Undoubtedly, Suboxone is the best detoxifying treatment for opiate dependents. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) was first introduced to the market as analgesic in the early 1980s. Presently this drug is used to treat opioid addiction. Pain pill addicts who have undergone various therapies and detoxifying treatments would aver that this drug granted approval by the FDA is the most effective means to cure drug addiction. With Suboxone, the detoxifying treatment will be accomplished with the least discomfort for the patient. This is because no cravings for the addicting drug will be felt by the patient. Withdrawal symptoms will be eliminated after a short period of time. (more…)

35 million people in the U.S. are 65 or older (13%). This number will increase to 20 percent by 2030, or approximately 70 million people (baby boomers). Alcohol or other drug problems (AOD) are present in an estimated 10 percent of all cases treated by geriatric mental health facilities. It is estimated that 17% of the over-65 adults have an alcohol-abuse problem. Drug and alcohol problems in seniors are underestimated, underdiagnosed and undertreated in the U.S.   (more…)

When people think of substance abuse, they automatically think of alcohol and illegal drugs or street dugs, such as cocaine and heroin. What most people are not going to think about are the drugs that are given to people with the permission of their doctor. When people abuse a substance, it is not always something that is illegal. It can be prescription drugs that people, even teenagers, sometimes abuse. In fact, studies show that while pain medication is one of the most abused substances in North America, medications such as cough syrup are often abused by young adults. (more…)

Here is a link to an inspirational story about Richard Jensen from Clackamas Oregon. Take 15 minutes to appreciate this mans struggle and learn that anything is possible. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=jensen&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab8pos1

What kinds of people are prone to addictions or substance abuse? Many people are susceptible to these problems, especially people who suffer from depression, low self-esteem, loneliness, excessive stress, or are in a relationship they don’t like and don’t feel they can get out of. Young people who have difficulty fitting in, are constantly under attack by bullies and peer pressure, have a lot of stress at home or are extremely unhappy with themselves are also individuals to watch for signs of possible addiction or substance abuse. (more…)

Here’s a link to a site maintained by SAMHSA that helps people find treatment in their area. http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

You’ve probably seen this warning on medicines you’ve taken. The danger is real. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. (more…)

It is an all-too-common scenario: A person experiments with an addictive drug like cocaine. Perhaps he intends to try it just once, for “the experience” of it. It turns out, though, that he enjoys the drug’s euphoric effect so much that in ensuing weeks and months he uses it again — and again. But in due time, he decides he really should quit. He knows that despite the incomparable short-term high he gets from using cocaine, the long-term consequences of its use are perilous. So he vows to stop using it. (more…)

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are manufactured substances related to male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone). “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building and “androgenic” refers to increased male sexual characteristics. “Steroids” refers to the class of drugs. These drugs can be legally prescribed to treat conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty, but also body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass. (more…)

I always have wondered, was I really addicted to drugs and alcohol, or was I addicted to escaping from my feelings? I know, it doesn’t really matter at this point but I still think, “what if I had just dealt with my feelings in the first place instead of trying to run from them.” I wonder where I would be?

Two types of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for drug abuse, “relapse prevention” and “seeking safety,” have shown promise in the treatment of women who abuse drugs and also have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women participating in either therapy for 3 months showed decreases not only in substance abuse, but also in PTSD symptoms. (more…)

There are hundreds or even thousands of people throughout North America who suffer from substance abuse, either with prescription drugs, street drugs or alcohol. Many of these people are unaware that help is just a phone call, visit or click of a button away; others are aware of the help available but they don’t feel that it will do them any good. Most are aware of the live help lines or the crisis lines they can phone in order to talk to someone, but most don’t feel that these will help them. What they need is therapy or proper counseling, but most will do their best to avoid talking to a stranger in person about their problems. For people who want help, but are uncomfortable talking with a therapist or a counselor in person, there is online therapy or counseling. (more…)

This comment is on the statement by zenith on my original post. With respect, all of what you said, zenith, is the usual justification presented by methadone advocates to support often permanent treatment of opiate addiction through use of methadone. I am not maligning good methadone recovery. I DO know of good recovery using methadone, meaning a stable life in all areas (job, relationships, no crime, no drug use other than methadone), but that result does not mean that substitution therapy is the only treatment modality for most narcotics addicts. (more…)

At Complete Counseling Solutions we have a team of online therapists that provide interactive online counseling with advice that’s private, affordable, and most importantly, creates solutions. We help you to feel good and achieve your goals.

Jennifer B. Baxt, LMFT, LMHC, PA
Complete Counseling Solutions
jennifer@completecounselingsolutions.com  
www.completecounselingsolutions.com
954-296-9991

I have never agreed with treating opiate addiction by substituting a legal opiate-like drug such as methadone or burpephenorphine for the illegal drug (e.g., heroin). Mostly what these drug treatment programs do is to maintain the patient in a state of physical dependence on the legal drug methadone or buprenorphine. Too often methadone maintenance programs are underfinanced, understaffed, and overly committed, resulting in the patient remaining in the drug culture and frequently addicted to other drugs and alcohol. I understand the public health argument that these programs can reduce i.v. use, crime, and the spread of AIDS and other STDs, and would favor these programs if the goal were at some point to move the patient to abstinence from all drugs (other than the prescribed drug) and alcohol, and to getting off of the methadone or buprenorphine. I worry about buprenorphine treatment where a physician after completing an eight hour training, will now treat opiate addiction out of his/her office; I wonder what addictions treatment and counseling the patient will receive, in addition to the buprenorphine. I favor comprehesive addictions treatment for opiate addition, with abstinence as the goal, and with 12 Step facilitation therapy (NA and AA).
Jan Williams www.alcoholdrugsos.com

Drug addiction is a complex but treatable disease. It is characterized by compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of severe adverse consequences. For many people, drug abuse becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence. In fact, relapse to drug abuse occurs at rates similar to those for other well-characterized, chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. As a chronic, recurring illness, addiction may require repeated episodes of treatment before sustained abstinence is achieved. Through treatment tailored to individual needs, people with drug addiction can recover and lead productive lives. (more…)

Hello all,
I just saw a study reporting serious heart damage to persons aged 18-41 from abuse of amphetamines, namely myocardial infarction (heart attack due to blockage of artery). The study was summarized here: www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2008/amphetamines-could-cause.html: (more…)

Hello everyone,
I just wanted to spread the word about the online professional addictions counseling and support services I provide for persons with drug or alcohol problems, or persons with concerns about such problems in someone they care about. I am a licensed addictions counselor with 29 years experience and coming up on 31 years of recovery this August (one day at a time). I offer a number of online services, including same day responses to questions, ongoing support for those already in recovery, daily reflections, evaluations, help for seniors, to name a few. Please check out my web site: http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com. My services are provided by Email, IM, or by telephone: 443-610-3569. My thanks to Online Recovery Support for this opportunity. Jan Williams, MS, JD, LCADC

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 2 million people this year will find themselves entering some kind of rehabilitation for abuse of various drugs or alcohol.  In the past 70 years or so, these alcoholics and addicts would have left various rehabilitation institutions to then begin a lifetime of meetings in church basements with fellow addicts or alcoholics, there to find the support and encouragement to continue their life clean and sober. 

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The process of making methamphetamine-in both large and small laboratories-involves at least one, and sometimes more than one, stage with a significant risk of explosion and/or fire. (more…)

SayNOtoMeth.com and Grandpa Don are delivering their message across America, and are relying on you, their friends, for help. (more…)

MDMA (ecstasy), Rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine are among the drugs used by teens and young adults who are part of a nightclub, bar, rave, or trance scene. Raves and trance events are generally night-long dances, often held in warehouses. Many who attend raves and trances do not use club drugs, but those who do may be attracted to their generally low cost, and to the intoxicating highs that are said to deepen the rave or trance experience. (more…)