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Does Alcoholism Stigma Deter Seeking Help?

By ExecuCare Team on December 16, 2010 / Addiction Stigma, Alcoholism / Comments Off

Albeit the availability of numerous programs that effectively treat alcohol dependencies, less than 25 percent of people who need help with alcoholism actually seek treatment. Individuals who often perceive a greater negative stigma surrounding substance abuse and dependencies avoid seeking treatment in fear of it confirming their inclusion into a stigmatized group. A study conducted by Columbia University found that of the people diagnosed with alcoholism, more than 60% said they would avoid seeking help if they believed they would be stigmatized if people knew. (ScienceDaily)

The study surveyed 34,653 members of the general population (6,309 had been been diagnosed with an alcohol-related disorder). The findings included that individuals diagnosed with an alcohol-related dependency- who perceived a negative stigma surrounding substance abuse – were 0.37 times less likely to seek treatment than those with similar alcohol-related dependencies who did not perceive a negative stigma surrounding substance abuse. (Medical News Today)

Mike Sanders, founder of ExecuCare ARC, said that as a business professional he was affected by the perceived negative stigma prior to entering recovery for alcohol and prescription drug dependencies. As the owner of a company, he was attracted to the 10-day Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR) because it was conducive to his circumstances. It was discreet, minimal withdrawal symptoms, eliminated cravings, restored clarity of mind, but most importantly, it broke the cycle of dependency and allowed him an entry point into the recovery process. “I can relate to negative stigma increasing the barrier of that entrance point,” he said. Sanders opened ExecuCare in hopes of offering individuals the same opportunity NTR brought him.

In the study, other findings in the general population were: younger individuals perceived a less negative stigma surrounding substance abuse, but were less likely to seek treatment. Men perceived a more negative stigma than women but not by much (38.1% to 37.7%). The study also found that a perceived negative stigma towards alcohol dependency and necessary treatment was higher for those with lower personal income, lower education, and those previously married vs. those who had never been married. The study also showed that individuals with more chronic alcohol dependencies were more likely to seek treatment. (Medical News Today)

This is one of the few studies that focuses on the negative stigma surrounding alcohol dependencies and its relationship to underutilized treatment services. The researchers, who published the study’s findings in the November 2010 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, hope that it will encourage more effort in reducing the stigma surrounding alcohol-related dependencies, substance abuse, and necessary treatments.

Preparing for the Holidays: Avoiding Risk of Relapse

By ExecuCare Team on December 10, 2010 / For the Family / Comments Off

The holidays can be a difficult time for those in recovery. Aside from the many parties scheduled this month, there is often the added stressors of money, work, and family that accompany this time of year. With this said, the risk of relapse increases during the holiday season. This can be particularly worrisome for those who are new to recovery or whose loved ones are in recovery. Though there are many different ways that people relapse, we’ve highlighted some key ones below. Here are some signs to look for if you’re concerned about you or your loved one in recovery.

Becoming easily irritated or angered. At a high-stress time such as the holidays, you or a loved one may feel as if his or her sobriety is unstable and lash out for no apparent reason. Anger and irritability can also be masking feelings of fear, embarrassment or shame that may surround past substance abuse or current lifestyle of sobriety. Anger and irritability can also result from someone being unable or unwilling to seek help in getting a handle on the situation.

Difficulty handling life’s stresses. ‘Tis the season to be merry, right? But we all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed at times during the holidays. However, it becomes a concern for someone in recovery when daily stressors that a healthy person may take in stride, become catastrophic issues for those in recovery, especially those new in recovery. Clear out the calendar some this year, until you or your loved one has better strengthened coping strategies and regained the ability to deal with more intense situations.

Believing they will never relapse, no matter what! The holiday season is full of challenges for those in recovery. And often times, especially when someone is new to recovery, situations of temptation need to be avoided all together until someone’s coping strategies have been better developed. For example, someone who is not used to avoiding alcohol at parties may limit how many parties they go to until they are sure that they can still avoid alcohol while at the party. Overconfidence in how one can deal with such situations may be a sign of relapse risk, especially if someone is new to recovery. The truth is many need to avoid situations that involve drugs or alcohol no matter how staunch their initial convictions may be. This may mean missing the office holiday party this year. Think of things you and your loved one can do instead such as rent an old holiday movie and opt for hot coco and popcorn.

Lack or loss of commitment to recovery program. Recovery is not the same for everyone, and different things work for each individual. But a possible risk sign for relapsing is a sudden avoidance or disinterest in one’s recovery program. This could mean leaving a residential or outpatient program early, making excuses to avoid or quit private counseling, group counseling, or AA meetings.

Revisiting past behavior patterns. Similar to the one before, revisiting prior behavior patterns is a sign that you or a loved one is risking relapse. Undesirable behavior can be quickly relearned. And if a loved one begins hanging out with old drinking buddies or visiting places where his or her addiction was in full gear, the risk of relapse greatly increases.

If you recognize any of these signs in you or your loved one, don’t be afraid to speak up, reach out for help, or offer support. Remind yourself or your loved one of the consequences of relapse and what is at stake if the destructive behavior is continued. If you are dealing with a loved one in recovery, remember you are not the cause of or responsible for any relapse. Only your loved one can decide to stay in recovery. If you need help, be sure to reach out to an addiction specialist.

A Molecular Switch for Memory and Addiction?

By ExecuCare Team on December 4, 2010 / Addiction, The Brain and Addiction / Comments Off

European scientists have identified a molecular switch that plays a crucial role in the establishing the formation of memory and addiction. (Science Daily).

Studies have found that learning and memory formation evolve from new connections made between neurons in the brain. Neuronal signals pass from one nerve cell to another via chemical compounds known as neurotransmitters. This signal is the basis for any learning process in the brain. It sets forth a sequence of cellular events that eventually alters neuronal connectivity. This results in the formation of memory. Drugs and alcohol can alter neuronal connectivity and create patterns of undesirable behavior.

The scientists have found that the molecular switch (an expression of the gene RyR2) is involved in a sustained release of calcium. This leads to neuronal plasticity (formation of new connections in the brain), specifically with the RyR2 protein being expressed in areas of the brain associated with cognition (and thus addiction). The expression of the RyR2 protein and the release of calcium was induced by the administration of nicotine to mice, thus suggesting that the induction of RyR2 plays a crucial role in the process of learning, memory formation, and development of addictive behaviors. When the scientists reduced the activation of RyR2, they found that it diminished behavior associated with learning, memory and addiction. This demonstrated that RyR2 is necessary for the long-term neuronal changes that lead to addiction.

It has been previously accepted that only the first step of neuronal plasticity involves calcium, which increases at the synapse (or site of neuronal connection). However, these scientists are challenging this notion by showing that in the second step, the calcium signaling will induce necessary gene expression in which a synthesis of proteins will lead to new or reinforced synaptic connectivity.

The study, which is published in EMBO Journal, further advances our understanding of the molecular processes behind memory and addiction. Many hope that it will lead to new strategies for treating drug and alcohol addiction and dealing with memory loss as a result of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Substance Abuse Risks Among Veterans

By ExecuCare Team on November 28, 2010 / Addiction, Alcoholism, Prescription Drugs, Prevention / Comments Off

According to substance abuse data from the annual National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2002-2009), female veterans of the United States are much less likely than male veterans to binge drink, smoke cigarettes or use illicit drugs. However, both genders are equally likely to abuse prescription drugs (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality).

Since the 1970s, the number of women serving in the military has significantly increased with more women deployed to combat areas including combat support. Not only are women dealing with many of the same service-related stressors, they often encounter additional stress from being a female in a male-dominated profession. Despite this, 23 percent reported binge drinking in the past 30 days compared 43 percent of the male servicemen.

Previous studies have shown the increased risks for substance abuse and dependency among veterans compared to non-veterans, but few data analysis have compared men and women veterans. The finding that both genders are equally at-risk for prescription drug abuse is consistent with previous posts about the nation’s epidemic. As reported back in March, the military is trying to curb the amount of prescription drugs given to the troops after a study found that almost 3.8 million prescriptions for painkillers were written by military doctors for troops last year.

Popular Prescription Drugs Pulled from Market

By ExecuCare Team on November 25, 2010 / Prescription Drugs / Comments Off

In November 2010, the FDA recommended pulling propoxyphene products after new studies found they can create abnormal heart rhythms even at normal doses. As a result one of the makers of the pain medication Darvon and Darvocet said they will stop marketing the prescription drugs.

Darvon (with active ingredient propoxyphene) was first marketed in 1957. Darvocet contains propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Both drugs are popular with more than 10 million prescriptions written for them in 2009. Safety concerns have been raised about propoxyphene for decades, but studies have only linked them to episodes in which a patient exceeded the recommended dose.

The FDA issued the following statements: “Using propoxyphene causes significant changes to the electrical activity of the heart. These changes are linked to potentially deadly abnormal heart rhythms. It is not possible to monitor for, or mitigate, the risk of a fatal cardiac arrhythmia that may occur within the recommended dosing range for propoxyphene.

The drug was kept on the market 2009 with the FDA issuing its toughest warning label “taking too much of the drug could be fatal,” despite a panel having voted to have it removed from the market.

The drugs were developed by the Eli Lilly & Company, who no longer makes them. Companies that continue to produce them are generic drug companies like Xanodyne, who agreed to remove the drugs from the market. The FDA asked other companies to do the same.