'Alcoholic' Stigma Keeps Many Problem Drinkers From Seeking Treatment

New research indicates more than 60 percent of Americans with drinking problems do not seek help due to the stigma of alcoholism,UPI reported Dec. 5.

Investigators led by Dr. Katherine Keyes of Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health looked at National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) responses from more than 6,300 participants who met criteria for an alcohol use disorder.

According to their findings, problem drinkers who perceived a stigma associated with alcohol abuse -- fully two-thirds of the sample -- were less likely to seek treatment than those who did not.

This was especially true among men, racial and ethnic minorities, and participants with lower income and education.

"Given that alcohol use disorders are one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the United States, the empirical documentation of stigma as a barrier to treatment is an important public health finding," said Keyes.

Stigma reduction should be integrated into public health efforts to promote alcohol treatment, the authors concluded.

The findings were published in the December issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

It is the mission of First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention and Recovery to reduce the impact of alcohol, drugs, and addiciton by providing quality resources to individuals, families, and the community.

The stigma attached to addiction is part of the impact this disease has on individuals, families, and the community.  First Call offers programs and events to increase awareness and education of the disease of addiction.

The Mike Johnson Memorial Walk for Recovery and HOW to COPE with First Call are some of the events and programs First Call offers to educate the community on this disease.  Check out www.firstcallkc.org for all we do.

Post your thoughts on reducing the stigma associated with the disease of addiction.

In an average year 30 million Americans drive drunk – 10 million drive impaired by illicit drugs.

The Holidays bring gatherings of friends and family, merriment and joy.  In order to gather, people drive, on public streets, with you, with me, with our children and loved ones.  Did you know, as many as 17 %  of the drivers on the road are driving impaired? That is almost 2 out of every 10 cars on the road.

Past year drunk driving rates topped 20 percent in some states. 

The survey’s state-by-state breakdown of drunk and drugged driving levels shows significant differences among the states.  The one bright spot in the survey is that there has been a reduction in the rate of drunk and drugged driving in the past few years.  Survey data from 2002 through 2005 combined when compared to data gathered from 2006 to 2009 combined indicate that the average yearly rate of drunk driving has declined from 14.6 percent to 13.2 percent, while the average yearly rate of drugged driving has decreased from 4.8 percent to 4.3 percent.  Twelve states have seen reductions in the levels of drunk driving and seven states have experienced lower levels of drugged driving.

 

A new survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that on average 13.2 percent of all persons 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol and 4.3 percent of this age group drove under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) census, one in three motor vehicle fatalities (33 percent) with known drug test results tested positive for drugs in 2009.

“Thousands of people die each year as a result of drunk and drugged driving, and the lives of thousands of family members and friends left behind are forever scarred,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Some progress has been made in reducing the levels of drunk and drugged driving through education, enhanced law enforcement and public outreach efforts. However, the nation must continue to work to prevent this menace and confront these dangerous drivers in an aggressive way.” 
Don’t let a friend, a family member or yourself drive drunk.  Call a cab.  It works. 

First Call, Alcohol/Drug Prevention & Recovery: Giving Up Smoking Linked To Greater Happiness And ...

First Call, Alcohol/Drug Prevention & Recovery: Giving Up Smoking Linked To Greater Happiness And ...: "It appears to be a myth that giving up smoking makes you miserable. Brown University researchers found that those who were in the process of..."

Giving Up Smoking Linked To Greater Happiness And Elevated Mood

It appears to be a myth that giving up smoking makes you miserable. Brown University researchers found that those who were in the process of quitting smoking were never happier. 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/210375.php

A research team examined data on 236 male and female smokers who wanted to give up.  Of those candidates:

·         99 failed straight away (never abstained)

·         44 were only found to be smoking free during their first evaluation after the quit date

·         33 abstained successfully right up to their 8-week check-up

·         33 abstained throughout the whole period of the study

·         29 did not exhibit difficulties usually associated with quitting smoking.

Who would have guessed....?

·         The participants who failed straight away were still followed up throughout the study and were found to be the unhappiest of all the groups.

·         Those who quit for a while were very happy during the check-ups when their smoking cessation was being successfully carried out.

·         The ones who managed to abstain throughout the study period had the highest levels of happiness.

How might your celebration of the holidays this year to be more peaceful and joyful?

The holiday season often brings cherished memories, laughter and joy to families—but not to families impacted by substance abuse and addiction.

All too often families affected by substance use disorders spend the holiday feeling anxiety, sadness, despair and hopelessness. Family members may laugh on the outside but feel great emotional pain on the inside. Their dreams of joyful, loving holidays are  lost in the face of addiction.

How might your celebration of the holidays this year to be more peaceful and  joyful?

Missouri collected $91.2 million in cigarette taxes

Missouri collected $91.2 million in cigarette taxes…. But spent $2.24 BILLION to treat smoking related illnesses…

Did you know…?

·         Over 9,000 Missourians die annually from tobacco-related diseases, primarily cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

·         Twenty nine Missouri infants die annually due to maternal smoking during pregnancy.

·         Secondhand smoke causes an average of 1,180 deaths in Missouri annually.

·         Missouri spends $2.24 billion (including $532 million by state Medicaid) annually to treat smoking-related illnesses.

·         Missouri spends $10.1 million for care of newborns due to their mothers smoking during pregnancy.

·         Each Missouri household pays $585 in state and federal tax dollars from smoking-caused expenditures.