveryreSTART seattlereaganreal life interventionreefer madnessrestart treatmentritalinrobert reichseattlepisexual addictionshamwow arrestshamwow guysober coachsober companionsober in the animal housesponseesponsorsponsorshipsportssuboxonesuicidesuicide preventiontalkteam in trainingterry gorskithe bridge to recoverythe meadowsthe wiretour de francetraumatwelve angelstylenolvicodinvisionswealth of nations blogwomen eating disorderwonderlandwonderland centerAddiction TomorrowA viewpoint on what's happening in the addiction and treatment world from one guy in the industry.noreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)Blogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-8945252023050348631Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:25:00 +00002011-06-14T19:25:58.483-07:00addictionaddiction and codependencyaddiction tomorrowall about addictionc4 recoverydr. adi jaffefoundations recovery networkCatching up...and succession planningHi everyone, it's been entirely too long. I've spent the time in the last few months that I haven't been blogging doing lots of interesting things. I've attended a bunch of conferences (<a href=";, <a href=" Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders</a>, and the <a href=" of Change Conference</a>, to name three), visited a number of treatment centers, and met a lot of new professionals in the field. I've gotten to see a new addiction news and culture website launch (<a href=";) and another of my favorites (<a href=";, run by <a href=". Adi Jaffe</a>) gain some steam as a solid research-based blog. Mostly, I've spent my time thinking about the future of the field of addictive services. At all of these conferences, the number of clinicians and administrators in the addiction field under 35 is frighteningly low. Personally, I'm concerned about this, and at the West Coast Symposium (mentioned above) there was a concerted effort to bring together the wisdom of the current leaders to the newer members of the field. A mentoring lunch was held, with tables featuring such leaders as <a href=" Waggener</a>, CEO of Foundations Recovery Network and <a href=". Andrea Barthwell</a>, former Deputy Director for Demand Reduction at the Office of National Drug Control Policy and currently the owner and director of <a href=" Dreams Outer Banks</a>, as well as other researchers and clinicians. In my experience, this has been the first true effort by the addiction treatment community to spread their thought leadership to the next generation of treatment providers. A good idea all around, as the field needs that wisdom to continue moving the work forward. As a young leader in the field, I almost feel partially responsible for helping this message get to my generation of addiction professionals. Thanks to C4 Recovery Services for taking the bull by the horns and helping to get the process started. If anyone has any ideas on how to continue our work, suggestions are welcome. For something funny, check this out: <object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_25c17d6eb2"><param name="movie" value="; /><param name="flashvars" value="key=25c17d6eb2" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=25c17d6eb2" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="; name="ordie_player_25c17d6eb2" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:left;font-size:x-small;margin-top:0;width:512px;"><a href="; title="from Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Scott Aukerman, Between Two Ferns, BJPorter, Funny Or Die, Brian Lane, Scott Gairdner, and Shauna O'Toole">Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Will Ferrell</a> from <a href=" Ferrell</a></div> <a href=" me on Twitter</a>, and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn</a>. Become a fan of <a href=" blog</a> or <a href=" company</a> on Facebook. And see you later this week.2011/06/catching-upand-succession-planning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-1131311188132695398Mon, 11 Oct 2010 04:44:00 +00002010-10-10T21:44:04.891-07:00The Social NetworkAfter finally seeing <a href="; target="_blank">"The Social Network"</a> today (and yes, I know this makes me a "late adopter"), it really got me thinking. How different has our culture become since the launch of Facebook in 2004? For those of you who've read my blog in the past, you'll know that I'm relatively plugged in to <a href="; target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="; target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="; target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>. The interesting thing is the level of connectivity. Back in 2007, Alice Mathias wrote an <a href="; target="_blank">opinion article</a> lamenting the "Facebook generation" and the general lack of connectivity and how things are changing as a result of the constant online exposure. "Facebook purports to be a place for human connectivity, but it’s made us more wary of real human confrontation," Mathias says in the article. And now with the Blackberry, iPhone, etc., people are in more constant contact and connected all the time. Is this really a good thing? On one level, those who work in high-pressure jobs that require realtime responses and crisis-level action (i.e. pagers for doctors) it seems like a smart concept. But for those who simply like to have access to their network at all times, this can actually be a problem. In the New York Times this summer, an <a href="; target="_blank">article appeared talking about teens that had serious academic consequences</a> as a result of their compulsive behavior around Facebook. From the article, "As many as 1 in 8 Americans suffer from problematic Internet use, according to researchers at Stanford University in California." Those are crazy high numbers, although if we look at general addiction stats, those seem to fall in line. So what to do? I know I personally check Facebook a couple of times a day, not to mention Twitter and LinkedIn and the constant vibration of texts and emails. My coworkers and I joke about "phantom vibrations," or when you think you feel the vibration of your phone and your phone isn't even in your pocket. We call this a joke, but it's not really that funny. How connected is TOO connected? That's for you to decide. If your workplace has started the migration to social media, you may already be responsible for being responsive 24/7. Another exercise in boundaries, I suppose. It will be very intriguing in the next few years to see what kind of consequences arise from compulsive access. How do you match up? And now,<a href="; target="_blank"> here's something funny</a>. Be sure to check out my company, <a href="; target="_blank">Ferguson Behavioral Health Consulting</a>. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad Location:<a href=' Barrington Ave,Los Angeles,United States</a>2010/10/social-network.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-6202990043622098890Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:34:00 +00002010-07-29T23:34:43.465-07:00ferguson behavioral health consultingFerguson BHCmike fergusonNew Updates and Upcoming PostsThanks for sticking around, for those of you who still follow the blog, love the old content, and like the things we've written. In 2010, a lot has happened in the addiction and recovery field that we need to comment on, and due to some new twists and turns, the posting has (to say the least) fallen off a little bit. We'll be back with a vengeance, and with some new features. So here we go. In February of this year, I launched a new company, <a href=";>Ferguson Behavioral Health Consulting.</a> After working in the field for the last few years, I decided it was about time for me to take a little risk and go out on my own. Needless to say, it's been a lot of work. So, with the support of a few key people (namely <a href=" Lodge</a>, <a href=" Treatment Center</a>, and <a href=" Harbor Treatment Center for Women</a>), I was able to incorporate my love for seeing people get to the appropriate treatment provider as well as branding and outreach relations. You can also <a href=" my new company on Twitter</a> and <a href=" a fan on Facebook.</a> So this year, along with commentary on what's happening in the news of addiction (look for a post regarding our friend Lindsay Lohan over the weekend), I'll also be writing about events I attend, interesting speakers, and revolutions in the industry. As part of the broader scope of addiction recovery, I hope that together we can continue changing lives and helping people get better. Let me know if you have any suggestions about anything you'd like to see or see more written about. Here's a video from one of my consulting clients, <a href=" Lodge</a>: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Here's something funny: <object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_fa34df6f44"><param name="movie" value="; /><param name="flashvars" value="key=fa34df6f44" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=fa34df6f44" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="; name="ordie_player_fa34df6f44" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:left;font-size:x-small;margin-top:0;width:512px;"><a href="; title="from Joshua Jackson, Eric Appel, Antonio Scarlata, FOD Team, Ryan Perez, and Alex Fernie">Pacey-Con with Joshua Jackson</a> from <a href=" Jackson</a></div> What I've been reading: <a target="_blank" href=" Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis</a><img src="; width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /> What I've been watching: <a target="_blank" href=" C.K.: Chewed Up</a><img src="; width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /> What I've been listening to: <a target="_blank" href=" Radio- Us Against The Crown</a><img src="; width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /> As per usual, <a href=" me on Twitter</a> and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn.</a> Become a <a href=" of the blog on Facebook.</a> And see you next week- I promise.2010/07/new-updates-and-upcoming-posts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-9050786804379359405Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:05:00 +00002010-01-14T12:18:04.930-08:00addictionalcoholalcohol rehabalcohol treatmentalcoholicalcoholismbritish binge drinkingdrug rehabeconomistBritish consider alcohol price increaseIn this week's edition of <a href=" Economist</a>, one of the standout articles was about a parliamentary health committee convening to discuss <a href=" the prices on low-end alcohol</a>. According to the article, many of the low-end alcoholic beverages are sold at incredibly low prices, as well as significantly discounted when purchased in bulk. From the article: "Using research from Sheffield University, the committee argued that a floor of 40p for a 10ml unit of alcohol—enough to push the Sainsbury’s cider up to £3.36—would save 1,100 lives per year. A floor of 50p would save 3,000, it said. Medical associations and the police all want to see drink get more expensive too." As we've touched on before, the British have a <a href="2009/05/cyber-millenials-and-their-drinking.html">long history of binge drinking, especially among the younger adults.</a> British cases of cirrhosis are on the rise, while all over the rest of Western Europe cases of cirrhosis are on the decline. What's interesting to see is the fact that, per-capita, their consumption is the eighth-highest in Europe; however, according to the World Health Organization, a whopping 12% of the British population are non-drinkers. Now normally, a bill like this would get a lot of negative feedback from the already-struggling pub industry; however, a raise in the low-end liquor industry wouldn't directly affect them as most drinks served in bars aren't THAT low end. So hopefully we'll see a stabilzation in the low-end market, helping slow alcohol consumption in the lower-end markets. Scotland, on the other hand, is working to introduce a "social responsibility" fee for bars and other liquor sales places, presumably to put those funds toward treatment and education programs. I hope that we see an uptick in this area; alcohol sales tax SHOULD go towards rehabilitation services for those in need- after all, their legal drug causes all sorts of damage to individuals and families. Perhaps a price increase will slow consumption of liquor in the UK; at any rate, it's a start, and one can hope that treatment options are made more readily available to those in need. In other news, <a href=" announced today</a> that they would be premiering a new series called "Addicted" this March, featuring interventionist <a href=" Wandzilak of Full Circle Intervention</a> and author of the book, <a href=" Lost Years."</a> I'm excited for this show- I know that the journey through addiction will be presented well, and can only increase awareness to the help available out there. I'm happy that this seems not only to focus on intervention, but also on the "life stuff" that follows the exit from a treatment center. Once again, the more awareness of resources available, the better- if this show helps one person seek treatment, then I qualify it as a success. Here's a video of Ms. Wandzilak from ABC: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <a href=" something funny.</a> As per usual, <a href=" me on Twitter</a> and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn</a>. <a href=" a fan of the blog on Facebook.</a> And see you this week.2010/01/british-consider-alcohol-price-increase.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-366489497399312225Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:32:00 +00002010-01-11T10:10:50.379-08:00addictionadi jaffeall about addictionalltreatmentcodependencycore companydrug rehabeating disorderhealthcarehealthcare reformjoe schrankmichael jacksonrobert reichBack for 2010After a much-needed two-month writing sabbatical (due to work reasons, writers block, etc.), it's good to be back in 2010. Lots of stories to cover this year. First and foremost, thanks so much to <a href="; for naming my blog <a href=" of the best of 2009!</a> (Congrats as well to my friend <a href=" Jaffe</a> at <a href=" About Addiction</a> who also had his blog listed as one of the best). Had a great end to 2009, helping a number of people find their way to treatment and start the journey of getting well, and spent much needed time with family and friends over the holidays. One can only hope the holiday experience was as relaxing for everyone else. As we know, the holidays can be a difficult time for families that have been ravaged by addiction; for those of you who need help, please ask for it! Asking for helping is the only way to get it. One of my new favorite reads during the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 is <a href=" Schrank's Core Company blog</a>, covering lots of different topics around addiction. Schrank isn't afraid to share his opinion, which can seem grating to some but we at Addiction Tomorrow find it fairly refreshing to see someone speak their mind. His <a href=" recap column</a> brought up a number of different issues, mostly documenting the numerous "celebrity" drug and alcohol deaths, which seemed to be higher this year than in years past. Although, it may just be that the 24/7 news/gossip channels and blogs have been paying more attention this year. Obviously, Michael Jackson's death in June sparked the greatest awareness (We blogged about it numerous times, starting <a href="2009/06/michael-jacksons-tragic-end.html">here</a>.) Jackson's overdose brought to light the abusive natures of overprescribing doctors, enabling family members, and what fame can do when left unchecked. A tragic end for one of the most interesting figures of my lifetime. For current events, the healthcare debate has been raging all year and preliminary voting <a href=" like things are in for a change.</a> But we will see; as with all things government, time will tell how much reform is actually put in play. A very interesting article on the <a href=" of mental illness was in the New York Times</a> this weekend. Check it out; some interesting perspectives on how mental illness is diagnosed around the world. One of the most interesting segments of the article spoke about a specific form of anorexia that occurred in Hong Kong; <a href=". Sing Lee</a>, a psychiatrist in Hong Kong saw a few patients who simply expressed that their stomachs always felt bloated, instead of the usual Western diagnosis of fat phobia. What Lee saw after the death of one of his patients was what made it very interesting- it seemed that his patients who suffered from disordered eating patterns turned their OWN SYMPTOMS into the more widely-accepted Western views. “Culture shapes the way general psychopathology is going to be translated partially or completely into specific psychopathology,” Lee says. “When there is a cultural atmosphere in which professionals, the media, schools, doctors, psychologists all recognize and endorse and talk about and publicize eating disorders, then people can be triggered to consciously or unconsciously pick eating-disorder pathology as a way to express that conflict.” This is definitely worth a read. Here's one of my favorite videos, from Dr. Kevin McCauley: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Here's a great video on healthcare reform from <a href=" Reich</a>, professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and former Labor Secretary under the Clinton administration: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <a href=" something funny.</a> As always, <a href=" with me on LinkedIn</a> and <a href=" me on Twitter</a>. <a href=" a fan of the blog on Facebook</a>. And see you later this week (I promise!)2010/01/back-for-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-1681592729137282777Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:21:00 +00002010-08-16T09:40:24.215-07:0030 for 30addictioncocaine addictioncocaine overdosedrug warESPNLen BiasLen Bias drug overdoseoverdosewar on drugsLen Bias and the War on DrugsAfter watching the <a href=" ESPN documentary series' "30 for 30"</a>'s latest episode, "Without Bias," I was struck by the impact Len Bias' death had on awareness of the dangers of cocaine, and on the drug laws. For those of you who don't know, Bias was a standout basketball player for the University of Maryland (check out <a href=" footage here</a>). Bias was often compared to Michael Jordan, who we all know is the best basketball player that we've seen- his potential was through the roof. In fact,Celtics scout Ed Badger told the press at the time, "Len Bias is the closest thing to Michael Jordan to come out in a long time." Bias was drafted number two overall by the Boston Celtics at the 1986 NBA draft, and the following day went and signed a 1.6 million dollar deal with Reebok shoe company for an endorsement. That evening, Bias returned to the Maryland campus to spend time with his former teammates- and started to use cocaine. Around 6 AM that following morning, Bias started to have trouble breathing and went into seizure. After paramedics were called, Bias eventually succumbed to a cocaine overdose. A month later, a Maryland grand jury returned indictments against Bias's friend Brian Tribble for possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and Bias's Maryland teammates Terry Long (possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice) and David Gregg (possession of cocaine and obstruction of justice). All were found not guilty, although Tribble was later convicted of an unrelated cocaine trafficking charge. The aftermath of Bias' death stretched out into the legal system. The Narcotics Penalties and Enforcement Act was supported by both parties and enforced stronger prison sentences for smaller amounts of drugs. From a <a href=" Post article</a>: "From 1954 to 1976, it fluctuated between 20,000 and 24,000. By 1986 it had grown to 36,000. Today it exceeds 190,000 prisoners, up 527 percent in 20 years. More than half this population is made up of drug offenders, most of whom are serving sentences created in the weeks after Len Bias died. " So is Bias to blame for our current terrible prison and "War on Drugs" situation? The laws that were passed in the wake of his death have bled into a terrible problem in their own right. <a href=" Frontline did a great timeline</a> on the War on Drugs, talking in specifics about the consequences of Bias' death. We can only hope that the mandatory minimum sentences that were established can be replaced by <a href=" rehab</a> options for people who are struggling with addiction. Bias also brought a new level of awareness to the dangers of cocaine- in a way, he may have saved some lives with his example. That, we can hope, will be his legacy. Here's a preview of the 30 for 30 episode. Check your local listings for the full show. <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object> <a href=" here for something funny.</a> Sorry for the prolonged absence! But it's good to be back. Come and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn</a> and <a href=" me on Twitter</a>. <a href=" a fan of the blog on Facebook.</a> And we'll see you shortly.2009/11/len-bias-and-war-on-drugs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-5990179862189868292Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:39:00 +00002009-10-13T15:30:47.994-07:00cocainecocaine addictioncocaine vaccinationcocaine vaccinecrack addictiondrug addictiondrug warhazeldenA cocaine vaccine?A <a href=" Magazine article</a> this past week spoke about the success of early trials of a cocaine vaccine. The results, although only mildly successful, seemed to point towards the idea that a vaccination against addiction could be something viable in the fight to get people well. <a href=" news posted a video</a> talking with Dr. Marvin Seppela, medical director of <a href=";, about the potential effects of something like this happening. The vaccination is built to damper the "high" users obtain from using cocaine, and therefore, scale back the level of craving. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (or NIDA), has mentioned that vaccinations against addiction are one of the institutes "...top priorities." NIDA is also working on a similar vaccination towards nicotine addiction. However, an interesting fact in the article: "About 25% of the study participants did not produce cocaine antibodies when vaccinated. In about half of these cases, researchers think smoking crack was the problem." This seems interesting, since it looks as though the vaccination would only alter the affects of powder cocaine users. As is widely known, crack cocaine causes far more severe effects among addicts, so it will be interesting to see if they find a way to combat the effects of crack addiction. One of the more interesting points, made near the end of the article, was that the vaccine would need a number of consistent "booster" shots to keep up the effects of the vaccination. Dr. Volkow says that more than likely, the best use for the vaccine would be as a mode of relapse prevention, as opposed to a new method of abstinence. Since most addicts do require a form of aftercare, such as a 12-step group, this can be used as an additional tool to help support recovery and sobriety. In the spirit of the blog, being named Addiction Tomorrow after all, we're looking forward to seeing additional research and options for addicts to get well. This is encouraging, and hopefully we can get another tool in the toolbox to fight this battle. Here's a great video about the myths of addiction. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <a href=" something funny.</a> As always, <a href=" me on Twitter</a> and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn.</a> <a href=" a fan of the blog on Facebook.</a> And see you this week.2009/10/cocaine-vaccine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-276686914892723441Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:17:00 +00002009-09-29T11:46:17.677-07:00addiction and codependencybowling greencodependencycodependency treatmentdr. stephen grinsteadrelapse preventionterry gorskithe bridge to recoveryThe Bridge To RecoveryFor those of you who are avid readers, I apologize for the lack of posting for the last couple of weeks. I've been on the road for work and haven't had access to wireless internet. Here's the first of a few updates. I spent a long weekend in <a href=" Green, KY</a> doing a referent weekend at <a href=" Bridge to Recovery</a>, a residential treatment center with a focus on codependency. With tracks starting a 14 days and going up through 90, The Bridge can do treatment like I've never seen, focusing almost solely on family members of addicts as well as addicts themselves. Carol Cannon, one of the founders and a pioneer in the field of codependence (and published a couple of books, most notably <a href=" on Unhappiness"</a>) provided one of the best definitions of codependence I've ever heard: “Codependence is the pain in adulthood that comes from being wounded in childhood, which leads to a high probability of relationship problems and addictive disorders in later life.” With a huge focus on trauma and codependency, I was really impressed with The Bridge. This was also an amazing weekend to be there, as it was both the 35th anniversary of The Bridge AND the retirement celebration for the founders, Paul and Carol Cannon. I got the opportunity to meet and speak with alumni from all the back in the late 80s, and really got a feel for the work that they were doing. In addition, <a href=". Stephen Grinstead of Addiction Free Pain Management </a>, who also works with <a href=" Gorski</a> doing Relapse Prevention training, told his story and lead a workshop on "Identifying and Managing the Inner Saboteur." He took the clients through his workshop, as well as the visitors (like myself), staff, and alumni. A really powerful experience to do some difficult group work and look at how denial manifests in our daily lives. Also got the opportunity to hear stories from <a href=" Ramirez-Herndon and Dr. Jeff Seat</a> over the weekend, a truly great experience. Overall, a fantastic visit. I wouldn't hesitate to send a family member to treatment at the Bridge, and I'm looking forward to doing some work with them in the future. Such a diamond in the rough; it's weird to think that they've been around for 35 years and yet are not really known about on the West Coast. Hopefully we can spread the word; long term treatment for family members of addicts can only provide a healthier, more supportive network for people trying to maintain their recovery. Here's a video about The Bridge to Recovery: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> In the next blog: my trip to Nashville. Here's something funny, <a href=" Ferrell's video about health insurance. </a> As always, <a href=" me on Twitter</a> and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn.</a> <a href=" a fan of the blog on Facebook.</a> And see you tomorrow.2009/09/bridge-to-recovery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-3670039301760745214Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:35:00 +00002009-09-14T15:13:49.843-07:00addictionaddiction in mexicoaddiction recoveryaddiction treatmentsdecriminalizationdrug lawsdrug rehabdrug warmexican legalizationRecoverywar on drugsHow are Mexico's drug laws affecting us?As I mentioned in a recent post, drug violence in Mexico has been escalating to a disturbing degree, from affecting tourism numbers to actually <a href="2009/09/hitmen-murder-rehab-patients.html">seeing hitmen invade a Mexican treatment center</a> and brutally kill people trying to get well. This does not bode well for the Mexican-American border, nor for the Mexican citizens as well. An article in the New York Times today talked about the <a href=" laws decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana and harder drugs</a> in Mexico. Good questions brought up here- will US citizens go across the border for easier access to drugs? How will the Obama administration react? And how will this policy affect the Mexican citizens? A variety of experts chimed in on this. One, Tony Payan (a political science professor at University of Texas-El Paso) mentioned that the new law was designed simply to combat the rampant police corruption- i.e. police demanding bribes to let people off for small possession charges- and NOT to curb violence. However, I really liked his viewpoint on this, quoted here: "it is a solid first step to pave the way for 1) distinguishing between drug use and drug abuse 2) paving the way for fully medicalizing abuse, that is, reinforcing the idea that we should treat drug addicts much as alcoholics and offer them help instead of prison time, and 3) focusing state resources on the production, trafficking and distribution networks." This is what we, vocal opponents of the US drug war, have been saying for years- that we should be going after the big drug kingpins and allow users better, and more comprehensive, access to drug treatment as opposed to putting them in jail. I was, however, disappointed to see the response from Calvina Fay, executive director of the <a href=" Free America Foundation.</a> She states: "Drug users are not innocent. They support the vicious drug cartels. Without their demand for drugs, the supply side has no purpose." However, this has been the response of government entities for the last 30 years, and we've made almost no progress. This is like comparing abstinence only education vs. comprehensive sex education. There will ALWAYS be demand for drugs- addiction will not go away if we someone slam the channels of drugs shut. People will find something new to be mind-altering- <a href="2009/09/internet-addiction-and-treatment.html">maybe even the internet</a>- to fill the void. So we should be focusing more on the education of "what-happens-if" instead of "just say no." Here's a breakdown of the new decriminalization laws: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <a href=" something funny.</a> Be sure to check out <a href=" in Treatment</a>, a great new nonprofit organization in Los Angeles looking to help struggling artists get well. They'll be hosting an event here in LA co-sponsored by Hazelden; as more details emerge I'll post them. A great cause, and we're glad to see someone supporting them. As always, <a href=" me on Twitter</a> and <a href=" with me on LinkedIn.</a> <a href=" a fan of the blog on Facebook.</a> And see you this week.2009/09/how-are-mexicos-drug-laws-affecting-us.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (M.A.F.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069712387426301336.post-2061149172466310082Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:07:00 +00002009-09-09T12:21:45.391-07:00internet addictionpfzier finereSTART seattlerestart treatmentInternet Addiction and TreatmentThere has been a lot of talk in the news lately about internet addiction and treatment. The Chicago Tribune <a href=" an article this morning</a> about <a href=", an internet addiction treatment center in Seattle.</a> The website talks about different signs and symptoms associated with internet addiction, such as neglecting friends and family, obsessing over the computer and internet, and failed attempts to control behavior. Although internet addiction isn't classified in the DSM as of yet, there are well-chronicled tales of <a href=" with addiction to games</a> such as <a href=" of Warcraft.</a> In Chicago, Linda Lewaniak, director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, said that while research on the subject is scant, "we've had steady growth in this area. We're now seeing enough people to have its own group." So what's the deal? Are people TRULY addicted to the internet? I think when we start to see consequences such as lack of social activity, lowered productivity in the workplace, and feelings of

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