Prescription Drug Overdose Epidemic….up 61% in Florida

 Prescription Drug Overdose Epidemic….up 61% in Florida

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a new report that undoubtedly surprised many across our nation: In Florida alone, prescription (Rx) drug overdoses claimed 16,650 lives from 2003 to 2009 — an average of eight deaths a day.

Rx drug overdoses have been a devastating problem in Florida, spread by the silence and misunderstanding over addiction and by the underworld “pill mill” economy run by rogue doctors and pharmacists who encourage “doctor shopping.”

The CDC report show that annual prescription drug overdose deaths jumped by 61 percent, from 1,804 to 2,905, during those years. Prescription medications, for example, were implicated in 76 percent of all drug overdose deaths in Florida, while illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine were implicated in 33 percent of the deaths.

Prescription drug abuse is, unfortunately, a part of daily life across Florida and across the country.

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem across the country and our kids are in the midst of it.  Pharm Parties are stocked from medicine cabinets at home.

Do you see indications of this growing problem?

www.firstcallkc.org/prevention 

How Does an Addiction Affect the Family?

How Does an Addiction Affect the Family?

When a family member has a dependency, the whole family usually develops ways of coping with the problems associated with the dependency. Often, there is less communication: the family avoids talking about the issue, avoids expressing emotions, and may keep the addiction secret from the community. Some family members may take on some of the responsibilities abandoned by the addicted person.

While these coping strategies may help the family to operate more smoothly and get along better, they may also allow the dependency to continue. Unfortunately, family members may also use alcohol, drugs or gambling themselves as a way of coping with the problems in their family.

Members of an addicted family often experience loneliness, frustration, fear, anger and shame. They may also feel a sense of hopelessness about the situation. It's important for them to realize that the addiction is not their fault. Often, seeking outside help from a support group or professional counsellor can help them cope with what is going on in their family

Rethinking Addiction’s Roots, and Its Treatment

Rethinking Addiction’s Roots, and Its Treatment

By DOUGLAS QUENQUA, New York Times

Published: July 10, 2011

The rethinking of addiction as a medical disease rather than a strictly psychological one began about 15 years ago, when researchers discovered through high-resonance imaging that drug addiction resulted in actual physical changes to the brain.

Armed with that understanding, “the management of folks with addiction becomes very much like the management of other chronic diseases, such as asthma, hypertension or diabetes,” said Dr. Daniel Alford, who oversees the program at Boston University Medical Center. “It’s hard necessarily to cure people, but you can certainly manage the problem to the point where they are able to function” through a combination of pharmaceuticals and therapy.

Central to the understanding of addiction as a physical ailment is the belief that treatment must be continuing in order to avoid relapse. Just as no one expects a diabetes patient to be cured after six weeks of diet and insulin management, Dr. Alford said, it is unrealistic to expect most drug addicts to be cured after 28 days in a detoxification facility. “

Click here for the entire article

We treat other chronic diseases for a lifetime…do we expect to treat addiction for a lifetime?

What’s in your medicine cabinet?

What’s in your medicine cabinet?

Unlike other drugs which kids seek out, prescription drugs find them. In a recent Partnership at Drugfree.com survey, 55 percent of 12 to 17 year olds said they obtained prescription drugs from a relative or friend for free; 9 percent paid a friend or relative; and 5 percent took drugs from a friend or relative without asking.⁴ Less than 5 percent obtained the illicit drugs from a dealer, and approximately 18 percent obtained the prescription from a doctor.

More…(link to article on our website)

Do you think alcohol is more dangerous than crack and heroin?

Do you think alcohol is more dangerous than crack and heroin?

Alcohol is a more dangerous drug than both crack and heroin when the combined harms to the user and to others are assessed, according to the British Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). 

The World Health Organization estimates that risks linked to alcohol cause 2.5 million deaths a year from heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides, and cancer — accounting for 3.8 percent of all deaths. It is the third leading risk factor for premature death and disabilities worldwide.

What’s your definition of recovery?

What’s your definition of recovery?

There are two current clinical definitions of recovery. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed one in 2005, and the Betty Ford Institute developed one in 2006.

CSAT’s 2005 definition states: “Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence and improved health, wellness and quality of life.”

The  Betty Ford Institute defined recovery in 2006 as “a voluntarily maintained lifestyle comprised of sobriety, personal health and citizenship”.

(from Alcoholdrugabuseweekly; Definition of recovery is vague….by Alison Knopf, May 16, 2011)

Overcoming Stigma

Overcoming Stigma

Stigma is still too often associated with addiction. Stigma may keep individuals from seeking recovery services and families from seeking help for themselves. Some fear discrimination, shame, failure or judgment from others.

But addiction is not a moral issue—it is a treatable disease (similar to diabetes or any chronic disease). Stigma is defeated when we share our stories and educate ourselves and others about successful treatment options.

Do you have a story to share?