Addiction Doctors Ask for Treatment, Not More Jail, for Son of Michael Douglas

Addiction Doctors Ask for Treatment, Not More Jail, for Son of Michael Douglas By Join Together Staff | May 21, 2012 A group of well-known addiction doctors is urging that the son of Michael Douglas receive treatment, instead of additional jail time, for his latest drug offense. Cameron Douglas, who is already serving a five-year federal sentence for drug distribution and possession of heroin, received a sentence of an additional four-and-a-half years for being caught with heroin and the opioid addiction medication Suboxone, The New York Times reports. His latest sentence is believed to be one of the harshest ever handed down by a federal judge for drug possession for a prisoner who was already incarcerated, the article notes. The sentence led about two dozen addiction specialists to file a brief on his behalf. The case is under review by a panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, according to the newspaper. The experts say Douglas, who began using heroin daily while he was in his mid-20s, is a classic example of someone who suffers from untreated opioid dependence. They argue more prison time will not solve his underlying problems. “My outrage is as a physician for someone who has a medical condition which has been ignored,” said Dr. Robert Newman, Director of the Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, one of the experts who signed the brief. “What the judge has imposed has zero benefits for the community and has staggering consequences for society.” Heroin and Suboxone were found in Douglas’ cell while he was testifying against a former drug dealer. He pleaded guilty to one count of drug possession by a federal prisoner. Most prisoners who are caught with drugs while they are incarcerated are punished with loss of prison privileges, according to Daniel N. Abrahamson, Director of Legal Affairs with the Drug Policy Alliance, the drug reform group that drafted the brief.

Why are Teens Vulnerable to Illicit Drug Abuse?

This is a great article I found on drugalcoholtest.com...visit that site for more article like this one. Why are Teens Vulnerable to Illicit Drug Abuse? Illicit drug use among teenagers is America’s no. 1 public health concern. People who initiate drug use at younger age are more likely to get addicted than those who use drugs later in their life. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), 90 percent of American addicts start smoking, drinking or using drugs before the age of 18 years. It also states that 25 percent of those people become addicts to some or the other drug. These alarming statistics clearly state that drug use during teen years is very dangerous. We need to recognize this health problem and respond to it. But first, we need to know the reasons for teens getting into drug abuse. Understanding the reasons for their susceptibility may help us. Statistics of tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse among teens The number of teens exposed to tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs in the United States is very disturbing. As per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, More than 10 percent of youth aged between 12 and 17 were illicit drug users in 2010 More than 8 percent of them used cigarettes More than 10 percent of them used tobacco products About 10 million persons aged 12 to 20 years (more than 26 percent of this age group) reported drinking alcohol Reasons for their vulnerability to these unhealthy habits Teens try drugs for various reasons. Some of the major ones include Curiosity Socializing with friends Peer pressure Perceived relaxation and fun To escape from psychological pain Some other reasons include: Partial development of brain: Several studies have already found that the brain is still developing during the teen years. According to scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the greatest changes to the parts of the brain that are responsible for functions such as judgment, emotions, self-control, and organization occur during teen years. So, their behavior is often mystifying – poor decision-making, emotional outbursts, irresponsibility, etc. Adding to this, some teens also engage in impulsive and risk-taking behavior. These things make them vulnerable to unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol or illicit drug abuse. Peer pressure Some teens, out of curiosity, may want to adopt the habits of their peer group. Being unaware of its aftermaths, they probably may get used to these habits. The internal pressure to do the things that their peers are doing is common among teens. Since teens feel more independent, their peers naturally play a greater role in their life. They develop close friendships with some peers and treat them as extended family members. They turn to such peers for support and guidance. Peer pressure to some extent is acceptable. But many times it is very dangerous. Teens generally face peer pressure when it comes to smoking (cigarettes) and drinking. Since marijuana is inexpensive and easily available, many teens are abusing this harmful drug perceiving it to be harmless. They often don’t realize that it is the gateway to other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, etc. Problems at school and other family issues Poor academic performance and other problems at school cause stress and depression in teens. Even, family issues at home with respect to parents may disturb them. In order to cope up with these problems, they may resort to these unhealthy habits. Passive parenting Passive parenting is one of the major risk factors for teenage illicit drug and alcohol abuse. When teens are raised themselves with little supervision or when parents are not involved in their lives, they are more likely to get into these unhealthy habits. Responsible parents show love and affection, monitor their teens’ activities and set rules against unhealthy habits. Passive parenting, on the other hand, is less organized and allows teens to take decisions. Due lack of proper parental supervision and guidance, they take decisions on their own (most of the times they are destructive). Now that you got an idea on why teens are vulnerable to illicit drug or abuse, communicate properly and help them in planning and decision-making. Suggest tips to avoid peer pressure. Also, help them with their problems at school. Showing concern and helping them take right decisions can make them stay away from these unhealthy habits.

Its not the real thing.....fake pot!

I think this atricle is important and informative and wanted to share it with those that are interested and concerned about this...Counselor Murphy


Synthetic marijuana, or "fake" pot, is nothing like the real thing. It's legal, and easily accessible to kids. It's also a bigger threat to kids' health.

"Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for hundreds of years," said Dr. Jeff Lapoint, a senior toxicology fellow at New York University, Bellevue Hospital. "It's been abused, but no one really gets sick."

Popularly called K2, or Spice, synthetic marijuana is a chemical similar to cannabis that gives a marijuana-like high.

But there have been an increasing number of cases of people experiencing seizures, heart palpitations, fever, dehydration and some psychotic episodes after using the drug.

Since 2004, K2 has been sold and packaged as incense or potpourri, in the guise of a mixture of herbs and spices. It sells for about $30 to $40 per 3-gram bag, comparable to the cost of marijuana.

Drugmakers can make hundreds of versions of the chemical compound, and it's easy to manufacture.

Although the Drug Enforcement Administration has taken steps to ban five chemicals sometimes found in K2, versions of the compound have multiplied, and increased in use over the past few years.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 11 percent of nearly 15,000 high school seniors surveyed reported using K2 in 2011.

That year, poison control centers reported handling nearly 7,000 calls about K2, nearly double the calls received in 2010.

One recent study suggests that K2 could increase the risk of psychosis, even among people with no history of a psychiatric disorder.

"K2 is a more potent substance than natural marijuana by its actions on the brain," said Dr. Ashwin Reddy, an author of that study and a psychiatrist at the Boston University School of Medicine. "It can cause an increased risk of paranoia, hearing voices, disorganized behavior and panic symptoms."

"Depending on the person, psychotic symptoms can last a few days to a few months," Reddy said.

Not intended for human use K2 is sometimes reported as having originated in Europe, but was actually developed by John W. Huffman, a chemist at Clemson University in South Carolina.

Initially created as a medical treatment, the substance works on the brain the sameway as marijuana's active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

THC is the substance in marijuana that produces the "high" feeling of intoxication that pot smokers crave.

"This drug was never intended for people to use, just for use in a lab," Lapoint said.

But also disturbing is the unregulated amount of chemicals added in each package. "You don't know how much of which chemical they put in each package so you don't know what you're getting and how your body will handle it," he said.

Written by Linda Thrasybule, MyHealthNewsDaily Contributor
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Relapse prevention!

Are you having a hard time with relapse? Did you have or do you have trauma in your life? This can be a key... work on trauma and see what happens with chronic relapse....~Counselor Murphy

Views from a very wise woman...

Where are we now ???? For Me , a long time off & on again addict of everything , and who has been through a number of meetings , programs , and counseling have FINALLY began to realize that every moment was more than worth while. What an ex...perience ! While working through the most difficult times , and geering me for future rough times, because they will come ,,, I have an understanding of me . I understand the depts of my being. And I better know how to see "it" coming , and what to do when it comes. Reaching out for God , my support systems , and allowing myself to feel my way through rather than use my way through has brought me more pleasure & Triump than any drink or drug. It works if you work it ! My support to you is Courage & Faith !! Where I am now is just a hair into it all,, even after the work . What I mean is , when you feel at your wits end , or feel like , Where is all this inner work getting me?? Stop ,,, wrap your arms around your self , and squeeeze so tight. " It's simply you loving you " , and eventually it REALLY feels good !

BY~Becky Wells Mericle

Recovery Month

Recovery Month is hosting a Twitter chat on Wednesday, March 21st from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET to help spread the word that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. The March #RecoveryChat will focus on the topic of "Recovery Support: Prevention, Collaboration, and Recovery Management" and will be co-hosted by Linda Kaplan, M.A., Senior Public Health Advisor and Marsha Baker, LCSW, Public Health Advisor of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The chat will expand upon the dialogue of the June 2011 Road to Recovery episode, "Recovery Support: Collaboration, Coordination, and Recovery Management."

Join the Twitter chat by asking questions and contributing to the dialogue by using the designated hashtag #RecoveryChat to track and signify your participation in the conversation. We encourage you to share your stories and insights about prevention, support, and collaboration.
If you are not available for the chat, tweet your questions to @RecoveryMonth in advance, using the hashtag #RecoveryChat. Also, if you aren't on Twitter, but would like to participate, post your questions or thoughts on the Recovery Month Facebook Page or send questions in an email to recoverymonthfan@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Shared from SAMHSA....

Recovery is a process!

When solving a problem, most of us look at the whole task and feel overwhelmed.

Rather, we need to look at the task’s many parts.One at a time, we can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves...Recovery is no different.Instead of dwelling on the longevity of the process or how difficult abstinence is, focus on the small steps you must take in order to reach your goal of recovery.Know that recovery starts by setting small weekly and daily goals, and accomplishing them little by little.

There is no such thing as waking up one morning and suddenly being better, all at once.

Recovery is a process.

You are a process.

Life is a process.

And you will get better.

Give the process time, give it determination, and be persistent in your efforts to fight.

Set your first goal today....

The journey towards your freedom, starts now...

Shared from: Live Laugh Love

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