How does alcohol-use affect people?
You've heard the news. "Wine with dinner benefits heart." "A couple of shots a week and you'll live to 100." How about some FACTS?
While research suggests that small amounts of alcohol might have beneficial cardiovascular effects, researchers agree that heavier drinking can lead to health problems. In fact, 100,000 Americans die from alcohol-related causes each year. Short-term effects include memory loss, hangovers, and blackouts. Long-term problems associated with heavy drinking include stomach ailments, heart problems, cancer, brain damage, serious memory loss, and liver cirrhosis.
Question: Raise your hand if you've ever seen seomeone literally "blow-up"...their skin filled with fluid, eyes yellow, legs 3 times the noraml size. Quite a site. Hope it won't be a relative of yours...
Heavy drinkers also markedly increase their chances of dying from automobile accidents, homicide, and suicide. Although men are much more likely than women to develop alcoholism, women's health suffers more, even at lower levels of consumption.
Drinking problems negatively impact mental health. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism worsen existing conditions such as depression and induce new problems like loss of memory, depression, or anxiety. Not to mention loss of job, car, house and family...
Alcohol problems don't just hurt the drinker. According to NIAAA, more than half of Americans have at least one close relative with a drinking problem. Spouses and children of heavy drinkers are more likely to face family violence; children are more likely to suffer physical and sexual abuse and neglect and to develop psychological problems. Women who drink during pregnancy run a serious risk of damaging their fetuses. Relatives and friends can be killed or injured in alcohol-related accidents and assaults.
Sound like fun to you?
Well, it sure was to me. You see I'm allergic to booze.
I steal your girlfriend, your DVD player and then I break out...in handcuffs.
Thanks for reading and come back soon-No Preaching. Promise.
PB
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Drug Addiction News:
Drug Addiction News:
Drug bill combats addiction
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"Treating drug addicts, rather than just putting them in prison, will save Colorado money and give addicts a chance to rebuild their lives, a House panel decided Monday."
Drug addiction bill has ties to Park
From: www.sherwoodparknews.com
"Sherwood Park News To force a crystal meth-addicted youth into a detox centre today, they must have either committed a crime or become wards of the province."
Drug use is worse on teen brains
From: www.vagazette.com
"WILLIAMSBURG -- Adolescents who start with cigarettes and alcohol are more likely to progress to hard drugs. They're also more prone to addiction and could suffer the effects of aging sooner."
Drug rehab trial turns to motions in Ossipee Court
From: www.citizen.com
"OSSIPEE The jury in the fraudulent drug rehab center trial spent little time in the courtroom Tuesday as lawyers for both sides argued various motions before the judge, including motions by defense attorneys to dismiss the case."
Alberta legislature gives 2nd reading to forced drug treatment bill
From: news.yahoo.com
"EDMONTON (CP) - The horror of crystal meth addiction in teenagers seems to be easy to agree on - it's how best to fight it that's causing trouble for Alberta legislators."
Easy Drug Access Not Big Cause of Docs' Relapse
From: www.jointogether.org
"Depression, mental illness, or having a family history of addiction have more to do with relapse among doctors in recovery than does easy access to drugs, HealthDay News reported March 22."
Drug bill combats addiction
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"Treating drug addicts, rather than just putting them in prison, will save Colorado money and give addicts a chance to rebuild their lives, a House panel decided Monday."
Drug addiction bill has ties to Park
From: www.sherwoodparknews.com
"Sherwood Park News To force a crystal meth-addicted youth into a detox centre today, they must have either committed a crime or become wards of the province."
Drug use is worse on teen brains
From: www.vagazette.com
"WILLIAMSBURG -- Adolescents who start with cigarettes and alcohol are more likely to progress to hard drugs. They're also more prone to addiction and could suffer the effects of aging sooner."
Drug rehab trial turns to motions in Ossipee Court
From: www.citizen.com
"OSSIPEE The jury in the fraudulent drug rehab center trial spent little time in the courtroom Tuesday as lawyers for both sides argued various motions before the judge, including motions by defense attorneys to dismiss the case."
Alberta legislature gives 2nd reading to forced drug treatment bill
From: news.yahoo.com
"EDMONTON (CP) - The horror of crystal meth addiction in teenagers seems to be easy to agree on - it's how best to fight it that's causing trouble for Alberta legislators."
Easy Drug Access Not Big Cause of Docs' Relapse
From: www.jointogether.org
"Depression, mental illness, or having a family history of addiction have more to do with relapse among doctors in recovery than does easy access to drugs, HealthDay News reported March 22."
Drug Testing and Deception
Slate has a story this week about the failure of school drug testing . It reports that the largest studies of the issue do not support randomly testing students or testing those in extracurricular activities as a way of reducing drug use. The article highlights the involvement of former drug czar Robert DuPont--a long-time drug warrior --in flawed research frequently cited...
Sunday, March 12, 2006
SCIENCE OF ALCOHOLISM AND ADDICTION IS GREATER THAN FICTION
SCIENCE OF ALCOHOLISM AND ADDICTION IS GREATER THAN FICTION
NEW YORK, NY -- In the wake of publicity surrounding James Frey's book, A Million Little Pieces, the Medical/Scientific Committee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) would like to reaffirm that alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases -- primary, chronic, yet treatable diseases from which people can and do recover. NCADD is the nation's oldest advocacy organization dedicated to providing information, education, help and hope to the general public regarding alcoholism and other drug dependence and its Medical/Scientific Committee is comprised of recognized experts in the field of alcoholism and addiction. Regrettably, Mr. Frey's book has presented some serious misconceptions about the science of alcoholism and addiction and has minimized the unequivocal progress that has been made in the past decade in understanding and treating these diseases.
NEW YORK, NY -- In the wake of publicity surrounding James Frey's book, A Million Little Pieces, the Medical/Scientific Committee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) would like to reaffirm that alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases -- primary, chronic, yet treatable diseases from which people can and do recover. NCADD is the nation's oldest advocacy organization dedicated to providing information, education, help and hope to the general public regarding alcoholism and other drug dependence and its Medical/Scientific Committee is comprised of recognized experts in the field of alcoholism and addiction. Regrettably, Mr. Frey's book has presented some serious misconceptions about the science of alcoholism and addiction and has minimized the unequivocal progress that has been made in the past decade in understanding and treating these diseases.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
About Substance Abuse Addiction
What are some of the commonly abused prescription drugs?
Although many prescription drugs can be abused or misused, there are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:
Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain; CNS depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; Stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity.
What are opioids?
Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their effective analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. Medications that fall within this class - sometimes referred to as narcotics - include morphine, codeine, and related drugs. Morphine, for example, is often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Codeine, because it is less efficacious than morphine, is used for milder pain. Other examples of opioids that can be prescribed to alleviate pain include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid), as well as meperidine (Demerol), which is used less often because of its side effects. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, some of these drugs - for example, codeine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil) - can be used to relieve coughs and diarrhea.
Although many prescription drugs can be abused or misused, there are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:
Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain; CNS depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; Stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity.
What are opioids?
Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their effective analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. Medications that fall within this class - sometimes referred to as narcotics - include morphine, codeine, and related drugs. Morphine, for example, is often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Codeine, because it is less efficacious than morphine, is used for milder pain. Other examples of opioids that can be prescribed to alleviate pain include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid), as well as meperidine (Demerol), which is used less often because of its side effects. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, some of these drugs - for example, codeine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil) - can be used to relieve coughs and diarrhea.
About Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine Addiction News:
Abdullah Says Drug Addiction Problem At Dangerous Level From: www.bernama.com "KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the drug addiction problem in the country has reached a dangerous level."
Drug Court wins top praise
From: www.miami.com
"The U.S. drug czar paid a visit to Miami-Dade's Drug Court to tout its success in turning around the lives of nonviolent, first-time offenders with addiction problems."
Curing cocaine addiction
From: news8austin.com
"The total social cost of overall drug addiction is as much as $1 trillion a year in the United States, Brodie said. He hopes, however, one drug in particular could turn things around."
Legislator pushes for new drug laws
From: badgerherald.com
"A series of 10 witnesses gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to hold an informational hearing on the illegal drug methamphetamine, advocating for the proposal of legislation to prevent addiction. State Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, chairman of the Assembly Criminal and Homeland Security Committee, organized the hearing. Current treatment of methamphetamine addiction has created concerns.
" DOHERTY TESTED ANTI-ADDICTION IMPLANT
From: www.contactmusic.com
"Recovering rocker PETE DOHERTY took heroin just hours after leaving rehab, to test a new anti-addiction implant he has been given. The former LIBERTINES frontman ended a two-week stay in a London hospital on Saturday (19FEB05) and doctors proclaimed him clean and free of the drug."
JOHN HELPED WAINWRIGHT OVERCOME DRUGS ADDICTION
From: www.contactmusic.com
"SIR ELTON JOHN helped cult singer-songwriter RUFUS WAINWRIGHT overcome his drug addiction. The ROCKET MAN helped the American star get clean and recommended rehabilitation centre the Hazelden in Minnesota, America, where Wainwright spent a month detoxing and undergoing therapy a couple of years ago."
Abdullah Says Drug Addiction Problem At Dangerous Level From: www.bernama.com "KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the drug addiction problem in the country has reached a dangerous level."
Drug Court wins top praise
From: www.miami.com
"The U.S. drug czar paid a visit to Miami-Dade's Drug Court to tout its success in turning around the lives of nonviolent, first-time offenders with addiction problems."
Curing cocaine addiction
From: news8austin.com
"The total social cost of overall drug addiction is as much as $1 trillion a year in the United States, Brodie said. He hopes, however, one drug in particular could turn things around."
Legislator pushes for new drug laws
From: badgerherald.com
"A series of 10 witnesses gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to hold an informational hearing on the illegal drug methamphetamine, advocating for the proposal of legislation to prevent addiction. State Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, chairman of the Assembly Criminal and Homeland Security Committee, organized the hearing. Current treatment of methamphetamine addiction has created concerns.
" DOHERTY TESTED ANTI-ADDICTION IMPLANT
From: www.contactmusic.com
"Recovering rocker PETE DOHERTY took heroin just hours after leaving rehab, to test a new anti-addiction implant he has been given. The former LIBERTINES frontman ended a two-week stay in a London hospital on Saturday (19FEB05) and doctors proclaimed him clean and free of the drug."
JOHN HELPED WAINWRIGHT OVERCOME DRUGS ADDICTION
From: www.contactmusic.com
"SIR ELTON JOHN helped cult singer-songwriter RUFUS WAINWRIGHT overcome his drug addiction. The ROCKET MAN helped the American star get clean and recommended rehabilitation centre the Hazelden in Minnesota, America, where Wainwright spent a month detoxing and undergoing therapy a couple of years ago."
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