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It is estimated that about 14 million prescriptions for medications designed to treat the symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are given out every month in the United States to patients between the ages of 20 and 39. Those numbers were from 2011 and represent a sharp increase up from the 5.6 million prescriptions written to the same population for the same purpose just four years prior, according to the New York Times.

The increased number of prescriptions may be due in part to an increased understanding of the issues facing many adults who live with ADHD, but it is definitely due to an increased number of patients who have developed an addiction to these medications – like Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, Ritalin and others – thanks to its stimulant effects and the ability it gives them to focus for hours at a time. The problem is that chronic use of these drugs can lead to psychosis, delusion, aggressive behavior, and an inability to function healthfully. For many, the mental health problems it causes can be so great that suicide is the result.

Breaking the Stereotype of Addiction

Young adults who are living with an addiction to drugs like Adderall are not the stereotypical “junky” living in the shadows, breaking laws, and clearly at odds with the basic social contracts of social interaction and personal responsibility. The patients who are developing an addiction to Adderall are smart. They present well. They are well dressed and well behaved, often affluent with lofty academic and career goals. They often begin taking these drugs because they are looking for assistance to study for tests or complete multiple projects efficiently. They don’t necessarily consider that a life-altering – or life-ending – addiction can be the result.

The Risks of Untreated ADHD Medication Addiction

Unfortunately, stimulant ADHD medication addiction can be hugely mind-altering. Though it provides focus for between six and eight hours to those who are new to use of the drug, a higher and higher dose will be necessary to achieve these same effects after a few months of use, and higher doses increase the negative side effects experienced. Over time, patients often begin to experience:

• Uncontrollable rage and violent behavior
• Extreme mood swings that are drug-dependent (e.g., on the medications the patient may be friendly but when they wear off, he may be morose or aggressive)
• Paranoia that people or objects are spying on them
• Delusional behavior

Treatment Changes the Course of Addiction

If your loved one is living with an active addiction to ADHD medication, help them find balance in their lives through addiction treatment. Contact us at Alta Mira today for more information.

We know that genetic predisposition to the development of addiction behaviors can contribute to alcohol abuse risk. We also know that environmental issues like trauma and overly permissive parenting can increase the risk of alcohol abuse developing in adulthood. Additionally, it’s been shown that mental health issues can contribute to the rate of alcohol use as well.

To further explore contributing causes of alcohol abuse, a study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs looked at different neighborhoods to determine whether or not the economic disadvantage or advantage of the neighborhood affected whether or not residents were more or less likely to abuse alcohol. Race and gender both played a part, it was found, but the study determined that neighborhood disadvantage not only played a part in whether or not someone was more likely to abuse alcohol but whether they were to experience negative consequences as a result.

Gender, Race, Alcohol-Related Consequences, and Neighborhood

In the study, these four factors were all shown to work together to have an effect on whether or not people were more likely to abuse alcohol. Though white residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods were less likely to drink than white residents of advantaged neighborhoods, the disadvantaged residents were more likely to experience negative alcohol-related consequences than the advantaged residents. Additionally, black men and Hispanic men were more likely to drink when living in a disadvantaged neighborhood as compared to peers of the same race living in advantaged neighborhoods. Disadvantaged white women and black men were most likely to experience negative consequences due to alcohol abuse.

What Influences the Alcohol Abuse Behaviors of Your Loved One?

The study pointed out that a number of influences can come together to increase the chances that someone will abuse alcohol. Of course, someone could have all the characteristics of a person likely to abuse alcohol and never have a drinking problem, and another person could have none of the characteristics that statistically increase the likelihood of alcohol abuse and ultimately develop alcoholism. Every person is different.

This is why treatment, too, must be highly individualized to address the needs of each patient. Someone coming from economic advantage who struggles with a drinking problem will have different issues to address than someone who comes from economic disadvantage. The more personalized the treatment program, the better the chance of a successful recovery characterized by long-term sobriety.

Call us at Alta Mira today to find out more about what your loved one needs in treatment.

We know that the initial draw to cocaine use and chronic cocaine abuse is the “reward” experience it provides, or the high. Controlled use defines the decision to abuse cocaine the first few times and, after that, use becomes compulsive or uncontrolled. This shift is neurobiological in nature, but very little is known about how it works. However, a recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology explored the process with the goal of providing more effective intervention for patients who are struggling with cocaine abuse and getting them the help they need before it turns into addiction.

The Study

MicroRNAs, also known as miRNAs, control the function of RNAs in the brain. One microRNA can regulate thousands of RNA transcripts, and it is believed that this mechanism can be key to the development of addiction. These miRNAs may be responsible for a number of responses to regular drug use and, according to the study, could be the key to managing those responses in treatment.

The Brain and the Body

There is a deep connection between the mind, body and spirit, and this connection is often the focus of comprehensive addiction treatment centers. Though physical dependence may one day be manipulated by pharmacological intervention, anecdotal evidence has shown time and again that the removal of physical withdrawal symptoms and dependence means nothing if it is not backed by healing on a psychological and spiritual level as well.

Patients who use drugs and alcohol to numb psychic and emotional wounds will still need to medicate in some way even if their “medication” of choice is taken away. When they learn healthy ways to deal with psychological and spiritual pain, they can learn how to decrease their levels of discomfort and increase their ability to stay clean and sober for the long-term.

What Does Your Loved One Need From Treatment?

It can be difficult to choose a drug and alcohol rehab for your loved one because success is based on the highly personal issues that he or she faces, and you may or may not be privy to the information you need to make an accurate choice in treatment services. The best thing you can do is find a drug and alcohol rehab that offers a wide range of effective resources to handle any eventuality.

• Long-term, inpatient care available for total submersion in treatment
• Low number of patients in residence during treatment
• High number of well-educated substance abuse treatment specialists
• Intensive diagnostic process that identifies the specific obstacles and challenges facing your loved one
• Multiple types of therapy so your loved one can find a perfect fit

Alta Mira: Comprehensive Recovery and Addiction Treatment

Here at Alta Mira, we offer an intensive treatment program that can aid your loved one in healing from addiction on multiple levels. Call today to speak to a counselor about options in treatment and care.

A new study published in the journal The Lancet reports that alcohol use is one of the top three risk factors for disease around the globe. It stands to reason – alcohol is a toxin, and it can trigger or exacerbate health problems of all kinds, making it difficult to fend off disease or get better once ill. The goal of the study was to identify preventable issues that are contributing to a wide range of diseases. Also in the top three: tobacco smoking including secondhand smoke and high blood pressure.

Identifying Alcohol Use as a Problem

How do you know when alcohol use crosses the line from “use” into “abuse”? Everyone is different and some variables that can lower the number of drinks that can be deemed safe include:

• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Other chronic illnesses, like heart disease
• Gender
• Size
• Age

For example, a 100-pound woman and a 200-pound man, both equally healthy, would not process three drinks the same way. The 100-pound woman’s system may be overwhelmed while the 200-pound man may be able to process that amount of alcohol without a problem. However, a 200-pound man diagnosed with liver or kidney problems would be negatively impacted by even one or two drinks.

Is Alcohol Abuse a Problem for Someone You Love?

Alcohol abuse looks different in everyone. Your loved one may drink a bottle of wine with dinner every night or binge drink on the weekends – both are problematic in terms of health. In other cases, your loved one may be attempting to hide the amount of alcohol they drink, which is another sign of alcohol abuse but one that can take time to uncover. In general, some signs of alcohol include:

• Saying they’ve had “one” drink when they’ve refilled their cup before it is empty multiple times
• Leaving social occasions to drink or drinking prior to sober family or work events
• Drinking more than four or five drinks in an evening
• Experiencing negative acute effects from drinking on a regular basis
• Having problems at work or in relationships due to drinking or choices made under the influence
• Making poor choices while drinking (e.g., driving while intoxicated)
• Lying about drinking, money spent on alcohol, or activities while drinking
• Inability to stop drinking for any length of time

Asking for Help

The best way to address an alcohol problem is to seek professional treatment. At Alta Mira we offer a number of alcohol treatment services that can provide your loved one with effective tools to fight alcohol abuse and addiction. Call now for more information.

Dr. Christian Thurstone is an addiction expert who is concerned that new marijuana legislation like A64 in Colorado could have a devastating impact in a number of different areas. In order to formalize the discussion and create a forum for the development of legislation to handle issues before they arise, a new task force has been created. The group intends to address issues such as:

• Marketing of marijuana products
• Increased access to marijuana for underage users
• The development of dependence
• Parents allowing underage use of the drug
• The effects of secondhand smoke

Says Thurstone: “I was personally sad for kids about the passing of 64. But I think that if my service on that task force helps one kid’s life, then it’ll be worth it to me. I’m not a big fan of full legalization of marijuana, I didn’t support it. At the same [time]…if I can contribute to one kid not destroying his or life getting addicted to marijuana, then I will have accomplished my goal.”

Legality Doesn’t Equate With Free Use

Alcohol is legal and so are prescription medications that are addictive, but they are not without their regulations. The legalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults was passed with little address of the regulations that must be implemented in order to protect the public and minors from the risks of marijuana use and abuse. The major concern is adolescent abuse of marijuana, which has been proven to be devastating to the developing brains of teens, but of equal concern is how to stop the general public who choose not to use marijuana avoid being hurt by those who do.

Protecting the Public

Like alcohol, it is important to put measures in place that prioritize safety. Driving under the influence of marijuana, for example, should be just as heavily penalized as driving under the influence of alcohol because the effects can be just as deadly. Education about the effects of marijuana abuse should also be a focus so the public doesn’t develop the mistaken notion that legalization = safe. More and more studies are showing that marijuana is physically addictive – not just psychologically addictive as formerly thought – and though the cost of criminal penalty of prosecuting users of the drug may be somewhat mitigated by legalization, the cost of medical care and treatment related to accident and addiction may be increased.

What Do You Think?

Different forms of marijuana legalization have been popping up around the country. Do you think it’s a good idea? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts.

Drug and alcohol addiction research is one of the top areas studied in the United States. The goal is always to learn more about the function of addiction in the brain and the body so we can create even more effective treatment options for addicts who struggle with the currently incurable – but highly treatable – disease.

In recent years, one area of addiction treatment research has focused on the creation of a vaccine that could help patients who may show signs of risk for the development of addiction avoid developing the disorder. Some say that a vaccine that prevents drug addiction is on its way and a futuristic concept that we can expect within the next few decades. Others say it’s an unlikely pipe dream, like personal jet packs and the ability to live on the moon.

Current Research

Cocaine addiction vaccines and alcoholism vaccines with a couple of forays into a heroin addiction vaccine have been the foci of some recent studies. It’s tempting for government officials to invest money in research that looks promising because an effective vaccine could save billions of dollars in treatment, medical care, and law enforcement as well as increase the productivity – and tax-paying ability – of people who would otherwise develop an addiction. However, as yet, these vaccine possibilities have not yet made it through all the levels of clinical trials necessary to prove efficacy of widespread use.

Possible Issues

Even if a vaccine is made available to the public, there are a number of ethical and financial issues that may need to be addressed. Some of these include:

• Cost. Would they be available free to the public? Included in pediatric care of all children? Would insurance companies be required to cover it?
• Ethics. At what age would this vaccine be recommended for use? Should parents be able to give it to their children, or should adults be offered the option when they are of age?
• Availability. Would the vaccine be available to all who wanted it, or would it be required that patients exhibit signs of drug abuse or a predisposition to the development of addiction before they would be offered access to the vaccine?

What Do You Think?

Are vaccines for drug dependence a possibility? Would you take a vaccine if you knew it would protect you against the development of an addiction? Would you give it to your child? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts.