If you’re looking for a book about addiction and addicts, personal stories that you can identify with or that will help you understand what a loved one is going through, here’s one for you: “America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis. Told from the viewpoint of the addicts themselves, the book tells the stories of eight addicts over several years.

Eight Addicts in Search of a Life

Each of the addicts in Denizet-Lewis’ book suffer from a different mix of issues from heroin, crystal meth, prescription drug and/or crack addiction to other anti-social problems like shoplifting, gambling, sex and pornography and food obsession. The book lets them tell much of their story in their own words leaving the author to drop historical and scientific facts along the way.

There are direct quotes of back and forth conversations, for example, between a food addict named Ellen and her sponsor. A heroin addiction named Bobby gives his viewpoint on the world from his dreary South Boston address. He says, “Sometimes I think God could do us a favor and crash a 747 into this [expletive] place.”

True to Life

In the introduction, Denizet-Lewis makes sure to point out that the book contains no composite characters or made-up scenes. He even openly discusses his own struggle with sex addiction and answers hard to answer questions like: How is sex addiction even possible? And what’s wrong with becoming an alcoholic at the age of 80?

Far from preachy, it’s more of a documentary style book with an objective view of addiction told by the people going through it rather than some of the more personal memoir-style one-view books on the market or the clinical, more distant and psychological or scientific books. It’s real and it’s honest and it’s interesting.

Difficult Paths, Hopeful Ending

It’s not an easy read in that it doesn’t just show a joyful, straight shot from the bottom of addiction to the top of a successful recovery. There are successes but not cookie cutter, typical wins for the addicts in the book but there is definitely hope in the final pages. Even a call to action by Jody who went from an addict in recovery to a treatment director helping other addicts fight their disease. She says: “People in recovery need to stand up and demand to be counted. We don’t have nearly enough people out there screaming until something changes, until we start devoting real money and resources to fighting this disease.”

Have you read “America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis? Any other good books you read that you’d recommend to those in recovery or family and friends of those who are struggling with addiction?

It’s a secret as to exactly why Kelly Osbourne is in rehab again. However, it’s no secret that this is a drug rehab center. Reports say she is expected to stay there for at least 30 days, so details may be forthcoming after that point. This isn’t a new thing for Kelly – she went to drug rehab in 2004 for addiction to prescription drugs and again about a year later for a relapse. While we wait for more news about her progress, lets take a look at how she got there.

Family History of Drug Addiction and Drug Rehab

Her dad is Ozzy – you know, the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne of bird-eating and hard-rocking fame? And don’t forget that plucky reality show a few years back. Though it seems that Ozzy is living life more honestly these days, he really put his body through the ringer in his younger years. He was addicted to prescription drugs and was a dangerous alcoholic.

Kelly’s brother, Jack, also attended drug rehab in 2003 at the tender age of 17. He used a laundry list of prescription drugs and alcohol every day for two years leading up to that. According to interviews, he came to his parents with his problem, knowing that the media would be all over it. He was ready to have a different lifestyle and to reconnect with his family. Reports indicate that he has been clean since that time.

General Family Chaos and Meyhem

Just in general, the Osbourne family isn’t exactly a bunch of wallflowers. Ozzy Osbourne was famous and infamous for so many things long before Kelly and her full-blood siblings were born. Plenty o’ drama to go around, whether it be typical fame from Ozzy’s musical career, his notoriety for brash behavior, or the spirited relationship between Ozzy and his wife.

Oh yes, then there’s that decades-long drug addiction going on with his addictions. And the reality TV show. And her mother’s publicly known bout with colon cancer. It’s no surprise that Kelly would be ripe for an addiction and drug rehab. That’s about as much chaos and pain as most anyone could live through.

Kelly’s Drug Rehab And Addiction History

In one interview, Kelly acknowledges being born with an “addiction gene”. She states that she knows she just has to live with it every day. She went to drug rehab in 2004 because of prescription drug addiction. Recently, she was arrested for assaulting a journalist this summer. It’s unclear if this is connected with any drug use leading up to her admittance into drug rehab.

If Kelly is in drug rehab for the next thirty days or so, I’m looking forward to hearing more about this time in February. For all the drama and rampant drug addiction in her family, it’s clear that they love each other. They are passionate and unapologetic about their family bonds. It seems that in many cases, Sharon has prompted Kelly, Jack, and Ozzy into getting help. Or, the kids have gone to their parents individually when they knew their addiction was too much for them.

It’s not a lifestyle I could stand for long, but the Osbournes have managed to come through many bumps in the road while in the limelight. They have stuck together and helped each other. Let’s hope that their strong family support can help Kelly once again with her current drug rehab experience.

The world of sports is home to tales of great athletic achievement and rags to riches stories.Unfortunately, it has also played host to a number of drug scandals that have rocked the fabric of the sports themselves.The following are some of the most shocking drug scandals ever reported beyond the sports pages.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates Cocaine Scandal

How bad was the drug problem on the 1986 Pittsburgh Pirates?Not only were more than 10 players called before a grand jury for cocaine distribution and possession charges, but even the man who portrayed the team mascot, The Pirate Parrot was implicated for distributing the drug in the clubhouse and introducing many of the players to a local drug dealer.

The fallout:11 players in all were suspended from Major League Baseball, including perennial all-star Dave Parker.

(more…)

Drug rehab is about more than just your initial stay. It can seem like the biggest mountain to climb just to get started. The most helpful drug rehabs include quality aftercare into their program. It’s not good enough to just get there and go home. Take a look at what The Canyon drug rehab has to offer its clients.

Aftercare Drug Treatment Counseling

Once you are finished with your residential drug rehab stay, going back home can seem like trying to jump across a wide cavern. You need some support and help as you go from the sanctity of 24 hour drug rehab to your independent lifestyle. Aftercare counseling is a part of that supportive transition.

Drug treatment often goes for years off and on during a person’s life. Addiction took more than a month to create, and it will take plenty of time to rebuild a life. Old habits need time to die, new habits need time to grow. Your time after drug rehab is often when you still need a lot of professional support. Without it, your chances of relapse are much higher. The Canyon drug rehab can give you that support through outpatient counseling for as long as you need it.

Drug Rehab Alumni Events

Alumni events are important for keeping those connections going. Holiday events, evenings with spiritual masters, and anniversary gatherings provide regular social opportunities. It’s about having fun and keeping joy in your life. It’s also a great way to keep the life changing lessons at the front of your mind.

The social aspect of addiction recovery is huge. Many people make dramatic changes to their social networks when they make a commitment to sobriety. It can feel so isolating to start over. Keeping up meaningful connections from drug rehab can give you the joy of friendship and the safety net of support.

You don’t have to feel embarassed or stigmatized about your experiences. You have a bond with those who understand the kind of pain you’ve been through. You know you can count on those who have walked beside you on your recovery journey.

The Canyon Drug Rehab Has Much More To Offer

There’s such important work to be done after drug rehab, and The Canyon will be there every step of the way. You need aftercare services to help you maintain sobriety and transition back into independent living. If you don’t get these vital services, you may find yourself in a relapse before you know it.

Once again, I have found that I have run out of room to describe all the quality aftercare services The Canyon has to offer. In the next week or two, look for another post about more aftercare services with drug rehab.

Prescription drug abuse among teenagers is on the rise across the country. More and more kids are sneaking into their parents’ medicine cabinets and bedside tables and taking whatever they find there in the way of prescription narcotics and opiate painkillers. Rural areas, suburbs, cities: it doesn’t matter where you live. Prescription drug addiction is affecting teenagers across cultures, gender, and class.

Teen Prescription Drug Abuse in Greenbrier County, West Virginia:

According to Erin Barnett at WVNS 59 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia:

“The DARE Unit and the Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy have teamed up for the second annual health and safet fair. The focus was on the rising prescription drug abuse among teens. The goal is to educate the students about the dangers of drug abuse.

“The DARE program has been doing surveys with students at Eastern Greenbrier Middle School. Lewisburg Police Sargent David Howard said the results are startling. He says in most cases, 75% of the students said they have in some way encountered prescription or over-the-counter drug abuse.”

Teen Prescription Drug Abuse in Arizona:

According to Ofelia Madrid and Alex Bloom at The Arizona Republic:

“Four eighth-grade students from Fountain Hills Middle School have been suspended after one of them distributed roughly 100 OxyContin tablets that he stole from his grandmother, school officials said Thursday.

“The pills, used to treat severe pain, were sold or distributed to between 12 to 20 students, said Bill Myhr, Fountain Hills Unified School District superintendent. Two students were taken to the hospital Wednesday for precautionary reasons.

“The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission reported in October that prescription-drug abuse increased among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students since 2006. The Arizona Youth Survey administered by the commission said that 17 percent of Arizona eighth-grade students reported using prescription medication without a doctor’s prescription.”

Teen Prescription Drug Abuse in Madison, New Jersey:

According to Sally Capone at the Madison Eagle:

“If the parents of a teen notice that their prescription drugs are dwindling faster than they should, it may be due to something that most parents don’t like to admit, said Frank Iannarone, owner of the Madison Pharmacy at 66 Main St. Within the past three years, Iannarone said, he has seen a rise in prescription drug use by teens.

“When he notices that customers are refilling prescriptions too soon, he’s alerted to a problem that is growing nationwide. Because parents are reluctant to admit that their teens may be dipping into the medicine cabinet, they may blame the pharmacist for miscounting, Iannarone noted.

“Last May, a Madison High School student allegedly came to school with more than 100 prescription pills – and the intent to distribute them. The 15-year-old girl was arrested and charged with numerous drug offenses. She was found to have 107 pills in her possession, including antidepressants and anticonvulsants, according to police.

“Around the same time, an 18-year-old male and a 15-year-old male were charged with possession of more than 70 pills of oxycodone, a pain medication, with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of Madison High School on Ridgedale Avenue.”

More Views on Teenage Prescription Drug Addiction

A blogger at Discovering Alcoholic has an interesting view on prescription drug addiction and the kids who are using them, dying from them and getting arrested for sharing them with their friends.

What do you think?

One year later and the news still sounds unbelievable. Heath Ledger, dead from an apparent accidental drug overdose. Speculation arose that he’d taken his life. However, those close to him insisted he would never have done that. Let’s take a look at his life and the year that has passed since he left the world.

Heaths History of Drug Addiction

Heath Ledger had dabbled and even (allegedly) been addicted to hard drugs for some time. Heroin is something he had trouble with for a number of years. While filming “A Knight’s Tale” in Europe, sources reported that he started using drugs at that time.

Reports also indicated that as recent as six months before his death he had been to drug rehab for heroin addiction. It was said that his drug problems were part of his split from actress and fiance Michelle Williams. They had a young daughter together. Because of the split, he eventually had less time with his daughter in the months before he died.

Drug Overdose Caused His Death

It was widely speculated that Heath took his own life. But tox reports released after the autopsy indicated that his drug overdose appeared to be a lethal but accidental combination of prescription drugs. The report named oxycontin, hydrocodone, Valium, and two types of sleeping pills as the culprits. So despite his history of trouble with heroin, it seems that prescription drugs did the final damage.

Batman The Dark Knight Introduces Ledger as The Joker

The release of “Batman, The Dark Knight” was a blockbuster hit last summer. This stirred a great deal of praise for Ledger from critics and fans alike. Many people predicted he would receive major awards posthumously for his performance. He won a Golden Globe for best supporting actor earlier this month. And today, on the one year anniversary of his death, the announcement of the 2008 Oscar nominees included Ledger for best supporting actor.

The story of his drug addiction problems, attempts at drug rehab, and eventual accidental overdose is both saddening and maddening. How could someone with such distinct talent and potential fall into the trap of prescription and illegal drugs? That is probably something that he took to the grave.

The Lingering Story Of Ledgers Life and Death

Perhaps to those closest to him had better insight into his problems. But even they may be left in heartbroken bewilderment. The irony of the iconic honor of success as an actor is overlaid with the anniversary of his death.

His story has left a permanent imprint on my heart, and the same for many fans around the world. His talent and spirit will certainly be appreciated for many years to come. Unfortunately, the sting of sorrow will also remain. Rest well, Heath.

There are big changes happening in Newport Beach, California, in terms of the city and how it’s relating to the sober living and drug rehabs in the area. Yet another reason to do an at-home detox if at all possible. The agreement will make sure that a company called Sober Living by the Sea will limit the number of residents it has not according to its ability to accommodate them properly but according to an arbitrary number that makes everyone else ‘feel more comfortable.’

Why The Community Wants to Eliminate Sober Living Houses

This one company apparently owns and runs a number of sober living houses in the community and the non-recovering community is a little intimidated. The number of beds allowed has been reduced from 238 to 204—that’s in all of their sober living homes in Newport Beach combined—limiting the number of beds in the West Newport and Balboa Peninsula area to 156. Some residents, though, claim that all they have to do to get around that is drag in some mattress or sleeping bags to get around the rules.

Says Richard Terzian, an attorney for Sober Living by the Sea: “Everybody gave some, and everybody got some: That is what settlement agreements are all about. There are some members of the community who would like to eliminate all of these facilities, which is not going to happen.”

In Other News: Another Newport Beach Sober Living House is Shut Down

According to some of the new rules that Newport Beach adopted concerning sober living facilities, there has been a permit denied. Newport Coast Recovery is the first to fall under the new ax. The 29-bed men’s home is appealing the ruling.

Mike Newman is co-owner of Newport Coast Recovery. He says, “We believe we do a lot of really good work there, and I’m troubled we were the first ones denied.”

The complaints? Noise and recovering addicts smoking cigarettes outside the house. There’s also concern about the home’s proximity to Newport Elementary School down the street. Also, officials actually cited the fact that it was within walking distance of a bar and a store that sells alcohol.

Which pretty much describes every recovery home in the city, says Newman. Also, there have been no complaints from the elementary school themselves. And their home is an apartment complex with an interior and that’s where the guys smoke, not on the street.

Yet another case of discrimination against those in recovery rearing its ugly head.