A survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that teenage girls are more susceptible to substance abuse then teenage boys. The survey shows that girls believe that alcohol and drugs can provide benefits through self-medication. An analysis of the 2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study shows that girls use alcohol and drugs to deal with problems in their lives. 68% of girls polled said, "using drugs helps kids deal with problems at home." The analysis also found that teenage boys are finding benefits to using drugs and alcohol. 52% of boys said, "drugs help you relax socially."
Parents should pay attention to their daughters' moods and mental health and if they suspect drug-use address it immediately.
To learn more check out "Teenage Girls: Increasingly vulnerable to alcohol and drug use."
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Taking a holistic approach to recovery
Molly Hastings works with clients at Amethyst who are recovering from addiction as well as many different hardships. Hastings runs the wellness program at Amethyst taking a holistic approach to treatment. According to the Homelessness Resource Center her holistic approach includes working with the physical, emotional, relational, mental, vocational and spiritual aspects of life.
Hastings said, "We understand that women with trauma histories need wellness programs to help soothe and calm them in order to be able to go through trauma therapy with resiliency," according to the Homelessness Resource Center. Before women entering treatment can examine areas in their lives that can be changed, they first have to look at what they are doing well.
Hastings' wellness program is something she also participates in herself. She was first introduced when she wanted to become sober and well. Hastings had read about and later interviewed Dr. Isaac Vogelsanger, a Canadian vascular surgeon. Dr. Vogelsanger became Hastings mentor through recovery and helped her to continue to learn about the mind and body throughout the next few years. From studying with Dr. Vogelsanger about wellness and recovery and their connection Hastings built the wellness program she uses at Amethyst today.
To view the entire article check out the Homelessness Resource Center.
Hastings said, "We understand that women with trauma histories need wellness programs to help soothe and calm them in order to be able to go through trauma therapy with resiliency," according to the Homelessness Resource Center. Before women entering treatment can examine areas in their lives that can be changed, they first have to look at what they are doing well.
Hastings' wellness program is something she also participates in herself. She was first introduced when she wanted to become sober and well. Hastings had read about and later interviewed Dr. Isaac Vogelsanger, a Canadian vascular surgeon. Dr. Vogelsanger became Hastings mentor through recovery and helped her to continue to learn about the mind and body throughout the next few years. From studying with Dr. Vogelsanger about wellness and recovery and their connection Hastings built the wellness program she uses at Amethyst today.
To view the entire article check out the Homelessness Resource Center.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Ohio liquor sales continue to climb
The amount of hard liquor sold in the state was up again last year, extending a trend begun a decade ago. 10.7 million gallons of "spirituous liquor"-defined as having more than 21 percent alcohol, or 42 proof- was reportedly sold by Ohio's 442 licensed liquor outlets in 2009. The total amount sold was nearly 2 percent more than 2008 and an increase of 26 percent since 1999. After declining throughout the 1980s and 1990s, hard liquor sales in Ohio have increased steadily since 1999, according to state records.
David Ozgo, an economist for the Distilled Spirits Council in Washington, D.C., said the trend toward more liquor sales has weakened along with the overall economy, noting that sales increased at a much faster rate before the recession, which officially began in December 2007. "While not recession-proof, the liquor industry is 'recession resilient,'"Ozgo said.
Ohio officials agree the recession is having an effect. While retail sales-those at liquor stores- are up, sales to restaurants and bars are down, said Matt Mullins, a spokesman for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.
The trend of drinkers seeking more bang for their booze buck also can be seen in the breakdown of sales and brands. Inexpensive Kamchatka vodka was the top seller, with 400,787 gallons purchased last year-an increase of more than 5 percent from the previous year. Among the top-selling 30 brands, vodka was by far the best seller, accounting for a third of the total gallons sold in 2009.
More liquor sold means more money for the financially strapped state, said Kimberly Zurz, who directs the state's Department of Commerce, which includes the liquor control division. Liquor sales and taxes generated $299 million for the state in fiscal year 2009.
David Ozgo, an economist for the Distilled Spirits Council in Washington, D.C., said the trend toward more liquor sales has weakened along with the overall economy, noting that sales increased at a much faster rate before the recession, which officially began in December 2007. "While not recession-proof, the liquor industry is 'recession resilient,'"Ozgo said.
Ohio officials agree the recession is having an effect. While retail sales-those at liquor stores- are up, sales to restaurants and bars are down, said Matt Mullins, a spokesman for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.
The trend of drinkers seeking more bang for their booze buck also can be seen in the breakdown of sales and brands. Inexpensive Kamchatka vodka was the top seller, with 400,787 gallons purchased last year-an increase of more than 5 percent from the previous year. Among the top-selling 30 brands, vodka was by far the best seller, accounting for a third of the total gallons sold in 2009.
More liquor sold means more money for the financially strapped state, said Kimberly Zurz, who directs the state's Department of Commerce, which includes the liquor control division. Liquor sales and taxes generated $299 million for the state in fiscal year 2009.
National Drug Control Strategy Unveiled
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy unveiled its first National Drug Control Strategy. The strategy puts emphasis on moving from"get tough on drugs" to prevention, intervention and treatment. Two primary goals were set out for the strategy. The first goal looks to curtail illicit drug consumption in America while the second goal wants to improve the public health and safety of the American people by reducing the consequences of drug abuse. They are starting to bring the conversation about drug use into the public health arena and away from the criminal justice arena. The new policy document also stresses the importance of increased intervention by the medical community and integration of addiction treatment into the traditional medical establishment. The drug control office's budget has increased but the allocation of funds is following a historic pattern. They plan to spend roughly twice as much on supply reduction (law enforcement) as on demand reduction (prevention & treatment).
The Treatment Episode Data Set report by SAMHSA shows that between 1998 and 2008 there have been some shifts in admissions to treatment. Although the simultaneous use of both alcohol and drugs has remained widespread the proportion of treatment admissions for the co-abuse of these substances has declined gradually yet significantly during this period, from 44 percent to 38 percent. At this time there has also been a steady rise in the proportion of treatment admissions attributed to drug use alone, while admissions for alcohol abuse alone fell. Some other important trends seen in the report over the past decade involving people age 12 and older include: A rise in opiate admissions, a decline in cocaine admissions and an increase in stimulant admissions as well as marijuana admissions. Overall, 61 percent of all treatment admissions reported alcohol as a substance of abuse, and 27 percent of all admissions involved opiate abuse. Finally, in 2000 only 24 percent of those 16 and older in treatment were unemployed-in 2008 37 percent of people in this treatment age group were unemployed.
The Treatment Episode Data Set report by SAMHSA shows that between 1998 and 2008 there have been some shifts in admissions to treatment. Although the simultaneous use of both alcohol and drugs has remained widespread the proportion of treatment admissions for the co-abuse of these substances has declined gradually yet significantly during this period, from 44 percent to 38 percent. At this time there has also been a steady rise in the proportion of treatment admissions attributed to drug use alone, while admissions for alcohol abuse alone fell. Some other important trends seen in the report over the past decade involving people age 12 and older include: A rise in opiate admissions, a decline in cocaine admissions and an increase in stimulant admissions as well as marijuana admissions. Overall, 61 percent of all treatment admissions reported alcohol as a substance of abuse, and 27 percent of all admissions involved opiate abuse. Finally, in 2000 only 24 percent of those 16 and older in treatment were unemployed-in 2008 37 percent of people in this treatment age group were unemployed.
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