Are you For or Against drug testing in schools?

As random drug testing in schools becomes more common place, so does the ongoing debate about what good it will do. The idea of random drug testing is not to catch out those using drugs, but to act as a deterrent to try and stop children and teenagers developing drug addictions in the first place. But is it working to alleviate peer pressure and to stop young people taking drugs or is it having an unforeseen negative effect which is making our younger popular feel like their schools are presuming they are using drugs until they prove otherwise?

Internet addiction is a clinical disease...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3437769/China-offers-therapy-to-4-million-internet-addicts.html

The above links refers to an article published by the Telegraph.co.uk written concerning Internet addictions. Whilst the article refers mainly to the population of China it highlights the fact that as technology develops so it creates more avenues for addiction problems to manifest themselves – without the Internet there would be no Internet addiction, but that would not necessarily dictate that those 4 million people in China (and everyone throughout the world that has an Internet addiction) would be free from any addiction problems? As far as this article suggests, the classification for such a problem as an Internet addiction involves an analysis of time spent on the Internet and physiological reactions, whilst hard to define the problem is evident. We need to be aware and make it a priority to educate the masses about the wide spread problem of addictions – regardless of whether it is modern technology or substance abuse that is the latest example to highlight the problem.

Drugs are bad for kids, rather than bad kids do drugs...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4958885.ece

The above link to an article written in the Times Online refers to the chicken and the egg scenario - do drugs make kids lives bad or do bad kids use drugs - this article suggests that scientists have determined that drugs are bad for kids, rather than bad kids do drugs.

"Early drinking and drug-taking raise the future risk of addiction, teenage pregnancy, failure at school, sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and crime, independently of other factors that might predispose to these outcomes, scientists have determined.|"

So, what is the answer? - how can we educate the young members of our society to stop them from experiencing all the negative events that are proven to be directly associated with drinking and taking drugs as young teenagers?

 

What is 'recovery'?

 

http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2008/09/defining-recove.html

The link above relates to an article addressing the way we define recovery.  The key question, as highlighted by Addiction Today, is  "if today’s search for outcome statistics is to lead to clinical effectiveness and clinical cost-effectiveness, what definition will help us to measure outcomes, for both comparative purposes and to feedback into programme improvements? ".

How is recovery characterised, what impact does this have on treatment and will one definition ever be all encompassing?

What is AA?

Over 2,000,000 individuals make up the Alcohol Anonymous' informal society - but what exactly is AA and how could the fellowship help you?  Check out http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/geninfo/02whatis.htm to read about AA, how it developed, how it functions, view AAs informative literature section and learn how AA can help you or your loved one to turn their lives around and live in sobriety without the constraints of an alcohol dependency.

Drugs of Addiction: Biological, Medical, Legal and Ethical Aspects

http://www.cam.ac.uk/about/scienceseminars/drugs/treatment.html

 

Please click in the above link to read an article written by Prof David Nutt (Professor of Psychopharmacology), in this article Prof Nutt discusses the biological, medical, legal and ethical aspects of treatment of addictions and makes suggestions around the shift in perspective from considering addictions as a moral disorder to a chronic illness, requiring treatment such as chronic medical disorders (for example diabetes). This article touches on the bigger picture and the implications regarding criminality and the reduction of drug related social and medical issues that stem from effective treatment.

What can we learn?...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/aled_alcohol_morph.shtml

What can we learn from experiments such as the one currently being conducted by Radio 1 (see above link)?  How many people will pay attention to such an accessible study into the affects of alcohol and what do you think?

The "poverty causes drug abuse" mantra is simply too easy an explanation...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/07/31/do3102.xml

We all have our opinions on what causes drug and alcohol abuse. Our opinions are based on our own experiences, whether direct or indirect, but also by the stigmatization and stereotypes that prevail relentlessly in our minds, regardless of the facts.  But what are the facts?  Once thought to be a problem for the 'poor' substance abuse problems in the UK could not fit into this category any less easily if it tried – if you have picked up a news paper or read a magazine in the last decade surely it is obvious that drink and drugs can effect all of us, regardless of social status or the state of our bank balance? As Neil McKeganey (Professor of Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow) states in the attached article, 'Yes, drug taking proliferates in areas of social breakdown but it also causes social breakdown. Abuse has also now spread across all social classes, and among the rich and the famous.'  So when will we (our population and our government) start to see addiction problems for what they are...a disease which can effect all of us, despite our social background, upbringing and socio-economic status?

Hand-held mobile phone blockers and Body Orifice Security Scanners ('BOSS chairs')

http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease070708b.htm

Hand-held mobile phone blockers and Body Orifice Security Scanners ('BOSS chairs') are being introduced into all prisons next year.  What impact do you think the implementation of technological devices such as these will have on the movement of drugs within prisons?

 

�

What recovery means to me...

'What recovery means to me'

What does your recovery mean to you? Does it mean you are no longer constrained by negative actions in your life? Does it mean you have rebuilt relationships that you had otherwise lost? Has your recovery meant you are holding down a job without constantly calling in sick days? Maybe you can walk through a park and notice the environment around you, rather than just thinking about your destination. Maybe you have achieved ambitions you thought were pipe dreams. Perhaps all of the above. What does your recovery mean to you?

Over the counter drug addictions - what can be done?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-502153/Mother-dies-developing-48-tablet-day-addiction-Nurofen-Plus.html

 

If someone says to you 'they're on drugs' what do you think of? Heroin, crack, ecstasy, cannabis, speed, cocaine? Probably one of the last thing you might say, after naming a dozen 'street drugs', is Nurofen Plus. As a nation we choose to ignore legal, medical drug addictions – or do we just not know they exist? Thousands of people in the UK are currently addicted to tablets you may think of as nothing more than a head ache cure. The question is, what can be done about addictions of this nature – should all potentially physically addictive drugs be made prescription only?

Smoking, drinking and using...are you still thinking advert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1guM9Ydjbac&feature=related

This links leads to an advert that advises of smoking and drinking related illnesses and deaths - the projected statistics reflect the current death rate from smoking, whether it be cigarettes or cannabis and the volume of people who suffer alcohol related illnesses, many of which lead to an early death.  Are you still thinking....

 

Your future, your fortune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLguDpQHk1A&feature=related

Check out the above video - how much control do you have over your brain and your future?

New Drug Treatment Pilot Launched

http://www.nta.nhs.uk/media/media_releases/2008_media_releases/New_drug_treatment_pilot_launched_110608.aspx

Click on the above link to read about the National Treatment Agencies media release concerning an incentive scheme for people entering in to recovery - what impact do you think this will have?

 

Drugs adrift

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/cocaine-galore-a-tidal-wave-of-drugs-842080.html

With an ever increasing quantity of drugs flowing in the UK how can the government curb the trafficking to have an impact on the number of people using drugs for the first time?  As the above article highlights, a quiet afternoon with the wildlife can turn in to something altogether different - what would you do in Beth Swan's situation?

 

Asking for help...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7212423.stm

The above article relates to the impact addiction problems can have on the whole family.  Many people with drug and alcohol problems have children and are constantly in fear of their children being taken away if they ask for the help they need.  This fear stops those really in need of support from asking for it - what are the consequences? The children suffer. We need to stop the stigmatisms, recognise the problems and everyone will benefit, not least our families...

England and Alcohol - the statistics

http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/alcohol08

Want to know about drinking in the UK? - check out the latest publication from the NHS Information Centre.  Follow the link to read about health issues relating to alcohol in England and view the statistics.  The reports cover topics such as drinking habits and behaviours among adults and school children, drinking related ill health and mortality, affordability of alcohol and alcohol related costs.

Drinkers Education..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7399192.stm

Are drinkers ignorant about what they drink or are regulations and production methods changing so fast we can't keep up - do you know how much you can drink and then get behind the wheel of your car without being put behind bars?....get yourself educated about your drinking.

Hospital admissions soar...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7414322.stm

As hospitals face more and more admissions related to alcohol how will the NHS cope and what can we do to stop future problems, such as the developing teenage drinking cycle?

Gaming Addictions - 'like being on drugs'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/03/scivideo103.xml

More and more evidence is pointing towards new technology and it's increasing link to addiction problems - problems defined as just as serious as more commonly acknowledged addictions, like heroin addiction and alcoholism.  Just what are the risk factors and how can video games seriously damage your life?  What is the extent of this problem and with the world of gaming developing more rapidly that most industries on the planet are we causing a huge new problem for the next generations?

Do you think before you drink?

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107214.php

The above article taps into how we think about drinking...do you know how may units you consume in a week and more to the point how many units we are advised to limit ourselves to drink.... and what effect this has on our health?

The equation for working out how many units we drink is -

Multiply the volume (in millilitres) by %ABV then divide the result by 1000.

Units = (volume (ml) x %ABV)
1000

(If the drinks container gives you the volume in cl, not ml, add a 0 on the end and put into the equation).  the World Health Organization recommends a week allowance of no more than 14 units for women and 21 units for men - do you know what you're drinking?

Enslaved by K

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2275257,00.html

The above link takes you to a fascinating story as told by a young man living in today's drug culture - if you want to know what a k-hole is and how people feel about psychological addiction as oppose to physical addiction you should read this account...

Gambling - opportunity and addiction

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/ontv/theinsider/britains+gambling+addiction/611277

The above link refers to a Channel 4 article written addressing the ever increasing number of betting shops, bookies and casinos, all offering easy opportunities to gamble.  What should the government be doing to tackle problem gambling in light of their continued licensing of new places for people to spend money?   Many people develop addiction problems leading to financial and psychological issues for them and their families - is problem gambling really recognised by the government as it should be?

Cannabis Crackdown?

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=366759&NewsAreaID=2

As stated in the above link to a publication by The Central Office of Information, the face of cannabis is changing - stronger strains, younger users and harsher penalties - will changing the class of this drug have a significant effect on who chooses to use it?

Prisoners - treatment clinics or prison?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/gino-vumbaca/2008/04/27/1209234652861.html

 

The above article, published in an Australian newspaper, discusses the ever growing prison population and comments on the large proportion of inmates who committed their crimes whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol - should the prison systems around the world be obligated to get these prisoners treatment, instead of handing out blanket punishments?  If so, who should be prioritised for treatment and what criteria should be implemented to this end?

 

'Only teenage girls suffer' - the anorexic myth

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2276774,00.html

The tragic death of Prof. Rosemary Pope is a clear and unarguable illustration of the widespread nature of eating disorders - a common misconception is that eating disorders only affect young females - and additionally that the only indication of an eating disorder is extreme weight loss - this is just not the case.  The above link to an article published in The Guardian addresses these misconceptions and highlights the impact this mental illness can have over suffering individuals, whether they are young, old, male or female. Let us hope that the death of such a celebrated eminent academic wakes up all up to the 'changing face of anorexia' and other eating disorders.

 

Sexual Addiction - diagnosis and media view...

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/features/sex-addiction-the-facts-from-the-fruity-fiction-817896.html

 This recent article in The Independent highlights the prevalence and also the stigma behind sex addictions - what do you think about Lord Irvine Laidlaw of Rothiemay and the climate surrounding this very real, but somewhat investigated addiction problem?

 

Welcome to Steps2Rehab Blog

Dear All,

Welcome to the Steps2Rehab blog - this is a space to discuss all aspects of addictions - including substances, process addictions, research, recent findings, individual cases, universal similarities and anything that is either directly or indirectly related to addiction and treatment.  Watch this space and please get commenting!

Kind regards and many thanks

Melissa - www.steps2rehab.co.uk