Addiction News
Hypertension and Binge Drinking Don’t Mix
Hypertension places a person at risk for a stroke or a heart attack. When this condition is combined with binge drinking, the individual’s risk of dying from that stroke or heart attack is greatly increased.
This finding was shared in a recent report in My Fox Detroit as part of a study conducted by South Korean researchers. The study determined that for men with blood pressure at a minimum of 168/100, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was four times higher than non-drinkers if they had consumed six drinks on one occasion.
Consuming as many as 12 drinks on one occasion raised their risk of dying from stroke or heart attack up to 12-fold. As a result, researchers suggest that the pattern of drinking matters more than the total volume of alcohol per week when examining the risk of stroke mortality.
Dr. Heechoul Ohrr, a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, and lead researcher on this study, suggests that it is especially important for those with high blood pressure to avoid having 12 drinks or more on one occasion.
This warning could easily be extended out to anyone with hypertension who may also have a tendency to want to engage in binge drinking. These activities significantly increase the likelihood of death due to pre-existing conditions. As a result, anyone with hypertension would be better off and assumable much safer if they simple avoided alcohol altogether.
Former Korn Guitar Player Faces Addiction
From heavy metal to heavy recovery, Brian “Head” Welch, the former guitarist for multi-award winning hard rock band Korn, has come through an addiction battle with methamphetamine and alcohol that is leading even his own fans to give up their addictions.
Older Adults Experience Dizziness, and Possible Falls, From Sleep Aids
Sleep problems are not uncommon among the elderly population, with millions of older adults complaining of the situation to physicians every year. In turn, many sedative prescriptions are also given to people over age 60 – but the benefits and the possible negative side effects should be closely considered, according to results of two research reviews.
Woman with 1,000 Drug-Related Offences Turns Life Around, Encourages Others
Is it possible for one woman to collect as many as 1,000 offences? According to a recent Northant Set report, it is not only possible, it actually happened. One mother of six had become a prolific burglar to feed her drug addiction. Now, thanks to an effective rehabilitation program, she and her partner in crime are clean.
Substance Abuse among Older Americans
The stereotype of individuals with substance abuse problems is generally centered on the younger population, equating bad choices with immaturity and lack of life experience. In reality, substance abuse affects members of all adolescent and adult age groups, including seniors.
Romantic Rejection as Powerful as Addiction
Is there a connection between romantic rejection and addiction? According to a study featured in a Science Daily release, these two elements are also connected to motivation and reward. How? The pain and anguish that rejection can create could possibly be the result of activity in the parts of the brain often associated with motivation, reward and cravings of addiction.
ER Visits Increase Over Independence Holiday as Teens Consume Alcohol
In the United States, the 4th of July is a time for celebration. For those who work in healthcare, it is a time to prepare for the arrival of underage drinkers into the emergency room. According to research by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, ER visits almost double over this annual holiday.
Those in the role of providing warnings about underage drinking tend to lay it on thick around prom and graduation, but could be missing the mark when it comes to Independence Day celebrations. A new report shows that ER visits related to alcohol for those under 21 nearly double over the holiday weekend.
Both Positive and Negative Reinforcements Can Create Behavior Changes
Positive and negative reinforcements are not as simple as they seem, and are often misunderstood. Usually mistaken for a system of reward or punishment, these terms refer to psychological processes that cause certain behaviors to be repeated. In the field of substance abuse, positive and negative reinforcements can be helpful at encouraging desirable behaviors or substituting new behaviors for unhealthy habits.
More Women Driving Drunk – Numbers up 30 Percent
A surprising report authored by the FBI for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that during a ten-year span ending in 2007, the number of women arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) rose nearly 30 percent. The findings were unsuspected even to Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Department secretary, who commented on the report at a news conference. Approximately 2,000 fatalities each year are attributed to women driving under the influence of alcohol.
Drug Addiction Drives Bank Robber to Attempt Escape in Taxi
A drug addiction can make a person do strange things – including robbing a bank while using a taxi as the get-away car. One would guess the taxi driver was less than impressed when the dye bag exploded in his vehicle.
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