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Study Looks into Use of Ecstasy for Treatment of PTSD

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Other on July 20th, 2010

There may be more to Ecstasy than being an illegal party drug.

According to a feature on FoxNews.com, a study that was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology dealt with the use of Ecstasy in treating patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Funding for the study was provided by the Multidisciplinary Association for Pyschedelic Studies in Santa Cruz, California.

war stressThe study used 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), more commonly known as Ecstasy, in a trial that involved a small group of 20 patients who had no history of psychosis or addiction. The patients involved underwent psychotherapy sessions that lasted for eight hours and were scheduled a few weeks apart. Eight of the patients in the trial were given placebo, while twelve were given a dose of Ecstasy.

The researchers observed that after two months, 10 of the 12 patients who were given Ecstasy responded to the treatment. Their observations indicated that Ecstasy seemed to lessen the fear of long-term patients, which in turn helped the patients get the most out of their therapy sessions.

Among the patients who were only given placebo, only two out of the eight showed improvement. There was no adverse side effects observed that could be attributed to the use of the drug, although the researchers will be following up with patients to verify the treatment’s long-term effects.

The use of Ecstasy as an aid in therapy is not new; on the contrary, psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer shared that psychiatrists and psychotherapists made use of MDMA to improve therapy long before it became popular as a party drug.

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Join Together Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on July 4th, 2010

A project by the Boston University of Public Health, Join Together has come a long way in sharing information, strategic planning assistance and leadership for different communities in handling alcohol and drug related problems.

Join TogetherJoin Together is an institution that aids community leaders in understanding up-to-date and scientifically proven drug and alcohol prevention and treatment approaches. It aims to enhance the community strategies on drug prevention and treatment and reaches out to community leaders, public officials, prevention and treatment professionals, parents, families, and teachers. The group provides several useful programs, policies and information through their online campaigns, partnerships and connections with existing organizations.

They also provide information for lay leaders and professionals, such as valuable news reports and research information in the fields of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Join Together also supplies technical assistance for creating and dveloping prevention and reduction strategies on alcohol and drug abuse.

In cooperation with Partnership for a Drug Free America, Join Together was able to publish an online resource guide to aid families in dealing with serious alcohol and drug related problems. It also funded the development of a smoking cessation campaign called QuitNet that aims to help individuals kick the habit.

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Mannheim Township School Board Weighs In on Random Drug Testing

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on June 14th, 2010

The Manheim Township school board is set to take a final vote Monday regarding a proposed drug testing program that will be cover all Manheim Township middle and high school students who engage in extra-curricular activities or drive themselves to school. According to a report on Lancaster Online, the school board will be voting on the program during their 7:30 pm meeting.

drugfreeShould the board approve the proposal, it will become the sixth in Lancaster Country to perform random drug testing on students.

The proposal was brought forward last year after high-profile arrests were made at the high school, as well as the release of the results of a survey conducted in 2007 that showed that Township students were using drugs and drinking alcohol at a rate that was higher than their peers who are studying in other schools.

The policy that was proposed was based on drug testing programs that are already in place in Lampeter-Strasburg and Penn Manor high schools. It calls for the participation in random drug testing of students who would like to participate in extra-curricular activities or drive to school. Students and their parents will have to agree in writing to participate in the drug testing.

The program will come at an estimated cost of $15,000 per year, and will test for such substances as marijuana, cocaine and heroin as well as for prescription medication and alcohol. A positive result will lead to a meeting with the student involved and his or her parents in order to discuss possible legal medications that may have triggered the positive result. Barring that, the student may face up to 60 days of suspension from activities as well as driving privileges.

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Alcoholism: Signs, Detection and Treatment

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on March 18th, 2010

Abuse of alcohol is one of the most persistent problems that society is facing. Since drinking is an accepted practice in today’s society, many tend to forget the dangers of drinking too much. The truth is that you don’t have to be always drunk to be considered as someone with a drinking problem. If your drinking causes problems in your family, work, school or relationships, then you have a drinking problem.

alcoholismSigns of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is related to a person’s tolerance for alcohol; this is the first and strongest sign for alcoholism. If you can drink more alcohol over time in order to experience the effects you used to with lesser amounts, then it is a sign that your tolerance for alcohol is growing. The second sign to watch out for are the withdrawal signs of alcoholism, which is a result of abstinence from alcohol for a period of time. These symptoms usually include anxiety, sweating, shakiness, insomnia, depression or headaches as a result of not drinking. Experiencing these may indicate that your body is already dependent on alcohol.

Alcohol Testing

Among the fastest and more accurate tests are the breath alcohol testers, which analyze the presence of alcohol in a person’s breath. This method of testing is usually used by mobile police officers to detect drivers who have been drinking since these breathalyzers are accurate and convenient. Other testing methods, such as urine testing, saliva testing, hair testing and blood testing, are also available.

Treatment for Alcoholism

You would probably get the best of help from alcohol rehabilitation centers, but there are independent programs available that cater to recovering alcoholics that encourage moderation and eventual cessation of alcohol intake. Recovery is a lifelong process. That is why it is important that, even after rehabilitation, further post-rehabilitation measures are taken.

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Home Drug Testing: What’s the Real Score?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on March 16th, 2010

Home drug kits are widely available in the Internet. Because of this, parents have taken an active role in managing the threat of drug abuse in their own families. Home drug kits have made it possible for parents to test for drugs in the confidentiality and convenience of their homes. But some parents and professionals are alarmed, claiming that these home drug kits are dangerous and far too risky. What’s the score? Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these home do-it-yourself drug kits.

drug testing kitAdvantages

Home drug kits provide private, convenient and fast results. Instead of having to go to a hospital or a testing facility, home drug testing can save you the time, money and effort of traveling to and waiting outside a laboratory. Sample collections can be administered by anybody and almost anywhere. The kits come with simple guides on sample collection and a hotline to call just in case you get confused. The instructions that come with these drug testing kits are generally easy to understand. Testing at home is often used by the parents to protect their child’s privacy.

Disadvantages

Although home drug kits are private and confidential, studies have shown that coerced drug testing of children by their parents often causes damages in the parent-child relationship, especially in instances of false-positive results. Substances like poppy seeds, antibiotics and even simple cough or colds medicine can create a false-positive result that may lead to unnecessary accusations when the child is actually innocent. Many are concerned of the risk of damaging their teen’s trust toward their parents, especially when the teen is innocent of taking drugs. This may be counteracted with drug tests that require you to only collect samples at home and send the sample to qualified laboratories, where trained professionals do the analysis.

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Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on January 22nd, 2010

The bad thing about prescription drugs is that they are readily available in your local pharmacy, and they are no less dangerous than the drugs you get on the street. Just because you can get some at any time does not mean in any way that they are safe to use. When taken non-medically and in excess quantities, they can do a lot of damage to your body and may even cause death.

prescription drugsThe problems that prescription drugs can bring are real. The most commonly abused of these are painkillers, cough syrup, sleeping pills and other sedatives. While the drugs each serve a corresponding purpose, using them for the wrong reasons can lead to an early end. Famous people all over the world have paid with their lives for what they thought as a great way to escape the sadness and pain of their lives, but despite taking these, there still remains a certain level of emptiness within, which is why they continue drug use until their last breath.

So, how does one avoid addiction to prescription drugs? The first thing is to strive to be happy. Keep in mind that most abusers of this drug type are often depressed and seek out anything to relieve them of their sadness. Looking at bigger picture of life helps, and often at a much larger level than you originally anticipated.

Of course, this is something that is easier said than done. But the important thing is that you do not give in to life’s problems. It may take a great amount of willpower to do so, but it’s better than being a slave to something as small as a pill or a syrup bottle.

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