Lillo Brancato Jr., a promising young actor who played roles in HBO’s hit The Sopranos as well as opposite Robert DeNiro is his film A Bronx Tale is living a nightmare that could have come straight out of the scripts of one of his movies.

In 2005, Brancato was involved in the death of the New York City police officer during a robbery where he and an accomplice were attempting to steal drugs from their dealer.

During the robbery, the drug dealer who owned the house fired at the men breaking into his house, but also killed his neighbor, police officer Daniel Enchautegui who heard the commotion and had come over to investigate.

That leaves Brancato accused of burglary and murder and could face life in prison as a result.  His trial in New York City began this past week.

The story of Lillo Brancato Jr., is extreme, but is also indicative of a lifestyle where easy access to drugs and alcohol can lead to addiction and criminal behavior.  Heroin addiction and cocaine addiction were constant issues with this obviously troubled young man, but because of his fame - and ironically, the types of tough guy roles he portrayed - few were there to say NO and reach out with help.

Famous or not, if someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, help them find a drug rehab facility that can provide the life-saving treatment they desperately need.

Despite all the research that speaks to the contrary there are still a large number of people who are unaware of the many potential dangers of cocaine addiction.

And while most users and non-users probably know the “basic” symptoms and side effects of this addictive stimulant, such as talkativeness and nosebleeds, there are plenty of other reasons why those who are using this drug need cocaine rehab as soon as possible.

1. Irritability.  Once the stimulant effects of cocaine begin to wear off, the user can become quite irritable and agitated.
2. No sense of smell.  Cocaine damages the nasal membranes and surrounding areas which can cause the individual to lose their sense of smell entirely
3. Prenatal and post-natal problems.  Cocaine has been found to cause premature birth, low birth weight and other related disorders.
4. HIV and Hepatitis. Shooting cocaine using dirty needles can advance the spread of these deadly viruses.
5. Lung disease.  Smoking crack has been found to cause significant damage to the lungs.
6. Bowel gangrene.  Ingesting cocaine can also cause this painful internal condition.
7. Decreased appetite.  Individuals on long cocaine “benders” have been known to go days without eating.
8. Sleeplessness.  Even when not using the drug, many cocaine addicts report a restlessness that keeps them from sleeping through the night.

A drug rehab facility can help individuals break the cycle of cocaine addiction.   To get help for yourself, or a loved one, contact a program in your area.

During his life, Swedish psychiatrist and addiction specialist Nils Bejerot riled many individuals in the research community with his unique views on the origins and risk factors for addiction.

While most research stated (and continues to state) that addiction is the result of a combination of personal issues and socio-economic conditions, Bejerot contended that there were five external factors that represented the most significant risk factors to drug addiction and alcoholism.

Bejerot’s Five Risk Factors:

• Availability of the substance
• The money to acquire the substance
• The time needed to use the substance
• Models of the substance being used in the immediate environment
• A “permissive ideology” regarding using the substance

What was so revolutionary (and controversial) about this theory was that Bejerot believed that entire communities could be impacted by these factors, thus creating epidemics of addiction within a given society.

Bejerot believed that it is up to a society to punish drug addiction, not through the legal system but through social means.  This, he believed, was the only way to reduce the spread of addiction.

Individuals who are suffering from drug addiction or alcohol addiction, no matter what the circumstances or root causes, need to seek help from an addiction treatment facility immediately.  Through detox, counseling and aftercare, these facilities can help the individual develop the required skills to conquer addiction.

As if the rise in teenage prescription drug abuse wasn’t bad enough, now many young people are mixing a variety of different medications together in attempt to achieve a more potent euphoric effect.  Unfortunately, as the death of actor Heath Ledger should have proven, mixing prescription medications is an incredibly dangerous activity that has caused the death of hundreds of young people each year.

One such case involved Phillip Ray Cottle, a 21-year old from Baytown, Texas who suffered from cystic fibrosis.   Phillip died several weeks ago after taking a mixture of Hyrdrocodone (the generic term for Vicodin) as the powerful painkiller OxyContin.   Phillip’s death was one of nine to hit young people in the small town in recent months.

The most popular, and subsequently dangerous mixtures include Vicodin, OxyContin, Xanax and Soma (the latter two being powerful muscle relaxant).

The most frightening thing about teenagers and presciption medication is that research surverys have found that young people are more likely to try Vicodin or Xanax as they would marijuana or alcohol.  This stems from a lack of basic information about prescription drugs and emphasizes the parents role in drug awareness.

It is absolutely essential that parents educate their children about the dangers of prescription drug use.   Many teenage children (and younger) are under the mistaken impression that just because something is prescribed by a doctor that is inherently safe.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Individuals who abuse and misuse a drug such as OxyContin are exposing themselves to a substance as addictive and potentially deadly as heroin.

If you, or someone you love has been abusing prescription drugs, find a drug rehab facility in your area that can help them get treatment before it is too late.

Proving once again that it is better to be famous than lucky, Ryan O’Neal’s 23-year old son has managed to avoid serious jail time after his recent arrest on charges of Methamphetamine and heroin.  Instead, Redmond will return for another stint at drug rehab which, to this point, has been unable to help this obviously troubled young man get the help that he needs.

Redmond’s recent arrest drew headlines because police also took his father Ryan into custody when they found the drugs in the family home.  Speaking through his attorneys, a surely-humiliated O”Neal maintains vehemently that the drugs belonged to his son only.

The judge in the case hopes that a two-week drug detox program will hope get Redmond O’Neal back on track.  But as anyone in the addiction treatment industry will attest, detox is only part of the equation - and is not a solution in and of itself.

Once detox is complete, the individual can then move forward with the counseling and therapy that makes up the backbone of any good drug rehab program.  It is in these sessions that the root causes of addiction can be addressed, and real solutions can be found.

Currently, one of the biggest drug abuse problems facing the gay community is crystal meth addiction.  Crytsal meth, a powerful stimulant, is being used in the gay club scene by men who want to stay up longer, increase the euphoria of the scene and reduce sexual inhibitions.

The results have been nothing less than devastating, with an impact that includes:

• Higher levels of addiction to this dangerous drug.  Crystal meth is one of the most addictive drugs in the world, and the individuals who become dependent on it are putting themselves at risk for heart disease, heart failure, serious tooth and gum disorders and other health problems.
• The social implications of the addiction. Crystal meth will lead people to quit school or fail at work - all in the name of the pursuit of the drug.  Individuals may steal or commit other crimes in order to get money for the drug.  In the gay community, many men have actually prostituted themselves in order to finance their habit.
• The spread of disease. As mentioned above, crystal meth can loosen inhibitions, which can lead to unprotected sex with multiple partners.  In the case of the gay community, this is particularly important because of the potential spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.

The gay community must wake up to the dangers of crystal meth addiction.  Any individual who is struggling with a crystal meth problem should contact a drug rehab facility immediately.  There are even alcohol and drug rehab facilities that take the time to address the specific needs of gay men - and understand why they become addicted at the best ways to help them receive treatment.

In October, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s travelling museum exhibit, Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause, made it’s way to Los Angeles for an extended run at the city’s California Science Center.

The exhibit is a truly unique way to spread the word to kids age 11 and up that drugs can destroy the bodies and their future.

Some of the highlights of the exhibit include:

• A “drug running” tunnel that kids can crawl through to gain an understanding of the dangers of the narcotics trade.
• A chance to shoot basketballs into a hoop while wearing 3D glasses to help simulate the effects of drugs.
• Recreated scenes from the “drug lifestyle” to design to put a scare into kids about the problems caused by addiction.

The DEA and local museums around the country are to be commended on this effort to reach kids outside of the classroom in a manner that speaks to them in a language they can understand.  Kids are at the greatest risk for developing a drug addiction - the impact of which can mean health and social problems that follow them on through adulthood.

If you know a child who is experimenting with drugs, or has developed a substance abuse problem, contact a teen-friendly drug rehab program in your area immediately.

There are so many things from our youth that once seemed pure and are now besmirched by revelations, temptations and too much information.   Until now, MARSHA BRADY seemed a pretty safe bet to stay off of that list, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be.

In her new autobiography entitled Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, actress Maureen McCormick who played the eldest sister of the Brady clan on the hit TV show The Brady Bunch has admitted to years if cocaine addiction, trading cocaine for sex at the Playboy Mansion and even a string of abortions required because of unwanted pregnancies.

This is some pretty stunning stuff considering just a few years ago we were all trying to wrap our heads around Marsha kissing Greg in a brief off-screen moment.  Wow, that sure seems innocent now.

As it happens, McCormick is yet another cautionary tale of young Hollywood and its distaste for telling anyone “no” about anything.   This lack of a checks and balances system has left many 14-years olds like McCormick in grave danger.  It is to “Marcia’s” credit that she has lived to tell the tale and turn her life around in a way that allows her to help others.

To help someone in YOUR life with a drug addiction, contact a drug rehab facility and find out how you can help get that individual into an intervention and straight on through to treatment.

Look, if someone you know has become addicted to heroin, they’re probably NOT going to come right out and tell you themselves.   But the problem is that, they need help!   So that means you are going to have to figure it out for yourself and that means knowing the signs and symptoms of heroin use.

The top ten signs of heroin use are:

1. Constricted pupils

2. Euphoria

3. Shallow breathing

4. Abscesses or scars on the arms (or other areas where heroin might be injected)

5. Often seems confused or disoriented

6. Has contracted Hepatitis B/C or HIV/AIDS

7. Poor performance at work or school

8. Has withdrawn from friends and family (and begun hanging out with a new, “sketchier” set of friends)

9. Has asked to borrow from you (and has been secretive about the reasons why they need it) or has stolen from you.

10. Has had run-ins with law enforcement - after never having encountered any before.

If a friend or family member is exhibiting one or more of the signs and symptoms above, they may be using heroin - and if so, need your help! Contact a drug addiction treatment facility in your area to learn how you can get that special person the professional assistance they need to get well.

TV star Heather Locklear recently became the latest celebrity to be arrested in California for driving under the influence.   But while most other celebrities have been drunk when pulled over, Ms. Locklear was under the influence of prescription medications, specifically Vicodin.

After her arrest, Ms. Locklear issued a statement in which the former heartthrob revealed a longtime Vicodin addiction and other prescription drugs.

Quickly, her mugshot spread across the web, and the nation was once again distracted from more pressing issues by a celebrity up to no good.  Still, the event does produce something positive as it sheds more light on the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Many young people unfortunately view prescription medications as somehow safer than street drugs, when the truth of the matter is they present just as many potential problems - especially if one tries to operate a vehicle while under their influence.

Now nearing her 50’s, Heather Locklear is likely looking back on certain aspects of her life and wondering “what happened.”  Looking at the now famous mug shot of Locklear after the arrest, we can all learn something about the devastating effects of Vicodin and other opiates.

For help with drug addiction, contact an addiction treatment facility in your area.  These facilities are staffed with kind, caring professionals who can change your life for the better.