Harm reduction is a pretty broad term, referring to any changes that an addict or alcoholic makes to make themselves safer during active addiction and live another day to potentially move one tiny step closer to a life that doesn’t include addiction. Here are a few examples:

• Choosing a designated driver while drinking
• Using clean needles
• Marking your own drug paraphernalia to avoid inadvertently sharing with someone who has a contagious disease like Hepatitis C or HIV
• Learning how to handle an overdose
• Getting tested for contagious diseases or getting treatment for infections to avoid passing them along
• Learning about the dangers of certain practices and what the safer methods of ingestion are

Needle Exchanges Proven Effective in Harm Reduction: What About Crack Pipes?

Needle exchanges have been extremely effective in many major cities in cutting down on the transmission of Hepatitis C and HIV. Active addicts bring in their “dirties” or used needles and get an equal number of clean needles to take with them. There are no questions asked and no one questions how they will use the needles or where they get the drugs they use in those needles, and needle exchange sites often offer resources to counseling, testing, and other drug addiction treatment help options if there is interest.

As a result, the overburdened health care system in these cities has seen a lessening of new diagnoses of deadly illnesses which in turn lowers their costs – something government officials always like to see. Plus, making it legal to carry needles means less of a burden on the court system who no longer has to process related cases.

Vancouver wants to take the theory behind the needle exchange sites and apply it to a different method of drug ingestion: crack pipes. A new pilot program has been developed with the hope that free crack pipes will help to cut down on disease transmission even more and help alleviate some of the problems that their healthcare system is seeing as a result.

What Do You Think?

Are free crack pipes a good way to help fight the transmission of HIV and help patients get involved in the healthcare system in a positive way so that they can learn how to avoid picking up illnesses during active addiction? For that matter, do you agree with needle exchange sites and their benefit of helping heroin addicts move ever closer to the treatment they need to fight heroin addiction – and win? If so, how can we improve available programs? If not, what’s a better way to fight drug addiction on the street level?

California legalized marijuana for medical purposes. So too did Alaska, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont – in total, 21 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Even New Jersey has determined that marijuana is a suitable medication for certain illnesses. Will New York join them?

State Senator Diane J. Savino (NY-D) has sponsored legislation in hopes of getting the ball rolling in that direction. She recently spoke with L Magazine and voiced her opinions on the subject, discussing how her own parents’ passing due to cancer pushed her to believe that perhaps medical marijuana can have some benefits. As a co-sponsor to the bill started by Senator Tom Duane and Assemblyman Gottfried, State Sen. Savino believes that, while New York has always been in the middle in terms of its approach to the issue of drug abuse, drug addiction legislation, and medical marijuana, it’s time to push forward and make some definitive decisions.

Comparing Medical Marijuana to Prescription Drugs

On the question of legality and medical merit, State Sen. Savino had some interesting points to make for her cause. When asked what she thought of the fact that many federal agencies like the DEA seemed to think that marijuana could be used medicinally, Savino pointed out that an agency whose primary goal is law enforcement will always err on the side of fighting addiction and upholding laws that ban the addictive use and abuse of any substance.

Savino said: “They’re right to be concerned about that. But morphine is far more addictive than marijuana. Morphine is [an addictive substance]. OxyContin is tremendously addictive, almost instantaneously to people. Vicodin is addictive. What’s the difference between these two [classes of] drugs? One is dispensed by a pharmacy and one isn’t. But if marijuana has a more palliative treatment to people, why would we not figure out a way to control the distribution of it, the way that we attempt to control the distribution of other controlled substances?

Creating a Medical Marijuana Model that Protects Against Addiction and Abuse

State Sen. Savino is not interested in replicating the mistakes that many states made by being one of the first to implement medical marijuana. Rather, she’s looking at the evidence-based practices that have been successful in different states and hoping that New York can create an effective and functional medical marijuana program. The goal is to mitigate the risks of abuse and the development of addiction that has plagued other states in both the use of medical marijuana and prescription drugs.

What do you think? Can it be done? Should it be done?

More than 2200 pounds of marijuana were stopped on their way into the country in by crews from the US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine, US Navy, and the San Diego Marine Task Force in July. Four smugglers were arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling in connection with the seizure on the coast of San Diego. The drugs and the suspected smugglers were turned over to MTF officials.

A few days later, another 21 bales of marijuana were recovered by the Coast Guard off the coast of Point Loma, California. Three Coast Guard vessels were dispatched to stop the boat that had thrown them overboard and recovered the drugs and brought in two smugglers.

Does Interception of Marijuana Smugglers Have an Effect on Marijuana Addiction?

Absolutely. If there are fewer drugs to go around, then there is less for people to buy. If there is less for people to buy, prices go up. If prices go up on the remaining marijuana, then some people have a moment of clarity that can help them recognize what marijuana is doing to their lives. Others will spend the money for the marijuana and may come closer to the moment that they realize that they are giving up too much in the pursuit of getting high.

On the distribution end, losing huge shipments of marijuana is a cost issue. Growers and smugglers who are in it for the money quickly learn that there’s a high price to pay if they get caught. Losing large shipments can be frustrating and as lower level smugglers are arrested and provide information about those higher up in the organization, they can slowly be dismantled by law enforcement.

Marijuana Addiction and Struggling: A Huge Fight Fought by the Few

Of course, there will always be new smugglers to replace the old and people who are desperate for money who will agree to run boats of marijuana illegally. And addicts who want their drugs will find a way to come up with the money to pay for what’s available – or grow their own or turn to other suppliers.

The best way to fight marijuana addiction is with marijuana rehab. Here, those who are living with a marijuana addiction will be able to get the help they need. If there are no addicts, then there is no demand and when there’s no demand, there is no more distribution.

What do you think? What’s the best way to fight marijuana abuse and addiction?

From the moment Amy Winehouse’s body was found in her London home, the world assumed that the cause of death was a drug overdose or complications due to drug abuse. An autopsy was performed, but the results were inconclusive – and yet, people still assume that drug overdose was the cause. What do you think?

The Case for Death by Drug Overdose

Amy Winehouse had a long and famous struggle with drug addiction. Crack, heroin, cocaine – these were all drugs that she used on stage or in front of cameramen who eventually uploaded the footage to YouTube and other media venues. In and out of drug rehab, there would be reports that she was doing better or getting her life on track, followed immediately by conflicting accounts of erratic behavior that implied drug abuse. Witnesses would come forward to say that they saw her out or in a store drinking heavily or getting high while already seemingly stoned or drunk.

Most recently, Winehouse had a European tour planned, something she hasn’t done in quite some time. The first performance, however, she was booed off the stage and abruptly ended the tour to “rest.” Footage of her performance show how clearly under the influence she was at the time, barely able to sing the words, creating music that was hard to understand and barely recognizable. This happened just weeks before she died, leading many to assume that her “rest” period at home was characterized by drug and alcohol abuse that ultimately led to her death by drug overdose.

Other Possible Causes of Death

Winehouse definitely had a problem with drug and alcohol addiction, but she also struggled with a few other issues as well. Some claim that her issues may have pointed to a psychological disorder like borderline personality disorder or even severe depression. She once said in an interview that she had issues with causing self-inflicted pain. There is a chance that Winehouse’s death was a suicide, using drugs and alcohol to achieve her purpose (which is different from a drug overdose that occurs inadvertently during an active drug addiction).

Winehouse also struggled with an eating disorder. Severely underweight, Winehouse had a hard time eating healthily whether or not drugs and alcohol were in the picture. More deadly than any other psychological disorders, eating disorders mean malnutrition and the breakdown in function of major organ systems. There’s a possibility that Winehouse’s early death was related to or exacerbated by health problems caused by an ongoing struggle with an eating disorder.

What do you think?

There’s an ongoing heated debate about whether or not the internet and video games are as addictive as cocaine or heroin. There’s a lot of passion on both sides of the argument, but one recent development in the gaming world only further likens the playing of games like World of Warcraft with the use and abuse of illicit substances including alcohol.

The First One’s Free: New WOW Deal Compared to Crack

One distributer is offering a World of Warcraft Starter Edition, which allows new players to play up to Level 20 – for free. Does that marketing tactic sound familiar? It’s a stereotype of that crack dealers would often offer new people their first hit of crack for free, trusting that it would take only one use for their customer to become an addict and be compelled to pay for tons of crack to maintain that addiction. The move on the part of the distributer to allow players to get hooked for free, banking on the addictive nature of the game to compel them to buy the full version later, has only fueled the argument that online gaming can become an addiction for some – and one that requires addiction treatment just like alcoholism or crystal meth addiction.

Co-occurring Disorders: Online Addiction and Drug Addiction

No matter how much time is spent online, there are some who refuse to see an activity like online gaming – or doing anything with a computer, for that matter – as fitting the definition of a true addiction that requires physical detox and/ or psychological addiction treatment. To those people, others would point out the negative consequences of too much time spent in front of the computer – the deadliest of which includes the development of an active drug addiction in order to increase the amount of online activity. Many who are online all day and all night tend to forego the need for sleep and food by taking stimulant drugs that decrease appetite like crystal meth, cocaine, or stimulant medications. The development of a drug addiction in order to gain assistance in a sustained presence online can soon lead to all the health problems including psychological issues and malnutrition that plague anyone else taking these drugs.

Treating Online Addictions Alongside Drug Addiction

It’s important to address the psychological needs that are met by spending copious amounts of time online at drug rehab when help is sought for drug addiction. Without dealing with the need for anonymity, self-esteem issues, et cetera, it’s only a matter of time before the patient will again be on the computer and once again crave the drugs that allow him or her to spend days on end indulging in his or her favorite online activity.

Contact us today at The Canyon to learn more about what Dual Diagnosis Rehab can do for you.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment provides those who are living with a drug addiction and a psychological disorder with the care that they need to work through both issues during the same treatment program. It’s one of the benefits that Bai Ling, an actress currently on Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab on VH1, is experiencing – kind of. In fact, it’s something that has been causing her issues, perhaps because she doesn’t understand the goal of drug addiction treatment in relation to her psychological issues.

Bai Ling and Psychiatric Medications During Drug Rehab

It’s clear from Bai Ling’s behavior when she refuses to take her pills that she needs that medication badly. It’s also clear that she is physically incapable of focusing on groups and treatments for drug addiction when she is off her meds. She is living with a psychological disorder, as yet unidentified on the show, in addition to alcoholism and it is obvious that she requires treatment for both issues at the same time in order to make any real progress on either front. The first step is to stay on the meds that she is currently prescribed, adjusting the medication and dosage according to her development in treatment. While Dr. Drew and other counselors can only encourage her to take her meds, they can’t force her, but if she continues to choose not to take her medication and can’t stay on track while continuing to distract from treatment, stopping others from getting the help they need, it may be necessary for her to leave rehab.

“I Want to Get Off All Drugs. That’s Why I’m Here.”

It’s a common thought among those who are struggling with dual diagnoses – unfortunately, it’s not an effective way to handle treatment when psychological illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other disorders are an issue. Part of the stabilization process that happens during drug detox means getting the medication right to effectively treat any psychological disorders. It will be practically impossible to remain clean and sober without treating mental health at the same time since it is often the case that patients self-medicate the symptoms associated with their disorder by abusing illicit drugs and alcohol.

Medications taken to mitigate the effects of a psychological disorder are not the same as addictive medications or drugs. It’s important to utilize medication effectively and stabilize emotional issues, hallucinations, paranoia, et cetera, during the early part of treatment, begin the process of dealing with emotional issues and trauma and learn new and healthy coping mechanisms – then, if you feel and your doctor feel that it’s appropriate, consider lowering your medication dose or changing medications.

At The Canyon, we offer Dual Diagnosis Rehab to help those who are living with both drug addiction and a psychological disorder. Call now to find out more specifics about our program.

Bath salts are part of a growing trend in new, underground drugs that started in Europe over the last couple of years and has hit the United States hard. Ohio residents say that more than salvia or any version of spice, a synthetic cannabinoid, bath salts – a combination of dangerous chemicals – are becoming a huge problem. At least three people have died in the last couple of months as a result of bath salts – a substance that is legal and sold in many head shops and gas stations in the area.

According to officials from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, the cases of emergency room visits, accidents, and other problems caused by the drug are almost too many to count. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done about the problem except charge those who make poor choices while under the influence of the drug with misconduct because bath salts are completely legal.

Brad DeCamp is the assistant chief of treatment and recovery services at the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. He says: “We are seeing it in some of the different regions, but it is hard for us to say just how big of a problem it is right now. It is very similar to the type of symptoms and side effects you would see from someone who is either abusing cocaine or methamphetamine.”

The Effects of Bath Salts

The active ingredient in bath salts is methylenediopyrovalerone (MDPV) and it’s the identifying chemical in three recent deaths and a possible linking factor for a few other fatalities in the area.

The effects of bath salts are stimulant in nature and create a high when used. Physical effects can include higher pulse and blood pressure as well as chest pains. Psychological effects can include paranoia, irritation and agitation, hallucinations and delusions, depending upon the amount of the dose taken.

Bath Salts and Regulation

Legislation is underway to make bath salts illegal, but it will take some time as more definitive studies are done to determine the effects of the drug in the long-term. Short-term effects, effects at different dosage amounts, and anecdotal evidence will be gathered as it comes to debate. While most advocate for regulation of drugs that are mind altering and deadly, some are concerned that too quickly making it illegal can limit the possibilities in terms of medical help and effect.

What do you think? Should more medical research be done before they legislate the use and possession of bath salts or should they stop access to the drug immediately before more people get hurt?