New Program Launched To Fight The Addiction Epidemic in Colorado

The country is finally starting to take notice of the severity of the current opioid painkiller epidemic, which is responsible for record breaking numbers of drug overdose and overdose deaths. This year, several states have declared opioid addiction a public health emergency. Additionally, several states have filed lawsuits against the biggest names in Big Pharma, citing fraudulent marketing tactics and deception. Florida, one of the hardest hit by the epidemic, is tightening the reigns on doctors’ ability to prescribe opioids and completely overhauling its statewide prescription database. Now, doctors and hospitals have devised a comprehensive plan to fight the addiction epidemic in Colorado while still treating pain effectively. After a series of government and mainstream media events, such as a new study published by the New York Times measuring the scale of opioid overdose, which was the highest rate ever recorded, state governments and hospitals are scrambling to change their pain treatment methods. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently posted new guidelines for opioid prescriptions and even the Food and Drug Administration ordered the removal of a powerful opioid from the market, Opana ER. These actions have come under fire by some while also gaining significant praise. Many doctors look at the drugs as possibly the only effective method in treating severe chronic pain, while other doctors insist the drugs are used too often and rarely are necessary. Dr. Don Stader is one of the medical professionals who strongly supports pain management overhaul and helped develop new standards to fight the addiction epidemic in Colorado. He believes most pain can be treated with several other methods opposed to...

A PET Scan Can Predict Alcoholic Relapse

Alcoholism is a devastating and complicated disease that affects millions of people. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that 15 million Americans have an alcohol abuse disorder. Alcohol is also the 4th leading cause of preventable death. Researchers and doctors are exploring all avenues to better understand alcoholism and how to prevent alcoholic relapse.  It has long been known that alcoholism has some kind of relationship with genes given that it often passes from one generation to the next. Researchers are just starting to understand what genes are affected and why. The most recent discovery has to do with the brain and neuroreceptors. A study found a way that seems to predict alcoholic relapse! A study conducted by the Society of Nuclear Medicine revealed this month a new understanding of neuroreceptors linked to compulsions to drink. PET brain imaging was used for the study, which involved both normal healthy brains and brains of newly sober individuals at various stages of recovery. The researchers were trying to understand the root cause of an alcoholic relapse and if there were any physical changes in the brain prior to relapse. The study coursed over 6 months with intervals of PET scans and what they found is truly fascinating. What Happens In The Brain When You Get Sober? The specific receptors of interest are known as “mGluR5,” which are receptors in the brain and central nervous system associated with memory, learning, feelings of anxiety, and cravings. When a person drinks heavily and constantly, the bioavailability of these receptors is reduced due to the brain adapting to alcohol dependence. In the study,...

Tiger Woods Headed to Rehab

Celebrities are often seen in a superhero-esque limelight, often expected to be perfect role models. They have so much fame and fortune that, to the average person, they may seem invincible or immune to normal human compulsions or diseases. This is why the media often portrays extreme shock when they act out, fall ill, or pass away. Many people forget or do not give the benefit of the doubt, that celebrities are just like any other human and are just as vulnerable. This week, Tiger Woods is a prime example of how the power of addiction can touch any person, regardless of economic status, race, nationality, or even fame. From the outside, Tiger Woods seems like a phenomenon and prodigy. From a young age, he was very talented at golf, and by 20 years old he had gone pro. Tiger Woods remains one of the most successful golfers of all time, and currently, has more career major wins and PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer. He has been among the world’s highest-paid athletes for many years. Regardless of his fame, success, and fortune, Tiger Woods has struggled with an addiction just like any other addict or alcoholic. Why Now? Last week, Tiger Woods was arrested on a DUI charge. He was found asleep at the wheel in his Mercedes-Benz, apparently intoxicated. He failed a field sobriety test, which was later confirmed via police dashboard cameras. Reportedly, no alcohol was involved, but Woods was displaying clear signs of being under the influence. Woods made a statement the same day, saying he had “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications." In...

Why People Introduce Themselves As Grateful Alcoholics

If you go to meetings, then you probably have heard someone introduce themselves as a “grateful alcoholic.” When I first started attending meetings, I heard this a lot and it always perplexed me. Even just how every single person introduced themselves as alcoholics I found it surprising, yet understandable; but “grateful?” Having struggled with addiction and alcoholism from a young age, in addition to living through several traumatic events, I did not have much of an understanding of the term gratitude. It took me a lot of reflecting and working on myself before I understood and experienced gratitude. Now that I am in long-term recovery, I completely understand why people introduce themselves as grateful alcoholics. As alcoholics, we often have lost hope in nearly all things worthwhile in life. Alcohol has become our only concern and sucked the life out of us. I found it very hard to find joy, motivation, faith, or hope for my future. I blamed everyone else around me and blamed past events in my life. In my mind, I was the only victim and the world was out to get me. I never once considered to learn from my mistakes or to help others who have had similar trauma as me. I was selfish and self-centered, almost 100% of the time. Eventually, the pain became too great. I could no longer continue living the way I did, even though I felt so hopeless. I agreed to go to rehab, which is where I discovered 12-step fellowships. Joining a 12-step fellowship encouraged me to face my trauma and fears. I was encouraged to help people, to...