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.

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.

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.

After an alcohol fueled binge with his 20 year old girlfriend, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood entered into rehab for alcohol addiction, drug addiction and compulsive sexual behabvior.  The 61 year old is now facing legal troubles as his wife prepares to sue him for divorce.

Certainly living and working alongside Keith Richards for decades is not going to do anyone’s health any favors, but Wood has seemingly entered a cycle of addiction that, at his advancing years, will be difficult to dig out from underneath.

Couple that with the financial problems that seem to be right around the corner and, despite being part of the most popular band in the world, Wood’s golden years don’t look to be so sweet.

This latest trip into rehab is one of many - and one can only hope that he benefit from the chance to spend some time away from his party-heavy lifestyle.

When individuals such as Wood fall from grace, we tend to shrug our shoulders and say “told you so.:  This attitude however, will not suffice when helping one of our own friends or loved ones through a difficult alcohol or drug addiction.

The only way to make sure that an individual gets the help they need is to hold an intervention and get them into an alcohol or drug rehab program immediately where there are professionals who have made it their life’s work to get people clean and sober.

The hit VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab kicks off its second season on October 23^rd and brings with it a new batch of famous people from the world of entertainment who have set their careers aside to work with host Dr. Drew Pinsky in an effort to achieve recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

The cast includes the return of former Taxi star Jeff Conway, who has faced a series of setbacks since his last appearance on the show including several back surgeries that have caused him to relapse into his habitual use of pain medications.  Joining him in the rehab program are a wide variety of celebs including:

• Sean Stewart (Sons of Hollywood)
• Amber Smith (model/actress)
• Rodney King
• Nikki McKibbin (American Idol)
• Steven Adler (Guns n Roses)
• Tawny Kitaen (Actress).

Perhaps the most notable appearance of the season will come from actor Gary Busey.  The actor is over a decade removed from his cocaine addiction, but will take the other residents on what is being billed as a “spiritual journey” and share experiences from his own recovery.

Questions about the quality of the show remain, but certainly anything that raises awareness about the availability and effectiveness of quality alcohol and drug rehab programs can’t be all bad.

Celebrity Rehab will run for 8 episodes every Thursday beginning on October 23^rd.

A small town in central India has recently taken their fight against drug addiction to some rather extreme measures.

The village of Bongaon, India has decided to bar all male drug addicts who live in the town from becoming married.

Inexpensive drugs and a high unemployment rate have led a high percentage of young men in the area to become addicted to heroin, marijuana and other drugs - which consequently led to the passage of this unique law.

To those who live in the Western portion of the world, this penalty may seem odd and even a bit ineffective.  But Indian culture places great emphasis on marriage, in particular arranged marriage, which can impact the long-term financial health of the entire family.  Under the new ordinance, parents are forbidden from offering their daughters’ hands in marriage to any young man who is a known or convicted drug offender.

Just as accountability is an important part of helping break the cycle of addiction, so too is drug rehabilitation.  A top drug rehab program can help individuals around the world address both the physical and psychological components of addiction.    This is accomplished through:

• Drug detox
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• General wellness and health programs
• Aftercare

Drugs have been a problem in our high schools for decades now.  But one thing that never seems to change is that wherever there are teenagers, there will be substance abuse and addiction issues.  What has changed is the different types of substances that teenage kids are using to get high.

Consider the following information from the University of Michigan

Most commonly abused drug by High School Seniors in 1975 (% who have tried the drug)

1. Marijuana (47.3%)

2. Amphetamines (22.3%)

3. Tranquilizers (17.0%)

4. LSD (11.3%)

5. Cocaine (9.0%)

Now let’s look at the top 5 from 2006

1. Marijuana (42.3%)

2. Opiates - Heroin, Vicodin, OxyContin (14.4%)

3. Amphetamines (12.8%)

4. Inhalants (11.2%)

5. Cocaine (8.5%)

It is interesting to note that opiates and inhalants have made significant gains over the past several years, while marijuana has continued to remain atop the list.  Also, in 1975 the amphetamines kids were taking were traditional “uppers”, but in 2006 the majority of amphetamines used were crystal meth - a far more dangerous drug.

If your child is struggling with drug abuse, get help immediately by contacting the caring professionals at a drug rehab and addiction treatment center in your area that works spefically with teens.

Comedian Andy Dick has joined a growing list of celebrities who have recently entered into a televised drug rehab program.  Dick, known for his outlandish antics and frequent reality show appearances, and was recently the focal point of several embarrassing incidents around Los Angeles, will join the cast of Sober Living, a new show that is a quasi-spinoff of the VH1 hit program Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

Andy Dick has come under fire in recent years for his rumored involvement in the death of Bryn Hartman and her husband, legendary comedian Phil Hartman.  Many people throughout Hollywood believe that is was Dick who gave Ms. Hartman the drugs which set her off a rampage which ended with the shooting death of her husband.  Recently, comedian Jon Levitz even punched out Dick at a comedy club because he was gloating about the incident.

While celebrities prefer the spotlight, everyone with a drug or alcohol addiction is urged to find a quality rehab program in their area.

When TV host and ex-wife of Boomtown Rats lead singer Bob Geldof Paula Yates died of a heroin overdose in 2006, few were surprised.  Yates had struggled with heroin and drug addiction for much of her adult life.

Much sadder is the news that Yates and Geldof’s 19-year old daughter Peaches Geldof was recently found unconsious in her London apartment as a result of a drug overdose.

Peaches survived the incident, but the disturbing event must be a blow to her father- who does not want to see his daughter travel down the same path as his late ex-wife.

The celebrity status of the family has drawn attention to this saga, but families from all walks of life suffer through similar situations every day.

Whether they wish to admit it or not, kids model their behavior after their parents. Peaches Yates is like any child who grew up in home with a permissive attitude towards drugs - she doesn’t see anything wrong with substance abuse, and engages in the behavior in a reckless manner.

Parents who are doing drugs and have children in their home need to consider the ramifications of their actions, and take the following steps immediately:

• Cease and desist all drug use in the home
• Remove all drugs and drug paraphenalia from the home
• Get help!  Check into a drug rehab facility so that you can break the cycle of addiction before it trickles down to your children.

Already serving time in prison for driving while under the influence of heroin, Garret Reid, the son of Philadelphia Eagles’ coach Andy Reid, was recently sentenced to two years probation recently for trying to smuggle drugs in the Montgomery County jail where he was incarcerated.

The verdict is yet another dark moment for the Reid clan.  Last year, Garret’s younger brother Britt Reid served a prison sentence for a road rage/DUI incident in which he pointed a gun at another individual involved in the dispute.  Britt Reid is currently enrolled in a drug rehab program.

While many feel for Reid Sr. and everything his family has been through, the coach also has his detractors, many of whom wonder how the man can continue to work an 80-plus hour a week job while his sons were busy destroying their lives.  And although family matters such as this are really nobody’s concern but the family, it does raise some questions about where Reid’s priorities truly lie.

When a young person is involved with drugs or alcohol, it affects the entire family.  That’s why alcohol and drug rehab facilities often include family counseling as part of their treatment program.  These counseling sessions work to rebuild trust among family members and rebuild the relationships that drugs and alcohol helped to diminish.