Injection Drug Users With Hepatitis C Are “Super-Spreaders” of the Virus

By Join Together Staff | February 1, 2013 | 2 Comments | Filed in Drugs

People who inject drugs and have hepatitis C are “super-spreaders” of the virus, who are likely to infect 20 other people, a new study finds. Half of hepatitis C virus transmissions take place in the first two years after a person is initially infected.

Researchers from the University of Oxford in England say early diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs could help prevent the spread of the virus, HealthDay reports.

Hepatitis C, which can be spread through contact with infected blood, may lead to scarring of the liver, or liver cancer. There is no vaccine for the disease, the article notes. Many people with hepatitis C are unaware they have the disease, and go undiagnosed for more than a decade.

“For the first time we show that super-spreading in hepatitis C is led by intravenous drug users early in their infection,” study author Gkikas Magiorkinis said in a university news release. “Using this information, we can hopefully soon make a solid argument to support the scaling-up of early diagnosis and antiviral treatment in drug users. Helping these people and stopping the spread of hepatitis C is our ultimate target.”

The study appears in the journal PLoS Computational Biology.

Thieves Steal Prescription Drugs From Medicine Cabinets in Open Houses

By Join Together Staff | February 1, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Community Related & Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug thieves are stealing from medicine cabinets during open houses, ABC News reports.

Home sellers usually lock up valuables such as jewelry, electronics and personal information, but often don’t think of securing their medicine cabinets. A San Diego realtors’ group is warning homeowners about these thefts. “The take away here is common sense,” Anthony Manolatos of the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors told ABC News. “When an agent is showing your home and you’re not there, take your valuables with you or lock them in a safe.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has observed this trend. “Stealing drugs from open houses is indeed a technique drug thieves use to obtain controlled substance prescription drugs,” said the DEA’s Barbara Carreno. She said drugs stolen during open houses include opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs, ADHD drugs, Xanax and Valium.

DEA enforcement groups, called tactical diversion squads, have found drugs on the black market that have been stolen during open houses, Carreno added.

The Hope Share: A Live Storytelling Event

By Cassie Goldberg | January 23, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Our Blog

85 million people in the U.S. have been affected by addiction and over 20 million are in long-term recovery. Imagine if each of them came forward to share a story of recovery or a message of support.

The Hope Share, a new story-sharing portal created by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, is designed to elevate stories of recovery and inspire others to speak out and help break the stigma and discrimination surrounding addiction.

We’ve teamed up with proud partners of this project, InTheRooms.com and Faces & Voices of Recovery, to host a unique upcoming virtual experience – The Hope Share: A Live Storytelling Event.

Taking place on Wednesday, February 6th at 9 p.m. EST, participants are encouraged to share their video stories of hope using their webcam during this 90-minute LIVE event to help inspire others and spark meaningful conversation around alcohol and other drug problems and addiction.

To participate in this event, visit Meeting Room 1 here at 9:00 p.m. EST on February 6th.

The event will be moderated by InTheRooms.com and will feature Pat Taylor, Executive Director, Faces and Voices of Recovery, and Jerry Otero, a Parent Support Specialist and clinical social worker from The Partnership at Drugfee.org.

Share your powerful story and help encourage families who are struggling with a young person’s addiction, and let them know that there is hope, and that recovery is possible.

To participate in this event, visit Meeting Room 1 here at 9:00 p.m. EST on February 6th.

Gene Mutations Linked With Increased Risk of Dying From Cocaine Abuse

By Join Together Staff | January 31, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs & Research

New research suggests people with common genetic mutations have an almost eightfold increased risk of dying from cocaine abuse. The mutations affect the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is vital to the functioning of the central nervous system. Cocaine blocks transporters in the brain from absorbing dopamine, HealthDay reports.

The mutations are found on two genes. The Ohio State University researchers found about one in three white people who died of cocaine abuse had these genetic mutations. A different combination of mutations affects the risk of dying from cocaine abuse in black people, the researchers noted in a news release.

The study appears in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

Prepaid Card Designed to Help Those in Recovery From Addiction Manage Money

By Join Together Staff | January 31, 2013 | 1 Comment | Filed in Addiction & Recovery

Three men who met while in recovery have developed a prepaid card designed to help others who are recovering from addiction manage their money, the New York Daily News reports.

They have launched the Next Step Prepaid MasterCard, a reloadable card designed for people in recovery, and for those who are financially supporting them. The card gives family members and guardians control over funds, while teaching people in recovery how to manage their money, the article notes.

“When I left treatment, I spent hundreds of dollars on stupid things like Starbucks, just to fill a void,” said company co-founder Eric Dresdale, who started drinking in high school.

The primary account holder of the Next Step card is the parent or caregiver. The person in recovery receives a companion card, which can be used to make purchases. The card cannot be used at an ATM machine, or to get cash back at a store. It is not accepted at bars, casinos or liquor stores. “The truth is, if someone wants to buy drugs they will find a way,” Dresdale told the newspaper. “But we act as a hurdle from achieving that goal.”

Addiction specialist Dr. Paul Hokemeyer thinks the card can be a useful tool in recovery. “I think it’s a great tool to teach patients boundaries and limits,” he said.

The card’s activation fee is $9.95, and has a monthly maintenance fee of $14.95, compared with $3 to $5 for many other prepaid cards.

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