Millions of people across the country are struggling every day with substance abuse, and while the root of addiction is different for everyone, there is a definite connection between an inability to process emotions and stress and the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Many substance abuse treatment centers are utilizing yoga to help people in their recovery. The immediate and long-term effects of yoga are helping people improve their mental health while they are in active recovery from addiction. Consistent practice of yoga helps people develop respect for their body, learn healthy ways to cope with stress and instill a sense of hope and faith.
Yoga has become popular in recent years, but it is a therapy that is rooted in deep Eastern tradition. Many people find that yoga helps restore the balance of their mind and body, and allows them to better cope with the inevitable stress of everyday life.
Posts Tagged ‘substance abuse’
Benefits Of Yoga In Drug Treatment Programs
Friday, December 30th, 2011Children with ADHD likely to develop substance abuse problems later in life
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
A new study finds that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are much more likely to develop substance abuse problems in adolescence and into adulthood.
“This greater risk for children with ADHD applies to boys and girls, it applies across race and ethnicity – the findings were very consistent,” said Steve S. Lee, a University of California – Los Angeles assistant professor of psychology and lead author of the research study.
“The greater risk for developing significant substance problems in adolescence and adulthood applies across substances, including nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs.”
ADHD affects approximately five to ten percent of American children.
People Sick from Smoking Fake Drugs – Drug Addiction
Thursday, January 6th, 2011At least 84 people in Louisiana became ill from snorting or smoking drugs that were sold as fake bath salts, fake fertilizer or fake insect repellent. The people were hospitalized because of paranoia, fighting, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. Despite warnings that these products are not drugs, that did not stop many addicts from using the drugs.
“These are experienced drug users…There’s a lot of things they’ll suffer for the drug high they’re looking for,” said Henry A. Spiller, director of the Kentucky Regional Poison Center in Louisville. “Even these people are coming into the emergency room. Even they can’t handle these fairly nasty side effects.”
Those who used the drugs described it as much more powerful than Ritalin or cocaine. Several people attempted suicide under the influence of the drugs, and other people attacked friends or family members. Poison control centers across the United States have received 160 calls – 91 of them in Louisiana – about problems from the drugs. The drugs have been sold over the internet, and on the street, in headshops and in convenience stores and gas stations. The drugs cost $40 dollars for about two-hundredths of an ounce.
“You and I know that Bath and Body Works would make a fortune if that’s what they charged for real bath salts,” said Spiller.
Physicians and Nurses Struggle with Drug & Alcohol Addiction
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010Earlier in the decade, a federal study concluded that more physicians and nurses struggle with drug addiction than alcohol addiction. It is thought that as many as one in ten health care professionals are either using drugs or fighting some level of addiction.
Why are those in the health care field more unique in their addiction? Many say it is because of their knowledge of the dangers, their easy access to the drugs and the risk to their patients.
“To go to a doctor who is impaired can really have deadly consequences. It’s no different than an airline pilot who is using drugs or alcohol in that you’re often dealing with life and death circumstances,” said Steve Levin, a medical malpractice attorney in Chicago.
Ontario Taking Steps to Slow the Rise in Prescription Drug Abuse
Thursday, December 9th, 2010The Canadian province of Ontario has passed new legislation in the hopes of stemming the tide of prescription drug abuse.
Ontario plans to launch a new monitoring system that would monitor prescription painkillers and other controlled substances. Ontario already has a database to track drugs prescribed under the public program for senior citizens, welfare recipients and the disabled. The new legislation allows the expansion of the system to cover all drugs dispensed in the province.
Opioid overdoses in Ontario have risen in recent years and claim more lives than HIV. According to Health Minister Deb Matthews, the new system would alert law enforcement if someone goes “doctor shopping” or attempts to fill prescriptions at different pharmacies.
Prescriptions in Ontario for oxycodone and related drugs rose 900 percent since 1991.
20% of Auto Deaths Tested Positive for Drugs
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that about 1 in 5 drivers who were killed last year in car accidents tested positive for drugs. The researchers said the news highlighted an increasing problem of people driving under the influence of drugs.
In 2009, drugs were implicated in almost 4,000 drivers who died, or 18 percent of the almost 22,000 drivers last year. In 2005 drugs were found in the systems of 13 percent of the more than 27,000 drivers killed in car accidents.
“Drugged driving is as inexcusable as drunk driving or driving irresponsibly,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator head David Strickland.
The report did not give definite proof that the drugs caused the fatal crashes. The tests included heroin, methadone, morphine, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, LSD, prescription drugs and inhalants. The amount of time the drug or drugs could stay in the body varied by the type of substance, therefore it was unclear when the drivers had taken the drugs before the accidents.
Why the Increase of Drug Use Among Teens?
Monday, November 29th, 2010The White House drug policy director, Gil Kerlikowske, is concerned about the disturbing increase in drug use among minority teenagers. A 2009 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identified marked increases in drug use among African American teenage girls and Hispanic teenage boys between 2008 and 2009. Both groups reported increases in drug use of more than 3 perecent, making them the demographic groups with the largest increase in illicit drug use in that time period. Illicit drug use among black, non-Hispanic girls between 12 and 17 years of age increased from 7.3 percent in 2008 to 10.4 percent in 2009. Drug use by Hispanic male teenagers increased from 9.2 percent in 2008 to 12.8 percent in 2009.
“Parents, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and community leaders should do their part by taking action today to protect these at-risk youth groups from a lifetime of drug-related consequences,” said Kerlikowske.
Drug Addicts Sent to Treatment – Not Jail
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
A top government official in Britain believes that criminals suffering from drug addiction or a mental illness will benefit more from being sent to treatment rather than to jail.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is introducing a proposal that would be voluntary, but would ultimately help society as a whole.
“For those for whom drugs are the main problem, it is obviously sensible to tackle their addiction outside prison, if that is what is needed to stop them committing crime, rather than incarcerate them with more drug addicts.“
The head of a drug treatment advocacy group, Revolving Doors, concurs with Clarke’s recommendation.
“If you focus on just one issue it won’t work,” said Dominic Williamson. “I think community-based treatment as part of a sentence would work for a lot of people as long as there is a clear pathway once they leave. What happens in prison is that people receive treatment but then they are kicked out and go into the community where there is nothing for them.”
Breaking the Chains of Drug Addiction
Monday, November 15th, 2010
There was an unusual celebration in Knoxville, Tennessee this past weekend – a balloon release that symbolized hope for families struggling to overcome the heartbreaking effects of drug addiction.
This was the seventh year that red, blue and yellow balloons were released on a hill near the grave of 17-year-old Clayton James Smith. The balloon ceremony does not just honor Smith, it provides a visual reminder that there is life after drug addiction.
“It’s to celebrate recovery for anyone who may have broken the chains of addiction, it’s to offer hope for those still currently suffering from addiction, and also for the families that have never been touched by addiction – to be proud and give thanks that they have never had to worry about it,” said organizer Donna Dorsterom.
After Smith’s death, his family started “Clayton’s Lesson” together with the Roane County anti-drug coalition. Together, their goal is to educate the community about substance abuse.
Who’s Going to Regulate Prescription Drugs?
Friday, November 12th, 2010
In 2009, prescription drugs killed almost 2,500 Floridians. That is almost seven deaths each day, and this year it is predicted those numbers would climb even higher.
“It’s terribly tragic because each one of those numbers represents a human being,” said Bruce Grant, the director of the Florida Office of Drug Control
Prescription drug addiction is a problem that crosses every demographic of society. The person who sees the unfortunate end to prescription drug use is the chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties.
“I think it’s a total waste of human life,” said Dr. Jan Garavaglia. “It’s not a good road. It’s a dead-end road.”
Garavaglia has completed autopsies on people as young as 15 who have died from prescription drug use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that visits to the emergency room for prescription drug use and its complications increased more than 111 percent from 2004 to 2008. In 2008 alone, there were more than 305,900 visits to the emergency room across the country for medical problems stemming from prescription drug use.
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