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.

Youth Substance Abuse Declines from 2002 to 2007

Cocaine and methamphetamine use among young adults has dropped significantly over the past year, while abuse of prescription drugs has risen, according to the nation’s largest substance use assessment, the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The report also showed a spike in drug use among 55-59 year-olds, as baby boomers entered that age range.

Cocaine use among 18-25 year-olds dropped 23 percent (to 1.7 percent), while methamphetamine use among young adults fell by a third (to 0.4 percent) between 2006 and 2007, said the report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The survey was released today at the start of the 19th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Historically, young adults have had the highest rates of substance abuse.

Among youth ages 12-17, there was a significant decline in overall past month illicit drug use, from 11.6 percent in 2002 to 9.5 percent in 2007. Reductions in youth drug use occurred for nearly every type of illicit drug, including marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, LSD, Ecstasy, prescription-type drugs used nonmedically, pain relievers, stimulants and methamphetamine.

Current marijuana use among this age group declined from 8.2 percent in 2002 to 6.7 percent in 2007. Most of the decline occurred between 2002 and 2005.

The level of alcohol use also dropped among those aged 12 to 17, from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 15.9 percent in 2007.  Similarly, the rate of cigarette use among this age group diminished from 13.0 percent in 2002 to 9.8 percent in 2007.

“These results confirm that progress has been made – particularly regarding substance abuse among younger Americans,” said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. “The report also reminds us of the importance of our efforts to provide substance abuse treatment to those in need and to encourage health care professionals to identify people who are at risk for developing substance abuse problems and intervene early.”

The reductions in methamphetamine and cocaine use among young adults coincide with reductions in their use among Americans in the workforce and significant market disruptions for both drugs.  In 2007, there was a 21 percent increase in the average price per gram for cocaine and a 10 percent decrease in purity. 

Workplace drug test positives for cocaine dropped 19 percent in 2007 to the lowest levels in the history of this testing system.  For methamphetamine, there has been a 50 percent reduction in the level of workplace drug test positives since 2005, along with an 84 percent increase in average price per pure gram and 26 percent decrease in methamphetamine purity in 2007.

Despite many positive trends, the most recent NSDUH also reveals some less encouraging data.  Among young adults ages 18 to 25, the level of current nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers has risen 12 percent (to 4.6 percent in 2007).  In addition, the level of current illicit drug use among those aged 55 to 59 more than doubled, to 4.1 percent in 2007, confirming concerns that baby boomers have continued their higher levels of substance abuse as they age.

“Our efforts against methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal drugs are working,” said John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy.  “The markets for these poisons are shrinking, and the deadly grip they hold on the lives of individuals, families, and communities is being countered.  But when it comes to prescription drugs, we can not afford to re-live the painful experiences we’ve had with illegal drugs.  We must act quickly to increase awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse, decrease the illegal diversion of these products, and shore up safer practices for their prescription and distribution.”   

The 2007 NSDUH report also provides extensive data on mental health issues.  The report says 24.3 million Americans aged 18 or older experienced serious psychological distress over the past year, and 16.5 million Americans had suffered at least one major depressive episode during this period.

The mental health and substance abuse components of the report also highlight the association between these public health problems.  For example, in 2007 adults 18 and older who had experienced a major depressive episode in the past year were more than twice as likely as other adults to have used illicit drugs during that time (27.4 percent vs.12.8 percent).

“The survey shows the tremendous progress communities, families and individuals across America have made in reducing substance abuse among young people”, said  SAMHSA Acting Administrator  Eric Broderick, D.D.S, M.P.H, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. “It also provides critical information that will help guide the future direction of our substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts.’’  

NSDUH is a scientifically conducted annual survey of approximately 67,500 people throughout the country.  Because of its statistical power, it is a primary source of information on the levels of illicit drug, alcohol, and tobacco use as well as certain mental health conditions.

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