According to an article from British website http://www.guardian.co.uk, the British government wants to give compulsory treatment of benefit claimants addicted to drugs.

Problem is that everyone else seems to think that’s pretty much impossible. British Liberal Democrats think the plan is completely absurd citing the fact that Britain does not have enough addiction treatment centers to get the job done.

Also according to the article:
“As many as 350,000 heroin and crack cocaine users of working age are receiving state payments, it has emerged. The government’s welfare reform bill will require all of them to undergo medical assessment and treatment or lose financial support.”

The number however may be as many as 400,000 drug addicts receiving these types of benefits with at least 8,000 more waiting for them.

However, treating these people without proper facilities remains to be seen. There is simply nowhere to put all of these drug addicts to ensure that they get proper care. Some may require dual diagnosis treatment as well.

Others say that you cannot force an addict into treatment and just expect them to completely change their lives; they have to do it willingly.
The article states:
“The welfare reform bill also contains provisions enabling a secretary of state to introduce similar mandatory treatment regulations to those who misuse alcohol.”

So the plan is not just meant for those using hard drugs, it’s also a plan to help UK citizens break free from all types of addiction.

This article in The Guardian is just another example of how drug addiction really is a wide spread epidemic in the world today. It shows that no government has found a way to deal with it yet effectively. But can people be forced by the government into treatment? Or will that just make relapse that much more expensive for governments.

If a person is not ready to get off drugs, the government surely cannot force them.

If you or a loved one need help with addiction treatment call us and we can help.

Current research in anti-addiction has opened the door for prescription medications that allegedly treat the symptoms of addiction. Naltrexone is the newest medication to be making headlines. The news is especially controversial because it demonstrates the possibility that addiction may soon be treated like a brain disease that a family doctor can address. This development is similar to the way in which depression moved from being treated in mental health facilities 30 years ago, to primary care doctor’s offices, with medications like Prozac being readily available to anyone who seeks treatment.

Naltrexone functions by blocking the release of brain chemicals that are linked to pleasure and excitement. Earlier drugs used to treat addicts, like Suboxone for opioid addiction, similarly prevent the release of feel good chemicals when taking opiates, but can still be addictive because they contain opioid ingredients.  A federally funded study for Naltrexone called COMBINE compared cognitive-behavioral therapy alone with the combined treatment of therapy and the medication. The study showed that patients receiving the combined treatment were more likely to stay sober and drank less if they did relapse.

The general sentiment in the rehab industry is that medications do not treat the long-term effects of addiction. The traditional method of treatment includes the 12 step program and intensive therapy workshops. Although it is a disease of the brain, there is also a significant behavioral aspect that requires special attention and cannot be cured with a pill. Advocates of traditional treatment facilities stand behind the principle that the road to recovery requires foundational healing and total system recovery – a transformation that cannot be discovered by medication alone.

Maintaining sobriety is a constant, ongoing struggle. Addicts have to face the reality that relapsing is not only possible, it’s statistically probable. Nic Sheff, the 26-year-old writer of Tweak is a recovering crystal meth, marijuana and alcohol addict, and represents the large number of young adult drug users who battle with their urge to use every day.

In a recent CNN profile, Nic confessed how life’s misfortunes and missteps have led him to revisit his drug-riddled past. “I am isolated, alone, disgusted with everything and, most especially, myself. I am filled to overflowing with pain and torment and weight,” said Nic, describing how he fell back into drugs after a bad break-up and a manic episode.

Unlike general belief, a relapse isn’t spurred simply by a lack of willpower or ability to deal with personal crises. When an addict returns to using, a complex mental and chemical reaction is at work. A relapse refers to a failure or breakdown in a person’s ability to continue or follow through with a change in any set of behaviors — most commonly, alcohol and drug abuse. Often times, a relapse is underlined by a user’s complete lack of control over their behavioral response to situations; they will take more than they want to take, and cannot stop no matter how intensely they want to. 

Edythe London, a neurobiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles asserts that an addict’s neurological system is different than a non-addict. Feelings like helplessness, lack of control and loss of inhibitions can be linked to the circuitry of the brain. “Some of the most profound changes, for example in the dopamine system, can take years to resolve completely,” she says.

Although relapse is a common occurrence for many addicts, there still is hope. Cognitive and behavioral therapies can teach a person how to deal with pressures and stressful situations in a healthier manner. Gatehouse’s extended care treatment program instills in residents basic life skills and coping mechanisms; the long-term care increases the chances that an addict will remain sober for the long-run.

Most recovery programs and addiction experts employ the “disease model” of alcoholism when they treat addicts. This means that addiction is viewed in the medical field and rehabilitation industry as a disorder with genetic roots. Those who are inflicted with the neurological condition cannot drink alcohol without losing control, questioning the notion that willpower has anything to do with an addict’s choice to drink.

Research has indicated that belief in the disease model may actually hurt efforts to quit drinking — the excuse to “give in” to temptations to use being pardoned by the idea that the disease is truly to blame.

The onset of a relapse can’t be scientifically pinpointed, but there some strong predictors that can identify what led to alcohol use for a recovering addict: surging cravings, negativity, frequent agitation, and lack of motivation are clear signals. But one of the strongest signals that can forecast an addict’s decent into relapse is whether he or she thinks alcoholism is an illness. This demonstrates how some addicts who have a hard time remaining abstinent from alcohol find comfort in associating their relapses with an illness, and identify them as behaviors they can’t control.

Although the disease model is supported by a great amount of research that confirms there is such thing as an inherited vulnerability to alcoholism, the common perception of what the “disease of addiction” really means is not always accurate or scientifically validated.

A new government website called “Rethinking Drinking” is designed to help drinkers detect if their drinking habits are leading them down a destructive path. The website includes quizzes and questionnaires that probe users to reconsider their choices, habits and perspectives on alcohol.

According to the NIAAA, most people are at a low risk for alcohol problems if they stay within these limits: For men, no more than four standard size drinks on any single day, and no more than 14 weekly. For women, no more than three drinks in a day and seven weekly.

The site offers strategies for cutting back on alcohol and making healthier choices. “Most people don’t know what ‘drink responsibly’ means — they think it means not getting tanked,” says Mark Willenbring, director of treatment and recovery research at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “But there are levels of drinking that raise your risk for alcohol problems just like high cholesterol raises your risk for heart disease.”

In a society where happy hour is as much part of the day as lunch hour, this website offers people a real way to measure “casual drinking”.

Addicted teens aren’t getting the help they need and the reason may be due to a lack of services designed specifically for adolescents, reports a recent article on Forbes.com. According to a study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse and Treatment, “Only about 10 percent of the 1.4 million American teens with substance abuse problems receive treatment.” The report also reveals that only about a third of the drug rehab programs in the U.S. have treatment programs for teens. The lack of treatment programs, “means we lose our chance at early intervention, and that families may be unable to find services for their children in their communities,” says the author of the report, Hannah K. Knudsen, Ph.D.

Knudsen also analyzed the services provided by over 100 teen-oriented treatment programs and rated them according to nine areas of quality, including the variety of services provided and family involvement in the treatment process. The results from the study showed that intensive, full-service residential treatment options generally scored better than other programs.Looking at these factors, Gatehouse Academy would likely score well, not just because Gatehouse is a long-term residential rehab facility, but also because it does provide a wide-range of treatment options — including a unique program for co-occurring mental and emotional disorders.

“For parents who are looking for high-quality programs that offer the most comprehensive array of services, a good proxy indicator is whether that organization has an inpatient or residential level of care,” Knudsen said.

Residential treatment really does make a difference in the recovery process for teens and young adults. It’s important for a treatment center to offer the services tailored to the needs of the age group in order to create an environment that will prompt and encourage a successful transition into a sober and drug-free life.

The following list describes, on average, how long certain drugs tend to stay in a person’s body after the last dosage, determining the period of time that they can be detected by urine tests. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks for the body to rid itself of toxins depending upon the weight and chemical composition of a person. It’s possible for substances, foods and physical ailments to produce false positives in a urinalysis, information that is also included in the list below. In case you are anticipating a drug test, it’s wise to avoid those substances that could potentially yield a negative outcome, although most false positives can be ruled out by confirmatory testing.

Amphetamine: Up to 30 hours on low dose; 5 days on high dose
Possible false positives: Decongestants, like Sudafed; some varieties of OTC and prescription diet pills, like Dexatrim; the antidepressant Zoloft

Barbituates: 7 days for long-acting; 2-3 days for intermediate-acting; 1-2 days for short-acting
Possible false positives: None

Methadone: 7.5-56 hours
Possible false positives: Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid

Heroin: 1-4 days
Possible false positives: Some antibiotics, like Cipro; cold remedies with dextromethorphan; poppy seeds produce a true positive test because they are the natural source of opiate drugs

Valium: 2-4 days for low dose (although very small doses may not be detected at all); 3-7 days for higher dose.
Possible false positives: None

Marijuana: 7-34 days for once weekly use; Up to 81 days for heavy daily use
Possible false positives: Hemp; Ibuprofen; controversy is stirring over the possibility that second hand inhalation can produce false positives

Cocaine: 8-48 hours
Possible false positives: Tonic water; diabetes

Quaalude: Up to 90 hours
Possible false positives: None

PCP: 5-10 days
Possible false positives: Thioridazine, an antipsychotic drug

Alcohol: Arguably 8-10 hours
Possible false positives: None

As always it is better to be drug free -  if you or a loved one need addiction treatment give us a call.

When it comes to rehab centers, the services provided must be of the highest ethical standards to ensure the best possible addiction treatment is received.  People seeking treatment, for themselves or a loved one, need to feel reassured about the care they will receive – especially if it is a long-term rehab facility. Treatment programs without a commitment to ethics may discourage many people from getting the help they need to stop drinking or using drugs.

On a very basic level, reputable treatment centers provide equitable treatment to every person in their programs. Quite often the media portrays addiction as a “poor decision” rather than as the disease it truly is. Those suffering from addiction are in need of professional, medical attention – not just psychological therapy or life-coaching. Stigmas and stereotypes have no place in an addiction treatment center. It is also important to realize that “equal” treatment is not the answer, because each addict has their own unique set of problems that will require a personalized solution. Ethical care isn’t just about making commitments to young adults and their families, it’s about keeping those promises and being honest about how challenging and unpredictable addiction treatment can be.

Confidentiality is another ethical concern for many when considering a rehab program. Every person in recovery may have experiences they may not feel comfortable sharing with everyone. It’s important for not just doctors, but therapists and counselors to honor the confidentiality of each person in recovery. Letting the individual come to grips with their experiences is part of the rehab process, and it isn’t something to be rushed or taken lightly.  Allowing the emotional wounds of drug and alcohol abuse to heal is key to recovery.  This is why it is important to find out what the confidentiality policies are before enrolling in a treatment program.

Ethical standards of care have been established by numerous national groups and organizations, to help support and identify quality care within the industry. For example, the National Association of Social Workers has a specialization program just for professionals who deal with Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) problems.  The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is another group that supports increasing the quality of addiction treatment by establishing “addiction medicine as a specialty recognized by professional organizations, governments, physicians, purchasers and consumers of health care services, and the general public.” Becoming aware of the ethics of addiction treatment can gives you the insight necessary to ask informed questions about treatment before embarking on the road to recovery.

I have a close friend who drinks two or three glasses of wine most nights. When we go out she rarely abstains from drinking, but never is visibly intoxicated. I have another friend who doesn’t drink at all during the week; alcohol is meant for chugging and pounding — not casually enjoying. She gets drunk every weekend. Alcohol isn’t necessary to function, but she doesn’t seem to enjoy social gatherings unless she’s taken a few shots beforehand. Both of my friends appear to be somewhat dependent upon alcohol, but for very different reasons. Is one of the two more negatively affected by their alcohol use, and is one more clearly addicted? How do the weights vary regarding functional dependence and binge drinking? How can I tell if a friend is in need of help?

“Alcohol dependence,” according to the NIAAA, “is a condition characterized by impaired control over drinking, compulsive drinking, preoccupation with drinking, tolerance to alcohol, and/or withdrawal symptoms.” Alcohol abuse is the next step in problem drinking and is defined by failure to fulfill major role obligations, social problems and/or hazardous drinking situations. Work suffers, motivation is stalled, friendships are weak, and sleep is altered.

But negative effects as such are not always clear when surveying a friends’ life. Research shows that analyzing childhood behaviors leads to understanding how people become alcoholics. Environmental factors in adolescence can lead to developmental disorders that spark addiction. Genetics also play a role in drug and alcohol behaviors, but like environmental conditions, there is no single direct route to addiction. Studies have shown a link between low serotonin levels and binge drinking, as well as blunted stress responses and increased consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol is a social substance, and the widespread perception of drinking as a societal norm impairs our ability to identify its negative impact on each others’ lives. Moreover, a clear prototype of an addict or abuser doesn’t exist. Although confusion is natural, even taking the time to consider your friends’ deep rooted problems is important, and an indicator of your desire to help and improve their lives. I don’t believe one of my friends is in worse shape than the other, but I will from now on consider their past and personal issues when trying to understand the role alcohol plays in their lives. 

Smoking tobacco has numerous health risks, but rarely do you hear about how smoking impacts the amount of alcohol a person drinks. Reuters recently reported on a study that appeared in the scientific journal, Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, which found casual smokers are most likely to have problems with alcohol.

Why is it that casual smokers are the most likely binge drinkers? According to the article, casual smokers don’t have a hard habit of smoking – in fact, they most often smoke while drinking in bars and other social hotspots. Nicotine is a potent and addictive drug, and it’s commonly thought to increase the “kick,” or the effects, of alcohol. It’s in this environment that binge drinking appears to thrive.

The researchers took a look at the states that have passed anti-smoking laws and they found a positive correlation between the smoking bands and a reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed in bars. The study’s reception has been positive, thus far. Dr. Saul Schiffman of the University of Pittsburg (who was independent of the research conducted) was quoted in the news piece:

“By removing the link between smoking and drinking, smoking bans ‘may also disrupt developmental trajectories toward problem drinking and heavy smoking, and thereby yield a long-term public health benefits as well.’"