LSD May Help People With Alcoholism Quit or Reduce Drinking, Study Suggests

By Join Together Staff | March 12, 2012 | 3 Comments | Filed in Alcohol,Drugs, Research & Treatment

A new analysis of studies originally conducted in the 1960s suggests LSD may help people with alcoholism quit or reduce their drinking.

The new study combines the results of six trials that tested a single dose of LSD in 536 people with alcoholism. The researchers found 59 percent who took the drug either quit or significantly reduced their drinking, compared with 38 percent of participants who took a much smaller dose of LSD or used another treatment to prevent drinking,Time reports. Eight cases of adverse effects from LSD were reported; none lasted longer than the high itself, according to the article. The positive effect of LSD on drinking lasted at least six months, but was no longer apparent one year later.

Previous studies have suggested that LSD was not effective for alcoholism. The researchers of the new analysis said the earlier findings appear to be related to the fact that they did not include enough participants to show an effect.

“LSD had a significant beneficial effect on alcohol misuse at the first reported follow-up assessment,” the researchers wrote in theJournal of Psychopharmacology. “The effectiveness of a single dose of LSD compares well with the effectiveness of daily naltrexone [reVia, Vivitrol] acamprosate [Campral], or disulfiram [Antabuse].” Those drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat alcoholism.

A number of hallucinogens and other illicit drugs are being studied as possible treatments for conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, addiction and depression

Recovery From Drug or Alcohol Abuse

By Join Together Staff | March 6, 2012 | 3 Comments | Filed in Addiction &Recovery


Ten percent of American adults consider themselves to be in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse problems, according to a newsurvey released today by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services(OASAS). The findings indicate there are 23.5 million American adults who are overcoming an involvement with drugs or alcohol that they once considered to be problematic.

The nationally representative survey found 10 percent of adults answered yes to the question, “Did you once have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?” – one simple way of describing recovery from drug and alcohol abuse or addiction that was devised by Dr. Alexandre Laudet, a leading researcher in addiction recovery, now at National Development and Research Institute (NDRI).

“Bill White, a treatment and recovery champion, has said that there is ‘a science of addiction, but not a science of recovery,’” explained A. Thomas McLellan, PhD, Former Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. “That statement is completely correct. With the survey conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and OASAS, we now have a very strong beginning to developing that science. Through past initiatives, we established some sensible definitions of what ‘being in recovery’ actually means – and this additional work provides fundamental information on how many people are in recovery. These are not only the building blocks for the ‘recovery science’ that have been called for, but they are the foundation for public understanding, acceptance and ultimately, the celebration of recovery.”

The survey also uncovered some basic demographic information about those saying they once had a drug or alcohol problem, but no longer do: more males say they are in recovery than females (12 percent of males vs. 7 percent of females). More adults ages 35-44 report being in recovery, compared to younger adults (18-34) and adults who are 55 years of age or older. The Midwest has a higher prevalence of adults (14 percent) who say they are in recovery compared to adults in the South (7 percent). In other regions of the country, the percentage of adults (not statistically significant) who say they are in recovery is 11 percent for the West and 9 percent for the Northeast.

“This research marks a vitally important step for those who are struggling with addiction by offering clear evidence to support what many know experientially – that millions of Americans have found a path to recovery,” said New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “It is my hope that this new evidence will strengthen and inspire individuals and those that provide treatment and recovery services to help the broader community understand that treatment does work and recovery is possible.”

The survey was conducted in 2011 by Opinion Research Corporation for The Partnership at Drugfree.org and OASAS via phone (landline and cell) among a nationally representative sample of 2,526 adults.

“The OASAS study is an important contribution to the public’s understanding of recovery, as it represents the actual voices of millions of Americans whose lives have improved because they are living free of alcohol and other drug problems,” stated Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “This newlearning provides a big reason – more than 23 million reasons – for all those who are struggling with their own, or a loved one’s substance use disorder, to have hope and know that they are not alone. These findings serve as a reminder that addiction is a treatable disease and recovery can be a reality. We are just scratching the surface here and more research is needed in this area, but we are proud to collaborate with New York OASAS in this meaningful process.”

Can you die from taking Spice?

March 7, 2012
By Addiction Blog




The truth is, nobody’s really sure.

Still, we answer: Yes. It is possible that a severe reaction to Spice could kill you. More here on synthetic cannabis deaths, adverse side effects, and dangers of Spice. Plus, we welcome your questions about Spice at the end.
Dangers of Spice ingredients

What’s really dangerous about Spice is the fact that no two brands contain the same ingredients. They all consist of chopped herbs sprayed with a synthetic cannabis substance, but that’s where the similarity ends. Manufacturers don’t even list what’s in Spice on the packaging; they’ve managed to get around ingredient listings by including the phrase, “Not intended for human consumption” on legal weed labels. However, there may be harmful heavy metal residues in some brands of Spice. And no batch contains the same ingredients. This is why some people have very intense, potent reactions to some types of synthetic weed, while others may experience little to no effect. Note here that there is NO THC in Spice.
Serious adverse side effects of Spice

Spice can cause a variety of adverse, sometimes severe side effects. Although these have not yet been clinically studied, anecdotal evidence from self-reported Spice users is found on internet communities. From these reports, we gather that some of the serious side effects to Spice can include:
anxiety attacks
hallucinations
nausea
paranoia
psychotic episodes
rapid heart rate

In rare cases Spice can even result in potentially-deadly swelling of the brain.
Systems affected by Spice

The cannabinoid substances in Spice act on the THC receptors of the brain and central nervous system. The drugs in Spice are much more powerful and unpredictable than marijuana, and potentially more toxic. This is why Spice can cause a high similar to that of marijuana, but it can also cause hallucinations and similar effects.
Signs of Spice overdose

Spice is a new drug, and it’s poorly-understood. Different synthetic chemicals may be used in different batches, and different samples of the drug may not have the same strength. What is known is that this drug is addictive and has some serious adverse effects. Spice overdose can be difficult to treat, since so little is known about the substances used in its production, and since there’s so much variation between different brands and batches. However, the most commonly-reported overdose effects are:
anxiety attacks
convulsions
dangerously elevated heart rate
disorientation
increased blood pressure
vomiting
How to treat Spice overdose

If you suspect a Spice overdose, the most important thing is to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. These very serious adverse effects can’t be effectively treated at home and require medical attention.
Are you taking too much Spice?

You can get addicted to K2, or another variation of Spice. Why? Because Spice is addictive. Do you find yourself physically dependent on the drug? Do you find yourself craving Spice, or experiencing withdrawals when you can’t take it? If you’re using herbal incense and find yourself unable to stop, or feel you need to take it on a regular basis, you’re probably taking too much.
Help for Spice use or misuse

If you’re struggling to quit Spice, you can find help. Since the substances used in this drug as so similar to those in marijuana, joining a support group or 12-step program for marijuana abuse will probably be helpful. Therapy can also be successful in helping you resist situations, people, and places which might tempt you to use Spice again.
Dangers of Spice questions

Do you still have questions about the dangers of taking Spice? Maybe you want to report your own experiences. Please leave your comments, questions and feedback about Spice here. We try to respond to all questions with a personal and prompt reply ASAP. You are not alone!

Study Finds Link Between School Bullies and Substance Use

By Join Together Staff | March 9, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed in Alcohol, Drugs, Research & Youth

Students who bully their classmates are more likely to use cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana, compared with their peers who aren’t bullies, a new study suggests.

“Our findings suggest that one deviant behavior may be related to another,” lead author Kisha Radliff of Ohio State University said in a news release. “For example, youth who bully others might be more likely to also try substance use. The reverse could also be true in that youth who use substances might be more likely to bully others.”

Newswise reports the researchers did not find as strong a link between bullying victims and substance use.

The researchers reviewed a survey of almost 75,000 students, which included questions on bullying and substance use. The survey found bullying was more common among middle school students than among high school students, and that substance use was more common among high schoolers.

Only 1.6 percent of middle school students not involved in bullying reported marijuana use, compared with 11.4 percent of bullies. Among high school students, 13.3 percent who were not involved in bullying used marijuana, compared with 31.7 percent of bullies. The study found similar results for alcohol and cigarettes.

“Many schools are mandating anti-bullying programs and policies, and we think they need to take this opportunity to address other forms of deviant behavior, such as substance use,” Radliff said. “If we can intervene with bullies while they’re in middle school, we may be able to help them before they start experimenting with substance use.”

The study appears in Addictive Behaviors.

Medicare to Cover Alcohol Screenings and Behavioral Counseling

© Big Grey Mare

Medicare will extend coverage, at no additional cost, to provide screening services for depression and for alcohol abuse disorders and to provide behavioral counseling to Seniors with alcohol abuse problems.


by John Lee Google+ Twitter Facebook


Seniors with Medicare are now eligible for increased substance abuse and mental health services, in most cases at no extra cost.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an extension of coverage of Medicare services. Seniors with Medicare can now receive:
An annual alcohol abuse screening in a primary care setting, such as in a doctor’s office

4 sessions of behavioral alcohol abuse counseling upon an alcohol abuse screening which indicates a possible problem with substance abuse

An annual screening for depression in any primary care facility which has the resources to provide support or referrals to appropriate services


Commenting on the new coverage, Donald M. Berwick, MD of CMS said, “Preventive services bring relief to Medicare beneficiaries for whom preventive care means early identification of disease and greater opportunity for treatment and recovery. It’s just as important for our elderly beneficiaries to enjoy access to preventive services as it is for any American.”
Read more: Medicare to Cover Alcohol Screenings and Behavioral Counseling

Alcohol in Movies May Influence Teens’ Drinking Habits, Study Suggests

By Join Together Staff | March 7, 2012 | 3 Comments | Filed in Alcohol,Marketing And Media, Research & Youth

The amount of drinking children and teens see in movies may influence their own drinking habits, suggests a new study conducted in six European nations.

Researchers gave surveys to more than 16,000 students, ages 10 to 19, in Germany, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Scotland. They were asked to check off which of 50 movies that were popular in their country they had seen. For each movie, the researchers counted how many times characters were shown drinking alcohol, according to Reuters. At least 86 percent of the movies had at least one drinking scene.

The researchers compared the students’ exposure to alcohol in the movies with how many of them reported ever engaging in binge drinking (having five or more drinks on a single occasion). Twenty-seven percent of the students reported binge drinking at least once, they reported in Pediatrics.

The study found an association between viewing on-screen drinking and students’ own drinking behavior. Between 10 to 20 percent of students who viewed the least on-screen drinking had binged themselves, compared with 40 percent who had seen the most on-screen drinking.

It is not known whether the students started binge drinking before or after they saw the movies, the researchers point out. They did take into account other factors, such as the students’ risk-taking behavior, their academic record, and how much their friends and family drank.

Study author Reiner Hanewinkel, PhD, told Reuters that teenagers “have seen at least thousands of impressions of smoking and drinking, so it shapes their attitude that these kinds of behavior are adult-like behavior. It makes the alcohol drinking look cool and sexy and so-on.”

12 STEPPING TO RECOVERY DAILY THOUGHT 3-9-12

STEP 1
       I have come to realize that step one is not a one time thing.Some folks work the steps and they think that's it I'm good.Step one for me has to be taken everyday the moment I open my eyes and before starting the day.Surrender yourself to JESUS ask HIM for his guidance love and peace as you begin your day .If we are left to our own vices and not under his divine guidance we will or at least I will make all the wrong choices.I lived my life at least thirty years of it without his guidance and because of it I made a mess.Surrendering to Him is not a magic recipe or fix all and life will still throw you a curve ball but it is sure comforting to know that you don't have to face life's troubles alone.This is why step one is so important we cant go it alone. My favorite book (bible) tells us HE is the counselor comforter and friend what more do we need not only that, because of the sin of our addiction we have been separated from GOD and we can only get right with GOD Thur JESUS. Make step one a must before opening your eyes and exiting the bed.I DARE YOU TO TALK TO JESUS AND INVITE HIM IN TO YOUR LIFE!

FDA Warns Maker of Inhalable Caffeine Product Over False or Misleading Labeling

By Join Together Staff | March 7, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed in Alcohol,Government, Marketing And Media, Prevention & Youth


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter Tuesday to the maker of the inhalable caffeine product AeroShot Pure Energy, stating its labeling is false or misleading.

The FDA says the company, Breathable Foods Inc., labeled the product as both inhaled and ingestible. “The company’s labeling is false or misleading because these two claims contradict each other,” the FDA said in a statement. The agency added that “caffeine is not normally inhaled into the lungs and the safety of doing so has not been well studied.”

Aeroshot, introduced earlier this year in the United States as a calorie-free breathable energy product, delivers caffeine through a gray and yellow device that resembles a cross between a lipstick and a shotgun shell, Reuters reports. The caffeine is mixed with B vitamins and delivered in a fine powder that dissolves in the mouth. One AeroShot contains about the same amount of caffeine as a large cup of coffee, according to the article.

The FDA notes the product’s label has conflicting statements about whether it is appropriate for those under 18. The agency says some videos on the company’s website appear to encourage people to use AeroShot in combination with alcohol. The agency asked Breathable Foods to correct the violations, and to provide more information on research.

In reponse to the FDA letter, AeroShot issued a statement that said, “We plan to work closely with the FDA to meet their requests for information and labeling changes to ensure compliance with dietary supplement requirements. AeroShot delivers a mix of B vitamins and caffeine to the mouth for ingestion and is not ‘inhaled’ into the lungs. AeroShot is not recommended or marketed to persons under 18 or for use with alcohol.”

In December, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer urged the FDA to review the safety and legality of Aeroshot. “This stern warning is the clearest indication yet that AeroShot needs to be taken off the market until these concerns can be addressed and the product’s safety can be confirmed,” Senator Schumer said in a statement.

Recover Wear

Hilarious AA Apparel

Posted on January 4, 2012 by recoverwearcom in Uncategorized


Welcome to Recoverwear, the home of your next sobrietee-themed impulse purchase! Check out our first edition t-shirts below! If you’re in the Pittsburgh, PA area, leave a note with your order and we’ll sort out free delivery. www.recover-wear.com
www.recover-wear.com
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FREEDOM & RECOVERY EVENT

UPCOMING 2012 EVENT:


Freedom & Recovery—Integrated Mental Health and Addiction Treatment for
Service Members
Hotel del Coronado
San Diego, CA
April 23-26, 2012
Conference Details | Media Kit | Brochure
Freedom & Recovery: Integrated Mental Health and Addiction Treatment for Service Members will gather the nation's foremost treatment experts to examine the unique needs of returning veterans and their families, with a focus on education and training for professionals who provide care to this special population. Conference participants will learn evidence-based practices for treating trauma and addiction, methods for integrating military families into treatment, and suicide prevention strategies.

Zanzibar Tries to Kick Heroin Habit

ADDICTION TREATMENT

3/06/12 10:11am




Zanzibar's approach is innovative in
East Africa. Photo via


Unknown to the hordes of foreign tourists who flock to its idyllic beaches, the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar has been ravaged by heroin imported from Asia. But now groups of recovering addicts there have joined togetherto help fellow addicts get clean at self-regulated "sober houses." The program was started by Suleiman Mauly, who spent four years living and using on the streets and has been clean for six years. The $100-a-month sober houses provide a cheap alternative to rehab and a safe haven from the drug-addled streets and unforgiving law enforcement. The idea that addiction is a health issue, not a criminal one, is novel in Tanzania, as is the sober house model: “It’s a new phenomenon in East Africa, whereby drug addicts take responsibility to run the system" says Mauly. "Recovering addicts are in charge, from the guard, the kitchen, running sessions, everything." Activities on offer at the houses include yoga, acupuncture and art therapy, empowering addicts to reclaim their lives, and to help themselves and others. "For someone who is doing the 12-step program, and then you give him another responsibility, he feels high self-esteem because he’s not nothing," says Mauly. "You are someone."

America's Recovery Community Is Now 23 Million Strong

America's Recovery Community Is Now 23 Million Strong


Me too! Thinkstock


A new survey suggests that the US recovery community is even bigger than previously believed. An amazing 10% of adults aged 18 and older answered yes to the question, "Did you once have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?" That translates to some 23.5 million adults living in the US today who battled addiction at some point and came out on the other side. The study—released today by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)—could make a valuable contribution to research into America's biggest public health crisis. It reveals some interesting demographic tidbits: more recovering adults fall into the 35-44 age group than any other, while the male/female breakdown has 12% of men reporting that they're in recovery, compared to 7% of women. Meanwhile the Midwest, sometimes dubbed America's "Binge Belt," has a higher proportion of people in recovery (14%) than any other region. Amid frequent pessimism over the scale of addiction-related problems in the US, the news that so many Americans have already found recovery is highly encouraging. "This research marks a vitally important step for those who are struggling with addiction by offering clear evidence to support what many know experientially," says New York State OASAS Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez. "Millions of Americans have found a path to recovery."

Josh Hamilton A Living Testimony

In his record-breaking performance at the All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, last week, Josh Hamilton was a living testament that people can change their lives and can overcome addiction to alcohol and drugs.


by ChooseHelpEmail Google+ Twitter Facebook


A few years ago, Hamilton hit rock bottom when he was suspended from baseball for three years after it had emerged that he was addicted to alcohol and drugs - primarily crack cocaine.

Josh didn't give up but managed to turn his life around through his love of baseball. It took him eight rehab stints to finally kick his addiction. Although he may not have won the Home Run Derby crown last week, his victory over addiction makes him a winner on a much grander scale.

In a statement on ESPN Josh remembers that it was a humbling experience to be addicted. "Getting the addiction under control was even more humbling - and the reason, I got better," he says "is that he surrendered. Instead of asking to be bailed out, instead of making deals with God by saying, If you get me out of this mess, I'll stop doing what I'm doing, I asked for help."

Read more: Josh Hamilton A Living Testimony

12 STEPPING TO RECOVERY DAILY THOUGHT!! 3-6-12

STEP 1
     When I walk past a cemetery I gaze upon the motionless stones and look upon the names and wonder how many never reached step one.  How many of those folks that lay in the cold earth died, never reaching there full potential.  So many of us never find the courage to truly admit powerlessness!  Even our final moments can be filled with resentment unforgiveness jealously and whatever wall we have built around ourselves a wall that we never seem to be able to get over.  When your time comes will you be able to go in peace or will you leave here with unfinished business and way below your GOD given potential.  Life happens in a flash, don't waste another moment.  Surrender and  realize you were made for so much more.  Tear down the wall of self and rebuild a brand new you and then when your time comes you will truly rest in peace.

PRO - ACT Recovery Walks ! 2012

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, September 22, 2012 www.recoverywalks.org

PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2012         The date is now set for PRO-ACT's Recovery Walks! 2012, a major Hub for Faces & Voices Rally for Recovery 2012.         Start organizing your team and give it your own catchy name! Design your team t-shirts! Try to beat Fresh Start's record 263 members from last year! Register for the Honor Guard and let's have more than the 377 in last year's Honor Guard! Sign up now to volunteer for a committee (scroll down)! Or roll up your sleeves and join the 400 volunteers we need on that day! And, if you can sing, tune up your pipes because Recovery Idol will be bigger and better than last year's. The Recovery Idolauditions will begin in early summer and will be an important part of the post-Walk stage program. (If you would like an entry form for Recovery Idol, please send an e-mail to Marita)             We're planning to make Recovery Walks! 2012 the Pennsylvania area's largest National Recovery Month event with a lot of support from New Jersey and other nearby areas. SAMHSA's National Recovery Month is a nationwide movement that celebrates individuals who have sustained long-term recovery and honors people and organizations who make recovery possible. An added benefit of the celebration is that it provides hope to individuals and families who have been affected by the disease of addiction and to those who have just begun their journey of recovery. Support the Walk and show the nation that recovery is not only possible, but a reality!         Once more, we will gather on Philadelphia's beautiful waterfront at Penn's Landing, where everyone will have an excellent view of the stage program and entertainment and there's plenty of room to socialize with friends and visit sponsor booths. During the festivities, teams and walkers from all across the region and nearby states will be walking through the most historic area of downtown Philadelphia. REGISTER ONLINE HERE          Please put Saturday, September 22, on your calendar.  Plan to help Recovery Walks! 2012 exceed the 15,000 people who last year made history by being the largest Walk ever assembled in support of Recovery!                        Become a Sponsor! Show Your Support! You Have Several Choices of Sponsorship Levels and Benefits   Please send an e-mail to Marita at moconnell@councilsepa.org or call her at 215-345-6644, ext. 3160 Walk Committees Need Volunteers          We have already begun planning and forming the committees and we need your help. Nearly all of the committees need members and those listed below need Chairpersons with leadership abilities. The committee chairpersons will attend the monthly planning meetings downtown. If you can spare a little time to help one of the Walk committees, or to Chair one of the committees below, please call Cheryl Poccia at 215-923-1661, or send an e-mail to Cheryl at this address. Cheryl also is creating a list of people willing to help only on the day of the Walk, September 22. Information/Greeters: Greet and direct people as they arrive; distribute programs or handouts; and provide staffing of information tent.  Sign Language and Spanish Interpreters: Contact and coordinate Interpreters for the day of the Walk (may help with translation of documents if they have that ability).  Truck Transportation:  Coordinate with other committees for delivery and removal of supplies to site on day of event.    Walk Route Logistics:  Work with police and ambulance services for crowd control and security of Walk route; ensure that all signage at event as well as Walk route is placed or hung appropriately for day of event; make contact with businesses along Walk route to inform them of Walk. This Is YOUR Walk! We need YOUR help to make it a success!  Call Cheryl Poccia 215-223-7700, or send an e-mail to this address.

www.councilsepa.org

A Prayer for Parents of Troubled Teens

by John LeeGoogle+ Twitter Facebook

Letting go, doing all that you can and nothing more; this is a trial for any parent watching a teen abuse drugs. Pray for understanding, for grace and for healing.

LORD, SOMETIMES I DON’T KNOW WHERE MY JOB AS A PARENT ENDS AND YOUR HEAVENLY GIFT AS SAVIOR BEGINS. GRANT ME UNDERSTANDING, SO THAT I MAY DO ALL THAT I CAN, AND NOTHING MORE.

LORD, KEEP MY FAITH BURNING BRIGHT. I BELIEVE IN YOU AND I BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER AND LOVE, BUT SOMETIMES I AM TEMPTED TO ACT IN YOUR STEAD. I HURT SO MUCH WATCHING MY SON DESTROY HIMSELF. GRANT ME FAITH, SO THAT I MAY RECEIVE YOUR GRACE AND ACT AS YOUR INSTRUMENT OF LOVE.

LORD, SAVE ME FROM DESPAIR. I GET OVERWHELMED SOMETIMES. MY WIFE AND MY KIDS NEED ATTENTION, LOVE AND SUPPORT, AND SO DO I. GRANT ME CLARITY SO THAT I MAY SERVE MY FAMILY, EVEN IN THIS DARK HOUR.

LORD, SHOW ME THE PATH I MUST WALK. SHOW ME WHAT GOOD WORKS I CAN DO TO SERVE YOU. I NEED YOUR GUIDANCE, AND ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES I FEEL RAGE, LORD, TRANSFORM MY ANGER INTO LOVE, AND USE ME AS AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PURPOSE.

LORD, LET MY SON FEEL YOUR LOVE. I BELIEVE THAT ONLY YOU CAN HEAL HIS WOUNDS. HE IS TROUBLED, HE HARMS HIMSELF, PLEASE; BRING HIM HOME.

AMEN

Read more: A Prayer for Parents of Troubled Teens

Anthrax-Killing Foam Proving Effective in Meth Lab Decontamination

Anthrax-Killing Foam Proving Effective in Meth Lab Decontamination
By Join Together Staff | February 21, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed inCommunity Related & Drugs

A decontamination foam, previously used to clean up federal office buildings and mailrooms during anthrax attacks more than a decade ago, is now being used to decontaminate illegal methamphetamine (meth) labs Science Daily reports.

The foam renders all types of chemical and biological agents harmless, according to officials at Sandia’s Chemical & Biological Systems, the makers of the decontamination foam.

Sandia’s decontamination foam is comprised of a collection of mild, nontoxic and noncorrosive chemicals found in common household products, such as hair conditioner and toothpaste. It contains both surfactants, which lift agents off a surface, and mild oxidizers, which break down the agent’s molecules into nontoxic pieces that can be washed down a household drain like detergent or dish soap.

According to the Department of Justice, the chemicals used to cook meth and its byproducts produce toxic fumes, vapors and residues that have lasting effects to local neighborhoods and the environment. Anyone exposed to these byproducts, especially children, could suffer serious health problems and prolonged exposure to meth byproducts may cause cancer, damage the brain, the immune system and may result in birth defects.

Illegal meth labs are a growing problem in America and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Clandestine Meth Lab registry lists thousands of locations across the country where law enforcement agencies have found chemicals or paraphernalia linked to either clandestine drug laboratories or meth lab dumpsites.

Incidents related to meth production, including seizures of labs, dumpsites or chemical and glassware, increased to 11,239 in 2010, after falling to 6,095 in 2007, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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LIVENGRIN PRESENTS RIDE FOR RECOVERY

Grab your chance to win a

Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
™
(or $7,500 cash option)

Each year Livengrin raises funds and enhances the public's awareness about how meaningful – and achievable – recovery from addiction can be. The Ride for Recovery poker run attracts individual registrants and a variety of motorcycle clubs, firefighters, "sober biker" groups and local chapters of national organizations.

It's more than a great country ride and then stuffing yourself at an immense picnic (although that's fine with us). The Ride is an important opportunity to show the current patients in our residential program that there are many ways to enjoy life and express your individuality without alcohol and drugs! Help us achieve that!

New This Year!
The Ride for Recovery begins at Barb's Harley-Davidson on the Black Horse Pike, where Collingswood meets Mount Ephraim in NJ (just over the Walt Whitman bridge). A new Ride route through NJ & PA concludes at our Bensalem campus, minutes from I-95, Rt. 1, Street Road and the PA Turnpike.
Event Registration Open!






Enter the 2012
Ride for Recovery Raffle
and take home a


2012 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
™
(or $7,500 cash option)


2 Runners-up Win Big Cash Prizes
Tickets $10 Available Now




Make the Ride for Recovery
Part of Your Wardrobe
and help spread the message about this great event!

RIDE SHIRTS & HOODIES
New Design All Sizes

Our ride shirts usually sell out at the event so order yours now!

This year, treat your riding buddies to the winter versions - a unique gift that also helps advance Livengrin's mission.



All proceeds from the Ride for Recovery benefit the patient care programs at Livengrin, for people working hard to recover their physical health, emotional strength and ability to make the right choices for their future.

Each year, the Ride and Raffle raise more than $30,000 to benefit patient programs. Help us do as well - or better - in 2012!

Raffle Drawing at the Ride for Recovery, June 3, 2012

* PA License #10-138 ~ Winner need not be present at drawing ~ Winners responsible for pickup of prizes and any taxes, licenses, dealer prep or freight

See complete Ride for Recovery Raffle Rules.

Livengrin Event & Ride Store Hotline: 215-638-5200, # 310

12 STEPPING TO RECOVERY DAILY THOUGHT!!

STEP ONE
It's not whats on the outside that defiles us, it's what's already on the inside.  My favorite book (Bible) teaches us that we come into this world wicked.  For out of the heart comes drunkenness, lewdness, debauchery, sexual immorality, lying, murder and anything else our wicked hearts can devise.  When our very insides are this wicked and out of control no wonder our lives become unmanageable. That's why step one is so important.  Once we realize that the wickedness that lies within has taken complete  control of us, we need a higher power to break us free from ourselves.  Know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Can you die from taking Molly?

Yes. You can die from an accidental overdose on Molly.


But what is in Molly and what are some of the other risks of taking Molly? Can you take Molly safely? More on Molly risks and safety here. Plus, we invite you to ask your questions about using this club drug at the end.
What Is Molly?


Molly is the street name for 1-3-Triflouromethylphenyl piperazine (TFMPP), an industrial chemical used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis in certain chemical industries. TFMPP became available in 2001 as a legal alternative to MDMA, or Ecstacy. Nicknamed “Molly”, TFMPP is most often used in combination with benzylpiperazine (BZP) and sold as “A2”, “legal E”, or “legal x”, in order to enhance its spectrum of effects. This enhancement is often powerful and can be extremely dangerous. Fatalities have been reported, as a result of overdose or suicide.
How Is Molly Used?


TFMPP has no known medical use in the United States but is used alone primarily for its hallucinogenic effects. More often, Molly is used in combination with other “club drugs” and/or alcohol.
The Effects Of Molly


Self- reported information indicates that Molly causes hallucinations. Some people describe Molly as a mild hallucinogenic, and report feeling mild, pleasant and mellow. Others say that taking BZP enhances the effects. Pharmacological effects of taking TFMPP (Molly) include:
anti-aggressive effects
anxiolytic
hyperthermia
hypophagia
interference with circadian system (distortions of time)
locomotor inhibition
respiratory depression


In sum, TFMPP interferes with heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature…and possibly worse.
Is Molly Safe?


Recently, there has been an escalation in Molly abuse. But is Molly safe to use?


The short answer is: It depends on the user, dosage, and whether or not you take Molly with other drugs. Molly has properties similar to the stimulant effects of Ecstasy. But when taken in larger doses, Molly promotes hallucinogenic reactions. This poses an even greater risk to people who have taken Ecstasy before and accidentally overdose by trying to achieve similar hallucinogenic effects using Molly.


Still, the DEA is currently conducting “Operation X-Out”, a nationwide initiative to increase education and enforcement operations involving club and predatory drugs. Drug distributors claim that club and “date rape” drugs are safe. But the truth is that club drugs such as GHB, Ecstasy, Ketamine and TFMPP can be deadly. In 2002, Molly was given emergency controlled substance scheduling by the DEA. TFMPP was given Schedule I status, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no known medical use. However, this status was reduced in 2004 reverting TFMPP to non-control status. Still, the states of Georgia and Louisiana have enacted legislation to control TFMPP.
Death Risk On Molly


Molly has effects similar to Ecstasy, but taken in larger doses it promotes hallucinogenic reactions. This poses an even greater risk to young people who have taken Ecstasy and accidentally overdose by trying to achieve the hallucinogenic effects. Perhaps the biggest danger lies in the uncertainty of what substances and in what quantities are being ingested. It is difficult for emergency room personnel to know what a person in respiratory arrest has actually taken when they report “Ecstasy”, which can be a combination of a illicit drugs. How long does XTC last in your system? About 2-3 hours, although the drug can be detected in urine up to 3-4 days after use.


Much like LSD, accidental overdose is often the cause of injury or death. Sensory and time distortions make driving impossible, particularly in combination with alcohol. However, and evidence links them, the current popular “club drug” is Molly and BZP. This is where the biggest threat lies, a deadly combination. The risks associated with BZP abuse are similar to those associated with amphetamine abuse. Stimulants, including BZP and amphetamine, decrease appetite, dilate pupils, and increase blood pressure and heart and respiration rates. Other effects include anxiety, blurred vision, dizziness, and insomnia. Chronic abuse of stimulants can cause irregular heartbeat and can lead to delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia.
Can You Die From Taking Molly?


Yes, it is possible to overdose while on Molly. However, since Molly as a drug is seldom isolated and taken alone, it is difficult to put a number on the fatalities and overdoses exclusively “hers”. However, it is well documented that while promoters may stress the innocence of such rave drugs, they can be deadly.
Questions About Using Molly


Do you have more questions about using Molly? Do you want to stop? If you or someone you love is abusing these drugs, seek help, talk to someone. Get the facts. And ask questions here. We try to respond to all legitimate concerns with a personal and prompt response.
Reference Sources: Civil Air Patrol safety advisory for Molly
US Department of Justice drug information on TFMPP


http://drug.addictionblog.org STORY COURTEOUS OF ADDICTION BLOG

Family Support For Drug Addicts In Recovery

Family Support For Drug Addicts In Recovery


1. Be encouraging.


How to support a drug addict in recovery? The best support you can give is to simply be encouraging. Encourage your recovering addict to share their feelings with you and make the environment safe enough that the addict can trust you and be open and honest. Encourage your loved one coping with urges and cravings to hang in there. Encourage your family member with kind words and kind treatment.


2. Go to meetings.


If they are attending 12 step or self help meetings and ask you to go along, feel free to do so. It is nice to have someone you care about attend an open 12 step meeting with you to learn and meet fellows in recovery and learn about addiction recovery spirituality.


3. Keep drugs or alcohol out of reach.


Preventing relapse in substance abuse is key to continued sobriety. As much as possible, keep the addict’s drug of choice out of site if you have it in the home, and try to abstain from personally using when in contact.


4. Encourage routines.


Encourage your addict to eat properly, sleep properly, exercise, take meds exactly as prescribed, keep all recovery appointments and meeting commitments, live a healthy lifestyle keep their recovery the top priority in their lives. As the new behaviour becomes ingrained in the user, they will ease into mainstream living.


5. Have realistic expectations.


Recovery for the addict will take time. Patience is required. Think how long it took your addict to hit bottom and get into recovery. Behaviour changes will not happen overnight.


6. Forgive and forget.


Yelling, screaming and throwing up the past constantly will not help!


In sum, openly caring about your addict and their recovery will support someone new to addiction recovery. Simply being there, learning to understand the issues, encouraging new positive behaviour; these are things you can do.
Family Support For Drug Addiction Questions


Still have questions about how to support a loved one who is a drug addict? You are not alone! Please leave your questions, comments and share your experiences here. We will try our best to respond to your questions with a personal reply…within a day, or two!


Tags addiction prevention, counseling psychotherapy, drug addiction prevention, preventing addiction, relapse prevention, relationships in recovery

INTERVENTION SERVICES

Intervention Services

You have the power to help and to heal your loved one with just one call.


When your loved one is suffering from an addiction, it’s hard to know who to turn to for help and support. But you and other family members and friends can make a difference in your loved one’s life and help them recover by arranging for intervention services.


An intervention set up through intervention services, performed properly by trained and proficient experts, will help your loved one recognize and admit that they have a problem. When an individual is suffering from an addiction, whether to a substance, a bad habit, or unhealthy activities, it rules their life, influencing all decisions they make, without allowing them to clearly see the effects of their actions. A professional intervention is a catalyst for change, showing the person suffering from addiction that they have a problem, one that they cannot tackle on their own, and that they need professional help, and finally providing them with the support they need to take the next step in their road to recovery.


Prior to the professional intervention, intervention services will have the professional interventionist instruct any family or friends on what to say and what to do, in order to ensure a successful intervention for your loved one. The ultimate goal of any intervention is to guide your loved one to seek to professional rehabilitation treatment. Although you may want to keep your loved one close to home during their rehabilitation treatment (and sometimes there is no other choice) studies have shown the best chance for a lasting recovery i when your loved goes out side of their local environment and familiar surroundings and temptations and regular routine and daily influences.


Your loved one is suffering, and you no longer need to stand by, helplessly watching them destroy their lives and potentially the lives of those around them who are also the ones who love them most.
Take the first crucial step right now by contacting us for our intervention services so we can schedule an intervention for your loved one today!


Call the National Intervention for Drugs and Alcohol right now Toll-Free 24/7 at (800) 567-5986 to start the process of getting your loved one back and finally freeing them from the chains of their addiction before it's too late!
Toll-Free 24/7 at (800) 567-5986

Keeping Teens Safe from Incredibly Destructive and Addictive Crystal Meth

y John LeeGoogle+ Twitter Facebook

© Kr4gin

Incredibly addictive, and also one of the most destructive substances a person can put into their body, even recreational users of crystal meth are at great risk for dependency and personal tragedy. The long term health effects of crystal meth abuse are an extremely accelerated aging of the body and mind, a ruined appearance, and a severe and lasting period of psychological depression and despair. Of all the drugs out there, crystal meth is arguably the most dangerous and destructive, and it's also increasingly used by American teens today.


A recent commissioned study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) puts the number of teens experimenting with the drug at about 3%, which is significantly higher than previous studies had indicated. Because the drug is so addictive and so incredibly destructive, the key to successful treatment and abstinence is early intervention; and parents need to be aware of the dangers presented by meth use, and on the lookout for characteristic signs of abuse.


Meth use and abuse cannot be tolerated, and parents who have any suspicions of use need to get immediate professional help and intervention.
Some Signs of Meth Use


The following signs do not necessarily indicate meth use, but they may be considered strong evidence of experimentation or abuse. Parents cannot ignore warning signs of abuse, and teens need immediate intervention should they be experimenting with crystal meth.
Parents should be concerned if they observe:
Very unusual sleeping patterns. Kids using meth may stay awake for days straight and then sleep for days on end…this is not normal adolescent behavior. Teens that seem incredibly alert and energized even after having been up all night may well be using meth.
Nervous tics or behaviors. Scratching at the skin or twitching are warning signs of meth usage.
Loss of appetite and extreme weight loss. Meth users often avoid food, and as a result become emaciated.
Burns on the lips or fingers. Kids using meth often smoke it out of a pipe than get very hot.
Lying and withdrawal. If your teen is suddenly always lying or secretive about behaviors and no longer wants to spend any time with family or old friends, this can be as a result of meth usage.
Sudden carelessness about appearance. Teens always care about how they look, even if their choices of dress seem odd to you. If your teen is no longer concerned about personal hygiene or dress, they may be experimenting with meth.
Aggressive or violent behaviors. Meth can induce uncharacteristic behaviors of aggression or violence, even in previously peaceful kids. This is also not a normal behavior of adolescence.
Missing valuables or money from the home. Although meth is priced at a level conducive to experimentation and recreational use, heavy meth use can get very expensive, especially as a teen develops a tolerance or dependency. Missing valuables may be sold to fund an increasing need for drugs.
The Risks of Crystal Meth for Teens


Few drugs can derail a promising future faster than crystal meth. Heavy crystal meth use destroys the appearance and the teeth, and a few years of meth use can add decades to a person's face. The lasting psychological despair and depression induced by a meth addiction can endure for years even after meth use has stopped, and some people can never recover completely from their meth addiction.


Meth is extremely addictive, even occasional recreational users are at great risk for dependency and addiction.


Meth use damages the organs and the heart, and greatly increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Additionally, cognitive functions, including memory are extremely distorted by meth use, and a few years of meth use can induce severe cognitive and memory impairments.


Meth use also puts addicts at a greatly increased risk for HIV and other STDs, for involvement in the criminal justice system, and for exposure to violent assaults.


Meth destroys the body, the mind and the soul; and does it faster than any other drug of abuse.
Intervention and Treatment


The earlier intervention and treatment ensues, the better the eventual probability of success and sobriety. Because of the dangers, parents who suspect meth use or abuse cannot wait before acting, and need to get their teen into treatment as soon as possible.


Teens do best in treatment specific to teens, and with age appropriate therapy and true peer support groups. Teenage meth treatment needs to be intensive and long lasting, and needs to occur on an inpatient basis, away from access to meth.


Teens do not need to consent to treatment or even to a need for treatment for it to be effective, and many reluctant participants in therapy come to see the value of drug treatment only after achieving sobriety and through intensive therapeutic participation.


The single greatest predictor for success in teen drug treatment is extensive family support and involvement, and parents and siblings need to participate fully in all offered family counseling and educational seminars.


Meth is very scary, very destructive and even a short period of abuse can have health repercussions for life. Meth addiction can also be beaten, and people are overcoming meth addictions everyday. There is always hope for a better future, and parents need to make sure they stay involved, stay alert, and get their kids any needed treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.



Read more: Keeping Teens Safe from Incredibly Destructive and Addictive Crystal Meth

For Parents: The Dangers Of Prescription Medications

by ChooseHelp

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© ThomasThomas


A recent survey by The Partnership For a Drug Free America, has found that not only are parents talking to their kids less than before (Currently 49% of parents engage their kids in discussions about the dangers of drugs which is down 6% from a year ago) they also seem uneducated as to the true dangers lurking for their children.


Only 36% of parents had spoken to their children about the dangers of pharmaceutical medications, and a mere 33% had talked about the risks of abusing over the counter medications such as DMX containing cough syrup. The study reported that there was a common misconception among parents that prescription or over the counter medications were safer than illicit or street drugs.


Another recently released study indicates that one in five high school seniors in America have abused prescription medications to get high.


The fact is that after alcohol abuse, the most commonly abused drugs in America are prescription opiate type pain pills, and a whopping 6 million or more Americans are currently abusing and dependent on these serious drugs.


While an opiate from a laboratory is at least free from contaminants, any opiate once inside the body is largely indistinguishable from any other opiate, and hence the difference between abusing vicodin from the medicine cabinet and snorting a line of heroin is slim.


Today's prescription medications are incredibly addictive, available and destructive; and savvy kids know just how easy it is to source their next high. When parents are so woefully uniformed as to the true dangers of abuse, it's hard to be optimistic about a reduction in the numbers suffering addictions to pharmaceutical opiates any time soon.


That more than half of all parents never speak with their children about the dangers of drugs is in my opinion shocking and irresponsible, but I'm not sure who is really to blame for the misperception of the real risk surrounding easily available pharmaceutical medications. When we are bombarded with advertisements that seem to indicate the safety and efficacy of drugs of all shapes and sizes, maybe it's not surprising that parents, and their kids, think that these drugs are a lot safer than they really are.


Maybe pharmaceutical companies marketing these drugs owe some responsibility for the fates of the many millions of Americans suffering with addictions to these same drugs, and maybe a small portion of the profits made off of the suffering of millions needs should be mandated back to advertising revealing the true dangers of the misuse of these pills.


Drug makers and doctors claim that these medications are safe when taken as directed, and that only through the misuse of these pills is addiction probable. Essentially, "we are not responsible for people trying to get high off of our legitimate drugs". They have a point in some ways, and we do need to maintain some standards of personal accountability; but when companies promote their products in such a way as to cause the massive mis perception of their dangers, can they not be on some level faulted when patients fail to follow the small print directions?


Parents…talk to your kids about the dangers of both over the counter and prescription medications; they are arguably the greatest danger to abuse in our high schools today.


Government…take action to better the current desperate situation of dependency, and hold the companies raking in record profits off of these drugs (6 million addicts makes for a good return!) somewhat accountable, and require a better presentation of the real risks involved with pharmaceuticals as addictive as heroin.



Read more: For Parents: The Dangers Of Prescription Medications

12 STEPPING TO RECOVERY DAILY THOUGHT!!

STEP 1
     Getting to step one can and will take many years of pain sorrow and hardship.  Taking a look at one self in the mirror of life and reviewing how you look at you can and be painful.  Thirty two years I spent living life the way I wanted and when anyone tried to tell me I was wrong it was look out.  Pride is one of the biggest and most blinding hurdles we will have to get over getting to step one.  We live life one way for so long it becomes who we are.  Our hearts become hardened because of hurts, people letting us down, parents not being there, etc.  We have to come to a point in our life where we are not going to let circumstances of life determine who we are.  Step one, once reached will bring humility and that will lead to teach ability and finally responsibility.

Teens Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana

By Join Together Staff | February 23, 2012 | 6 Comments | Filed in Drugs &Youth





According to a recent study, nearly one in five (19 percent) of teens say they have gotten behind the wheel after smoking marijuana.


As reported in USA Today, the national study of nearly 2,300 11th- and 12th-graders was commissioned by Liberty Mutual Insurance andStudents Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). It showed that a growing percentage of teens do not see marijuana use as a distraction while driving, with 70 percent of teens saying it is “very” or “extremely” distracting, down from 78 percent in 2009.


Stephen Wallace, senior advisor for Policy, Research and Education at SADD, said the findings reflect a “dangerous trend toward the acceptance of marijuana and other substances compared to our study of teens conducted just two years ago…both in terms of the increased use of marijuana and from the perspective that many think this is not a danger.”


Other studies, like the University of Michigan’s “Monitoring the Future” of 47,000 eighth-, 10th and 12th-graders, reflect this trend. That study revealed marijuana use rose in 2011 for the fourth straight year, with daily use at a 30-year peak level among high school seniors.


Of those teens who have driven after smoking pot, 36 percent say it presents no distraction when operating a vehicle. Nineteen percent say alcohol is no distraction, and 13 percent of teens report driving under the influence of alcohol.