Posts in category News

The Amount of Pregnant Women Using Drugs is Increasing

Jan30
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Britton Richardson

Women who use drugs while pregnant greatly increase the chance that their child will be dependent on drugs as well. Statistics, in fact, suggest that as many as 60% of fetuses exposed to drugs develop neonatal withdrawal syndrome, which leads to nasty symptoms in newborn children, including irritability, poor sucking, tremors, seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, and shrill crying.

Now, a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics has found that the amount of women using drugs during pregnancy has increased. While hospitals do screen for drug addictions in pregnant women, the system is far from fool proof. More and more, this problem is increasingly growing.

This is, obviously, a sad fact, but it probably speaks to the amount of overall drug use in society than merely drug use in pregnant women. With pregnant women, though, the stakes are definitely higher. If you want to read more about the issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2009 population study, which explores increasing prevalence of neonatal withdrawal syndrome, is available to read for free, as is MedScape’s more general study of perinatal drug abuse and neonatal drug withdrawal.

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New Marijuana Mouth Spray Seeks FDA Approval

Jan23
2012 1 Comment Written by Britton Richardson

If you can’t smoke it, why not spray it? That’s the idea behind Sativex, a new marijuana-based product aimed at relieving pain. The developer, British company GW Pharma, is currently in advanced clinical trials with the spray, and hopes to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration by as soon as 2013.

The product contains delta 9-THC and cannabidiol–two well known components contained in marijuana–distinguishing it from other marijuana-based drugs that only use synthetic equivalents of pot. It has already been approved in a number of countries, including eight in Europe as well as Canada and New Zealand.

GW Pharma’s website describes Sativex as “a cannabinoid medicine for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis,” but cites other possible therapeutic uses such as cancer pain and neuropathic pain.

Research for the drug was originally approved by the British government to “draw a clear line between recreational and medicinal use,” a line that is still blurry in the United States. Presently, laws allowing medical marijuana exist in only 16 states and Washington D.C. If Sativex were to receive approval from the government-run FDA, the U.S. attitude toward medical marijuana usage could be dramatically altered.

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Smoking Marijuana May Not Put Lung Health in Jeopardy

Jan11
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Britton Richardson

Whether you are a smoker or not, most of us know that it is an unhealthy activity. The very act of breathing in smoke just seems so obviously dangerous that smokers and non-smokers alike can tell you that it’s probably not a good idea. Most commonly, we probably associate smoking with eventual deterioration of the lungs. But most of this thinking likely mostly concerns cigarettes. There are other things people smoke, though, and marijuana is another common one. So does smoking marijuana risk similar decreasing of lung health?

Researchers have found that, no, it probably does not. According to an article by Reuters.com, a study has found that effects of marijuana smoke do not appear to hurt pulmonary functions. On the contrary, they found instead that marijuana users actually had marginally better lung performance than others. The article points out that some experts refute exactly what this finding actually means, and more testing probably has to be done, but it makes you wonder.

Suppose these findings are true, though, that if you smoke marijuana your lungs won’t be hurt. Should you still smoke it then? Well, remember, marijuana usage still does several things, including:

1. Makes you smell bad
2. Makes you slow and lazy
3. Makes you paranoid
4. Makes you forgetful

Additionally, sustained use could make most effects permanent. So while your lungs might be safe, marijuana is hardly a safe substance. It is always best to stay free of any substance, and despite the apparent findings of this study, it’s never a good idea to ingest smoke.

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Nicotine Patches and Gums May Not Work

Jan10
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Britton Richardson

We’ve all seen the ads for nicotine gum or nicotine patches. They claim they can help do the trick. According to a recent study, however, these nicotine replacement patches don’t really work. Researchers who surveyed almost 800 former smokers found that almost a third of them had relapse after using these products, opening up speculation from scientists. One of these scientists, director of the Center for Global Tobacco Control at Harvard School of Public Health Gregory Connolly, claims that these products are “no more effective in helping people stop smoking cigarettes in the long-term than trying to quit on one’s own,” and insists that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should only approve products that are proven to work.

However, there are still those who claim its effectiveness. A spokeswoman for the Glaxo company rates it as “a first-line therapy for quitting.” Additionally, a spokesman for the company Pfizer points out that quitting smoking is a lifelong process that can take multiple attempts. A valid point for sure, but is this just an opportunity for corporations to make money off the hapless smokers? What do you think?

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Alcohol: Considering the Sexual Risks

Jan06
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Britton Richardson
A recent study by Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has linked alcohol consumption with unprotected sex. What? This is obvious you say? Well, before you start sarcastically shouting to your imaginary newspaper printers to stop the presses, let’s use the findings of this study as an opportunity to examine what this connection really means, and why it matters.  

It’s no secret what a little alcohol consumption does to one’s decision making abilities, and it’s also no secret that the more you drink, the worse it gets. The study did, in fact, reveal a higher willingness among those who consumed a high amount of alcohol to have unsafe sex. And while this finding isn’t exactly groundbreaking, it serves as a reminder that drinking can have consequences that extend well beyond the morning after. Guys, need a little courage to talk to that cute girl? I think we’ve all seen that movie before.

But if you think drinking and its ensuing sexual promiscuity is predominantly a male issue, you may want to think again. Dr. Mark Creech of the American Council of Alcohol Problems has pointed to a recent book by Laura Sessions Stepp, Unhooked, which, of hundreds of females interviewed in high school and college, declares that “less than half-a-dozen said they were sober at the time.” Between this and increased health risks, women seem to be worse off from alcohol than men.

The bottom line is, though, that men and women alike need to be careful when consuming alcohol. Abuse, along with a myriad of other things, can lead to a deterioration in sexual health. Study researcher Jürgen Rehm, director of the Social and Epidemiological Research at CAMH, asserts that “drinking…should be included as a major factor in preventative efforts for HIV.” So when you drink, try not to drink to excess, especially in an unfamiliar environment. And if you must drink to excess, bring along a responsible friend who can make sure you don’t make any poor decisions.

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Advertisement Endorses Overeating

Dec02
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Ryan Glassmoyer
Pepto Bismol’s 2011 Holiday campaign promotes over-eating.

facebook.com/peptobismol

In AllTreatment.com’s recent article Addicted to Food I looked at the advertising which contributes to America’s addiction to food. This year the nation’s pink stomach relief medicine is hopping on board.

This year’s Pepto-Bismol ads feature a party where the attendants have “overindulged” resulting in gastrointestinal distress.

The ad tells viewers that eating makes them happy. Eating does make people happy…Momentarily. What the ad unintentionally shows is that overeating is usually followed by pain.

Video: Pepto-Bismol Holiday Ad

In the new commercial an actress near a large tray of shrimp says to an actor, “Every year, so much shrimp cocktail — where do you think it all comes from?” Amused he responds, “Elves.” The spot then cuts to a fishing boat manned by a crew of Santa’s helpers. The commercial returns to the party and the woman is giggling saying, “Stop it,” followed by on-screen text: “7.3 billion shrimp. 46 million holiday parties. Pepto covers them all. Eat, drink and be covered.”

This kind of advertising shows that giant corporations like Pepto-Bismol, which holds a 72.7 percent market share, want America to be addicted to food. This ad acknowledges that America is literally getting sick from overfeeding.

Food is a silent killer. Drugs are illegal because they are harmful to the body, but empty calories kill more people every year. According to the CDC 26.9 percent of Americans over 20 has diabetes. Even more shocking 33.8 percent of the American population is obese.

America is being sold medicine instead of healthy food. Take your health into your own hands with preemptive measures this holiday season. Eat different food instead of buying new medications.

Sources:

 

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Amazon Sells DEA Banned Bath Salts

Nov28
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Ryan Glassmoyer
The chemicals found in bath salts have been banned by the DEA, but they can still be purchased on Amazon. 

Bath Salts Sold Online

The Drug Enforcement Agency of the United States has recently banned the three chemicals found in the designer drug “bath salts.” The emergency stopping power was applied to the manufacture and sale of mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone and methylone. 

Bath salts are marketed as “not for human consumption” avoiding drug laws, but their abuse has become widespread to the point of government intervention.

The emergency ban was activated by the DEA for the next 12 months to give The Department of Health and Human Services time to asses the situation. The chemicals have been placed under class one, the D.E.A.’s most restrictive category. This classification is reserved for substances with high potential for abuse and no accepted use under medical supervision. Other schedule one drugs are LSD, ecstasy, and heroin.

The manufacture and sale of these chemicals is now illegal in the United States.

However, it seems that the law hasn’t yet stopped Amazon.com.

While writing the article Bath Salts Addiction I searched Amazon for “bath salts.” The fourth entry on the first page was for “Ivory Dove.” Ivory Dove’s only description was “500 mg.” The packaging was pictured and looks like common bath salts drug packaging. The list price was $48.99 with free shipping.

There are videos on youtube.com with instruction on purchasing bath salts from amazon.com.

Video: How to Buy Bath Salts on Amazon

The DEA may not have shut down the sale of bath salts on the Internet or in stores, but the government censor of the chemicals is raising public awareness of the danger. Hopefully the trend will start to wane. However with underground chemists finding it easy to get around written chemically specific drug laws there will be new designer drugs on the market soon.

Sources:

 

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It’s Never To Late: To Traffic Drugs

Nov21
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Ryan Glassmoyer

80 year olds arrested for distributing cocaine! Grandpa transports 104 bricks and grandma goes to jail, again…

This week an 87 year old man plead not guilty to transporting over 200 pounds of cocaine.Leo Sharp, 87 He says he was forced to carry the $2.9 million worth of drugs at gun point. 

The old man was pulled over for improper lane use and refused to let officers search his vehicle. The officer’s canine searched the car and found the drugs.

The man was silent at his court date. If convicted he faces up to ten years in prison. Which would make him 98 when he got out.

In a similar story an 80 year old alleged multiple offender, grandmother Ola Mae Robinson, was arrested for selling crack. She was arrested six months earlier on the same charges. Maybe her sordid ways are finally catching up to her in her 80s.

Grandmother arrested for crack.“I don’t have no time for crack cocaine” she said. “Wish I was, cause then I’d have money” she told police.

In her defense she said “It wasn’t mine! Til they found me I was sitting up in my chair noddin!” Everyone knows when you’re selling crack you most definitely cannot be nodding.

Video: Crack Dealin Grandma: Arrest of Ola Mae

It may never be too late to traffic drugs, but really it’s never to late to give them up. Whether dealing drugs or just taking them people all over the country are suffering from addiction. All people can recover from the criminal lifestyle, but treating their addiction might need to happen first.
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You Don’t Need to be on Suboxone Long-Term

Nov14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Ryan Glassmoyer
Suboxone is capable of helping addicts detox from opiates. It does not need to be a long term maintenance program to be effective. If fact short term use gives a greater chance of true freedom from addiction.
 

Hexagonal Stepping Stone to Freedom

Use it to your advantage.

Suboxone is the newest major opiate withdrawl prescription. Doctors advise the drug be taken as a maintenance treatment. Long term use however is not necessary. Patients can rapidly detox off opiates using “Subs” as a stepping stone into true freedom from chemicals.
Suboxone works through the chemicals buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opiate. The buprenorphine bonds stronger than all other opiates to the brain receptors, but doesn’t produce as strong of a noticeable effect or high. 

The opiate receptor bonding effect is why doctors say that Suboxone cuts down cravings for other opiates. (Many patients still try and get high while taking it.) Often they do not explain that it still blocks the patient from their emotions like when they were taking other opiates.

True recovery from addiction requires more than just physical abstinence. Emotional healing from the drugs cannot come fully while the patient is still numbed.

Buprenorphine treatment gives the illusion of sobriety. Suboxone is a great tool to moderate the physical withdrawal from heroin or prescription opiates, but taken over a long period the patient will become dependant on the withdrawal medication. Most long term patients see the drug as their new master. Through continued use the patient’s life will get better because they are not endangering themselves to get high, but they will still be outside of normal human emotional function.

Suboxone is designed for detox: the pills themselves have indications of where to cut them into haves for reduced dosage (image above.) A Suboxone assisted opiate detox can be achieved in as little as a week and most defiantly does not need to exceed 6 weeks. Don’t expect it to be painless. Suboxone can lead you to a free life if you let it. Most doctors see it as a miracle pill, but it has dangerous costs accompanying its benefits. Nothing comes for free. Advocate for your own recovery if you choose Suboxone and tell your doctor that you plan to detox in a set period of time.

Find 12 step meetings, sober living, or other sober support so you can connect with other addicts who know what you’re going through and who can help you navigate your detox. They will also help you fight the cravings for opiates that all addicts are bound to have during and after a detox.

If others have done it you can too. Good Luck!

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Krokodil: Flesh Eating Homemade Russian Heroin!

Nov09
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Ryan Glassmoyer
A new homemade compound opiod is killing mass numbers of Russian heroin addicts.
Russia Swamped with Heroin Addicts
Russia has more heroin users than any other country in the world. One-third of worldwide heroin deaths are Russian. Due to a cut off Afghan supply the drug’s cost has risen to up to 60 euros a dose. Junkies are being forced to find cheaper means of getting their fix.
Russians have begun to manufacture a synthetic heroin known as “Krokodil” or crocodile.
Krokodil is desomorphine, a synthetic opiate many times more powerful than heroin. Addicts generally make their own krokodil instead of buying it from a dealer. The ingredients are household chemicals and OTC codeine pills. Russians can buy the ingredients for about 2 euros. The cooking of the chemicals takes about as long as the high lasts (2 hours) and the physical withdrawl symptoms are worse than heroin. Those factors create a night and day cycle for all who are addicted.
This drug produces horrific effects in its poor addicted users. It quickly turns the skin scaly- hence its reptilian name. Addicts can be identified by their iodine smell. Rotting sores develop all over the body and skin can literally start to fall off the bones.
The life expectancy of anyone who starts to use the drug is less than one year.
The use of the drug is steadily on the rise despite the death sentence it carries. Small towns where heroin is not easily imported are being overrun with Krokodil. Addicts who cannot afford heroin anymore shot the desomorphine until they die.
Despite rising addiction and death rates the Russian government has not done anything to stop the sale of OTC codeine pills.
Source:
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