After Sandra Bullock officially announced that she was filing for divorce from Jesse James (no big surprise) and completing the adoption of their son, 3½-month-old Louis Bardo Bullock, as a single mother (actually, that was kind of a surprise), Jesse James released his own statement to the public. In brief, he’s sorry. He knows “Sandy” didn’t do anything wrong and didn’t deserve any of the treatment he dumped on her. But. He hopes that his 30 days in sex rehab will help him to build a foundation to become a better husband father.

But don’t take it from me. Read his statement for yourself:

“My whole life has been full of hard decisions.

“The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest. The love I have for Louis cannot be put to words. Not having him around to love and to hold has left a huge hole in my heart.

“Sandy is the love of my life, but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it would be selfish to not let her go. Right now it is time for me to beat this addiction that has taken two of the things I love the most in life.

“I have always taken great pride in proving people wrong. That time has come once again to show that I am not what everyone says I am. I know in my heart that I can be the best father possible to my four children, and the mate Sandy deserves, and realize that this is an incredible mountain to climb. But I believe that the steps I have taken in the last 30 days are the foundation for making this happen. The lifelong commitment I am making is what being a real husband and father is all about.

“I ask that you please do not judge Sandy for the things I have done. She has done no wrong. She played no part in any of this. She has been an amazing wife, mother, and best friend, for the over 6 years we have been together.”

Can Rehab Put Your Life Back Together?

It’s a question that many who come to rehab ask. Having hit bottom, many come to drug rehab or sex rehab with regrets, things that they’ve done that have destroyed their relationships, their careers, their reputations, their self esteem. They come to rehab hoping to repair those things and gain the skills to move forward.

While moving forward is definitely possible using what you learn about yourself in drug rehab and certainly learning how to live without acting upon addiction cravings, you may not be able to get back everything you lost during addiction. Though it is possible to mend relationships, rebuild your reputation and reclaim your dreams, these will most likely look quite different to you after rehab as well as to the other people involved. Different, of course, can be a good thing, even better than if you had stayed on your previous trajectory. Opening yourself up to the sheer magic of possibility is a big part of healing during drug treatment.

In true Tiger Woods fashion, Jesse James has chosen to respond to the ever-increasing line of women confessing to affairs with him during his 5-year marriage to Sandra Bullock by enrolling in rehab. What kind of rehab is yet a mystery, according to TMZ, who broke the story (Is it drug rehab? Alcohol rehab? Sex addiction rehab? Some combination thereof?), but there have been confirmations that Jesse attended sessions at a rehab in Arizona.

Hitting Rock Bottom: The Need for Rehab

Just days after his wife, Sandra Bullock, won a Best Actress Oscar for her work in the movie Blind Side, a woman named Michelle McGee came forward alleging that she had had an 11-month affair with Jesse James. Over the past few weeks, another four women have come out claiming the same thing (one affair was alleged to have last 3 years), one of them just this week. A woman who used to work for Jesse at West Coast Choppers even filed a sexual harassment case against him before he married Sandra and others close to the 40-year-old father claim that he often placed ads online for women with “tattoos and big boobs.” His infidelity was an open secret and now it’s no secret at all.

Sandra apparently found out about her husband’s infidelity when a tabloid called her just before the story broke. After confronting Jesse, it has been reported that she left their home and disappeared for a few days as the story unfolded. Magazines and online news sources are now saying that she is filing for divorce. They are also reporting that Jesse James has headed to rehab.

Drug Addiction and Sex Addiction

By heading to drug rehab, Jesse James and others in his situation seem to be saying that not only are they sorry for their behavior and sorry they got caught but that they are taking action to help fight against this happening again. By elevating their choices to the status of a disease they are also, in part, claiming that their behavior is beyond their control. The only way this argument stands is if they follow up the assertion by seeking medical treatment.

While Jesse’s trip to rehab may or may not impress upon Sandra the depth and breadth of his remorse, it will serve to provide him with a little respite from the swarms of paparazzi and give him something positive to focus his attentions on that will also give him back a sense of control in his life.

Drug Addiction Rehab and Sex Addiction Treatment

Both drug addiction and sex addiction are serious psychological and physiological disorders. For someone who is truly struggling with either disorder or both disorders simultaneously, it is virtually impossible to break free without medical intervention. At a certified dual diagnosis treatment center, you can get help for both problems at the same time, which has been proven to be the most effective way to treat those with co-occurring disorders, statistically.

If you would like to learn more about addiction treatment, The Canyon can help. Call today.

In a well publicized article in the UK’s The Sun, Lindsay dished the details on her drug and alcohol use, how her abuse of specific drugs affected her and scared her and went on to say that she was done with that behavior as a result.

It appears that that was a resolution that quickly faded for Ms. Lohan. After London and Atlantic City, Lindsay was busted in Los Angeles partying with drugs and alcohol as per her usual not once, not twice but for three consecutive nights.

Concerns for Loved Ones On the Edge of Drug Addiction

While paparazzi and close friends publicize Lindsay’s nights out at Bardot Hollywood or Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, gossip about her apparently ongoing desire to rekindle a relationship with ex-girlfriend, Samantha Ronson, and discuss the actress’s worn appearance, others are expressing concern for Lindsay and worry that she’s headed to a dark place with drug abuse and addiction and potentially should go back to rehab before that happens.

One friend close to Lindsay told the press that Lindsay “needs help. She needs to solve her problems. She’s just not taking care of herself.”

Michael Lohan, her estranged father, is concerned as well. Though Lindsay say that it was Michael who first introduced her to cocaine, Michael blames Lindsay’s behavior on her feelings about his divorce from her mother.

Michael Lohan told People Magazine that: “The reason Lindsay tries to drown her sorrows and mask her pain was because of my divorce from her mother, which in turn tore her apart.”

How to Help Friends and Loved Ones with Drug Abuse Issues

It’s a difficult spot to be in: someone you care for has had obvious difficulties curtailing drug and alcohol abuse in the past, but they claim that they are now okay and can use socially without any long-term detrimental effect. Support them on this and you could be aiding them as they sink deeper into addiction. Fight them on it and you could lose contact with someone you care for deeply as they fall irrevocably further into a life that will eventually kill them.

So how do you help your friend or loved one effectively? First, don’t make it the focus of every interaction with them. When their drug and alcohol addiction or their behavior under the influence hurts you, someone else or them physically or emotionally, take note.

Next, find others who share your concerns. If drug and alcohol addiction is truly a problem, then there are others who have noticed as well: family members, significant others, siblings, close friends, bosses or mentors. Gathering a handful of these people together for an intervention can be an effective way to allow everyone to communicate their concerns and convince your friend that it’s time to get help at a drug rehab.

Finally, you need to be prepared that your friend may or may not accept help. For everyone in any relationship, there are deal breakers. Drug and alcohol addiction or continued abuse of drugs is likely one of yours, especially when it means that you have to watch your friend hurt themselves and others. Let them know that if they don’t get the help they need for themselves, that you will no longer be a part of their life. And then follow through: if they choose drug rehab, be there to support them with letters, phone calls and visits and make sure you are available and supportive when they come home. If they choose not to go to rehab, then walking away and maintaining your distance is the right thing to do for both of you.

Online gossip magazines are abuzz again with the latest news in Tiger Woods’ personal life. It seems the golf pro will be staying at drug rehab (or is it sex rehab?) to continue his recovery and wife Elin is returning home to Florida without her hubby in tow.

Sex Rehab or Drug Rehab?

Conjecture of the masses can’t seem to agree: is Tiger blaming his many illicit affairs on sex addiction? Or is painkiller addiction that has him making decisions that he wouldn’t ordinarily? No one knows for sure right now, though it is being reported as fact by some sources that he has enrolled himself in treatment for Ambien addiction and Vicodin addiction.

Some view the fact that, on the night that Tiger got into his car accident, Elin told police that her husband had prescriptions for Ambien and Vicodin. The implication that many news sources took from this was that Tiger’s use of these prescriptions was perhaps the cause of the accident.

One source told The National Enquirer that, “In therapy, Tiger blamed a lot of his cheating behavior on his drug addiction, saying that the drugs were responsible for impairing his judgment.”

The only thing Tiger had to say about drugs in his recent public statement was: “They said I used performance-enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false.”

Of course, few would describe a sleep medication like Ambien and a painkiller like Vicodin as “performance enhancing” drugs, so perhaps this commentary doesn’t quite refute the possibility of drug addiction as the reason for his stint in rehab.

Dual Diagnosis: Sex Addiction and Drug Addiction

It’s not uncommon to find that those living with sex addiction are also dually diagnosed with drug and/ or alcohol addiction. Having two simultaneous diagnoses is exceedingly common as those with psychological or psychosocial issues often feel uncomfortable and seek to self medicate with drugs and alcohol. It’s exceedingly important in these circumstances that treatment for both disorders is received simultaneously.

The old way of doing things was this: if drug addiction is present, treat that first and then treat the co-occurring disorder. That’s no longer the accepted way of doing things. Too often, further treatment was not sought after drug rehab and, in many cases, drug addiction treatment wasn’t as effective as it could be because issues associated with the other disorder got in the way. Dual diagnosis treatment is the best way to increase the effectiveness of recovery for both disorders.

Drug Rehab and Sex Rehab: Getting Treatment

Whether you or someone you love is living with sex addiction, drug and alcohol addiction or both disorders, it is essential that you choose rehab to heal. Both of these conditions are medical conditions and it is imperative that medical treatment is sought. It is almost impossible to walk away from these conditions for any meaningful length of time without holistic treatment that addresses the many different levels of addiction, including psychological addiction. Call The Canyon today for more information about dual diagnosis treatment.

Corey Haim is another sad casualty in the world of drug abuse. The former child movie star of the 1980′s died early this morning. There was no official report of the cause of death, but it is speculated to be related to his extensive drug use history.

Corey Haim Started Drug Addiction To Deal With Emotional Pain

Corey has told his story to many media sources over the years. His drug use reportedly started in his teen years after he was sexually abused by a man. Corey smoked marijuana as he filmed one of his big movie hits of the 1980′s, and before long he was using alcohol and other drugs.

Corey reportedly went to drug rehab several times and even suffered a stroke. Doctors were astounded at the high levels of various drugs he was taking. His daily valium use alone was up to 85 pills. It seems almost a miracle that he survived through that period of his life.

In the mid 2000′s, he seemed to be staging a comeback in Hollywood. He was involved in several movies and was in a reality show with Corey Feldmen. The show apparently came to a close because Corey Haim continued to use drugs.

Corey Haim Attempts Drug Rehab Several Times

Corey seemed to make good faith efforts to get and stay sober, going to drug rehab and drug treatment programs numerous times. However, it looks like the long term damage may have finally caught up with him. Even if his death was not directly caused by a drug overdose, it is certainly possible that it was somehow linked to his drug use history.

It may be some time before we all know the final verdict on Corey Haim’s death. Drug addiction can be so powerful and so destructive. It’s like a time bomb waiting to go off. Even when someone gains sobriety for a period of time, they can’t get lax for even a day. As Corey indicated, he started using just one or two valiums at first. Then it turned into four, five, six, and finally in the dozens of pills a day.

Reminder That Drug Addiction Can Kill

Corey Haim’s struggle with drug addiction is a definite sign of caution to anyone abusing any form of drug or alcohol. It can catch up to you slowly unless you stop it in it’s tracks by going to drug rehab. Even that is no guarantee of sobriety. If you are abusing drugs in any way, stop and look at your life. Take a moment to consider how drug treatment can keep you from having a tragic ending like Corey Haim.

photo credit: Cool Pixels

It is being reported from a variety of sources including Us Weekly and ABC News that the actor Corey Haim, 38, died early this morning from what appears to be an accidental overdose.

The details of the death of Haim, famous for 1980s movies including “Lucas,” “The Lost Boys” and “License to Drive,” vary from source to source. All agree that Haim was found between 1am and 3am in his apartment by paramedics and he was unresponsive.

Haim has had a long history of drug abuse and addiction and it is assumed that his death was the result of a drug overdose. However, he was reportedly ill before his death and taking over the counter medication, so it is just as lpossible at this point that he succumbed to his illness as died of an overdose. An investigation is ongoing and a toxicology and autopsy report should be revealing.

Police Sgt. William Mann was on the scene. He said that Haim’s cause of death is unknown as of yet: “He could have succumbed to whatever (illness) he had or it could have been drugs. Who knows? He has had a drug problem in the past.”

Foul play is not suspected.

Haim was taken from an apartment in Oakwood apartment complex in Burbank to the hospital by paramedics. The apartment complex is said to be popular among young actors.

It is also being reported by some sources that Haim’s mother was with him when he passed.

Haim was certainly not in denial when it came to acknowledging his long struggle with drug addiction.

In 2004, he told The Sun: “I was working on Lost Boys when I smoked my first joint. I did cocaine for about a year and a half, then it led to crack.”

His drug addiction history continued when he entered drug rehab and was put on prescription drugs, using both stimulants and sedatives.

Haim said: “I started on the downers which were a hell of a lot better than the uppers because I was a nervous wreck. But one led to two, two led to four, four led to eight, until at the end it was about 85 a day.”

Later, in 2007, he told ABC’s “Nightline” that: “I feel like with myself I ruined myself to the point where I wasn’t functional enough to work for anybody, even myself. I wasn’t working.”

Haim was a teen heartthrob in the 1980s, but dropped off the map for awhile during the peak of his addiction. He filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997, but in the past few years he had been working to reestablish his career. He did a reality show with fellow actor Corey Feldman on “The Two Coreys,” which was cancelled after two seasons; Feldman said that Haim’s drug addiction made their working and personal relationship difficult to maintain.

Haim also worked on a few movies that have not yet been released.

Whether or not Haim died of a drug overdose, he never beat drug addiction in his lifetime. He told Larry King in 2007 that he was “a chronic relapser for the rest of my life.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) has released their first draft. In this new version of the American Psychiatric Association document used by virtually everyone to diagnose behavioral health problems, the disease categories for substance abuse and dependence will be replaced with a brand new “addictions and related disorders” category.

Why The Categorization of Drug Addiction is Changing

The hope of the American Psychiatric Association has for making this change is that it will create a clearer line between those who are physically dependent upon a prescription drug and those who are addicted to their drug of choice.

In a press release, the APA stated: “Eliminating the category of dependence will better differentiate between the compulsive drug-seeking behavior of addiction and normal responses of tolerance and withdrawal that some patients experience when using prescribed medications that affect the central nervous system.”

Their point is that many people will develop a physical dependence upon a drug during the course of treatment, but that this singular fact does not make them a drug addict. When it is appropriate for their treatment, they can simply cut back on their dose slowly under their doctor’s supervision and stop taking the drug completely and without incident.

Someone suffering from drug addiction will find this simple exit plan from their drug of choice to be impossible. The psychological addiction and cravings are the defining characteristic of drug addiction and it is this distinction that the APA would like to make in the new DSM-V.

How the Categorization of Drug Addiction is Changing in the DSM-V

One of the biggest changes is the new category that will include substance-use disorders. Each drug type will get its own category with its own diagnostic criteria. Not much will change in terms of diagnostic criteria except that “drug craving” will be added and “problems with law enforcement will be dropped.” As the APA points out, “cultural considerations… make the criteria difficult to apply internationally.”

Cannabis withdrawal criteria is also a new addiction to the DSM-V. The APA says it occurs with the “cessation of cannabis use that has been heavy and prolonged,” results in “clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.” Some listed symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include irritability, anxiety, anger, weight loss/ decreased appetite, insomnia, depression, and physical symptoms like sweating, fever, headache, et cetera. At least three of these need be present to diagnose marijuana withdrawal, according to the new DSM-V.

Why The Categorization of Drug Addiction Matters

For many, insurance is the only way to pay for drug and alcohol rehab. If the problem is not categorized as a medical issue that requires medical treatment, then insurance companies may start rejecting claims that request coverage for drug and alcohol detox treatment and medications. As these are both necessary for recovery and typically very expensive, it’s important that their classification be as clear as possible.

Charles O’Brien, M.D., Ph.D., is the chair of the APA’s DSM Substance-Related Disorders Work Group. He says: “The term dependence is misleading, because people confuse it with addiction, when in fact the tolerance and withdrawal patients experience are very normal responses to prescribed medications that affect the central nervous system.

“On the other hand, addiction is compulsive drug- seeking behavior which is quite different. We hope that this new classification will help end this wide-spread misunderstanding.”

Gladys Lillas, of New Zealand, was notorious for her drinking habit. Often drunk, Lillas would walk and dance in traffic, forcing cars to swerve out of the way to avoid her. Many an accident was narrowly missed due to her antics, and the local courts finally decided recently that enough is enough: they forcing Lillas into rehab.

Typically, a person’s family members have to be the ones to push someone into alcohol and drug rehab if they aren’t choosing it for themselves. In the event that criminal acts are done under the influence, some courts have drug court options in which the offender is offered drug rehab rather than jail time, but still no one is forced into anything. If the offender decides not to opt for treatment, they are well within their rights to choose jail time instead.

In short, it’s highly irregular for a court to force anyone into treatment and though no one can deny that Lillas is an alcoholic and that her behavior under the influence is dangerous, some are a little hesitant about the court’s decision to force her into drug and alcohol addiction treatment.

Said Judge McGuire who presided over her case: “We need to get you help for your alcoholism to quit finally so some poor motorist will not have your death on their conscience when you walk out in front of them drunk.”

To be clear, Lillas is far from a first time offender. She has been picked up numerous times over the years with drunk and disorderly charges. Her favorite pastime seems to be walking in traffic and yelling at the top of her lungs. She even did three months in an alcohol rehab facility but the court was told that she immediately began drinking again upon her release. The police are have been inundated for years with phone calls from concerned citizens who feared for Lillas’ life due to her behavior, and the courts seem to have decided that it was time to step in.

Says Police Prosecutor Aroha Cooper: “It’s sad because she is such a lovely person. Everyone loves Gladys. She has a real sense of humor but on the down side when she has been drinking, all police can do is lock her up and detox her. She needs some help.”

Inspector Greg Sparrow also commented on Lillas’ situation, saying: “We’ve usually been called when she has been wandering out on the road presenting a danger not only to herself but to other road users. We are pleased that danger may be mitigated. It is obviously a concern for us having people wandering about on the roads. The last thing we want to see is Gladys being injured.”

What do you think? Is it fair or constitutional to mandate treatment for those who refuse to help themselves if they continue to be a danger to others? Or should the judicial system only be allowed to levy fines and enforce jail time for offenses no matter what the cause of those choices?

Former Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton, 41, was arrested for trying to get prescription drugs illegally from out of state. He spent the night in jail and was reportedly dealing with withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting and profuse sweating when he was released.

Sutton arranged to pick up about 40 pills under a false name. The pills in the package included clonazepam, an anti-anxiety medication and two types of the stimulant Adderall and another drug.

Sean’s arraignment is set for next week where it is expected that he will be charged with “obtaining a controlled or dangerous substance (CDS) by fraud, possession of a CDS, attempted possession of a CDS and use of a communication device to facilitate a felony,” according to New York Breaking News.

Drug Addiction and Genetic Predisposition

Sutton is not the only one in his family who has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. His father, Eddie Sutton, was also a former Cowboys coach until May of 2006 when he was in an alcohol-induced car accident and was forced to relinquish the position.

After the car accident, Sean replaced his father as the Oklahoma State basketball coach but had to resign in April 2008.

Now, he is dealing with legal issues due to drug addiction as well. Considering how difficult prescription drug addiction is on the system and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms, hopefully his first stop will be at a prescription drug detox and addiction treatment center.

Drug Addiction Treatment

Whether your issue is alcoholism or prescription drug addiction to drugs like OxyContin, Valium, Xanax, hydrocodone, Percocet and other pills, drug addiction treatment is the only way to safely change your life. Even if you are committed to breaking your addiction to your drug of choice, it is not recommended that you stop using an addictive drug by yourself if you experience withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended that you instead enroll yourself in a drug detox and addiction treatment program that provides you with an holistic treatment program.

The Benefits of Holistic Treatment

Holistic drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs allow you to get multiple layers of treatment for your addiction. This multi-faceted approach makes your experience at drug rehab as well rounded as possible, allowing you to explore many different types of therapy and treatment.

The more time you spend learning how drugs of addiction affect your brain and body and honestly exploring your own personal experience and drug history, the better equipped you will be to learn new tools to fight off relapse when you return home. The more time you spend in treatment and the more varied the therapies you undertake during your rehab experience, the more likely you will be to stave off relapse for long periods. Statistics show that the more immersive your treatment, the better you will do in recovery.

For more information, contact The Canyon today.

photo credit: yoga – photowork

Alcohol is used by millions of people every day. Many drink socially and with little risk. But some use alcohol in abusive and addictive ways. How do you know if you are abusing alcohol or addicted to it? This post will review the differences between alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Alcohol Abuse Consequences and Judgment With Alcohol Use

Alcohol abuse is present when a person suffers consequences and has poor judgment about their alcohol use. A person ignores their personal responsibilities on a regular basis such as work performance, school work, and family commitments because of their drinking. They also drink in situations that are dangerous like operating heavy machinery, swimming, and driving.

Also, a person abusing alcohol may experience repeated legal problems related to their drinking. They may get DUI or assault charges and still continue to drink heavily. Their relationships may become strained and disrupted, but they choose to drink anyway. With some guidance and education, many people who abuse alcohol can make changes and avoid becoming addicted.

Alcoholism Signs of Dependence

Alcoholism has many of the same features as alcohol abuse. However, alcoholism also includes signs of physical dependence and compulsion. A person is physically dependent on alcohol when their body goes through withdrawal symptoms after they stop drinking. The alcoholic may experience headaches, shakiness, and digestive symptoms. Most of the time, an alcoholic will quickly start drinking again to make the symptoms go away.

Compulsion is a strong urgent desire to do something over and over. This urge seems irresistible to an alcoholic. They will do just about anything to have another drink when the compulsion emerges. This compulsion overrides their judgment, putting them at risk in many ways. They drink despite possible alcohol poisoning, driving impairment, injury from falling or drowning, or physical harm to others.

Alcohol Treatment Can Turn Things Around

Alcohol treatment can make a difference for someone abusing alcohol. Often an outpatient alcohol treatment program can help them change their lifestyle and cope with their emotions. Alcoholism may require a more serious alcohol rehab program. This type of treatment is often longer and more intense to help manage physical dependence and compulsion. If you have been abusing alcohol, get started with alcohol treatment right away. It could mean you prevent alcohol dependence from taking over your life. Contact the alcohol treatment centers in your local area for more information.