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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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Where Do I Find a Gay Drug Rehab?

I recently received a call from a man who was interested in locating a gay drug rehab. He and his partner were planning a wedding and thought it would be a good idea to get clean and sober before going any further with their lives. After a few weeks in a gay drug rehab and, they agreed that the work they accomplished benefited them as a couple and as individuals. They felt ready to begin the next chapter in their lives.

I offer this example because it is so different from what I usually see. In my intervention work I have found—whether they are lesbian, gay, or straight—that very few people in a relationship with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction seek addiction treatment prior to getting married. Most continue with their drug addiction and alcoholism in denial and hoping things will get better. Needless to say, things rarely get better as the drug addiction or alcoholism becomes more progressive.

It is difficult to move forward in any relationship when drug addiction or alcoholism are present as communication begins to break down, drug use becomes the priority and depression, anger and resentment are all common place.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcohol addiction, alcohol rehab, alcoholism, depression, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehabs, family recovery, family recovery program, family therapist, gay addiction treatment, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, intervention, recovery, rehab, rehabs, therapy, treatment

New Drug Rehab Program Model Used in New Mexico Prison

A new drug rehab program that uses long-term nutritional and sauna-based detox - with no alternative drugs - is achieving high success statistics in a prison setting. Run by Rick Pendery, the national executive director of the Second Chance Centers, and Joy Westrum, the president of the Second Chance Program, the drug rehab program has been running for several months in a secure setting in Albuquerque, NM.
Westrum explains that the purpose of the drug rehab program is to “provide secure, long-term drug rehab for substance abusers in the criminal justice system, and then to transition them back into society so they can lead a stable life free of crime and drugs. The drug rehab program includes the administration of vitamins and mineral supplements twice a day, drills designed to extrovert the inmate’s attention, and physical techniques designed to decrease the physical trauma of alcohol withdrawal that are administered by other inmates. The entire process is supervised by a staff member trained in the process.”
This long-term detoxification process has been used throughout the world, not only to assist people in getting off drugs, but also to remove chemicals and other toxins from the system. For example, it was used by the New York Fire Department and others who worked at Ground Zero after the disaster of 9/11.

Tags: abuse treatment, alcohol withdrawal, centers, detox, drug rehab, drug rehab center, drug rehab program, rehab, rehab center, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment, therapy, treatment

An Eating Disorder and Its Consequences

If you suffer from an eating disorder like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or some other eating disorder, it is not only a problem in itself, but it could be the origin of a series of medical complications that make the eating disorder worse and in the long run might cause irreparable physical damage.The most frequent medical complications of eating disorders are linked to damage fundamentally caused to the body by a strict diet - protein-calorie deficit and weight loss. Elimination and weight control behaviour like self-induced vomiting, inadequate laxative and diuretics use are causes of other complications.

When there is an excessive weight increase, medical complications of obesity can result.

To be more precise, the worst complication of an eating disorder is obviously death. According to long-term studies carried out in different countries, it has been found that the mortality rate of an eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, patients is between 4% and 18%. It is a death risk that can be compared to that of drug addiction.

Death during the eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, is usually caused by cardiac, pulmonary and renal damage, linked to grave malnutrition, but also linked to self-aggressive behaviour that is found in roughly 20% of patients.

Other classic complications of an eating disorder with malnutrition are: amenorrhoea (menstrual cycle interruption), anemia (red blood cell diminution), osteoporosis: loss of bone density, muscular weakness, insomnia, hair loss, body hair increase, skin dryness, low body temperature, irregular heart beat, liver damage, kidney damage, damage to the immune system. The risk of getting gall stones increases.

Tags: addiction, anorexia, bulimia, bulimia nervosa, drug addiction, eating disorder, eating disorders, patient, recovery, therapy

Is Drug Addiction Treatable?

Drug addiction and alcoholism are treatable conditions. The first goal of addiction treatment is abstinence. The chemically dependent person must stop using alcohol or drugs. This sometimes requires a period of medical detox, which should be done within an addiction treatment program.

Once alcohol and/or drug use is stopped, individuals may honestly feel that they have the desire and ability to remain sober. This period can last days, weeks or months before cravings (the obsessive pressure to use) return. To reduce the risk of a relapse, the person must address personal problems and life issues related to the drug addiction. Some of those issues are addressed in group therapy, individual counseling sessions, educational lectures, and discussion groups in chemical dependency treatment. The therapy process helps chemically dependent individuals obtain the insight and skills needed to understand and deal with problems associated with their alcohol and drug use. They learn to deal with their problems from a psychological, emotional, and spiritual perspective as well as from a physical perspective. After addiction treatment, personal problems and other major life issues can be handled at a higher level of functioning.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcoholism, centers, chemical dependency, counseling, detox, detox program, drug addiction, outpatient centers, patient, recovery, relapse, therapy, treatment, treatment for drug addiction

All About Gay Drug Rehab and Gay Alcohol Rehab

What happens in gay drug rehab or gay alcohol rehab?

Due to the progressive nature of drug addiction and alcohol addiction, detox and drug rehab should take place as soon as possible. Drug rehab is never an easy process. GLBT patients must come face to face with a part of their life they are probably not proud of. They must learn new methods of dealing with stress to replace the old methods that included drugs or alcohol. They must cope with cravings and deal with many different aspects of their life in new, healthier ways.

Many gay patients participate in gay support groups or 12-step programs for an indefinite amount of time to help prevent relapse. Some learn new skills so they will be able to get (and keep) a job and return to the community. Drug rehab can be difficult, but it is worth it to achieve a life free of drug and alcohol dependence. Please call 1-800-511-9225, a national drug rehab helpline to take the first step.

Tags: addiction, alcohol addiction, alcohol dependence, alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment, counseling, detox, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, patient, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, relapse, support groups, therapy, treatment

How to Choose a Drug Rehab or Alcohol Rehab Program

According to Wikipedia.org, drug addiction is defined as “the compulsive use of psychoactive drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use.” Since drug addiction is a complex illness, it has so many dimensions and disturbs so many aspects of an individual’s life, dealing with this ailment is anything but simple. When a person is at a ‘no control’ stage, a drug rehab program must help the person discontinue use of drugs and maintain a drug-free lifestyle. There are many reasons why a person would need to attend a drug rehab program. Some of them are: the inability to control drinking or drug use, cutting themselves off from their friends and family, criminal offenses, and problematic behavior at work. At such drug rehab programs, through therapy and education, the individual is helped to gain their former self. They are then able to become part of the society.

Now, let’s think about drug rehab programs and what images do you conjure? Chances are, your perception does not cover the entire spectrum of drug addiction treatment centers. Since there are several different types of drug rehab programs available ranging from inpatient addiction treatment, outpatient addiction treatment, residential addiction treatment, short-term, and long-term addiction treatment, it helps to learn what’s out there and how to choose one. It is best to involve an addiction treatment professional at this point to help point the way. It is said that the best drug rehab programs are those that are structured to an individuals needs. This means taking into consideration the individual’s race, age, culture, gay, lesbian, bisexual, gender, employment, past drug history, criminal behavior and history of physical or sexual abuse. In most drug rehab programs, regardless of their differences, they have one major goal: try to get the individual back to a drug-free lifestyle. Often times this requires more than one drug rehab treatment and sometimes multiple attempts within a drug addiction treatment center. Do not be discouraged.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment center, addiction treatment centers, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, centers, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug addiction treatment centers, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug rehab treatment, gay rehab, patient, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, therapy, treatment, treatment center, treatment centers

Dual Diagnosis and Drug Rehab

Dual Diagnosis and Drug Rehabilitation: The New Hybrid Disorder and Addiction Treatment
Written by Rachel Hayon, MPH

Dual diagnosis is defined by the presence of both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders (alcohol and/or drug dependence or abuse) [1]. There are a variety of different mental health disorders that can be associated with substance use and labeled dual diagnosis. Some of these disorders include: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anti-social personality disorder, narcissistic personality, and depression. A big question among the experts is which comes first- the mental health problem or substance use? It’s a difficult question to answer because so many of the symptoms associated with mental health disorders resemble the by product of substance use and vice versa. This is also an important topic right now because of the overwhelming amount of substance use cases and mental health disorders that overlap.

In a recent study conducted by the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), it was estimated that 17.6 million American adults meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder and approximately 4.2 million meet the criteria for a drug use disorder [2]. In addition to this, 19.2 million adults can be diagnosed for independent mood disorders (major depression, dysthmia, manic disorder, and hypomania) and 23 million meet the criteria for independent anxiety disorders (including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and specific social phobias) [2]. The NESARC also reported that approximately 20% of those individuals reporting a mental health disorder also reported a substance abuse disorder. Conversely, 20% of those individuals with a substance abuse disorder also displayed mental health problems [2].

When alcohol use is observed along with mental health disorders, alcoholics usually report that they “self-medicate” in order to alleviate symptoms of their psychiatric condition, such as depression [3]. One of the problems with using drinking as an emotional balm are the negative effects of heavy drinking as well as withdrawal from drinking- both can worsen an already negative mood state [4]. Having said this, it is interesting to see how different mental health disorders manifest themselves when substance use enters into the equation. Depending on what the disorder is, substances use is reported to be used for different reasons and also to either alleviate or bring on certain symptoms. For instance, in the case of bipolar disorder, though drinking may occur in both the manic and depressive phases, drinking is more prevalent during the manic phase [4]. Similarly, drinking may also produce symptoms that are similar to the manic phase of bipolar disorder such as grandiosity, irritability or physical agitation. In regards to anxiety disorder for instance, alcoholics usually report intense symptoms such as palpitations, sweatiness, and fear of objects or social situations which usually disappear with the discontinuation of alcohol use. However, individuals with agoraphobia or social phobia might drink in order to reduce the amount of anxiety they feel [5].

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, agoraphobia, alcoholic, anxiety disorder, bipolar, bipolar disorder, depression, drug rehab, drug rehabilitation, dual diagnosis, dual diagnosis treatment, dual diagnosis treatment program, effects, major depression, mania, mental health, mood disorder, panic disorder, patient, phobias, recovery, rehab, relapse, schizophrenia, social phobia, substance abuse, symptoms, therapy, treatment

Addiction Treatment Programs in Your Community

Where can I find listings of addiction treatment programs in my community?

The Addiction Treatment Center Locator is a searchable addiction treatment directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs from across the U.S. This addiction Treatment Locator is maintained by Recovery Connection and includes more than addiction treatment programs, including residential addiction treatment centers, outpatient addiction treatment programs, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment programs. To find the addiction treatment facilities nearest you, go to www.recoveryconnection.org.

For additional assistance and advice, call the Referral Helpline for Addiction Treatment at 1-800-511-9225

What questions should I ask when contacting addiction treatment centers?

In order to find the best addiction treatment program for you or your loved one, call a few different addiction treatment centers in your area with a list of questions. Most facilities will be open to talking with you in person or by phone (without charge) to describe their addiction treatment programs.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment center, addiction treatment centers, addiction treatment program, addiction treatment programs, alcohol treatment, alcohol treatment program, alcohol treatment programs, centers, counseling, detox, mental health, patient, recovery, relapse, therapy, treatment, treatment center, treatment centers