OpiateAddictionHelp.com Gives Readers Free Online Help February 10, 2009
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A newly published website offers opiate addicts, and friends and family of opiate addicts, a free resource to help those suffering from the addiction. OpiateAddictionHelp.com offers its readers both non-biased information and links to a variety of websites to help them get the information they need about opiate addictions.
The administrators which reside in the Portland, Oregon area found that much of the information found online was both unclear and unhelpful, in addition, they wanted to provide a website that offers information of “what to expect” from an opiate addiction and possible avenues they can take to fight such an addiction.
“Much of what is out there doesn’t give insight on such things as like what to expect during periods of withdrawals, how long they last, and things you can do to survive them better,” says Jennifer, one of the Administrators of OpiateAddictionHelp.com “Many opiate addicts are too afraid to stop using due to how debilitating the withdrawal symptoms are. If they can confirm that they are only temporary and that relief isn’t far away, I feel it could help change their perspectives on choosing to quit and get help.”
Without a doubt, opiate addictions can be one of the hardest struggles to overcome, but with proper resources, many users who want to quit can find the help they need to do so. The withdrawals from opiates can be both mentally and physically overwhelming and that is what keeps most people hooked to the drugs. Without them, they hurt, they get very sick and become completely dysfunctional in today’s society.
OpiateAddictionHelp.com provides free information and resources to help with everything from helping with at home opiate withdrawal symptoms to finding government funded rehabilitation services and using employee assistance programs in dealing with opiate detox.
Opiate Addicts and freinds and family of opiate addicts are encouraged to visit the site at www.OpiateAddictionHelp.com to get the information, answers and help they need to live happier, healthier lives.
Scientists in Spain (CSIC) Find Revolutionary New Way of Monitoring Drug Use Through Sewer Water February 7, 2009
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Scientists at the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) in Barcelona have developed a new method for monitoring the consumption of drugs of abuse in the general population. This method, which was developed using analytical laboratory technology from Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies, can measure the levels of substances such as cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis in water from sewage treatment plants to estimate the amounts of various illegal drugs being consumed within specific regions of the country.
The method provides a fully automated, faster and more specific way for estimating drug abuse than has previously been possible, and was published in the May 2008 issue of the scientific journal Analytical Chemistry1.
Traditional methods for estimating drug abuse in the population can be costly and inaccurate, relying on surveys and on social, medical, and criminal statistics. In contrast, this new method uses mass spectrometry, a laboratory technique, to test water from sewage treatment plants and provide accurate, real-time data, extremely quickly and without invading the privacy of members of the public.
The method’s increased speed and efficiency also reduces labor and administrative costs. The use of mass spectrometry-based methods to determine drugs of abuse in sewage and surface waters was developed a few years ago, and this latest development is the first fully automated technique for detecting and measuring multiple compounds simultaneously, offering improved analytical performance and reliability.
This enabled the CSIC scientists in Barcelona to investigate sewage water samples from regions of Barcelona and Valencia for the presence of 19 different compounds simultaneously.
The compounds were from five different classes of drugs: cocaine and related substances, amphetamine-like drugs including ecstasy (MDMA), opiates including heroine and morphine, cannabinoids, and LSD and related products. Eight of these compounds, including heroine and LSD products, had not previously been analyzed in water samples.
Web Sites Expose Teens, Tweens to Images of Violent Behavior and Substance Abuse February 6, 2009
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The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released a startling data compilation last year indicating the extent to which Internet sites – particularly social networking site post user-generated content – can spread misinformation and facilitate dangerous behaviors among teens, tweens, and younger children.
These behaviors can include drug and alcohol use, self-mutilation, extreme violence, and anorexia and other eating disorders. The study also shows that most parents are unaware of the nature and extent to which their children are exposed to or engaging in dangerous behaviors online.
A new Nielsen Online study, conducted on behalf of ONDCP during the month of June of 2008, measured the online viewing habits of teens, and tracked their exposure to drug-related content. The findings reveal that one in 20 teens who are viewing online videos watched one or more drug-related videos during a one-month period. The analysis found that more than a third of those viewing drug-related content are under the age of 16.
“Parents read news stories about Internet pedophiles, and they understandably worry about their children being exposed to online pornography. But they may not be aware how pervasive this content is, and how young the children are who are being exposed to this for the first time. And research shows parents aren’t worrying about drug, alcohol, and other dangerous content online and how it impacts their child’s behavior,” said ONDCP Director John Walters.
“Teens, tweens, and even younger children, are barraged by risky material on the Internet. Parents need to get online and see for themselves what their child has access to. It’s time for them to upgrade their parenting skills.”
ONDCP’s data snapshot of teen online exposure shows that:
-Nearly one in 20 teens online, viewed drug-related videos during a one-month period; 35 percent were under age 16 (Nielsen Online Custom Study);
-Almost 40 percent of drug-related videos contain explicit use of drugs and/or intoxication (Nielsen Online Custom Study);
-Even the youngest kids have access to dangerous online content. More than 8.9 million (8,934,000) two- to 11-year-olds viewed video online in August (Nielsen Online, VideoCensus);
-The average age of first Internet exposure to pornography is 11 years old. Eighty percent of 15- to 17-year-olds have been exposed to hardcore porn multiple times (Internet-Filter-Review.com);
-More than one in eight teens say someone has spread a rumor about them online. Nine percent of teens who use social networking sites say someone has posted an embarrassing picture of them online without their permission (“Cyberbullying and Online Teens.” Pew Internet & American Life Project: Data Memo);
-Nearly a third of students say their parents would disapprove if they knew what they were really doing on the Internet (i-SAFE Survey);
-Drug use and underage drinking don’t make parents’ top 10 list of concerns of their kids’ online computer use (State of Internet Security: Protecting Children Online.” Webroot Software).
Today’s tech-savvy teens are targets for those promoting substance abuse and other risky behaviors by posting pictures to their social-networking pages or uploading video on sites like YouTube.com. The Web and image-sharing technologies available on cell phones have exponentially expanded teens’ abilities to see and engage in dangerous behaviors.
Since its inception in 1998, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has been authorized by Congress to reduce and prevent teen drug use. For more information on the ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, visit www.TheAntiDrug.com
UN Drugs Tsar Warns of “Pyrrhic Victory” Against Afghan Opium February 5, 2009
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The Opium Winter Assessment released today by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows a likely reduction in the amount of opium grown in Afghanistan in 2009. The 18 provinces that were opium-free in 2008 are projected to remain so in 2009, and 7 others are likely to reduce cultivation – even in the biggest opium producing province of Hilmand. This will deepen the trend of the past few years that showed opium cultivation overwhelmingly concentrated in the 7 most unstable provinces in the south and south-west.
But these gains are fragile. “This has been a hard winter for the people of Afghanistan”, said the Executive Director of UNODC, Antonio Maria Costa. “Last year’s drought and a food crisis have added increased hardship to regions grappling with poverty and plagued by insecurity. For many Afghans, at the moment the most important security issue is food security”, said the head of UNODC. He therefore called for long-term structural changes: “to eradicate poverty, not just poppies; to root out corruption, not just illicit crops; and to strengthen human security”.
In the north, centre and east of Afghanistan, pressure from Government authorities, scarcity of food grains, an effective pre-planting information campaign as well as higher prices for licit crops have contributed to the decline in opium cultivation.
“To consolidate these gains – particularly during these times of food shortages and economic hardship – provinces and districts that have rid themselves of opium deserve more support through the Good Performance Initiative”, said Mr. Costa.
In the south and south-west, reduced opium cultivation is due to high wheat prices, low opium prices and low availability of water due to severe drought. “The effective implementation of the Provincial Counter-Narcotics Strategy in Hilmand shows what strong leadership can achieve, even against the odds”, said Mr. Costa. “Further development assistance and the engagement of all stakeholders can turn drug zones into ‘Food Zones’, and make southern Afghanistan once again the country’s bread-basket instead of the world’s biggest source of illicit drugs”, said the UN’s drug tsar.
Despite the anticipated reduction in the opium crop, prices continue to fall (by around 20 per cent). This can be attributed to the massive glut on the opium market due to major overproduction during the past three years.
Nevertheless, the drugs trade remains a major source of revenue for anti-government forces and organized crime operating in and around Afghanistan. “Drug money is also a lubricant for corruption that contaminates power”, said Mr. Costa. “While more attention must be devoted to law enforcement (destroying drug laboratories, markets and convoys, and tightening border controls), the flow of drug money into private hands and public pockets has to be stopped (by fighting corruption, cutting the flow of laundered money and seizing the assets of crime)”, said the head of UNODC. “Because of its cross-cutting nature, counter-narcotics should be integrated into the wider process of state-building and economic development”, he said.
“Success cannot only be measured by reducing opium hectarage: it depends on improving security, integrity, economic growth, and governance. There is no point in winning a Pyrrhic victory against opium if we lose Afghanistan in the process”, said Mr. Costa.
Sober Vacations From Sober Celebrations February 4, 2009
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You bet there’s fun in recovery! Especially when you’re talking about SoberCelebrations.com, a website dedicated to spotlighting sober vacation options. Cost effective, luxurious and most importantly, drug and alcohol free, Sober Celebrations creates vacations that cater to individuals that are in recovery, or simply want to experience a sober vacation.
In 2001, the website, www.SoberCelebrations.com was built as a labor of love so folks could go on vacation knowing fellowship would be onboard when they arrived. The 1st annual fall cruise in 2002 had 54 attendees. In 2005, 200 cruisers got onboard the mega ship, Mariner of the Seas for a fabulous cruise and 12 Step History Conference.
In 2006, 130 cruisers were fortunate enough to get Sober Celebrations cabins onboard the Inaugural Halloween Sailing of Freedom of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. Members of Sober Celebrations had staterooms before most people ever heard of this ship and for the 2nd year in a row, Gratitude Cruise attendees won one of the ship’s awards for best group costume!
The Gratitude Cruise is Sober Celebration’s trademarked cruise which follows the guidelines from General Service for Conference, Conventions and Round Ups while vacationing in the general population. This venture is neither affiliated nor endorsed by Alcoholics Anonymous but the Gratitude Cruise identifies cruises of quality and gives the company the greatest flexibility as a Cruise Line International Association member to negotiate for the group, and take it on any ship, any time, any place keeping the goals of privacy and quality, and cost effectiveness as its top priorities.
The itinerary for each trip is different. Onboard arrangements for locations, times, equipment, etc. are made via email with the ship long before anyone arrives. Meetings are created around ship board events and port visits in order to give the greatest vacation flexibility. Each itinerary is included in the Welcome Aboard packet attendees receive at the gathering on the first day of the cruise.
The time, location, and other details of many 12 step meeting are listed in a portable schedule which folds easily into name tags. While registration is mandatory, participation in any and all events is optional. Book your sober vacation online today at www.SoberCelebrations.com
Blackout Girl by Jennifer Storm February 3, 2009
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Jennifer Storm is an author and a spokesperson for victims rights. Storm is also a commissioner to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Her book, “Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America”, is a gripping memoir which tells the story of a teenage girl and her battle with drugs, alcohol and coping with the trauma of rape.
Today, Jennifer Storm is active in several committees and boards such as: The Greater Harrisburg Foundations EGAL Board, Dauphin County Domestic Violence Taskforce, Joint Investigative Taskforce, Dauphin County Elder Abuse Taskforce, Northern Dauphin Human Services Advisory Panel and Criminal Justice Advisory Board of Dauphin County.
major networks including, ABC, FOX, NBC, NPR, CBS and PBS. She has been profiled or appeared several publications including: Curve Magazine, The Advocate, Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, WE Magazine, Women Magazine and many more.
“Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America”, documents the disturbing childhood of Jennifer Storm, who by age 12 would often find herself asking where she was after waking up from blackouts induced by alcohol. Later in life, Storm would turn to alcohol in order to deal with torment in her life until she began experimenting with drugs; ultimately using crack, cocaine and LSD on a regular basis.
“I had never held a beer in my life, let along this big, long can that I could barely fit my twelve-year-old hand around. I just kept tilting the can back, farther and farther.” Writes Storm on her first experience with alcohol. “I enjoyed the almost immediate rush that went through my temples and up to the top of my scalp… I had slipped, unseen and undiscovered, into the land of adults.
Addiction Down Under: Australian Centre for Addiction Research February 2, 2009
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The Australian Centre for Addiction Research (ACAR) combines a network of academic professionals scientists and clinicians involved in managing and preventing addictive behaviors. Just some of the ACAR’s objectives are to advance the understanding of brain activity and its relationship to mental health and addictive behaviors and provide consultation services to government and non-government organizations. In addition, the ACAR promotes clinical research focusing on applied issues related to mental health and addiction.
Some of the ACAR’s areas of expertise include:
-Promoting community involvement
-Training health professionals
-Implementing clinical research
-Clinical expertise
-Evaluating innovative clinical research
The ACAR is committed to conducting innovative research, and applying the knowledge and policies to improve the health status of the Australian community. The ACAR also offers a range of training opportunities to professionals and students from a variety of disciplines. Training opportunities include:
-Relapse prevention programs
-Controlled drinking programs
-Suicide risk reduction programs
-Community reinforcement programs
-Guided self-change programs for alcohol and other substances
The ACAR has helped countless patients to date. “The program has guided me to stop and think before I drink. Plus, by doing four alcohol-free days per week I am reducing my overall intake and consequently improving my health and self-esteem.” Reads one testimonial. “It is so good to assess urges and override them. Thank you for my new awareness and sensitive consideration before that first drink.” Check out the Australian Centre for Addiction Research on-line at www.acar.net.au
