Addiction
New Jersey Bill Would Allow Judges to Favor Treatment over Jail Time
New Jersey’s drug-free school-zone law, passed in 1987 to protect schoolchildren, could be amended to give judges more discretion in sentencing offenders under a bill that is now being considered.
Tracing the Pattern of Drug Use to Drug Dependence
What makes the difference between a casual drink and alcohol dependence? How do you know when someone goes from trying marijuana now and then to having a serious abuse problem? Scientists still do not know how all of the factors involved in substance abuse work together, but a series of studies provides insight into how age plays a factor in going from using a substance to abusing it.
Tips for Preventing Substance Abuse among Teens
With the growing problem of substance abuse among adolescents, it’s important for parents to be equipped with the necessary tools to communicate with their children about the dangers of abusing alcohol and other substances.
When Does Internet Activity Become a Problem?
When Internet users begin to compulsively seek the instant, unpredictable gratification that technology provides—a text message from a friend or stimulating news on a web site, for example—an addiction can form that is similar to drug and alcohol dependency.
The Link Between Addiction and Suicide
Each year, more people die from suicide than by any other form of violence, including war, terrorist activities, and homicides, an official from the World Health Organization (WHO) said recently, in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day. Nearly 1 million people committing suicide annually, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide.
Of those who attempt suicide, about half use alcohol or illegal drugs to do so. Of those who successfully take their own lives, 25 percent were abusing drugs and/or alcohol at the time of their death. For those who suffer from addiction, it’s important to understand that suicide rates increase among those who abuse alcohol and/or drugs, putting users at a greater risk of death. ] Studies show that 50 percent of teens that commit suicide have a history of alcohol and drug use.
Fortunately, suicide is preventable, according to Brian Mishara, president of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). In areas that are targeted with prevention campaigns, suicide rates do decline.
Suicide can also be triggered by depression, which often co-occurs with substance abuse disorders. This is why it’s so important to treat any co-occurring disorders that may arise among those suffering from substance abuse disorders. If you or someone you know is abusing alcohol or drugs and is having suicidal thoughts, it is imperative to seek help immediately.
Treatment Center Helps Addicted Women Become Better Parents
At the Women’s Treatment Center, a residential rehab facility in Chicago, women are taught to overcome their addiction and become better mothers to their children.
Study Examines Role of Race and Ethnic Background in Coping with Disaster
Through the years, researchers have examined a number of different contributing factors that have led to the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Significant traumatic events have been known to lead to the use of drugs and alcohol as individuals seek to cope with the impact of the event.
Country Singer Melonie Cannon Opens Up About Prescription Drug Addiction
Nashville-based bluegrass musician Melonie Cannon has opened up about her recent battle with prescription drug abuse, which reached its lowest point around the same time as the release of October 2008 album, “And the Wheels Turn.” The album’s first single, “I Call it Gone,” was already a huge success, and the album also contained a hit duet with country legend Willie Nelson. But despite her success, Cannon was in a dark place.
Jodie Sweetin Admits Lying About Sobriety in Past
In April 2007, former “Full House” child actress Jodie Sweetin spoke to students at Marquette University about how she overcame drug addiction, trying to inspire them to stay clean and sober themselves. But what the audience didn’t know what that Sweetin had used cocaine moments before going onstage and would use her speaking fee to fund her drug habit.
Scientists Address National Leaders on Healthcare Costs Associated with Substance Abuse
The treatment of the abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco continues to generate billions of dollars in healthcare costs. As a result, scientists are searching for ways to change the way the government approaches such treatments.
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The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
