Friday, November 23, 2012
Study Links Marijuana Psychosis With Genetic Variation
By Join Together Staff | November 21, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs & Research
A new study suggests a specific genetic variation may increase the risk of developing marijuana-related psychosis. Researchers found people with the variation were twice as likely to develop a psychotic disorder when using marijuana. The risk increased up to sevenfold if they used marijuana daily, Health Day reports.
The findings could help lead to new treatments for marijuana-induced psychosis, the researchers say.
In the journal Biological Psychiatry, they note evidence is increasing that marijuana use during the teenage years may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Their study of more than 700 people found marijuana-related psychosis was linked with a variation in the AKT1 gene. The gene is involved in the regulation of the brain chemical dopamine, which plays an important role in mental health, the article notes.
“Our findings help to explain why one cannabis user develops psychosis while his friends continue smoking without problems,” the researchers from King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry note in a news release.
A study published last year suggested marijuana may accelerate the onset of psychotic disorders in some young users. Researchers conducted a review of the literature examining the effects of marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs on the onset of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. They found patients with psychotic disorders who smoked marijuana at an early age developed symptoms almost three years sooner than those who did not. The link was strongest among those who started smoking at ages 12 to 15 or younger.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Alphahouse Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
About AlphaHouse
Alpha
House, Inc. provides help and hope for substance abusers through a
variety of programs that use a “whole person” approach to help addicts
and alcoholics change their lifestyle. We have been changing lives
since 1970, long before medical models realized the need. We have
proactively responded to decades of change and continue to be a
innovative leader in treating substance abuse.
Our firm but loving therapeutic community provides inpatient and outpatient services that combine therapy with education, work, peer interaction, family involvement and community service.
At Alpha House, we believe that highly motivated addicts and alcoholics can change their lives and we are dedicated to teaching them how.
Our firm but loving therapeutic community provides inpatient and outpatient services that combine therapy with education, work, peer interaction, family involvement and community service.
At Alpha House, we believe that highly motivated addicts and alcoholics can change their lives and we are dedicated to teaching them how.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tree of Hope Listing Dec 12 2012
When the stately evergreen is raised in the lobby of the Bucks County Courthouse, it will be more than a symbol of the holiday season. Decorated with personalized ornaments bearing the names or initials of people who have directly or indirectly experienced addiction to drugs or alcohol, the the annual Tree of Hope represents the possibility of recovery.
The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania and PRO-ACT will hold the Tree of Hope dedication ceremony on Dec. 12 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Please find attached:
Tree of Hope 2012.doc — press release
Tree of Hope Listing Dec 12 2012.doc — calendar listing
I hope you can find room for one or both in your publication. If you have an online calendar, I will post the information there. Proceeds from ornament sales benefit recovery support services.Call 215-345-6644 or visit www.councilsepa.org .Click events and select Tree of hope.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Cathie Cush
C2 Communications
Copywriting * Public Relations
cathiecush@comcast.net
Ph:
215.579.2076Fx: 215.579.2169
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Help someone this Thanksgiving
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Prevention North Carolina
Why is PREVENTION the answer?
Because Prevention WORKS!
The prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs has been a priority in North Carolina, and the country, for decades. The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) has stated that
“Substance use and abuse is both a health problem in itself and a health risk contributing to other health problems” In its recent report (2009) the NCIOM goes on to say that Prevention should be the cornerstone of North Carolina’s efforts to reduce inappropriate use, misuse, and dependence on alcohol and other drugs, and to prevent the incidence and severity of stress, depression, or other anxiety disorders.
In turn, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that if effective prevention programs were implemented nationwide, substance abuse initiation would decline by 1.5 million youth. Youth who do initiate use will delay that initiation by an average of two years. For subsequent years, this would have estimated a return of:
5.6 percent fewer youth ages 13–15 would have engaged in drinking;
10.2 percent fewer youth would have used marijuana;
30.2 percent fewer youth would have used cocaine;
8.0 percent fewer youth would have smoked regularly.
SAMHSA goes on to report that these reductions in use would also contribute to a reduction in cost to our cities, counties, states, and the country. For example, the average effective school-based substance abuse prevention program costs $220 per pupil including materials and teacher training, and these programs could save an estimated $18 per $1 invested if implemented nationwide. The report goes on to argue that if full implementation of effective prevention programming would occur nationwide it could have a cost benefit of:
Saving state and local governments $1.3 billion, including $1.05 billion in educational costs within 2 years;
Reducing social costs of substance-abuse-related medical care, other resources, and lost productivity over a lifetime by an estimated $33.7 billion;
Preserving the quality of life over a lifetime valued at $65 billion.
As you may recognize from the information listed here, Substance Abuse Prevention is not just about “feel good” programs that tug at the heart strings of individuals, families, and the community; instead it is combination of care and concern for our youth with a combination of science to assure our achievement of our target. To put it into one phrase, the state of
North Carolina strives to provide all Prevention Professionals with the best trainings and tools for “effective prevention programs” and strategies because we know that helping just one high-risk youth graduate from high school, avoid heavy drug use, and not engage in crime would create a healthier youth AND save our state between $1.7 and $2.3 million dollars.
NC Institute of Medicine. (2009). Prevention for the Health of North Carolina: A Prevention Action Plan. More information can be found at: www.nciom.org/projects/prevention/Prev_Interim_Report-09.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. (2008). Substance Abuse Prevention Dollars and Centers: A Cost Benefit Analysis
Cohen, M. (1998). The monetary value of saving a high-risk youth. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 14, 5-33.
Contact Info
Website http://www.preventionistheanswer.org
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