Are You at a Higher Risk of Developing Alcoholism?

If one of your parents or siblings struggled or struggles with alcoholism, you do have a higher chance of developing the problem yourself, statistically speaking. This means that more people who have a family history of alcoholism will develop a drinking problem as compared to people who do not have a family history of alcoholism. Why?

It may be a genetic issue. That is, your brain may be wired to “like” alcohol so much that when introduced to the substance, you experience strong cravings and more quickly develop a physical dependence. It may also be an environmental issue; being raised with a permissive attitude about alcohol or around someone who is often under the influence may normalize the activity and make you feel as if that’s just how things should be done. It could also be the combination of those two factors plus the stress caused by an unstable lifestyle created by living with someone who is an alcoholic.

Treatment for Alcoholism Can be Effective No Matter What the Cause

It’s important to note that having family members who struggle with alcoholism does not guarantee that you will become an alcoholic yourself. It also doesn’t mean that your case will be more difficult to treat due to the genetic traits you carry within you. Alcohol rehab is effective for most who:

• Opt for high-end treatment
• Choose a program that offers comprehensive and personalized care
• Show up for treatment and actively participate
• Stay engaged in their recovery through 12-step meetings and ongoing therapy and other aftercare services long after treatment is over

Your future is based on the choices you make today, not just the choices you made yesterday and the day before that. Though alcohol abuse and addiction may have put you in a rough place, you can determine whether or not you will stagnate in that place for the coming years or if you will change direction and pull yourself out of it through treatment. Call us at Michael’s House today and talk to a counselor about your options in alcohol addiction treatment here in Southern California.

Said Obama in his State of the Union address: “Every dollar we invested to map the human genome returned $140 to our economy — every dollar. Today our scientists are mapping the human brain to unlock the answers to Alzheimer’s. They’re developing drugs to regenerate damaged organs, devising new materials to make batteries 10 times more powerful. Now is not the time to gut these job-creating investments in science and innovation.”

Nothing has been decided yet but Obama hopes to have a budget proposal approved that includes funding for this research.

Invest in Research or Invest in Services?

One of the biggest obstacles to Obama’s plan is the fact that federal funding is stretched thin. With a trillion dollar deficit that grows every day and no consensus on how best to structure the budget, services are being cut – among them, federal funding for drug addiction treatment and related services. While the Brain Activity Map is an important project and will provide numerous benefits to the public, not everyone believes that the country’s limited funds should be funneled away from directly benefiting the people who are in need of treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

What’s Best for Your Family?

If your loved one is struggling with drug dependence, the best way to protect him or her from loss of services or access to services is to take matters into your own hands. If approved, the Brain Activity Project could be immensely impactful on the ability of treatment providers to asses and treat patients struggling with addiction – there may even be a cure developed as a result. In the meantime, you can make sure that your family member has everything they need to live a life that is clean and sober by opting for the most cutting-edge treatment available. Contact us at Michael’s House today to learn how we can help.

Though about 50 percent of prisoners are estimated to be struggling with drug and/or alcohol dependence, only 10 percent get treatment while behind bars. As a result, many of them quickly find themselves in front of a judge for drug-related crimes after they are released and thus receive longer and longer sentences.

How do we address the problem of rising rates of both drug addiction and incarceration? Drug court.

The Goal of Drug Court

Proponents of drug courts say that it makes more sense to provide addicts with treatment than spend three times as much money on incarceration. Additionally, getting treatment helps addicts learn how to remain clean and sober for the long-term rather than “white knuckling it” through their jail sentence only to relapse as soon as they are released and commit another crime.

The research supports this theory. One such study was recently published in Crime & Delinquency and found that if just 10 percent of the current number of people incarcerated for nonviolent drug-related crimes were to receive addiction treatment instead, it would save the government $4.8 billion in costs. Increase that number to 40 percent and the savings would almost triple to $12.9 billion.

The goal of drug court is to change the game completely, altering how offenders view themselves and their futures while also increasing the amount of funds available to create positive change in the community.

Changing the Landscape of Your Family’s Future

If someone you care about is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, it can seem like the horizon is black and nothing good awaits you in the future. You can change this bleak view for your addicted loved one and others in the family when you help them find a drug rehab program that will be able to effectively assist them in the healing process. Contact us at Michael’s House now and learn more about how we can help.

Why is this happening, and what does it mean for people who struggle with marijuana abuse or addiction?

The Political Implications

Why is it that people have been lobbying for decades to legalize marijuana for medicinal use with only moderate success, yet the legalization of the drug for recreational use has suddenly taken off and seems to be far more quickly successful? Is it the changing times and views of the public? Did medical marijuana pave the way for the popular vote for legalized recreational marijuana use? Or is it a political – and fiscal – issue at its core?

All of the above may be true, but it’s also true that federal and state governments are in fiscal crisis and the legalization of marijuana for recreational use will serve to address that problem coming and going. That is, it will cost less for governments to fund law enforcement and jails that serve to punish those who break the marijuana use laws, and the creation of a federally regulated marijuana industry that will generate tax income to fund other projects that currently have little or no financing.

Fighting Marijuana Abuse and Addiction

But won’t increased availability of legalized marijuana also increase the rate of marijuana abuse and addiction? It’s possible. Alcohol is legal and the number one drug of abuse among addicts seeking treatment in most states, so it is possible that marijuana will soon become an even more popular substance of abuse than it already is with legalization. In many of the states where marijuana is legalized for medicinal purposes, marijuana is either the first or second most commonly cited primary drug of abuse among drug rehab patients; it stands to reason that legalization for recreational purposes could have the same effect.

The fact is that patients who struggle with the abuse of or addiction to any substance, no matter what its legal standing, can get the help they need to overcome the issue and learn how to avoid the temptation to relapse when they enroll in an effective drug addiction treatment program. Contact us at Michael’s House today to speak to a counselor about your loved one’s options in rehabilitation and treatment.

Says Rep. McNerney: “Meth abuse is one of the most serious issues in northern California and across the country.  It affects families and our community, and needs immediate action.  By bringing resources to areas that need them the most, we can raise awareness and help people recover from methamphetamine addiction.”

The goal of the new bill is to offer:

• Anti-meth abuse education programs for the community
• Services for pregnant meth abusers and addicted parents
• Increased awareness of identification of meth abuse for physicians
• Increased efforts to lower crime related to meth manufacture, use and abuse

Says Rep. McNerney: “It is imperative that we address crime in our region and increase public safety.  This bill will help keep our families healthy, safe and drug-free.  When we see crime rates drop, especially usage of drugs like methamphetamine, our entire community benefits.”

Crystal Meth Abuse and Addiction

The abuse of crystal meth is not just a problem in California but in every state across the country. Its initial spike in use was lowered when federal regulations of key ingredients and meth lab busts slowed production. However, new methods of making the drug have caused the rate of manufacture to increase, which in turn has caused the rate of crystal meth abuse and addiction to steadily climb in the past few years.

Treating Dependence on Crystal Meth

The use of crystal meth takes such a tremendous toll on the body that it is quickly identifiable in close friends and loved ones. Immediate treatment and early treatment – or sooner than later – is always the first choice. Stimulant addiction can plague its victims, making them crave the drug months or even years after rehab. Investing in a thorough and evidence-based treatment plan that provides extensive relapse prevention and mental health treatment to fight against temptations to use is essential for long-term success in recovery. If someone you love is living with crystal meth addiction, contact us at Michael’s House today and learn more about our drug and alcohol abuse and addiction treatment program here in Southern California.

If buprenorphine abuse is a problem for someone you care about, contact us at Michael’s House today and talk to a coordinator about treatment options today.

Buprenorphine-Related Emergency Room Admissions

The DAWN Report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that the number of people admitted to the emergency room due to emergent medical situations caused by buprenorphine increased significantly between 2005 and 2010. According to the survey of emergency room data from different hospitals in major metropolitan areas across the country:

• There were more than 3,100 ER visits caused by buprenorphine in 2005. By 2010, that number had increased almost 10 times over to 30,135.
• About 52 percent of the ER visits caused by buprenorphine in 2010 were a result of non-medical use of the drug (patients took it without a prescription).
• Approximately 24 percent of the 2010 buprenorphine-related ER visits were made by patients who were taking the drug for the purposes of detox or opiate addiction treatment.
• About 13 percent of the ER visits were a result of patients who had an adverse reaction to the medication during treatment.
• Non-medical use of buprenorphine is the main concern; between 2006 and 2010, the number of ER visits related to use of the drug among patients who did not have a prescription for the medication increased by 255 percent (4,440 ER admissions to almost 16,000 ER admissions).
• In 59 percent of the non-medical buprenorphine admissions in 2010, patients were also under the influence of other illicit substances as well.

Buprenorphine Abuse

It is believed that the huge increase in emergency room visits caused by buprenorphine is due to the increase in availability of buprenorphine through doctors’ office visits for those looking for opiate detox assistance. Though many benefit from the drug, others abuse it and use it to maintain their addiction. If someone you care about is struggling with prescription drug abuse, we can help. Call us at Michael’s House today for assistance.

If someone you love is living with chronic pain and in need of effective pain management as well as opiate addiction treatment, contact us at Michael’s House to find out how we can help.

The Problem With Methadone

A major complication is the fact that many in opiate addiction treatment are taking medications like methadone, which can complicate their options in pain management. But while many addiction treatment specialists are adept at treating chronic pain, their hands are often tied in terms of available options.

Methadone is an opiate medication, but it is administered differently when it is prescribed to treat opiate addiction as compared to when it is prescribed to treat pain. Those who take the medication for pain management take it multiple times throughout the day in pill form. Patients prescribed the drug for the treatment of opiate addiction take it once a day in liquid form in front of a medical provider with the sole purpose of staving off withdrawal symptoms. Though it may offer a minimum of pain relief, its effects don’t last long, and the federal regulations are significantly different in terms of what a patient is allowed and expected to do.

Creating Personalized Treatment Plans

It’s not hard to spot those who struggle with chronic pain at a drug rehab facility. Technically, “chronic pain” is described as pain that is continuous for six months or more, but when painkiller addiction has become the primary issue, the chronic pain patients are often in wheelchairs, walking with a limp or have canes. The challenge for treatment providers is to determine how best to help each patient deal with their specific experience and determine a course of treatment that helps them meet their unique goals. Some issues to consider include:

• Surgical options to reduce pain for the long-term
• Upper threshold of pain tolerance for the patient
• Holistic pain relief management (e.g., herbs, vitamins, exercises, etc.)

Addressing chronic pain and addiction is a tricky issue, and it’s something that should be dealt with patient by patient. No two people will have the same needs. Contact us today at Michael’s House to learn more about how we can help your loved one effectively and safely get the treatment they need today.

The Present Moment

A big part of yoga is learning how to live actively in the present moment. This means calming worries, emptying the mind of thoughts about what will happen after class, quieting thoughts of what others are thinking or saying, or releasing feelings of guilt, anger or sadness. Yoga helps practitioners focus on this moment, this breath and this movement, feeling a stretch, breathing into it, and moving into the next pose.

The biggest struggle for many is letting go of all other thoughts during the yoga session. Many find that, in the beginning, they are never quite able to let go. As soon as they shoo away a thought, another one replaces it. With consistent practice, they may find that sense of truly living in the present moment by the end of the session. Over time, it takes fewer and fewer poses to get to a place of still tranquility that can stay with the practitioner long after the session is over.

Diversified Treatment

Scientific research backs up the idea that yoga and other holistic therapies and treatments can be beneficial to drug addiction treatment. Study after study has shown that any holistic measure that aids in stress relief and spiritual, mental or physical healing will also ultimately benefit the patient’s ability to handle the stressors that otherwise might lead to relapse.

Why? Extreme emotions or reactions to events are often used as an excuse for relapse. Anxiety about a relationship problem, fear that a close friend will relapse, worry about losing one’s job, anger over a perceived or overt slight by someone else – these things and more can be the reason that people choose to pick up a drink or get high. Learning how to manage emotions so the response to everyday issues is smaller and less disruptive can mean a smoother experience and less chance that a patient in recovery will crave the release or escape they once found in drugs and alcohol.

At Michael’s House, we offer a range of holistic treatment options including yoga to augment your loved one’s addiction treatment program. Contact us today to find out more about our evidence-based drug rehabilitation options here in Southern California.

Why? Researchers say that the opioid receptors in the brain are stimulated by both alcohol and spicy food, so people who are attracted to spicy foods due to the endorphin release may be just as attracted to alcohol to the point of developing an alcohol abuse issue.

Sung-Gon Kim is a professor of psychiatry at Busan National University in South Korea and was the lead author of the study. He said: “In the people who prefer spicy food, the opioid system is easily activated by drink or spicy [foods].”

Positive Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Treatment Outcomes

On the other hand, researchers also found that the people who experienced an endorphin rush when eating spicy foods were also more likely to respond positively to naltrexone treatment. Because this medication is used to treat alcohol abuse issues, this means that a hankering for spicy foods can translate into a positive outcome for treatment among patients in alcohol rehab.

Said Kim: “Naltrexone blocks the opioid system’s activation [which is] initiated by drinking. They do not feel the pleasure any more if they keep taking the medication.”

Additionally, Kim suggests that those in recovery from alcohol abuse may find that spicy foods work as a sort of replacement therapy because they provide a similar opioid stimulation in the brain. Rats in his study drank less alcohol when they were given the active ingredient in chili.

Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Treatment

While the study does not suggest that alcoholics or those who struggle with binge drinking or alcohol abuse attempt to treat themselves by replacing alcohol with shots of hot sauce, it does suggest that there may be unique yet effective holistic options in treatment as well as a potential indicator that alcohol abuse could be problematic in some people.

If someone you love is living with a binge drinking, alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction issue, professional medical and therapeutic intervention is recommended. Contact us at Michael’s House today to learn more about the types of treatment and rehabilitation options that can be effective for your loved one.

However, a new study out of the University of Pennsylvania says that there may actually be a way to determine whether or not someone will be able to avoid relapse in recovery: an MRI.

Predicting Response to Drug Treatment

The Philadelphia Daily News reports that researchers analyzed the changes in the brain that occurred and were visible on MRI scans when the participant was shown photos of different substances of abuse and the paraphernalia used to ingest these drugs. The goal of the study was to move closer to being able to create highly personalized programs for patients in treatment, identifying the triggers and issues they experience mentally and cognitively that manifest as obstacles to sobriety, and then provide directed therapeutic intervention for those problems.

Teresa Franklin directs nicotine and marijuana MRI studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She told the Daily News: “We’re interested in seeing if, among the people that do better, their brains are different now. This is not something that gets better in 12 weeks of treatment. This is a lifelong process where the brain has to be retrained. Just as if you have diabetes or high blood pressure or a heart condition, you have to change your lifestyle and you may need medication.”

Retraining the Brain

Franklin says that patients whose “reward center” of the brain is engaged when they view drug-related photographs are less likely to do as well when they undergo treatment. These patients may require more time spent in rehab, more intensive therapeutic intervention, and long-term aftercare support.

Whether or not someone responds in this fashion, according to Franklin, may be affected by:

• Genetic predisposition to the development of addiction
• Trauma
• Co-occurring mental health issues
• Environment
• Current drug use and abuse

If the parts of the brain that help a person control impulsive behavior aren’t reacting appropriately, it may be more difficult for patients to remain sober. However, it still will not render treatment ineffective. In fact, if addiction is an issue, medical and psychological treatment is always recommended.

Treatment May Be Difficult but Never Impossible

No matter what issues the patients faces in treatment, it is always better to undergo the therapeutic and medical intervention necessary to stop abusing drugs and alcohol than it is to avoid treatment when there is a need. If someone you love is in need of assistance, contact us at Michael’s House today to learn more about our intensive addiction treatment programs here in Southern California.