Drug Abuse Treatment

DJ AM Memorial Fund Donates to Help Recovering Teens

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on August 21st, 2010

DJ AM The DJ AM Memorial Fund, set-up in memory of DJ AM, will be making a donation that will benefit teens who are suffering from drug addiction. According to a post on TMZ.com, a donation will be made to the Phoenix House Academy in Los Angeles, which serves as a residential treatment program for teens dealing with addiction, in the hope that these kids will be able to find “a new passion in music.”

A representative from the DJ AM Memorial Fund shared: “We wanted to find a way to continue Adam’s legacy of giving back that would include music as a key component. Making a donation that includes a DJ station helps Adam’s legacy live on.”

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Lindsay Lohan Up for Early Release from Rehab?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction on August 13th, 2010

Lindsay Lohan may not need to finish the full ninety days of rehab required of her, according to a post on RadarOnline.com. That certainly is nice to hear, but we can only hope that this is not being done prematurely and that the actress is truly free from whatever excesses she may have in her system.

Lindsay LohanThe revelation was said to have come from prosecutor Danette Mayers, prosecutor for Ms. Lohan’s case. RadarOnline.com shared the following statement from Mayers: “My understanding from conversations with Shawn Chapman Holley is that Miss Lohan could be released early from the treatment facility. It is looking as if that is what the health care professionals are going to recommend. How much earlier she could be released I’m unsure of at this point.”

Mayers indicated that she will adhere to what health care professionals will recommend for Ms. Lohan, which may include follow-up treatment.

Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to ninety days of jail time and rehab in July by Judge Marsha Revel, due to violating the terms of her probation. She was said to have missed alcohol education classes required of her as part of her probation on charges of drunken driving and cocaine possession leveled against her in 2007. Judge Revel has recused herself from the case.

She only served 13 days out of her ninety day sentence due to overcrowding. Lindsay then entered rehab at the UCLA Medical Center.

Shawn Chapman Holley, Lindsay’s attorney, told RadarOnline that Lindsay “looks healthy” and “is looking forward to returning to work.”

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Study Shows Possible Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment on August 6th, 2010

A study led by Chiang-shan Ray Li, MD, PhD, and published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, showed that methylphenidate, normally used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can also be used on patients being treated for cocaine dependency.

cocaine addictionA feature on Medscape.com shares the results of the small functional magnetic resonance imaging (f-MRI) study. The results indicated that methylphenidate can improve the self-control of cocaine-dependent patents. Dr. Li, who is an associate professor of psychiatry and neurobiology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, shared the following statement with Medscape Medical News: “Currently, there are no [US Food and Drug Administration] approved medications for cocaine dependence… This study may help establish the neurobiological basis of catecholaminergic agents in the treatment of some patients with [cocaine dependence].”

The study consisted of data provided by ten volunteers who are cocaine-dependent. The volunteers were enrolled in an in-patient treatment unit, and some were randomly selected to receive either methylphenidate or saline placebo intravenously on the first session. The next treatment is received in another session conducted after 48 hours. After an estimated 45 minutes following each treatment, the feature shared, “participants performed a computerized stop signal test while undergoing an f-MRI.”

The following were measured at particular points in time (30 minutes before injections for the baseline, 30 minutes after the injections, and during each f-MRI): craving, anxiety, euphoria, heart rate, and blood pressure. Monitoring was continued up to six hours after sessions.

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Rachel Uchitel Leaves – Then Returns – to Celebrity Rehab

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Rehabilitation on August 1st, 2010

VH1’s reality show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew is now in full swing, and among the cast seeking help for substance abuse-related issues is the alleged former mistress of Tiger Woods, Rachel Uchitel. Uchitel is said to be dealing with addiction to prescription drugs.

A feature on the New York Daily News shared a temporary snag in Uchitel’s very public attempt at reaching sobriety. She was said to have left the show after going through a therapy session with Dr. Drew Pinsky. The reason for her reaction was that the therapy led to a discussion about her father; Uchitel was 15 when he died of a cocaine overdose.

Rachel UchitelAn unnamed network insider was said to have talked about the incident to Radar Online: “Rachel has never had to face these issues before, and talking about it pushed her over the edge, and her instinct was to run.” Uchitel took off from the show on Wednesday, trading Celebrity Rehab accommodations for the chic L’Ermitage Hotel.

Producers of the show, however, along with Uchitel’s cast mates, who included Jason Wahler of The Hills, Jeremy London of Party of Five and Seventh Heaven, and model Janice Dickinson, convinced Uchitel to think things through. She returned to the show on Thursday morning.

The same source told Radar Online: “Rachel simply needed some time away from the intense pressure and scrutiny that she is dealing with.”

There is another “catch” to the whole convincing-Rachel Uchitel-to-come-back to the show thing, though. TMZ.com shared that the price for Uchitel’s return was the doubling of her pay. She will be $500,000 richer because of her stint in the show.

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Jeremy London’s Wife to Join Him in Celebrity Rehab

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on July 19th, 2010

Here’s one example why the “in sickness and in health” clause of marriage vows ought to stay, no matter what people might think of it. Jeremy London and his wife, Melissa, will both take on the journey of getting rid of their drug addiction through Celebrity Rehab. Melissa London has confirmed that she will indeed be with her husband this coming season.

Jeremy and Melissa LondonJeremy and Melissa have both been in trouble for their drug addiction which even resulted to them losing their custody of their son, Lyrik. This is why Melissa wants to be treated as well and checked into the Pasadena Recovery Center Sunday afternoon. However, there might be another reason why she decided to go into the institution too. Reports reveal that her landlord had given her a 30-day notice to move out in the days before she voluntarily announced that she’s in Celebrity Rehab too.

Her drug-related craziness was getting into her neighbors’ nerves that police would be constantly visiting her house especially at night. It was also said that her husband Jeremy was a frequent guest in the house which other tenants did not welcome. The neighbors would know when he’s with her because of their disturbing behaviors at night that would prompt them to call on the authorities.

Melissa’s landlord can only hope Celebrity Rehab can help her and Jeremy.

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Drug Help for Teens: Teen Challenge International USA

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Rehabilitation, Raising Healthy Kids on July 7th, 2010

Teen Challenge International is a Christian faith-based center that teaches kids how to fight against drug and alcohol problems by incorporating biblical values. Now nearly having two hundred Teen Challenge centers across the United States, they continue to seek and care for teens in need of intensive help. Teen Challenge USA has operated since 1958 and has continued to lead the way for non-profit evangelical institutions in helping teens in the best way possible .

Teen Challenge

The institution offers different programs that aim to help the teens in their journey towards recovery. These are examples of classes or modules that are discussed in every Teen Challenge international class:

1)    Group Studies for New Christians

The Group Studies for New Christians is a part of the curriculum that covers all the basic tools that teens need in developing a more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. The class teaches principles from the Bible and gives the students the necessary tools to apply these in their own lives.

2)    Personal Studies for New Christian Classes

This class covers certain topics such as: Does God Have Plans for My World, A New Look at Life, Yes! I Want to Become a Christian, My Questions about Christianity, Now that I am a Christian, Who Is God, and other related topics.

Teen Challenge is proud of how they are able to transform the lives of kids spiritually, emotionally, physically, and socially.  By giving them a new life in Christ and presenting them with the Christian way of thinking, the students feel that they are given the power and ability to overcome the problems that plagued their past.

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