Center for Addiction - Article

What Are Drug Treatment Courts?

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:17:47 -0500

Drug treatment courts are specialized community courts designed to help stop the abuse of drugs, alcohol, and related criminal activity. Non-violent offenders who have been charged with simple possession of drugs are given the option to receive treatment instead of a jail sentence. A judge oversees each case from the beginning and traces progressions and lapses through random drug testing and monitoring attendance to treatment sessions.

Personal accountability is an important aspect of the drug court. Rules are clearly defined and each participant chooses his or her own path to recovery. If a participant fails to meet the minimum requirements set forth by the court, immediate sanctions are imposed. The acting judge reviews the situation and rules accordingly. For example, a participant who fails a drug test might be sent to jail for a night. For determined individuals, completion of the program might bring about dismissal of charges, a reduced sentence, a lesser penalty, or a combination of these.

Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction Counseling - JoinTogether.org

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 19:33:04 -0500

Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction Counseling - JoinTogether.org - Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction CounselingJoinTogether.org - 9 hours agoResponding to reports of addiction counselors being barred from working in Red Cross shelters in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Red Cross officials issued a letter saying that shelter managers "must allow substance-abuse counselors to enter the shelters in order for people with substance-abuse problems to receive appropriate counseling."

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) to Allocate Over $5 Million to Help Support Addiction Crisis

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 12:11:33 -0500

The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) announced a relief effort valued at over $5 million to provide primary inpatient beds and addiction treatment for the thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina. Many victims who are facing withdrawal or are in need of ongoing treatment services are in shelters where there are no facilities and do not have resources available to them.

NAATP will coordinate the relief effort with HopeNetworks.org, a grassroots organization founded in Louisiana in 2002, networks people and organizations for action to reduce the impact of addiction on communities.

What are the treatments for heroin addiction?

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 11:57:25 -0500

What are the treatments for heroin addiction?

A variety of effective treatments are available for heroin addiction. Treatment tends to be more effective when heroin abuse is identified early. The treatments that follow vary depending on the individual, but methadone, a synthetic opiate that blocks the effects of heroin and eliminates withdrawal symptoms, has a proven record of success for people addicted to heroin. Other pharmaceutical approaches, such as buprenorphine, and many behavioral therapies also are used for treating heroin addiction. Buprenorphine is a recent addition to the array of medications now available for treating addiction to heroin and other opiates. This medication is different from methadone in that it offers less risk of addiction and can be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor's office. Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a combination drug product formulated to minimize abuse.

Five Forgotten Steps

Sun, 18 Sep 2005 16:33:55 -0500

Dealing with alcohol addiction can be quite difficult. Many people can face this problem without a hope .
Those who struggle with alcohol abuse or drug addictions are finding that often the mainstream thinking isn’t helping them. Three or four rehabs later, many counseling sessions attended, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent only to find out that relapse is a part of treatment and the addiction "disease" is with you forever! What? Then why go? If something does not produce acceptable results, why continue in it? Because we have been led to believe that it is the only way.

You do not have a disease! And there are recovery alternatives to current drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment! Your will to survive is strong, and your own path unique. I found that people who have overcome a drug or alcohol addiction did so through a willingness and a desire to redirect their lives. With the Five Forgotten Steps, we can help you strengthen your resolve to deal with the problems of alcohol abuse.

Five Forgotten Steps

Sun, 18 Sep 2005 16:32:21 -0500

Dealing with alcohol addiction can be quite difficult. Many people can face this problem without a hope .
Those who struggle with alcohol abuse or drug addictions are finding that often the mainstream thinking isn’t helping them. Three or four rehabs later, many counseling sessions attended, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent only to find out that relapse is a part of treatment and the addiction "disease" is with you forever! What? Then why go? If something does not produce acceptable results, why continue in it? Because we have been led to believe that it is the only way.

You do not have a disease! And there are recovery alternatives to current drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment! Your will to survive is strong, and your own path unique. I found that people who have overcome a drug or alcohol addiction did so through a willingness and a desire to redirect their lives. With the Five Forgotten Steps, we can help you strengthen your resolve to deal with the problems of alcohol abuse.

Vivitrex - Potential New treatment for Alcoholism

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:15:54 -0500

MSNBC has a great article on a treatment for alcoholism waiting for approval by the FDA. The drug is called Vivitrex and the buzz on the drug is quite good.

Campral can help alcoholics remain sober by easing withdrawal symptoms and reversing drinking-induced imbalances in brain chemistry. The drug costs $3.70 for an average daily dose of six tablets.

Cambridge-based Alkermes Inc. expects to hear back from federal regulators by Sept. 30 on its application to begin marketing its new drug, Vivitrex, to doctors specializing in addiction medicine. In a clinical trial, the number of heavy drinking days per month among patients taking Vivitrex and undergoing counseling was reduced from an average 19 days to three over six months.

Suboxone and Subutex Q A& A

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:36:47 -0500

1. What are Suboxone and Subutex?

Subutex and Suboxone are medications approved for the treatment of opiate dependence. Both medicines contain the active ingredient, buprenorphine hydrochloride, which works to reduce the symptoms of opiate dependence.

2. Why did the FDA approve two medications?

Subutex contains only buprenorphine hydrochloride. This formulation was developed as the initial product. The second medication, Suboxone contains an additional ingredient called naloxone to guard against misuse.

Subutex is given during the first few days of treatment, while Suboxone is used during the maintenance phase of treatment.

Buprenorphine monotherapy product, - named Subutex

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:32:41 -0500

Subutex
In October 2002, the FDA approved buprenorphine monotherapy product, Subutex®, and a buprenorphine/naloxone combination product, Suboxone®, for use in opioid addiction treatment. The combination product is designed to decrease the potential for abuse by injection. Subutex® and Suboxone® are currently the only Schedule III, IV, or V medications to have received FDA approval for this indication. Note that aside from Subutex® and Suboxone®, other forms of buprenorphine, e.g., Buprenex®, are not approved for treatment of opioid addiction.

The FDA approval of these buprenorphine formulations does not affect the status of other medication-assisted opioid addiction treatments, such as methadone and LAAM (levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol). As indicated in Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 8 (42 CFR Part 8), these treatments can only be dispensed, and only in the context of an Opioid Treatment Program. Also, neither the approval of Subutex® and Suboxone®, nor the provisions of DATA 2000, affect the use of other Schedule III, IV, or V medications, such as codeine, that are not approved for the treatment of addiction. Lastly, note that aside from Subutex® and Suboxone®, other forms of buprenorphine, e.g., Buprenex®, are not approved for treatment of opioid addiction.

Opiate Withdrawl

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:21:00 -0500

Medical Encyclopedia: Opiate withdrawal
Alternative names
Withdrawal from opioids; Dopesickness

Definition

Opiate withdrawal is caused by stopping, or dramatically reducing, opiate use after heavy and prolonged use (several weeks or more).

Opiates include heroin, morphine, codeine, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, methadone, and others. The reaction frequently includes sweating, shaking, headache, drug craving, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, inability to sleep, confusion, agitation, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral changes.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Faith Based Addiction Help Organizations

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:06:35 -0500

Alcoholics Victorious
This is a Christian-oriented 12-step support group for those recovering from alcohol or chemical dependency. It offers information and referrals, literature, phone support, conferences, support group meetings, and a newsletter.
1045 Swift Street
Kansas City, MO 64116-4127
816-471-8020
www.alcoholicsvictorious.org

Calix Society
This is a 12-step fellowship of Catholic alcoholics who help one another maintain sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. The group is concerned with total abstinence, spiritual development, and sanctification of the whole personality of each member.

Addiction Doctors and the Alliance Stop Cop Attack on Prop 36 in ... - Drug Policy Alliance

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 17:24:01 -0500

Addiction Doctors and the Alliance Stop Cop Attack on Prop 36 in ... - Drug Policy Alliance - Addiction Doctors and the Alliance Stop Cop Attack on Prop 36 in ...Drug Policy Alliance, DC - 2 hours ago... Among those opposing the bill are physicians of the California Medical Association including specialists from the California Society of Addiction Medicine, as ... [Google News - Addiction]

Addiction care to be divided between agencies - MLive.com

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 17:21:09 -0500

Addiction care to be divided between agencies - MLive.com - Addiction care to be divided between agenciesMLive.com, MI - 3 hours agoBy Shantell M. Kirkendoll. Overseeing addiction treatment for poor patients will be split between two different groups starting Oct. 1. ... [Google News - Addiction]

Mom and Dad's disapproval a greater deterrant than the law when it ... - News-Medical.net

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 20:14:35 -0500

Mom and Dad's disapproval a greater deterrant than the law when it ... - News-Medical.net - WFMY News 2 Mom and Dad's disapproval a greater deterrant than the law when it ...News-Medical.net, World - 2 hours agoAccording to a survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), the number of students attending schools where drugs are used, kept or ...

Researchers say gamblers and alcoholics have distinctive personality traits that affect their cravings

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 14:21:36 -0500

Researchers say gamblers and alcoholics have distinctive personality traits that affect their cravings.

Hermano Tavares, coordinator of the Impulse Control Disorder Unit at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, said his research results show two types of addiction-related craving: -- one is physical, which is related to withdrawal; and the other is memory-based, consisting of a desire that persists long after withdrawal has been subdued.

The study found alcohol and gambling craving are directly related to clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety, and inversely related to length of abstinence.