Oct 9, 2008

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge has ordered the 23-year-old son of actor Ryan O'Neal back to rehab weeks after he and his father were arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

Redmond O'Neal appeared in a Malibu courtroom Wednesday on a probation violation for a previous drug conviction.

Judge Scott Millington ordered O'Neal into a two-week detox program after he admitted he had relapsed, court records show.

He was sentenced to three years' probation in June after pleading guilty to heroin and methamphetamine possession.

Neither O'Neal nor his father have been charged after being arrested Sept. 17 on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine. Deputies searched the O'Neals' home in Malibu as part of Redmond's probation and found drugs on him and in Ryan O'Neal's living area.

Ryan O'Neal's attorney has denied that any of the drugs belonged to the actor.

Ryan O'Neal, 67, was nominated for a best actor Oscar for "Love Story." Redmond is his son from a relationship with actress Farrah Fawcett.

October 10, 2008

Research Summary

A brain imaging study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that abnormalities appearing in the cerebral cortex of cocaine addicts correlate with dysfunction in regions of the brain responsible for attention and reward-based decision-making. 

While some of these abnormalities may reflect a predisposition to drug use, others may result from long-term cocaine exposure. "These data point to a mixture of both drug effects and predisposition underlying the structural alterations we observed," said Hans Breiter principal investigator of the Phenotype Genotype Project in Addiction and Mood Disorder.

Magnetic resonance imaging studies of 20 cocaine addicts and 20 control participants were used to determine variations in cortical thickness. Compared to the healthy controls, the cocaine addicts had significantly less overall cortical volume. The difference was markedly apparent in areas that control reward functioning and decision-making. In addition, typical differences in thickness in the frontal regions of the cortex was reversed for the addicts compared to non-addicts.

"The severity of these cortical alterations point to the potential importance of prevention efforts to keep susceptible individuals from beginning to use cocaine," Breiter said. He suggested that further large-scale testing of individuals with different addictions is needed "to see if these findings are limited to cocaine users."

The report appears in the Oct. 9, 2008 issue of the journal Neuron.

October 9, 2008

News Summary

Addiction treatment and recovery advocate William Cope Moyers has written a new book titled "A New Day, a New Life: A Guided Journal" that explores the rewards and challenges of the first year of addiction recovery, the Fort Wayne (Ind.) News-Sentinel reported Oct. 6.

"Treatment is where the journey starts," Moyers said, but the road to successful recovery "requires daily commitment and effort."

In the book Moyers discusses different approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. Writing about addiction science, Moyers noted that for 10 percent of the population drugs or alcohol "turns a switch on in your head that you can't turn off." The book also talks about the 12-step approach to recovery and the work done by Alcoholics Anonymous.

This is the second book for the author, the son of television journalist Bill Moyers. It follows his 2004 memoir, "Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption." Moyers is currently an executive at Hazelden's Center for Public Advocacy.

"A New Day, a New Life: A Guided Journal" is published by Hazelden Publishing.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment centers are in a secluded setting and provide nonstop daily care. They are commonly therapeutic communities which have a planned length of stay between 30 to 90 days. Their primary focus is on the rehabilitation of the individual and most of them use the facility's entire community, such as the residents and the facilities staff. Residential treatment develops personal accountability, responsibility and socially productive lives. Recent research has indicated that the most beneficial length of stay for people in drug rehab is 90 days. Our professionals can help you locate the most appropriate drug rehab for you loved one.

Short term residential treatment facilities provide intensive but relatively brief residential treatment. Most short term residential treatment facilities consist of a 3 to 6 week inpatient treatment phase followed by a lengthy outpatient therapy and participation in self help groups.

Residential treatment is usually offered in a safe, empowering setting that gives dignity and respect to the patient, while challenging them in the first steps toward recovering from their addictions. Patients will receive intensive treatment, including education, counseling, goal based treatment, and relapse prevention groups.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient drug rehabilitation is a lower intensity and more cost effective alternative to the long term residency programs. They are complete, varied, and highly specific programs created to address drug addiction problems of individuals while remaining in their homes. They are based more on education than therapy. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is recommended for those individuals who need a support system. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is usually split into outpatient individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Outpatient programs include problem-solving, insight oriented psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step programs, and other various types of therapy.

Outpatient drug rehabilitation team will usually contain psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, social workers and lawyers. The assistance of family and friends will greatly accelerate the recovery process. Treatment for teenagers always requires parental involvement. Outpatient drug rehabilitation will teach the family how to create a better home environment for a more successful recovery. In addition to being present for class at a facility, patients are usually required to attend 12 step meetings and case management conferences.

The 12 Step Method

The 12 step method is composed of guiding rules for recovery from either addictive or behavioral issues. It was developed by Alcoholics Anonymous and is a tried and tested method for long term alcoholism and drug addiction recovery. It is an effective yet simplistic treatment that uses 12 steps for living life in an easier and more rewarding way. The main principle of the program is letting go of the past and dealing with problems as they arise and being aware of the positive success achieved each day.

Finds some significant differences in perceptions among various population groups.

Nearly half of American adults report knowing someone in recovery from the use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, according to survey results announced today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

A large majority of Americans believe that people in recovery from substance addictions can live productive lives and contribute to their community, the report also said.

SAMHSA’s announcement came during National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, an annual observance of efforts aimed at helping people with substance abuse problems restore their lives.

SAMHSA sponsored the nationwide survey to gain insight into public attitudes toward substance abuse, and the effectiveness of prevention, treatment and recovery programs.  The survey showed that most Americans are supportive of people in recovery, and that the public overwhelmingly believes that prevention and treatment efforts can work.

“These results are encouraging and offer hope to everyone affected by substance abuse problems,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick. “The survey shows that the American people believe that prevention and treatment efforts make a real difference in addressing this public health challenge and improving lives.”

Among the survey’s more notable findings:

• Less than one-fifth of Americans (18 percent) would think less of a friend or relative who is in recovery from addiction.
• Nearly two-thirds of the public (66 percent) believe that addiction to illicit drugs can be prevented.
• Most Americans report that they would feel comfortable being friends (66 percent) or working (63 percent) with someone in recovery for a substance abuse problem.

Although the report found widespread agreement on many issues, it also found some significant differences in how various segments of the public view certain substance abuse-related issues. 

For example, younger Americans aged 25 to 34 are more likely than those age 65 and older to believe that people in recovery from illicit drugs can go on to live productive lives (70 percent compared to 51 percent).

Differences were also found between the sexes on some issues.  Females were more likely than males to believe that people with illicit drug addictions posed a danger to society (80 percent compared to 73 percent).  Women were also more inclined than men to believe that people in recovery from illicit drug addictions can live productive lives (65 percent compared to 56 percent).

In addition, the survey revealed differences in the way the general public views various types of substance use and abuse.  For example, more Americans felt comfortable living next door to someone in recovery for alcohol abuse than for drug abuse (57 percent compared to 46 percent).