This week, let’s tackle a very controversial subject in the field of addiction treatment – does recovery from addiction or alcoholism involve finding a cure?

Some medical professionals, as well as treatment models, believe a cure lies in the form of a pill.  Antabuse and Methadone are probably the most familiar replacement drugs used to treat alcohol or opiate addiction. The idea of replacement therapy is that by creating a medication that safely fulfill the needs of the addiction, the addicted person will be able to live a productive life.

Looking at this solution from a rational perspective, it would appear that the medication acts as a crutch for the addict to rely on.  In other words, it simply creates a new addiction to the medication meant to cure the ailment.  An example can be seen at local methadone clinics, where hundreds line up to get their daily allotment of the medication.  It is apparent that this is the lesser of two evils, but the reality is that it doesn’t support the theory of the cure to addiction coming in the form of a pill.

The polar opposite school of thought comes from the 12 Step perspective.  The core thought being, “We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” This idea can be compared to a person suffering from cancer.

Once someone is diagnosed with cancer and receives successful treatment – it is never considered ‘cured.’  It may go into remission, but the chance always remains that it can return without reason or notice.  According to the 12 Steps, addiction works just the same way – the disease is never cured, rather it is arrested for a period of time and can return if the work is not done to keep it at bay.

In the final analysis, it is up to each individual to decide for themselves how they view addiction. What do you think?

Check out the press release from PR web titled: GateHouse Academy Trains Next Generation of Dual Diagnosis Clincians and Drug Rehab Specialists

The press release takes a look at how Gatehouse Academy trains graduate level students in community based treatment for addiction in young adults.  Gatehouse Academy is the premier source for young adult drug rehab, and trains the counselors of tomorrow to be effective in dual diagnosis treatment.

According to an article from MSNBC.com, the effects of prescription drug abuse in the United States are becoming more apparent every day.

Here’s a quote from the article:

“The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says nearly 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, noting that is ‘more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy and inhalants combined.’ The DEA also reports that ‘opioid painkillers now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.’”

The problem of abusing prescription drugs resulted in 8,500 American deaths in the year 2005 alone, and the numbers are only climbing.

There is a problem across the United States, but Kentucky really seems to be suffering from the epidemic the most.  “Kentucky led the nation in the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes during the last year, according to the state’s Office of Drug Control Policy. Officials said prescription drug abuse is particularly acute in the cities and rural areas of Eastern Kentucky.”

Kentucky lost 485 people to prescription drug abuse just last year. Drug overdoses resulted in abuse of drugs such as methodone, Xanax and Vicodin .  The region now has a newly formed drug court.

Another problem that is coming out of the prescription drug epidemic, especially in Kentucky is that drug rehabilitation clinics are becoming over crowded. Those looking for drug rehab are unable to get the treatment that they need and deserve due to overcrowding.

What makes this kind of drug addiction very scary is the shear availability of these kinds of pills. Children can easily obtain prescription medications because they are already in their homes, just ready for consumption.

According to the article, this epidemic in Kentucky is taking its toll on families of all different types. There are children who are from good families that are falling victim to prescription drug abuse.

Prescription drug abuse just might be one of the most under reported drug epidemic in the country and it’s affecting American lives.

More information on kids getting drugs at home.

According to an article from MSNBC.com, the effects of prescription drug abuse in the United States are becoming more apparent every day.

Here’s a quote from the article:

“The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says nearly 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, noting that is ‘more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy and inhalants combined.’ The DEA also reports that ‘opioid painkillers now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.’”

The problem of abusing prescription drugs resulted in 8,500 American deaths in the year 2005 alone, and the numbers are only climbing.

There is a problem across the United States, but Kentucky really seems to be suffering from the epidemic the most.  “Kentucky led the nation in the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes during the last year, according to the state’s Office of Drug Control Policy. Officials said prescription drug abuse is particularly acute in the cities and rural areas of Eastern Kentucky.”

Kentucky lost 485 people to prescription drug abuse just last year. Drug overdoses resulted in abuse of drugs such as methodone, Xanax and Vicodin .  The region now has a newly formed drug court.

Another problem that is coming out of the prescription drug epidemic, especially in Kentucky is that drug rehabilitation clinics are becoming over crowded. Those looking for drug rehab are unable to get the treatment that they need and deserve due to overcrowding.

What makes this kind of drug addiction very scary is the shear availability of these kinds of pills. Children can easily obtain prescription medications because they are already in their homes, just ready for consumption.

According to the article, this epidemic in Kentucky is taking its toll on families of all different types. There are children who are from good families that are falling victim to prescription drug abuse.

Prescription drug abuse just might be one of the most under reported drug epidemic in the country and it’s affecting American lives.

More information on kids getting drugs at home.

Making the decision to enter into rehab is extremely difficult for any addict. Choosing to follow a path completely clean of alcohol or drugs is a fear-inducing prospect, amplified by the strong possibility that your attempts may result in failure. Many users are not so much afraid of coming down from drugs, but leading a fulfilled existence without them. Here are a few tips to help the newly sober embrace life after quitting:

 1. LEAN ON OTHERS If you’re worried that you won’t be able to make it by on your own without booze or pills — you’re right. You can’t make it on your own, with or without substances to take the edge off. But you will succeed if you reach out to others for support. 12-step programs like AA are successful because they encourage building a network of trusted friends; they act as a safety net in times of trouble and reinforce the positive effects of sober living.  Every person needs someone to turn to during both happy and dark moments. Maturity comes with acknowledging this basic human need and welcoming the help of others. 

2. ACCEPT RECOVERY AS AN ON-GOING PROCESS Once you leave rehab, or vow to never swallow Vicodin again, it doesn’t mean your relationship with drugs is over. Like real, personal relationships — especially the unhealthy kind — it’s not common to just quit on a friendship without maintaining some emotional connection to the experience. Returning to the substances, behaviors or relationships that have given you both extreme joy and pain can occur to even the most strong-willed of people. Overcoming the urge to stop using is a challenge that takes a sustained effort to maintain, so don’t expect to let go of your dependence immediately. 

3. FOUCS ON THE PRESENT What are you doing right now that is supporting a healthy and sober lifestyle? Is your “self-talk” encouraging or destructive? When you focus on the here and now and make healthy choices that are reflected in your current situation, you are more likely to choose positive paths down the road. In contrast, if you allow yourself to falter — like having just one beer on holidays — you are more likely to justify using in later scenarios — entering a chugging contest because all your friends are doing it on New Year’s Eve. Identifying triggers for substance cravings prior to their occurrence can prevent the pressure to use from becoming overwhelming.

Relapse is not only possible, it’s likely. But that shouldn’t dissuade you from trying to conquer your addiction. Remembering the realities of your disease and trying to incorporate the above methods can help ease the transition from life as a drug abuser to sobriety. Recovery is a journey; it can be a new and exciting time of self-discovery if you let it.

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.

Forget street drugs, millions of kids today are stopping by their local pharmacy to pick up over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to achieve a long-lasting high because it’s far cheaper and just as potent as any illegal drug. The primary culprits are cough and cold medicines that contain dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough suppressant that produces a euphoric-like effect when consumed in large quantities. Medicines that contain the ingredient include NyQuil and Robitussin (or Robo for slang). 

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2006 about 3.1 million people aged 12 to 25 had ever used an OTC cough and cold medication to get high, and nearly one million had done so in the past year. Also, from 1999 to 2004, there was a seven-fold increase in cases related to the abuse of DXM reported to poison control centers nationwide. Most of these cases were among 15- and 16-year-olds.

DXM can be safely taken in 30-milligram doses or less, but those who abuse the cough medicine can consume up to 360 milligrams in order to achieve the optimal sensation. Ingesting quantities that are too large is extremely dangerous; side effects include hallucinations, loss of motor control and "out-of-body" dissociations, as well as the more serious consequences like extreme high fever, brain damage and even death. Regular abuse of DXM at high doses can lead to toxic psychosis, in which the person loses contact with reality and is in a perpetual confused state. Mixing DXM with alcohol and other drugs poses an increased threat to one’s health.

Although it may seem like good fun to take a few dozen extra doses of cold medicine and buzz the night away, the extreme potential health risks with over consumption far outweigh the short-term benefits — making OTC drug abuse even more stupid than it already looks.  

An addict’s acknowledgment of the need for help is a major first step in a path towards recovery. Knowing which treatment method to pursue can be just as influential of a decision in the process of overcoming addiction. The withdrawal effects of substances vary, and the severity and duration of detox is often the deciding factor in one’s recovery route.

Health Day News recently reported that extended therapy combined with detox medications have shown to produce noticeable results for opioid addiction in young adults. Detox medications buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naloxone relieve withdrawal symptoms and prevent the physical effects of injected opioids, and have proven more successful in treating addiction when administered over an extended period as compared to short-term treatment programs. The study compared 12 week and  2 week-long treatment programs with the defined drugs, and found that extended treatment patients reported less use of opioids, cocaine and marijuana, less injecting, and less need for additional addiction treatment after 12 weeks. The researchers also found that patients in the long-term program tested positive for opioid use in urine tests more times in weeks four and eight, than at week 12.

This information demonstrates the benefits of prolonged use of detox medications in transforming deep-rooted lifestyle habits. Medication coupled with continuous counseling aids addicts in reaching their long-term goals. Although the administration of such detox medications is controversial due to the risk of dependence, this report reinstates the necessity of viewing addiction recovery as a lifelong process that can’t be wiped clean of the body instantaneously. When considering treatment methods, addicts shouldn’t follow a method that they consider a quick fix; rather, look at treatment as an ever-evolving self-healing process that requires patience and constant care.

Recovering from addiction is a process, and for most, it is a process that will last a lifetime. The opportunity for relapse will always exist – at parties, after-work social events, or even when meeting new people. That’s why it’s so important to build a solid foundation when undergoing drug and alcohol rehab. Learning to engage in social activities without reverting to old habits is an essential step on the path to recovery. It’s all part of developing the life skills to live, renewed and without addiction, and have the confidence to re-enter society.

At the end of September, several Gatehouse residents experienced a five day camping trip into the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. The excursion into nature was a tremendous success for everyone. Residents didn’t need alcohol or drugs to get a rush. They had fun hiking, swimming, fishing, and sleeping under the stars. These young adults grew closer together and formed friendships on this trip that will provide support even after they graduate from Gatehouse.

Being in a clean, natural environment also gave each person the opportunity to reflect on their personal progress and their own struggle with addiction. Realizing how far each of these young people have come, and how much their lives have changed for the better provides support and encouragement.

There’s no question the event was a success. Andrew P., one of the residents who went on the trip, wrote his reflections on the experience and he shares with us how meaningful and fun the excursion was for him. It’s a great example of how nature can have a positive effect on people in recovery.

When the people you care about return from drug rehab, they’ve gone through a lot. At the same time, graduating from rehabilitation is an achievement. As they come back home, they’re ready to start a new chapter in their lives. But the situation may cause you to wonder, “How should I act towards them?”

The simple answer: Be yourself. They need to know that you still care about them and that your relationship is still strong. Don’t feel like you can never talk about their past addiction. Being open and honest about what happened will help strengthen what was learned during the rehab process.

They need to know that you’ll be supportive, which, in this case means being sincere with them about their behavior. If they start to gravitate towards their old, destructive habits they need to know you won’t cover up for them or make excuses for them. You’ll be straightforward and help them stay on track.

There are lots of people who go on to live fulfilling lives after rehab. Recently, Josh Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds was featured in a New York Times article showcasing his progress after recovering from a cocaine addiction. Hamilton says that the media, and maintaining an honest attitude, has helped him stay clean.

“You guys help hold me accountable for what I do,” he said, referring to members of the news media. “If I mess it up by going out and using again, I’d be the biggest hypocrite in the world.”

Everyone is unique and has a different story. Have you experienced welcoming someone after their drug rehab experience?