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Matt Lauer from NBC’s Today Show interviewed Bill O’Reilly from Fox’s The Factor and got into a disagreement over the media’s handling of Whitney Houston’s passing. O’Reilly took the position that Houston’s addiction was never covered by the press except for a few sensational stories. In his column he spoke candidly saying, “The media has no bleeping clue how to cover the death of Whitney Houston.” When Lauer questioned him on this statement, O’Reilly further explained he felt all the major news outlets turned a blind eye to Houston’s problem.

Lauer And O’Reilly Debate If News Coverage of Celebrity Addiction Is Sensationalistic

Lauer took the counterpoint and stated that for years there had been coverage “detailing the addiction, the erratic behavior, the denial of addiction on the part of Whitney Houston.” However, O’Reilly responded that any of these stories were for shock value and not as a means to help the flailing star. O’Reilly made the point that he believes stars such as Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg who have openly acknowledged their own regular drug use are treated with a “wink, wink” by the media. He feels this is a form of subtle encouragement and sends a message that substance abuse is acceptable. Lauer felt this was “comparing apples and oranges” and said the confusion comes in when the news covered Houston’s personal troubles, but at the same time “celebrated her talent.”

What Is the Media’s Role in Celebrity Drug Addiction?

Perhaps the conundrum of covering celebrity addiction responsibly is that two opposing aspects of the individual are true – the addict and the amazing talent. Since it is the media’s job to report the truth, they must simultaneously put someone on a pedestal and discuss their weaknesses.

O’Reilly believes that sober celebrities should be taking part in public service announcements in the wake of Houston’s passing (despite the fact no one at this point knows the exact cause of death). He wants stars to come forward and publicly denounce celebrity drug use by saying “to the American public, you know, you don’t want to be like Whitney Houston, don’t be like Elvis, don’t be like Janice Joplin?”

Lauer questioned O’Reilly’s idea by asking if the media is “supposed to be in the position of conducting interventions.” O’Reilly evaded the question by saying they are in “the business of telling the truth.”

The disagreement between the two TV personalities highlights an issue that is ever present in the media nowadays. How do you think the media can handle a celebrity’s addiction responsibly? Do you think the media is responsible for intervening in a celebrity’s personal life if they are worried for their safety?

Someone with a good job and steadily climbing the corporate ladder is not the image that generally comes to mind when thinking of a person in need of drug or alcohol treatment. When a person who seems to have their professional life together admits they struggle with addiction, the reaction is usually one of disbelief. Somehow we tend to think if you are highly successful at work you are also successful in your personal life. This is not always the case. In fact, addiction can strike anyone, no matter how much responsibility they hold at work or how much money is in their bank account. High-functioning alcoholics and drug addicts are much more common in our society than most people know because it is a problem that by its nature is kept hidden.

Signs and Symptoms of a High-Functioning Addiction

There are clues that someone is struggling with an addiction even if many areas of their life appear to be on track. These signs include:

• Erratic behavior. Someone who usually seems to be a stable and hardworking individual starts becoming increasingly irrational, emotional or forgetful.
• Sense of entitlement. The individual feels justified to drink in excess or use drugs. They reason that their behavior is a reward for a job well done or they are doing it because they are under a high amount of stress.
• Frequent trips to the bathroom. A bathroom stall is the perfect place at work or social gatherings to conceal your use of drugs or alcohol.
• Constant excuses. A high-functioning addict will try to explain away any abnormal behavior that is due to their drug use, such as being late frequently or forgetting important events in their personal life.

Intervening With a High-Functioning Addict

When someone thinks of a drug or alcohol intervention, it is usually for those who have done significant damage to their lives or those they love. Often there have been incidents involving the law such as DUIs, car accidents or even arrests. There can be financial concerns from a lost job or money stolen from family or friends. However, what happens when these things haven’t occurred because, despite the fact that the individual is abusing a substance, they are still managing to keep the major components of their life together?

Trying to convince a high-functioning addict they need treatment is especially difficult because they can always defend themselves by saying, “If I have this terrible problem, how come I am so successful in my career?” Frequently a professional intervention is the only way a high-functioning addict will be able to get the help they need.

If you need help getting through to a high-functioning addict, contact us today. We can provide you with quality treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Don’t wait. Call now.

In 2001, after producing mega-hits since the 1980s that garnered her the nickname the “Queen of Pop,” Whitney Houston reportedly signed a deal with Arista records for $100 million dollars. And there have been guesstimates she earned upwards of $30 million during every year she toured. Many would say the wealth Houston accumulated with her versatile vocal chords over the years should have lasted many lifetimes, yet reports are surfacing that Houston died penniless.

Did Whitney Houston Lose Her Entire Fortune to Drugs?

The pop star was recently embroiled in a year-long lawsuit with her stepmother over a million-dollar life insurance policy. It would seem that type of money would not be worth the time, effort and legal bills to someone with Houston’s past earnings unless she was currently in financial trouble. In addition, rumors abound that Houston was barely staying afloat and avoiding foreclosure on her home from the kindness of close wealthy friends, such as record mogul Clive Davis. If this was indeed the case, many are citing Houston’s rampant drug use for the alleged loss of her pop music riches.

How Could a Mega-Fortune Vaporize So Quickly Due to Drugs?

The largest ramifications for Houston’s pocketbook most likely were not from the price of the drugs themselves, but from years of making little income. For nearly a decade now, Houston was unable to find regular work due to her undependable reputation. She rarely made it into the recording studio because drugs had overtaken her life. After Houston’s last rehab stint in May, Clive Davis told the media, “Whitney has admitted that she’s had to conquer a drug addiction. That takes all of her energy… we’re not going to make another record or an album until that golden voice is there and is fully capable to knock everyone out.”

For the average American with an addiction, who is without the fortunes of a megastar, the price of buying drugs themselves may be enough to produce financial ruin without even considering the additional cost of lost work and potential legal bills. We may not know for sure yet what Houston’s financial status was at the time of her death, but we can learn from the possibility. If a superstar with deep pockets has the potential to lose it all due to drugs, then the rest of us with average incomes are especially vulnerable.

If you are worried someone you care about is headed towards financial and emotional devastation due to their substance abuse, we can help. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Pick up the phone and discuss the possibilities of a better future today.

Season 2 Reunion of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has wrapped, and Kim Richards, aunt of Paris and Nicky Hilton, has returned from rehab. During this season, it became apparent that Kim was having dependency issues as the audience watched her erratic behavior, mood swings, slurred speech, drowsy demeanor and her frequent unexplained absence from group activities.

The audience was kept in the dark as to which substance Kim was abusing; however, her cast mates, namely Brandi Glanville, questioned whether or not Kim was doing harder drugs. Brandi actually accused Kim on camera of doing crystal meth in the bathroom. Kim denies any such thing and is still angry with Brandi for “hurting all the people I love” with her allegations. Kim claims her daughters were devastated by Brandi’s claim.

Kim did not participate in the reunion, although she had completed her rehab at the time of filming. Instead, she admitted for the first time publicly, in a one-on-one interview with Andy Cohen, that she is indeed an alcoholic and just finished a treatment program for the third time.

Kim Richards Admits to Struggling With a Dual Diagnosis

Additionally Kim shared with the audience that she suffers from a dual diagnosis of addiction to alcohol and severe anxiety resulting in panic disorder. She talked about medications prescribed by her doctor for anxiety causing some of the erratic behavior witnessed throughout Season 2. Although she talks about feelings of shame and guilt as a driving force behind her drinking habit, it was the realization that she could no longer look herself in the mirror that led her back to rehab.

Issues With Dual Diagnosis That May Lead to Relapse

For anyone in recovery, especially individuals with a dual diagnosis, stress can be a huge trigger for relapse. In the case of Kim Richards, participating in a high-profile reality show and exposing her private life to public scrutiny may have been too much stress to deal with on top of attempting to manage a mental disorder and maintain long-term sobriety.

Kim may also have run into trouble because certain medications used to treat mental disorders carry their own risk of dependency and addiction. Some of the effects of these medications mimic the actions of alcohol or illicit drugs and may be a trigger to return to abusing them.

These issues are why experienced professional treatment is key to a successful recovery for individuals with a dual diagnosis. If someone you know is struggling to get a handle on a mental disorder and addiction simultaneously, we have programs proven to help. Call us to make a change for the better. Pick up the phone today.

New research lead by Dr. Georgios D. Floros of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece is being published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine. The study examined if there were any links between addiction to the Internet and substance abuse in adolescence. The research team managed to survey the total teenage population of the Greek Island of Kos. In all, the behaviors of 1,221 teens ranging in age from 14 to 19 were analyzed. Roughly 15 percent of respondents were considered “heavy internet users” while five percent actually showed symptoms of addiction.

The results demonstrated that as the amount of time spent on the Internet increased, so did the probability of drug abuse. Also viewing online pornography correlated with more recent drug use. On average, the male teens were more likely to abuse drugs than the females.

Shared Personality Characteristics Are Found Among Teen Internet Addicts

The survey also included questions about the teens’ personality traits. The adolescents’ answers were compared to that of the “Esyenck model” of personality, which identifies psychoticism. The results showed that both Internet addiction and drug abuse correlated with higher scores for this personality profile. These results corroborate past research that has linked psychoticism with other diagnosable addictions. Traits for this type of personality include:

• Impulsivity
• Aggressive behavior
• Refusal to conform

How to Spot If Your Teen Has a Problem With Internet Overuse

The American Psychological Association has formally acknowledged internet addiction disorder (IAD), although it is not yet in the diagnostic handbook for the field. The overuse and abuse of online activities is a major problem for many people, especially teens being raised in a hyper technological world. The overuse of the Internet has many characteristics similar to other addictions. If your teen does any of the following as a result of time spent on the Internet, they may need help:

• Unable to finish tasks around the house
• Rarely interacts with family or friends
• Gets defensive when time on Internet is questioned
• Frequently loses track of time
• Gets a “rush” from online activities

There is now scientific evidence of a link between heavy internet use and drug abuse; if you notice your teen is on the Internet far too often, you may use this as an opportunity to have a discussion about drug use as well, if you have not already. If you feel your teen needs more help than you can provide, contact us today. We have a wide range of services available to help foster sober and balanced lives.

Research from the University of Minnesota (U of M) published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research revealed that heavy marijuana use during adolescence may have lasting consequences on the structure and function of the brain. Lead researcher Sanjiv Kumra, M.D. studied 14 males from the New York area with a long history of marijuana use during their adolescence. The average participant was 19 years old, had smoked weed from age 13 to 18, and before becoming sober had escalated to smoking approximately six joints each day.

Each of the subjects had brain scans performed at Long Island Jewish Medical Center that were then compared against brain images of men of a similar age who have never abused drugs. Since the adolescent years are responsible for a significant portion of brain maturation, it was not surprising that the scientists observed anomalies in numerous regions of the brain. These areas included those that control memory, language, concentration and decision-making abilities.

Marijuana Use In Teens Stops the Brain’s Insulation From Forming Properly

The research team utilized a special type of brain imaging known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) that gauges the amount of water moving through different parts of the brain. From analyzing these scans, they discovered that the development of the myelin sheath, or the insulation of the nerve cells, had been obstructed. Insulation of nerves cells in the brain, just like insulation of an electrical wire, helps the signals move faster. Therefore, when the formation of the myelin sheathing in particular areas is obstructed, the brain will function more slowly.

In the case of heavy marijuana use in the teenage years, it appears to affect the efficiency with which connections are made in the brain. This slowing of the synapses causes detrimental impacts for an individual’s higher cognitive functioning.

More Research Needs to Be Done to Obtain Conclusive Answers

The U of M research is just the tip of the iceberg in understanding the consequences of repeated marijuana use during major developmental periods for the brain. This study was too small in scope, with only 14 subjects, to make any sweeping assumptions about the effects of teenage marijuana use on the general population. In addition, some of the subjects also drank heavily during their adolescence, so there was no way to figure out which results were specifically from marijuana. The real trick is to discover a way to study whether the drug use caused these abnormalities or if possibly individuals with these differences in their brain are primed for substance abuse.

If you know someone who is struggling with marijuana or another type of drug dependency, we can help. Give us a call and we can discuss all the treatment options we have available to meet their needs in rehab. Don’t hesitate. Call us today.

It is well documented that addiction of all types – from drugs or alcohol to food, caffeine or nicotine – runs in families. However, it is not clear whether these behaviors are buried in the genes or learned, or if addiction is comprised of an equal combination of both of these factors. This debate is known in science as nature versus nurture, and few studies are able to isolate possible answers to this question. Nevertheless, a recent study done at the University of Cambridge attempted to take on this holy grail of scientific study.

The researchers created a simple concept: investigate the brains of addicts in relation to their sober siblings. Since people struggling with addiction have impairments in regions of the brain responsible for self-control, the scientists used this factor as a jumping-off point.

The “stop-signal test” was used, which correlates highly with addiction because it challenges an individual’s ability to control his or her own behavior. The test is done by signaling the subject to stop a certain action when given a cue. This test was given to 50 individuals with a stimulant addiction, their siblings who are sober, and then individuals of a similar age but with no relation to the other participants, as a control.

Cambridge Study Demonstrates We Have Control Over Genes of Addiction

Researchers found some significant similarities between the addicted and non-addicted sibling pairs as opposed to the non-related control group, both in their behavior and in their brain scans. The scientists found the following:

• Both addicted and non-addicted siblings took considerably more time to cease their behavior when signaled than control group subjects.
• In brain scans, siblings had similar deficits in the connections between regions governing emotion and self-control.
• Sibling pairs had increased gray matter in areas correlated with dependency, whether they had an active addiction or were sober.

Results of This Study May Help Treatment of Addiction

The findings of this research published in the journal Science have important consequences in the area of addiction prevention and treatment. This study shows that addiction is inherited but even with genetic predisposition, it is not inevitable. Further research needs to be done to understand how the non-addicted siblings counterbalance their genetics and avoid falling prey to chemical dependencies. Discovering the answer to this question could hold the key to finding even more effective prevention and treatment for substance abuse in the future.

Do you think it will help people prone to addiction to know they have more control over their genetics than previously known? Do you think this knowledge could help some avoid or overcome addiction? Let us know your thoughts below.

In an article for the Huffington Post, Jamie Lee Curtis is asking people to stop participating in the “blame it on the fame game” during the media spectacle following the death of a famous individual due to addiction. Curtis is referencing the death of Whitney Houston in the article, whom many are assuming passed from addiction, although the exact cause of death is still unknown. Officials have confirmed that prescription medications were found in her hotel room, but that does not mean they were responsible for her untimely death. Curtis feels, “It is not fame’s fault. It is no one’s fault. Do you blame cancer on fame? Do you blame diabetes on fame?”

She does not want the public to have a tearful goodbye for an addict and then return to their homes thinking addiction can’t happen to them. In reality, millions of people suffer from all types of addictions, Curtis points out “food, shopping, porn, alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs” in particular. The vast majority of individuals suffering from addiction and their family members have never known a day of fame in their lives. Although being famous does bring different stresses to someone’s reality, these are not the causes of addiction.

Curtis Understands Addiction From Personal Experience

Curtis’ knowledge of addiction comes from overcoming her own demons with the disease. She went public after Michael Jackson’s death with her own personal struggle with prescription drug addiction. She admits to discovering how prescription drugs helped her leave her pain behind. She wrote in a blog at the time, “I was a lucky one. I was able to see that the pain had started long ago and far away and that the finding the narcotic was merely a matter of time.”

Curtis Asks Everyone to Rally Together to Fight Addiction for Those Still Alive

In her article, Curtis seems to be making a call to action for people who mourn the loss of famous individuals who die at the hand of addiction, but do nothing within their own circle to bring the issue to light. This issue is not one of the rich and famous. It is one of the everyday man and woman, and it is possible to overcome it.

Since the majority of television coverage on the topic usually goes to celebrities who have passed from an overdose after years of struggle and often failed attempts at rehab, Curtis seems to fear the take-home message for some may be that addiction is unstoppable. Curtis shares her ultimate hope with the reader when she states, “I hope to hear the drumbeat get louder and louder, a call to arms to face addiction and alcoholism head on…to utilize the media spotlight on this one addict’s death to create real change.”

If you know someone in need of help, don’t wait until it’s too late. Pick up the phone today and discuss available drug and alcohol treatment options with us. Make the call today.

A recent study performed at Cambridge University is receiving much attention for its unique design. The research shows that predisposition for addiction does not seal an individual’s fate. Researchers at the university looked at pairs of siblings. In each pair, one sibling had an addiction to stimulants while the other sibling was sober without a history of addictive issues. The team had the sibling pairs take a test that would examine how much self-control they exhibited by testing how long it took each individual to stop an activity once given a predetermined signal. Both the addict and non-addict in the pairs had slower response times than the control group. These results demonstrated that self-control was lacking whether addiction exhibited itself or not.

To further understand if there is a genetic predisposition for lack of self-control, which is linked with the development of addiction, the researchers looked at brain scans of the pairs. Connections between areas of the brain responsible for emotion and regions responsible for self-control were weaker in the siblings than the control group.

These findings were significant because they showed someone’s genes do not predestine them to develop addiction. If this is the case with addiction, experts predict this may also be applied to the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders that are caused by lack of self-control as well.

Self-Control Is Vital to a Healthy Mental State

“Self-control and the ability to regulate your emotions really is an indispensable aspect of the function of the brain that allows us to succeed,” according to Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In fact, recent research in neurology points to one’s ability to control their impulses as one of the biggest predictors for future success.

In mental health disorders such as ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), individuals are unable to ignore impulses that are either distracting or actually self-destructive. In addition, poor self-control is inherent in certain aspects of eating disorders and compulsive gambling.

This Research May Have Implications on Early Intervention for Mental Health Issues

The Cambridge study demonstrated the potential to eventually be able to predict individuals with vulnerability for certain mental health disorders including addiction. With the new understanding that a predisposition for a mental health issue does not mean an individual’s future has been decided, a whole new area of research on prevention techniques has opened up. If scientists can figure out how to strengthen an individual’s poor self-control then the possibility to prevent mental health problems before they become debilitating may become a reality.

Do you think scientists will be able to develop prevention programs for mental health disorders? How well do you think this will work in the real world? Your ideas are encouraged below.

It is well known that drug addiction puts individuals at a heightened danger for mental, emotional and physical trauma including death. These consequences may happen as a direct result of the drug’s effect on the body or from the circumstances that surround its use. However, there has not been much attention paid to the health effects of occasional drug use, especially for those past the age of 40 years old.

A recent study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – the findings were reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine – looked at this very topic and discovered that occasional hard drug users (one to two times per month) were at a staggering five-fold increase for early death. How many individuals in their 40s and 50s are really dabbling in hardcore drug use? Apparently, a lot more than we may ever guess according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The survey found that nearly 10 percent of adults aged 50 to 59, and seven percent of those aged 35 to 49, admitted to using drugs besides alcohol or marijuana within the last 12 months.

Doctors Now Have Important Medical Info for Patients Who Occasionally Use Drugs

Primary care doctors are not legally allowed to screen for drug use in their patients, but many patients do offer information honestly on their intake forms or during private consultations with their physicians. In fact, doctors say it is common for patients to admit to intermittent hardcore drug use in relation to drugs such as cocaine, opiates or amphetamines. Doctors feel like they don’t have a leg to stand on when the person obviously is not an addict, and cautioning patients about the law is not their place either. However, with the results of the UAB research, physicians now have scientific research to point to that recreational drug use puts an individual into a high-risk category for early death.

What Are The Causes of Intermittent Drug Use During Middle Age?

One study is not sufficient to find the answer to such a complicated question, but the UAB researchers did find some common links among many of the individuals occasionally using hardcore drugs in their 40s and 50s. These commonalities include:

• Growing up in environments with unstable financial support
• Growing up or living in families that were either abusive or neglectful

The research team speculates the sporadic drug use, although not full-fledged addiction, is a maladaptive way of dealing with stress endured since childhood. Many of these individuals starting using as young adults and perhaps never learned healthy coping strategies for life’s inevitable stresses.

If you know someone who needs help finding appropriate coping mechanisms rather than using drugs, contact us today. We can tell you about our treatment programs that offer all levels of support in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Don’t let harmful habits continue. Give us a call now.