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Addiction Treatment Curbs Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Addiction Treatment Curbs Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Behavioral therapy can help gay and bisexual men (GBM) reduce crystal methamphetamine abuse and risky sexual behaviors and sustain these gains for 1 year, NIDA-funded researchers report. By the end of a 16-week trial of four different behavioral therapies, study participants’ stimulant-positive urine samples fell 31 percent, and their number of past-month sexual partners fell more than 50 percent—outcomes that regressed little at the followup visits. Symptoms of depression also improved.

Dr. Steven Shoptaw and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Friends Research Institute recruited 263 crystal methamphetamine-addicted Gay and Bisexual Men throughout Los Angeles County, particularly in Hollywood, where HIV prevalence is especially high. Of these, 162 completed the requirements for entering the addiction treatment phase of the study, which were to attend six assessments and participate in at least two of four group sessions on abstinence skills during a 2-week “baseline period.” Men who met the requirements reported less severity and shorter duration of methamphetamine abuse than those who did not, despite having abused methamphetamine for 5 years and having spent $293 on the drug in the past month, on average. Half had engaged in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with someone other than their primary partner in the past month, and 84 percent of these men linked the behavior to methamphetamine abuse. Most participants (73 percent) reported symptoms of depression, with about 30 percent describing these as moderate to severe.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol detox, amphetamine, behavioral treatment, crystal meth, crystal methamphetamine, depression, detox, detox program, drug abuse, drug rehab, inpatient drug rehab, intervention, interventions, meth addiction, methamphetamine, patient, recovery, rehab, relapse, symptoms, therapy, treatment

Drug Rehab and Drug Rehab Programs

Inpatient Short-Term Drug Rehabs and Drug Treatment Centers

Short-term inpatient drug addiction and alcohol rehab programs keep patients up to 30 days in a drug rehab or alcohol treatment center. Most of these addiction treatment programs focus on medical stabilization, abstinence, and lifestyle changes. Staff members are primarily medical professionals and counselors trained in the treatment of drug addiction and alcohol addiction.

Short-Term Residential drug rehab and alcohol rehabs provide intensive but relatively brief residential addiction treatment based on a modified 12-step approach, talk and group therapy. Once primarily for alcohol abuse treatment, these programs expanded into drug abuse treatment in the 1980s. Reduced health care coverage for substance abuse treatment and drug rehab programs has resulted in a diminished number of these programs, and the average length of stay under managed care review is much shorter than in early programs, averaging 7-14 days.

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Gay, Lesbian Needs for Substance Abuse Treatment

People who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) represent a substantial minority of the U.S. population, yet pervasive prejudice and stigma often inhibit the development and provision of appropriate drug rehab and dual diagnosis services for them. This article provides basic information regarding common drug rehab and dual diagnosis concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services.

Gay, Lesbian Substance Abuse Issues Research findings vary on rates of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and drug abuse among lesbians and gay men, but experts maintain that drug and alcohol abuse are significant health and mental health concerns for sexual minorities. One study found that lesbians and gay men were twice as likely to be moderate drinkers, but about equally as likely to be heavy drinkers, as heterosexuals. Experts note the likelihood of a link between internalized homophobia, low self-esteem, ongoing discrimination and alcohol abuse and drug abuse. GLBT who seek addiction treatment for substance abuse problems may encounter barriers to addiction treatment in unsupportive service settings. This is the reason for the need of gay friendly drug rehab programs and gay friendly alcohol rehab programs.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, alcoholism, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, dual diagnosis, gay rehab, mental health, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, substance abuse, substance abuse problems, treatment

Drug Rehab…What Is It?

Drug rehabilitation (often shortened to drug rehab) is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic addiction treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. The obvious intent is to enable the patient to cease their previous level of drug abuse, for the sake of avoiding its psychological, legal, social, and physical consequences, especially in extreme drug abuse.

Many drug rehab programs attempt to teach the patient new methods of interacting in a drug free method. In particular, patients are generally encouraged or required not to associate with friends who still use the addictive substance. 12 step programs encourage addicts not only to stop using alcohol or other drugs, but to examine and change habits related to their addictions. Many drug rehab programs emphasize that recovery is a permanent process without a culmination. For legal drugs such as alcohol complete abstention rather than attempts at moderation, which may lead to relapse are also emphasized (”One drink is too many; one hundred drinks is not enough.”) Whether moderation is achievable by persons with a history of drug abuse remains a controversial point but is generally considered unsustainable.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcoholic, amphetamine, centers, drug abuse, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug rehabilitation, patient, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, relapse, support groups, treatment

New Jersey’s Drug Addiction Issues

New Jersey contains both an international airport and major commercial shipping centers. Consequently, the state presents an attractive transportation hub for drug organizations, as well as a major challenge for law enforcement entities combating this illicit activity. While Colombian and Dominican drug organizations predominantly control heroin and cocaine trafficking, recent intelligence indicates that Mexican traffickers from the West Coast are now moving cocaine shipments into the New Jersey and New York areas. There continues to be a significant drug abuse problem in New Jersey. In urban areas such as Newark, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Camden, widespread crack cocaine and heroin use continue. Drug rehab and addiction treatment programs have sprung up to treat the drug addiction problems throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey Heroin Addiction: Since the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, there has been an increase in the availability of heroin in New Jersey. This has been primarily attributed to the increased law enforcement presence in New York. Narcotics officers have reported large amounts of narcotics are being rerouted to New Jersey before distribution in New York. County narcotics task force commanders have reported an increase in heroin related deaths. Intelligence indicates drug traffickers may be shipping narcotics in cargo containers to the port in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Heroin distributors are also reportedly utilizing two way pagers with text messaging to communicate with each other. Heroin Addiction is a treatable illness in an addiction treatment program or drug rehab. If you need help,let us help you locate an addiction treatment program in the New Jersey area.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, addiction treatment programs, amphetamine, centers, crack cocaine, crystal meth, crystal methamphetamine, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug rehab, heroin addiction, meth addiction, methamphetamine, recovery, rehab, treatment

New Jersey Drug Addiction and Addiction Treatment

New Jersey contains both an international airport and major commercial shipping centers. Consequently, the state presents an attractive transportation hub for drug organizations, as well as a major challenge for law enforcement entities combating this illicit activity. While Colombian and Dominican drug organizations predominantly control heroin and cocaine trafficking, recent intelligence indicates that Mexican traffickers from the West Coast are now moving cocaine shipments into the New Jersey and New York areas. There continues to be a significant drug abuse problem in New Jersey. In urban areas such as Newark, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Camden, widespread crack cocaine and heroin use continue. Drug rehab and addiction treatment programs have sprung up to treat the drug addiction problems throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey Cocaine Addiction: New Jersey is a transshipment area for cocaine which is transported by various means, including shipping, tractor-trailers, commercial air and private vehicles. In some cases, couriers are utilized to bring in smaller shipments into airports and other public transportation facilities. Cocaine is predominantly distributed by Colombian and Dominican nationals who supply Puerto Rican, African-Americans, and Caucasians who distribute at the street level. Addiction treatment facilities and drug rehab programs focused on the treatment of cocaine addiction are located throughout New Jersey.

If you are looking for an effective drug rehab or addiction treatment program in New Jersey, call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225.

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Drug Rehab Concerns

Selecting an addiction treatment program for alcoholism and drug abuse for yourself or someone you care about may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Most of us don’t know what to look for in a quality drug rehab program. Not all addiction treatment centers are the same-they differ greatly in drug rehab program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.

You need to ask appropriate questions when you call an alcohol rehab program or addiction treatment program. One important question is listed below:

Does the addiction treatment center offer a variety of programs?

Alcoholism and drug addiction is a disease that progresses through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate addiction treatment.
Quality drug rehabs should offer a variety of addiction treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include detox, inpatient addiction treatment, residential addiction treatment, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient addiction treatment and residential addiction treatment is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential addiction treatment programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care. Today, most residential addiction treatment programs provide medically monitored detox services at their facility. Don’t be afraid to ask, because having detox at your own facility makes a tremendous difference in continuity of care.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment center, addiction treatment centers, addiction treatment program, addiction treatment programs, alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment, alcohol treatment program, alcoholism, centers, detox, detox services, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehabs, patient, rehab, rehabs, treatment, treatment center, treatment centers

Selecting An Addiction Treatment Program

Selecting an addiction treatment center for alcoholism and drug abuse for yourself or someone you care about may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Most of us don’t know what to look for in a quality addiction treatment program. Not all addiction treatment centers are the same-they differ greatly in program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.

You need to ask appropriate questions when you call an addiction treatment center for information and you should expect to receive clear answers.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment center, addiction treatment centers, addiction treatment program, alcoholism, centers, drug abuse, treatment, treatment center, treatment centers

Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Substance Abuse

The term “dual diagnosis” may be new to your life and vocabulary or it may be something you are familiar with and have heard about before today. While not particularly well-known, dual diagnosis is more common than you might imagine. According to a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “Thirty seven percent of people who suffer from alcohol abuse and fifty-three percent of people who suffer from drug abuse also have at least one serious mental illness, which creates a dual diagnosis. Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs (NMHA, 2005). “Dual diagnosis” is defined as an individual who has two separate but very interrelated diagnoses. For the purpose of this article, dual diagnosis means a person has both:

1. A psychiatric diagnosis
2. A substance abuse diagnosis which may include drug addiction or alcohol addiction

A dual diagnosis occurs when an individual is affected by both chemical dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses may affect an individual physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Each illness has symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively and relate to themselves and others. Not only is the individual affected by two separate illnesses, both illnesses interact with one another. The illnesses may exacerbate each other and at times the symptoms can overlap and even mask each other making diagnosis and dual diagnosis treatment more difficult.

Tags: addiction, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, anxiety disorder, bipolar, bipolar disorder, chemical dependency, depression, drug abuse, drug addiction, dual diagnosis, dual diagnosis treatment, dual diagnosis treatment program, mental illness, panic disorder, phobias, psychiatric disorder, psychiatric illness, schizophrenia, substance abuse, symptoms, treatment

Dual Diagnosis and Families

Dual diagnosis and families
The lack of professional knowledge about dual diagnosis can be frustrating for those affected and their families. Common experiences may include:

• Health care providers may blame the client for being difficult and unresponsive to treatment, rather than questioning whether the health care system is failing to provide effective dual diagnosis treatment and support for people with dual diagnosis.
• If a dual diagnosis client first seeks addiction treatment for drug abuse, the drug and alcohol workers may consider their mental illness as a secondary issue or side effect. Similarly, if they first seek treatment for their mental illness, then the mental health professionals may also consider their drug abuse as a secondary issue or side effect. The two problems are often not seen as interdependent and equally important.
• Specialist and early intervention treatments are often not available for dual diagnosis.
• Health care professionals may not involve the family in dual diagnosis treatment, even though the family is frequently much more familiar with the problems and experiences of the person with dual diagnosis.

The future of dual diagnosis treatment
Alcohol rehab and drug rehab services and mental health services are developing ways in which to respond to people with a dual diagnosis. Integrated service delivery and collaborative treatment is becoming core business for most services.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, drug abuse, drug rehab, dual diagnosis, dual diagnosis treatment, dual diagnosis treatment program, intervention, mental health, mental illness, rehab, rehab programs, treatment