Author: The Fix

Traveling with Prescription Medication? Here's What You Need to Know

Even non-controlled drugs may be regulated. Make sure to investigate the status of all your medications, prescription or otherwise. Don’t risk your vacation turning into an extended stay at a prison camp.

The first time I flew to Canada, I was petrified about getting through customs and security. My fear was not from venturing into a new country, but from the controlled prescription drug I had tucked away in my carry-on bag. I had just filled the Adderall prescription at my local pharmacy, and I’d asked the clerk if I needed to carry the whole bottle or if I could just bring my pill carrier with the number of pills I needed for the trip (I was only staying four days).

“Oh no, honey,” she said, “this is a controlled substance, you probably have to declare it at the border.” DECLARE it? I was so scared going through security the next day that I’m sure the extra pat-down after the body scan was due to my nervous and probably suspicious behavior.

Fast-forward a year later and my daughter, who inherited my ADHD, was set to go on a trip to Japan. She called me in a panic, talking about prohibited psychotropics, documents and signatures, and a 30-day restriction. She was going for six weeks and Ritalin was on a list of flagged drugs for the country.

So, what do you do in these situations? Google produces a myriad of results that may or may not offer the correct information. In fact, some of the crowdsourced question-answering sites turned out to have completely inaccurate information. Had we followed the instructions on one site I Googled, my kid’s medication would have been confiscated at customs and my daughter arrested by Japanese police—like Julie Hamp was in 2015.

Below I’ve compiled some questions that my family and others have asked when preparing to travel with controlled prescription drugs. The answers I’ve provided are based on my experience and research, but no resource can address every possible situation and laws change over time, so no matter what you find here, ALWAYS double-check the information with the TSA website if traveling within the U.S., or the embassy of the country you are flying to outside the U.S.

1. What types of prescriptions are controlled?

Most medications that you should worry about are categorized as narcotics or psychotropics. Narcotics are drugs that may relieve pain, while also possibly making you sleepy or dulling the senses. The term often refers to opioid and opiate medications but could mean others such as benzodiazepines. Psychotropics “affect the mind, mood, or behavior.”

Ask your pharmacist if your medication is controlled. You can also find this information in the paperwork that comes with your prescription or on the prescription bottle.

(Note: even non-controlled medications may be subject to regulation. Make sure to investigate the status of all your medication, prescription or otherwise, by following the guidelines below.)

2. How do I find out if my medication requires special preparation or rules?

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) tries to keep an updated list of substances and the countries that regulate them. Read their “General Information for Travelers Carrying Medicines Containing Controlled Substances.” At the end, click “Browse Regulations by Country.” You can also click on the sidebar links for “Narcotics” or “Psychotropics.” There, you will find links to the updated lists of medications and the countries that regulate them.

*Note: You will need to know the chemical name for the medication, not its brand or commercial name. You can find that in your prescription records.

A list of countries that prohibit Ritalin (methylphenidate).

3. How do I prepare my medication for my trip?

Find out what your destination country requires. For Japan, we learned that my daughter can only bring in a 30-day supply of her medication. Now, a Q&A website suggested shipping the additional week of pills to her in Japan. But we see how that worked out for Julie Hamp. In order to have enough medication for her entire trip, my daughter needed to complete special documents that were downloadable from the website of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, Welfare page under “Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices”. Some of the INCB links do not have working URLs, so prepare to Google to find the right agency. You can also call the phone numbers listed in the country’s info.

Start this process early. We started two months before my daughter’s trip to Japan. The process included filling out paperwork (including a statement from her doctor – more on that below) that we had to send to Japan ahead of the trip, and then we had to wait for the approval documents granting permission to carry the Ritalin into the country. It took three weeks to get all of the information we needed. If there was a mistake on any of the documents, we had to start all over.

*Note: Never modify documents issued by a government. Doing so invalidates the document and may be a crime in that country.

4. Does the 3-1-1 rule apply?

No. But it may make things easier if you do put your medication bottles together in a clear bag. The TSA may ask you to remove them from your bags. Depending on the rules of the country, you may need to alert the customs agents at the point of entry that you have controlled medications. Make sure that the meds and necessary documents are easily produced to expedite your time at customs.

5. Do I need a prescription or a doctor’s note?

Maybe. And look up the requirements for your destination country as you may need an additional document. The information we found for Japan in the INCB database specified that we would need a doctor’s note for her Ritalin.

6. Will I get into trouble for carrying pills without the prescription bottles?

It’s a risk. You could get the pills confiscated and/or have to undergo additional security checks (like a manual pat-down or search). To avoid problems, keep medication in its original container. Also, if you get stopped by police on the street in your destination city, it’s best not to have an unlabeled bottle of pills in your purse or pocket.

7. What if my medication is listed as prohibited?

Contact the destination country’s embassy to see if there is a way to get special permission to carry your medication. Some countries may prohibit certain medications entirely. If you’re headed to one of those countries and can’t get official permission, don’t risk it. Don’t assume you’ll be the exception to the rule because you have a doctor’s note or you look a certain way. You don’t want your vacation to turn into an extended stay at a prison labor camp.

8. I have a prescription for my marijuana, can I take it on a plane (in the U.S.)?

Do not bring marijuana when you travel internationally. Regarding domestic travel, the TSA issued a statement on medical marijuana that is unclear. Despite the fact that marijuana is a controlled substance, the TSA says they will overlook it. But what they “say” is not necessarily what they practice. They are not supposed to search my braids every time I go through, but they do—every single time.

9. What if I am on a road trip in another country and I get pulled over. Should I tell the officer about my controlled medications?

Officers probably are not concerned about your medications, unless they have reason to search the car. At that point, tell them about your controlled medications and exactly where they are located in the vehicle.

Customs checkpoints at the borders of countries follow the same regulations as with airplane arrival. So, have your medication together and your documentation handy just in case your vehicle is pulled aside for a search.

10. Do I need to worry about my controlled prescriptions when traveling in another country by bus or train?

Probably not on buses. This mode of transportation does not have security checkpoints like the TSA. But if there ever is a reason for a search, just disclose what medications you have and where they are located.

However, international travel by train may mean going through a security checkpoint. The train requirements for international travel may be similar to or more relaxed than the airports. Look on the train’s website or ask officials for more information when you book the ticket.

Whatever mode of travel you choose, be sure to plan early and do the research on how your prescription medication is treated at your destination. A few minutes at the right websites will yield a wealth of information. At the very least, it will save you some time and relieve anxiety at security checkpoints. On the other hand, it could keep you from spending your holiday in jail.

View the original article at thefix.com

19 September 2019
Could The Purdue Settlement Set The Stage For A Public Pharma System?

“A United States public option for pharmaceutical production would address a range of problems in an industry rife with market failure.”

After Purdue Pharma settles its bankruptcy cases, the company will be disbanded and reformed, according to settlement plans. Rather than selling its drugs for profit, the new spin-off company will sell drugs to benefit cities and states devastated by the opioid crisis.

Purdue will be no more, and a “public beneficiary company” will take its place.

Writing for The New Republic, Dana Brown and Isaiah J. Poole of The Democracy Collaborative, argue that this should be a first step in transforming the pharmaceutical industry from public to private.

“A United States public option for pharmaceutical production would address a range of problems in an industry rife with market failure,” Brown and Poole write.

The Case For Public Pharma

Unscrupulous tactics like those undertaken by Purdue, the company behind OxyContin, and other opioid manufacturers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the industry’s problems, they write. There’s the fact that some medications are too expensive for the people who need them the most (including insulin, which has been in the news for high prices). Or, the fact that companies only research drugs that they believe can generate profit.

“The case for a public option is simple,” the authors write. “First, publicly owned pharmaceuticals are free of the structural need to appease profit-hungry shareholders and are thus able to focus on public health priorities.”

Other Countries Have Public Options

Sweden, Brazil, China and India all have some sort of public pharmaceutical industry and those countries have contributed to global drug development.

“These examples expose the emptiness of industry arguments that public involvement in the drug industry will stifle innovation,” Poole and Brown write. In fact, with no need to spend on advertising or to direct profits to investors, a public pharmaceutical company would be better able to invest in research and thus make new innovations, they write.

The authors point out that controlling diabetes currently costs about $6,000 per person annually, a cost that has tripled in the past 10 years. A public pharmaceutical company could cut that cost to about $70, according to some analysis.

“Coupled with reforms such as a national pharmaceutical institute—which would ensure public investments in medical research can be harnessed for public benefit instead of co-opted exclusively for private profit—these public enterprises would produce both new medications and generics, and could offer them at or even below cost,” Poole and Brown write.

Learning From the Big Tobacco Settlement

The authors point out that little lasting change came from the massive settlement with Big Tobacco in 1998. However, the opioid settlement could be different, if it sparked interest in public pharmaceuticals.

Poole and Brown conclude, “The U.S. could once and for all move beyond having to tolerate an industry that subordinates public health to shareholder greed.”

View the original article at thefix.com

19 September 2019
New "30 For 30" Explores Dennis Rodman's Addiction Battle, Tough Childhood

In the ESPN doc, Rodman gets candid about parenthood, surviving childhood trauma and living with addiction.

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is speaking out about his tough childhood, his substance abuse and his own issues as a father as part of a documentary about his life.

Speaking ahead of the release of his 30 for 30 ESPN documentary, Dennis Rodman: For Better or Worse, Rodman told ESPN that he was trying to be a better dad to his three kids, who were born in 1988, 2000 and 2001.

“I want to,” he said. “But it isn’t so easy.”

Living With Alcoholism

Rodman has struggled with alcohol abuse for years and has been in and out of rehab. Last December, Rodman relapsed, but said that he realized drinking was a mistake. He vowed to get back to 12-step meetings.

Speaking with ESPN, Rodman didn’t explicitly say whether he was sober or not at the moment. However, he did say that drinking isn’t his biggest challenge right now.

“We all have demons. I’ve had plenty,” Rodman said. “Alcohol being one of them—everyone knows that. But I think the only major demon I have right now is trying to convince myself that I am a good dad. That’s the worst one for me. And it’s so hard for me for some reason. It’s very hard for me to break out of that cycle, you know. You feel like it’s too late. It’s one of those things where I never had anyone ever want [to love me].”

Navigating Fatherhood

He lives only a few miles from his youngest two children—who are now in their late teens—but he doesn’t have much of a relationship with them, he says. That’s partly because Rodman lacked a father figure in his life who could teach him how to be a dad. His own father didn’t have any contact with him until he flagged down Rodman one day while the star was on his way to NBA practice in 1997.

“This black guy runs up to my truck and says, ‘I need to talk to you. I need to talk to you.’ I said, ‘Dude, I’m late for practice.’ And he said, ‘I just want to let you know that I’m your father,’” Rodman recalled. “Out the blue, just like that. And I’m like, ‘Oh, come on, I gotta deal with this stuff today?’”

Later, during a game, Rodman’s father was signing autographs, and Rodman learned from a reporter that the man had written a book about him.

“I think it’s still a big joke, because this guy came out of the blue and I’ve never seen him before,” Rodman said. “I was so used to not having a father after 37 years, I’m thinking, ‘You know, it’s a little late. It’s a little late.’”

Rodman was unable to break the cycle of being an absent absent to his children, he said.

“I lie to myself a lot about shit,” Rodman said. “‘I’m a great dad. I love my kids.’ And then I have to go home and sit there and beat myself up because I’m just telling myself all these lies.”

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019
Doctors Are Prescribing House Plants To Treat Depression, Anxiety

A new mental health initiative is taking a nature-focused approach to treating depression and anxiety.

Doctors in the United Kingdom are recommending prescription greens for people with depression, but not the type you might think.

While some people with depression turn to marijuana and other cannabis products, doctors in the UK say that garden-variety house plants can help improve mood and mental health. In fact, one clinic, the Cornbrook Medical Practice, has begun giving out prescriptions for plants.

“The plants we [are] giving people are mainly herbs—things like lemon balm and catmint, which all have mindful qualities,” Augusta Ward, a medical secretary at the practice, told Metro UK.

Gardening For Mental Health

In addition to sending plants home with people, the practice has a program where patients can garden with others.

“The plant is then a reason to come back to the surgery and get involved in all the other activities in our garden and make new friends,” Ward said.

The new initiative to integrate plants into medicine is being done in conjunction with Sow the City, a nonprofit that promotes the health benefits of plants and gardening on an individual and social level.

“There’s evidence that people who are socially isolated have worse health outcomes,” Jon Ross, the organization’s director, told Fast Company. “We provide a kind of community project within the [doctor’s office] so that people can get together and do the food growing and the gardening together with other patients.”

Dr. Philippa James, who practices at Cornbrook, said that the idea of health benefits from plants isn’t new.

“There’s a lot of evidence now about how two hours a week in a green space can lift mood—and then that too has physical, mental and emotional benefits. That’s something we need to harness,” she said. She added that she has seen patients benefitting from the program already.

Green Spaces For Better Moods

“I’ve seen how our patients relax in the garden—and how they then get involved in wider events like picking litter, which all adds to pride in our area,” she said.

Ross said that Sow the City aims to set people up for success in caring for their plants and keeping them alive.

He said, “We try and make it as easy as possible, and we set it up so that the plants are healthy to start with, and we train them on how to look after them.”

Dr. Ruth Bromley, chair of the Manchester Health & Care Commissioning, which oversees health initiatives in the city where Cornbrook is located, said that she is happy to see a practice taking an unconventional approach to care.

“So much of what keeps people happy and well isn’t medical,” she said. “That’s why ideas like this one are so wonderfully effective, building on what is best about our communities and supporting patients close to where they live.”

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019
Brothers Accused Of Running Massive Illegal THC Vaping Operation

Authorities are only beginning to understand the scope of the Huffhines brothers’ massive operation.

A recent bust of an illegal THC vape operation has bewildered authorities, also shedding light on what may be causing severe lung damage among vapers across the country.

So far, over the last several months, health officials have counted about 400 possible cases of severe lung illness related to vaping, and six deaths. The cause is still being investigated, but state and federal officials suspect that contaminants found in products purchased on the black market are what have caused so many to fall ill.

Now, the discovery of a meticulous and extensive illegal THC vape business operating out of Wisconsin has shed light on the lengths that some people will go to profit from this growing industry.

Drugs, Guns & Cash

Jacob and Tyler Huffhines, 23 and 20 respectively, ran the business out of a condo in Bristol and their family’s home in Paddock Lake. Authorities seized $59,000 in cash, eight guns, various illicit drugs, 57 mason jars filled with THC oil, and nearly 130,000 cartridges that were either empty or contained the THC oil.

“When we walked in there, we were like, ‘Oh boy,’” said Capt. Dan Baumann of the Waukesha Police Department. “This is what we were looking for, but we did not know it was this big.”

The Huffhines siblings were arrested on September 5 and remain in custody in Kenosha County Jail. Tyler has been charged with the manufacture, distribution or delivery of marijuana, and Jacob has been charged with cocaine possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The massive operation produced close to 3,000 cartridges a day, employing at least 10 people who were paid $20 per hour to fill the cartridges with the THC oil, the New York Times reported. Each cartridge would sell for around $35 to $40.

This bust was a major development as vaping-related illness has become something of a public health crisis in the U.S. as of late. Experts detailed to the Times how counterfeit vapes are assembled piece by piece to produce a convincing product resembling real vapes that are sold in legal marijuana states like California and Colorado.

Making The Counterfeits

Everything from the empty cartridges to packaging made to resemble the real thing, logos and all, are purchased on the internet. Then the cartridges are injected with THC oil purchased in the U.S. The problem, authorities say, lies in producers wanting to reap the most profit by diluting their product. This is where the suspected contaminants come in.

Authorities suspect that black market suppliers are cutting the THC oil with fillers, such as vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent that is one suspected cause of what has been sickening so many people who vape.

Investigators are only beginning to understand the scope of the Huffhines’ operation, and the likelihood of there being more like it.

The Times said, “Wisconsin police say they were stunned by the scope and ambition of the Huffhines operation, and [are] only beginning to understand how far it might have reached.”

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019
Modern Mommy Madness Blogger Chronicles Recovery Journey

“It’s like the only way that I knew how to cope with life was drinking. I honestly didn’t know how to function,” Harmony Hobbs revealed in a recent interview.

Before becoming sober in 2017, Harmony Hobbs was a popular fixture of “wine mom culture.” She was a typical wine-loving mother of three who would kick back at the end of a long day with a glass of wine, or two, or three.

At the height of her drinking problem, the Modern Mommy Madness blogger would down a bottle and a half everyday. It didn’t start out that way. But as time went on, Hobbs “needed more and more to feel relaxed,” she told ABC News.

Her best friend and fellow blogger Audrey Hayworth said that in retrospect, she realized that Harmony would always drink more than her. The two would post product reviews on the YouTube channel MomCave while sipping from wine glasses.

Wine Mom Culture

Unlike the seemingly light-hearted drinking associated with wine mom culture, Hobbs’ drinking started to have a negative effect on her family.

“I had all this unresolved stuff [and] I didn’t know why, and I drank to make it go away but it never really went away,” Hobbs said. “Alcohol made me more depressed. So I was just miserable.”

After being in denial for so long, the Baton Rouge mother announced to her followers in 2017 that she was putting down the bottle.

“Instantly, it made me feel better,” she said. “I had rules because I didn’t want to be irresponsible, so I would drink a lot at home… Just a glass or two and I feel better. Then, I [would] get the kids again and I would drink the rest of the bottle and start on another one.”

Journaling In Recovery

Her blog became a journal of her recovery journey.

“I thought I told Robbie (her husband), ‘I can’t drink. I’m not sure if I can go on,’” she said. “That’s how it is, though. It’s like the only way that I knew how to cope with life was drinking. I honestly didn’t know how to function.”

On Monday (Sept. 16), Hobbs published a blog post titled “932 Days Sober.”

“So here is the deal: the addict part of my brain doesn’t want me to get better. She wants to keep me sick… She knows that the more I tell on my disease, the harder it will become for her to destroy me,” she wrote.

Her experience is akin to that of many others in recovery who still struggle after years of recovery.

But the early days of becoming sober proved to be the toughest.

“It’s ridiculous that at 37 years old, I’m going to have to re-learn how to cope with the difficulties of life: grief and pain and abandonment and loss and the everyday stress that accompanies motherhood,” Hobbs wrote after just 25 days sober. “Maybe I never knew how to handle those things in the first place, and that’s what landed me in a 12-step program. The ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ don’t matter—I just want to get better.”

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019
"Honey Boo Boo" Star Mama June Hit With Felony Drug Possession Charges

The reality star and her beau were arrested last March following a domestic incident at a gas station in Alabama.

A grand jury in Alabama has charged reality television star “Mama” June Shannon with possession of a controlled substance stemming from a March 2019 arrest with her boyfriend, Gene Doak.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, a review of evidence by the Grand Jury of Macon County, levied felony charges against Shannon and Doak for possession of cocaine, as well as a misdemeanor charge of possession for a pipe found by police during a search of their vehicle at a gas station during the aforementioned arrest.

As People magazine noted, a conviction on the former charge could carry prison sentences for both Shannon and Doak.

Arrested At The Gas Station

Shannon and Doak were arrested on March 13, 2019 after police were summoned by a report of a domestic incident involving the pair at a gas station in Alabama.

Upon arrival, a search of the vehicle and the couple themselves turned up a hypodermic needle, a pill bottle containing a white controlled substance, and a glass pipe containing white residue, which Shannon reportedly told police was crack cocaine. Shannon also claimed at the time of the arrest that everything in the car belonged to her.

Both Shannon and Doak had bail set for $11,000, and were ordered to appear in court. A spokesperson for the Macon County District Attorney’s office said that the couple was slated to appear at an arraignment on Friday, September 13, 2019, but both failed to appear before the judge. A second court date was not confirmed.

A statement issued her WE TV reality series, Mama June: From Not to Hot, said that June had remained in Alabama after the arrest, and was prevented from leaving the state until after the hearing.

Family Intervention

As shown on the series’ 2019 season finale, Shannon briefly entered an in-treatment patient facility in North Carolina after her family – including daughters Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon – staged an intervention in regard to her alleged drug use. But after 12 hours at the facility, she left with Doak and was arrested at the aforementioned gas station two days later.

Possession of cocaine in the state of Alabama is a Class C felony, which can carry a sentence of between one and 10 years in prison and a monetary fine of up to $15,000 if the amount of cocaine in question is less than 28 grams.

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019
Luxury Rehab Guide for Klonopin Addiction Treatment
If you are looking for information about Klonopin addiction and treatment, find answers here in this helpful guide.

1. What is Klonopin Addiction?
2. Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab: Evaluating Your Options
3. Treatment Plans for Klonopin Addiction
4. Finding the Best Klonopin Rehab Facility for You

If you are suffering from Klonopin addiction, you will need expert assistance to overcome the immense challenges you’re facing. Fortunately, high-quality drug and alcohol treatment centers can provide exactly the kind of help you need. But you are probably asking: what are the best rehabs for Klonopin addiction, and what characteristics do they share?

The best rehabs offer evidence-based therapies and other healing services that give their clients tremendous hope for recovery. In the interests of your health and future, you must take the time to carefully examine and evaluate your options before you choose a Klonopin treatment center.

What is Klonopin Addiction?

Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine, a class of drugs known for its soothing and tranquilizing effects on the human mind and body.

Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed for anxiety and panic, and Klonopin is one of the most popular anti-anxiety medications on the market. It may be safely given to those who’ve been diagnosed with any type of anxiety disorder, or to anyone whose life is adversely affected by ongoing stress and anxiety. Benzodiazepines are generally recommended for short-term use, to help men and women with anxiety learn to manage their troubling symptoms.

But those who abuse Klonopin by taking it recreationally, or for longer periods of time or in greater amounts than recommended, are at high risk for Klonopin addiction. The hazards can be especially acute for those who mix Klonopin with other intoxicating substances, such as alcohol, marijuana or opioids.

This behavior is tragically common among those who consume benzodiazepines without a prescription. Drug mixing increases the likelihood of chemical dependency developing and also puts users at greater risk for a potentially fatal drug overdose.

In fact, benzodiazepines are implicated in about 30 percent of the drug overdose deaths in the United States each year. This is one of the main reasons why anyone experiencing the symptoms of Klonopin dependency should seek treatment right away.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab: Evaluating Your Options

The best Klonopin addiction treatment facilities will offer recovery services on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Either type of program will usually last for 30-90 days, depending on the nature and severity of the chemical dependency and any comorbid conditions.

For most people with a substance use disorder, inpatient treatment is considered the superior option. Men and women who enroll in these treatment programs receive 24-hour care and monitoring, giving them access to immediate medical assistance whenever they need it. Those who have been diagnosed with Klonopin dependency often have co-occurring mental or physical health disorders that require this type of intensive, round-the-clock supervision.

During inpatient treatment, clients are able to devote virtually all their time and attention to their recovery. They are able to do so in a supportive, health-oriented environment where others are on the same path to wellness.

One of the biggest benefits of inpatient rehab is that it removes sources of temptation or other negative influences that might endanger recovery. Stressful or unpleasant situations on the job, at home or in relationships often contribute to the onset or worsening of chemical dependency. Klonopin addiction doesn’t develop in a vacuum, and those who have it may need to get away from everything for awhile to keep their recovery on course.

Unfortunately, some people have work, school, parental or other caregiving responsibilities that make it impossible to pursue inpatient treatment. They have time limitations and need more flexible services than an inpatient program can provide.

Outpatient programs that allow participants to live at home or in other off-campus facilities are designed to meet the needs of these clients. In an outpatient program, all the usual elements of a comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment plan are included in their recovery regimen. However, their involvement is limited to a certain number of days per week and/or hours per day.

Nevertheless, if emergencies arise while clients are absent from facility grounds, they can still call or come in to receive immediate assistance.

The best rehabs for Klonopin addiction will offer both inpatient and outpatient options. Which a person chooses will depend on the personal circumstances and the recommendations of addiction treatment professionals.

Treatment Plans for Klonopin Addiction

Before formal treatment can begin, clients diagnosed with Klonopin addiction will require medically-supervised detox. These 7- to 10-day programs will carefully and safely guide clients through the most serious of their withdrawal symptoms. These physical and emotional signs of addiction can threaten recovery in the early stages, which is why detox is such a vital step in the healing process.

Treatment plans for Klonopin addiction will incorporate daily psychotherapy sessions. These meetings are designed to help people with substance use disorders confront the issues and life experiences that left them vulnerable to drug abuse and dependency.

Individual therapy will form the core of the treatment plan. But group sessions that involve interactions with peers will also be offered on a regular basis.

The best drug addiction rehabs make a great effort to involve family members in every step of the recovery process. Family therapy sessions can help individuals with Klonopin addiction heal important relationships that have been damaged by their behavior. When relationships are already strong, loved ones can provide essential emotional support that increases the likelihood of success for men and women in rehab.

Good treatment centers offer a wide variety of therapies, all of which are evidence-based and all of which have produced results. Some of the therapies available might include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Experiential therapy
- EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
- Life skills and relapse prevention classes
- Holistic healing therapies (yoga, art therapy, music therapy, biofeedback, etc.)
Quality rehab centers are always prepared to provide dual diagnosis treatment services to those who have co-occurring mental health conditions or addictions. Dual diagnosis programs are often a lifeline for men and women with Klonopin addiction, since many have anxiety disorders that still require treatment.

The best rehab centers will involve clients in the healing process every step of the way, making them active participants in the creation of their own recovery plans. This enhances the possibilities of success by ensuring that clients receive the type of care and attention they need and desire.

Finding the Best Klonopin Rehab Facility for You

Before you get treatment for Klonopin addiction, you will need to be evaluated and officially diagnosed by a mental health professional or addiction treatment specialist. Simultaneously, they may also diagnose other mental or behavioral health disorders that are complicating your condition. Physicians may be involved in the diagnostic process as well, mainly to rule out any pre-existing physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms.

When you decide to enter treatment, your initial point of contact with a treatment center will be the admissions office. During the intake process, you may be asked to fill out questionnaires, insurance forms and other paperwork (with the assistance of loved ones if you so require). Treatment center staff members and administrators will be available to answer all your questions, and they will assist you in any way they can to make your enrollment as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Before you choose a rehab center for Klonopin addiction, you should visit more than one facility in the company of family members or others you trust. Ideally, you shouldn’t limit your visit to treatment centers that are geographically close, unless financial or personal obstacles force you to do so.

Your preferred list of facilities should include those that offer comprehensive treatment services for your specific condition or conditions. This may or may not include holistic or alternative treatment options, depending on your interest in such innovative healing methodologies. But the greater the number of treatment methods they employ, the greater your chances of creating a comprehensive and customized treatment plan that meets all of your individual health-related needs.

On a physical level, facility grounds should be kept clean and well-maintained. They should offer comfortable and attractive housing, and possibly extra amenities if you’re looking for a luxury rehab experience. Ideally, they should feature stimulating and interesting recreational opportunities that can keep you active and focused on wellness even when you aren’t in therapy.

Most importantly, these facilities should be able to demonstrate a proven track record of success. That is much more revealing than a shiny brochure or impressive sales pitch. They should employ highly-trained and accomplished professionals who are recognized as experts in the addiction treatment and mental health fields.

In your conversations with them, they should give you a thorough outline of the type of treatment you’ll be receiving, while at the same time welcoming your input and feedback. They should be able to explain exactly what they hope and plan to accomplish during your period of collaboration, both to yourself and your family members.

What are the best rehabs for Klonopin addiction and what is the best rehab for you? Ultimately, these are questions you’ll have to answer on your own. While the advice of loved ones and medical professionals can be helpful, in the end you must choose that facility that feels right to you. Your future is in your own hands, and the best rehab center for you is the one you believe will empower you to strive for—and achieve—lasting sobriety and a permanent life transformation.

View the original article at thefix.com
18 September 2019
Alcohol-Related Scooter Injuries On The Rise Across The US

Drugs have also played a role in scooter-related injuries.

As electric scooters have grown in popularity in cities across the country, alcohol-related injuries are also on the rise.

According to Today, a recent study determined that 79% of 103 trauma center patients with scooter-related injuries were tested for alcohol, and of those, 48% had a blood alcohol level greater than the legal limit of 0.08%.

It’s Not Just Alcohol

Drugs have also played a role in scooter-related injuries, as 60% of the same 103 patients were tested for drugs and 52% had them in their system.

“We were surprised by the number of patients who were intoxicated with alcohol or illicit mind-altering substances,” Dr. Leslie Kobayashi of the University of California, San Diego told Reuters.

“After a night out isn’t the best time” to use the scooters, Kobayashi added.

As far as the specific injuries of the 103 patients, the most common were leg, ankle and forearm fractures. Other common injuries were facial fractures, intracranial hemorrhages and concussions. According to Reuters, about one-third of the patients needed surgery and eight were admitted to the ICU.

Cities & States Address Scooter Safety

In some cities, Today reports, steps are being taken to keep scooter safety at the forefront. In Los Angeles in September 2018, a 28-year-old man was penalized for driving under the influence after hitting a pedestrian while riding a scooter.

Wearing a helmet while riding is another suggested safety precaution. However, most riders do not choose to do so. Of the 103 patients treated for scooter-related injuries, 98% did not have a helmet on.

Some states, however, are making helmets mandatory For example, in New Jersey, helmets are required for anyone on a scooter and under age 17.

Some of the main scooter companies are Lime, Bird and B Mobility. After 35-year-old YouTuber Emily Hartridge, who was riding a scooter, collided with a truck in London and died, a government official met with and informed such companies that in the UK, scooters are not permitted on public roads.

“That’s why every day we’re innovating on technology, infrastructure and education to set the standard for micromobility safety,” a spokesperson for Lime told Today in June. “We appreciate the attention on this very important issue, and we look forward to continue working with the industry, medical community and regulators to create a meaningful ecosystem for this new and evolving technology.”

Dr. Kate Douglass, director of the George Washington University Center for Injury Prevention and Control in Washington, D.C., was not involved in the study but tells Reuters that it’s vital for people to educate themselves on riding scooters.

“We often see people who hit potholes or curbs and end up fracturing their arm or elbow because they fall,” she said in a phone interview. “Use a safety check and practice your brakes and turns. Make sure you know how to use it before you operate it.”

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019
Morgan Spurlock Reveals He's Sober

Spurlock says he’s trying to make amends to the people he hurt in the past.

Morgan Spurlock directed the famed documentary Super Size Me, which took on the fast food industry. Then several years ago, he came forward about his past sexual misconduct when the #MeToo movement exploded.

After being out of the public eye for several years, Spurlock has now resurfaced with his next movie, a sequel to Super Size Me, and the announcement that he is now sober.

As People reports, Spurlock is trying to make amends to the people he hurt in the past. Spurlock says he’s been sober for over 600 days and as he explains, “It’s been a lot of me looking at the choices I’ve made over my life and it’s been a lot of bad and poor behavioral choices. It was really important for me to own up to that and admit that I could do better and be a better person.”

Making Amends

Now that he’s sober, Spurlock says, “It has been amazing, and I feel better than I ever have. I’m just continuing to focus on my family and friends, and making amends to everyone I need to. I think my behavior automatically has shifted… I just reached a moment where I realized I had to change my life, I realized things had to be different and everything just kind of came to a head in that moment. And good and bad all around it, at the end of the day it was exactly what needed to happen for me.”

Spurlock got sober after making his #MeToo Twitter confession entitled, “I Am Part of the Problem.”

He wrote about being accused of rape in college, as well as settling an allegation of sexual harassment from a former assistant. “And then there’s the infidelity. I have been unfaithful to every wife and girlfriend I have ever had… I hurt them and I hate it. But it didn’t make me stop.”

“I’ve Talked Enough In My Life… I’m Finally Ready To Listen”

Spurlock said he suffered sexual abuse when he was a teenager, and added, “I’ve consistently been drinking since the age of 13… I haven’t been sober for more than a week in 30 years… [It] only served to fill the emotional hole in me and the daily depression I coped with.”

At the end of his confession, he concluded, “I’ve talked enough in my life… I’m finally ready to listen.”

View the original article at thefix.com

18 September 2019