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Wednesday, August 13, 2014
People who have a history of drinking problems by the time they are middle-aged are more than twice as likely to exhibit memory problems in later life as those who don't, according to a recent study. "Does it matter if you were a heavy drinker in your 20's as opposed to your 40's? 
ER Visits Involving Sleep Drug Overmedication Almost Doubles
August 12th, 2014/
The number of emergency department visits involving the sleep drug zolpidem (the active ingredient in Ambien) almost doubled over four years, according to a new government report.
Zolpidem-related ER visits rose from 21,824 in 2005-2006, to 42,274 in 2009-2010, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found. In 2010, females accounted for two-thirds of zolpidem-related ER visits involving overmedication. The largest number of visits related to overmedication with the drug involved patients ages 45 to 54.
More than half of zolpidem-related ER visits also involved other prescription drugs, including other anti-anxiety and insomnia medications and narcotic pain relievers. In addition, 14 percent of visits involved alcohol combined with zolpidem.
Almost half of ER visits related to zolpidem overmedication resulted in either a hospital admission or a transfer to another medical facility. About one-quarter of these more serious cases involved admission to a critical or intensive care unit, the report noted.
CBS News reports that hospital ER visits involving drug-related suicide attempts in people ages 45 to 64 doubled from 2005 to 2011. In 2010 there were almost 5 million drug-related visits to emergency departments throughout the country, according to SAMHSA.
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required manufacturers of drugs containing zolpidem to reduce the recommended dose by half for females, in response to increasing numbers of reports of adverse reactions. The FDA suggested drug makers also reduce the recommended dose for men.
Zolpidem’s side effects can include daytime drowsiness, hallucinations, dizziness, agitation and sleepwalking. When combined with other substances, the sedative effects of zolpidem can be dangerously enhanced, SAMHSA noted in a news release.
Colorado Ad Campaign Warns Teens About Long-Term Effects of Marijuana
August 12th, 2014/
A new ad campaign warns teenagers in Colorado about the long-term effects of marijuana use. The “Don’t Be a Lab Rat” campaign targets 12- to 15-year-olds, Reuters reports.
The ads state that the long-term effects of marijuana are not yet fully understood, and warn teens that if they use marijuana they are essentially volunteering as subjects of research about the drug’s effects. In Colorado and Washington state, the possession and recreational use of small amounts of marijuana is legal for those 21 and older.
The ads will air on television, online and in movie theaters, the article notes. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment will also set up life-size “Lab Rat Cages” at middle schools and high schools, concert venues, skate parks and other locations that teens frequently visit.
“While much still needs to be learned about the effect marijuana has on the brain, enough information is available to cause concern in terms of the negative effects marijuana can have on the developing brains of teenagers,” Dr. Larry Wolk, the department’s executive director and chief medical officer, said in a news release. “The core premise of the ‘Don’t Be a Lab Rat’ campaign acknowledges that more research is necessary, but it also poses the question of whether or not teens should risk the potential negative effects of using marijuana.”
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper noted a recent survey found the percentage of high school students who think using marijuana poses risks for their health has decreased. “We have a civic and public health obligation to do everything we can to make our children aware that there are risks for teens when they use marijuana,” he said. “This campaign is designed to grab the attention of teens and their parents, and provide them with the facts to have an informed discussion and make informed choices.”
Senator to Introduce Bill to Ban Powdered Alcohol
August 12th, 2014/
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York says he will introduce a bill that would ban powdered alcohol. He is also urging retailers to boycott the product’s sale, which he says could hit store shelves as early as September, according to USA Today.
In May, Schumer urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent federal approval of the powdered alcohol product called Palcohol. He said it could become “the Kool-Aid of teen binge drinking.” Schumer noted the product can be mixed with water, sprinkled on food or snorted. He asked the FDA to investigate the potential harmful effects of the product.
In a news release, Schumer said the FDA has refused to investigate the health risks of Palcohol.
The company that makes Palcohol, Lipsmark, says it plans to offer powdered alcohol in six varieties, including rum, vodka, Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Powderita and Lemon Drop. According to the company, a package of Palcohol weighs about an ounce and can fit into a pocket. It warns people not to snort the powder. Lipsmark says the product would be painful to snort, and will be sold under the same restrictions as liquid alcohol, the article notes.
Daily Quote
"The practice of patience protects us from losing our composure. In doing that it enables us to exercise discernment, even in the heat of difficult situations. It gives us inner space. And within that space we gain a degree of self-control, which allows us to respond to situations in an appropriate and compassionate manner rather than being driven by our anger and irritation." - Dalai Lama
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Monday, August 11, 2014
August 11 Chp 59 v 10 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS
My God is changeless in His love for me .
STEP 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out .
It does not matter who you are or what you have done . I do not care what the world is telling you or selling you. There is a God and He loves each and everyone of us unconditionally . Living by yourself on your own counting on others and the world will only leave you empty and miserable . So miserable and confused I was that the only way to get through the day was use ! Life in addiction is loveless , lonely , and tiresome ! The steps led me to Gods Love and that Love for me was so strong that it broke my chains . God took away my addiction , anger , and pain and replaced it with love , peace , and joy . Steps 11 and 12 are apart of my daily routine and the more time I spend with God the more I discover just how much he loves us all .
1 John 4:16“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
By Joseph Dickerson
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