Synthetic Marijuana-Related ER Visits More Than Doubled in One Year

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 21st, 2014/

A new government report finds emergency rooms visits related to synthetic marijuana more than doubled between 2010 and 2011, HealthDay reports.

Synthetic marijuana, also known as “K2” or “Spice,” is especially dangerous because there is a widespread misconception these drugs are safe and legal, according to Pamela Hyde, Administrator at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “These injury reports compel us to get the word out to all segments of the community — especially youth — that these products can cause significant harm,” she noted in a news release.

Emergency rooms reported more than 28,500 visits linked to synthetic marijuana in 2011, up from 11,400 in 2010, according to the report. Among teens ages 12 to 17, the number of visits linked to synthetic marijuana rose from about 3,800 to nearly 7,600 during that year. Among young adults ages 18 to 20, ER visits linked to synthetic marijuana rose from about 2,000 to more than 8,000.

Short-term effects of synthetic marijuana include loss of control, lack of pain response, increased agitation, pale skin, seizures, vomiting, profuse sweating, uncontrolled/spastic body movements, elevated blood pressure, heart rate and palpitations. The drug takes effect in three to five minutes, and the high lasts from one to eight hours. In addition to physical signs of use, users may experience severe paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and increased agitation. Its long-term effects are unknown.

The Synthetic Drug Prevention Act of 2012 specifically prohibits the sale or possession of some types of synthetic marijuana. The Drug Enforcement Administration and nearly all states have also taken some regulatory action against these products once they have been identified, according to SAMHSA. “However manufacturers of these compounds continue to modify their chemical structures in an attempt to evade current laws,” the agency notes.

Buprenorphine Better Than Detox For Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment: Study

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 21st, 2014/

Buprenorphine maintenance therapy is more effective than detoxification for patients being treated for prescription opioid dependence, a new study finds. The researchers, from Yale University, said primary care doctors do not have evidence-based guidelines to decide between the two treatments.

The researchers conducting the 14-week study followed 113 patients with prescription opioid dependence, Health Canal reports. The patients in the detox group received six weeks of stable doses of buprenorphine followed by three weeks of tapering doses, while patients in the maintenance group received ongoing buprenorphine therapy. All patients received physician and nurse support and drug counseling for 14 weeks.

Patients in the detox group tested positive for illicit opioid use more frequently than those in the buprenorphine maintenance group, lead researcher Dr. David Fiellin reported inJAMA Internal Medicine. Maintenance group members were also less likely to use illicit opioids. Few patients in the detox group stayed in treatment or were able to abstain from using opioids after they stopped taking buprenorphine.

“For prescription opioid dependence, buprenorphine detoxification is less effective than ongoing maintenance treatment, and increases the risk of overdose and other adverse events,” Fiellin said in a news release.

“It is very common for patients seeking treatment to request detoxification,” he added. “They want to be off of everything as soon as possible as opposed to considering long-term treatment, but unfortunately there’s no quick fix for the disease. The majority of patients will do better if they receive ongoing maintenance treatment.”

New Label for Opioid Painkiller Embeda Will Say Drug Has Abuse-Deterrent Features

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

October 21st, 2014/

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved new labeling for the opioid painkiller Embeda that states the drug has abuse-deterrent features, the Associated Pressreports.

The label will indicate Embeda has properties expected to reduce abuse of the drug when it is crushed and taken orally or snorted, the article notes. The drug can still be misused if it is swallowed intact.

Embeda contains morphine and naltrexone, and comes in extended-release capsules. It is approved to treat pain that is severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment, and for which other treatment options are not sufficient, according to aFDA news release. When taken properly, the drug releases only the morphine in the capsule. When the capsule is crushed, the naltrexone blocks some of the euphoric effects of the morphine, and can cause withdrawal in people who are dependent on opioids.

The FDA noted it is not known whether the abuse-deterrent properties of the drug will lead to a reduction in people who abuse the drug intravenously.

“Preventing prescription opioid abuse and ensuring that patients have access to appropriate treatments for pain are both top public health priorities for the FDA,” said Sharon Hertz, MD, Acting Director of the Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Addiction Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The science behind developing prescription opioids with abuse-deterrent properties is still evolving and these properties will not completely fix the problem. But they can be part of a comprehensive approach to combat the very serious problem of prescription drug abuse in the U.S.”

The FDA is requiring Pfizer to conduct postmarketing studies of Embeda to further assess the effects of the abuse-deterrent features of the drug.

Thanksgiving Day - The Addict's Mom is working hard towards supporting the addict's mom entity in several ways including promoting scholarships for addicts and expenses associated with the cause. By purchasing a tee shirt you support our efforts in finding treatment, solutions and raising awareness for addict's moms. To purchase your tee shirt go to www.teespring.com/addictsmom4.

Visit The Addict's Mom at: http://addictsmom.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

CALL OUR ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE)

Share Tweet Forward   Don't miss the discussion about adjusting to lifestyle changes! Hear Lighthouse Network's Dr. Karl Benzio's insights this Thursday!   Karl Benzio, M.D. Counsels Callers on "Adjusting to Lifestyle Changes" with Dr. Gloria Gay on WEHA 88.7 FM   STATION: WEHA 88.7 FM (Pleasantville, NJ) DATE: Thursday, October 23 TIME: 9:30 a.m. ET PROGRAM: Hearing Hearts TOPIC: Adjusting to Lifestyle Changes ONLINE: wehagospel887.com   Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articles here.

Lighthouse Network is a Christian-based, non-profit organization that offers an addiction and mental health counseling helpline providing treatment options and resources to equip people and organizations with the skills necessary to shine God's glory to the world, stand strong on a solid foundation in the storms of their own lives, and provide guidance and safety to others experiencing stormy times, thus impacting their lives, their families and the world. Lighthouse Network offers help through two main service choices: Lighthouse Life Change Helpline (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE, 1-844-543-3242), a 24-hour free, national crisis call center, where specialists (Care Guides) help callers understand and access customized treatment options. Life Growth and self-help training resources for daily life, including online and DVD series and training events to help individuals achieve their potential.   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Facebook Twitter Website

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                   and           Pennsylvania Recovery Organization --      Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT)  Recovery in Our Communities October 21, 2014      Like us on Facebook                                   www.councilsepa.org                       Follow us on Twitter Information and Recovery Support Line 24/7: 800-221-6333 HALT Series: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired:    Coping with ANGRY Moments in Recovery   Let's face it... we all get angry from time to time.  After all, we are human beings, first and foremost.  In dealing with the many elements of recovery from a substance use disorder, we are often overwhelmed with a flood of emotions that have, in the past, been suppressed through the use of drugs or alcohol.  Anger is often a feeling that doesn't subside when we stop 'using.'  In fact, sometimes anger becomes predominant.  Anger Defined:  In the most general sense, anger is a feeling or emotion that ranges from mild irritation to intense fury and/or rage.  This may also lead to hostile and violent behaviors. Hostility is seen as a form of emotionally charged, angry behavior.   Many people often confuse anger with aggression.  Aggression is a behavior that is intended to cause harm or injury to another person or damage property.  Hostility, on the other hand, refers to a set of attitudes and judgments that motivate aggressive behaviors.       Click here to continue reading.     UPCOMING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ON OPIATES   Upper Bucks Community Outreach - "Substance Abuse in Our Community" October 23, 7-9 pm at Palisades High School, 35 Church Hill Road, Kintnersville, PA  "Opiates and Youth: A Comprehensive View" November 19, 8 am - 4:45 pm at Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland, PA  Overdose Education Advisory Board, October 28, 5-7 pm, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 W Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA. Click here for more information.  Town Hall Meeting "Heroin & Opiates" October 30, 7:00 pm at Morning Star Fellowship Church, 429 S 9th St, Quakertown, PA  Click here for more information on these programs or email David with questions.    AT OUR CENTERS TONIGHT at the CBRRC!  "Expanding Your Recovery Toolkit: Thinking SMART in Your Recovery" 7-8:30 pm 252 W Swamp Road, Unit 12, Doylestown. Tonight learn from Jennifer Seitzer, CLC, CCH and Stephen Osborne, CRS, how sugar and SMART recovery work together to help you sustain recovery!  Call 215-345-6644 for more information.  "Beating the Blues" at PRCC, 1701 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia. A free 8-session program on how to handle stress and anxiety, while viewing life in a more positive way. Mondays, 12:30-2:00 pm. Next session October 27. Sign up now. Call 215-223-7700 to register.   Overdose Education Advisory Board, October 28, 5-7 pm, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown. Email David for more information. "Fed Up," Movie, November 7, 6 - 9 pm, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown. A movie that will change the way people think about eating. Bring a dish, Pot Luck Dinner. Register with Rick, 215-345-6644, or email Rick. "Minute For Moms" at SBRCC, 286 Veterans Highway, Unit D-6, Bristol Support group for Moms and Moms to Be discussing parenting, healthy relationships and support networks. 2nd Wednesday of every month. Next meeting is November 12 at 6 pm. Call 215-788-3738 or email Karen for more information. "A Sugar Seminar" at CBRRC, November 19, 9 am - 12 noon, Bailiwick Unit 12, 252 W Swamp Road, Doylestown.  Learn how sugar affects your recovery and relapse potential.  Click here for more information.  Employment Opportunities: Please click here WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH PRO-ACT Committee Meetings Educating the Community, at PRCC, October 24 and November 21, 3 - 4 pm.  All Volunteer Meeting, at PRTC, October 30 and November 20, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Volunteer Orientation, at PRTC, November 4, 10 am - 1 pm Bucks Chapter, at CBRCC, Unit 33, November 4, at 6:00 pm Amends in Action, at PRTC, November 12, 3 - 4 pm Recreation Celebration, at PRCC, November 14, 3 - 4 pm Young People in Recovery, at PRTC, November 17, 7:30 - 8:30 pm Recovery Walks 2015 Planning Committee, at PRTC, December 1, 6 - 7:30 pm

DONATE Donations help us to reduce the impact of addiction for more individuals and families. The Council is a 501(c)(3) organization.