Answer Addiction

Author: The Fix

  • Netflix To Rethink On-Screen Smoking In Effort To Reduce Harm To Youth

    Netflix To Rethink On-Screen Smoking In Effort To Reduce Harm To Youth

    Netflix had 866 instances of tobacco appearing on screen in 2016-2017, while broadcast and cable shows had 343.

    The streaming giant Netflix has announced that it will make efforts to reduce the depiction of smoking on screen after a report found that smoking had become more common in Netflix original shows that are popular with young people. 

    Although smoking rates have decreased nationally, television scenes depicting smoking have increased. A report by the Truth Initiative found that 92% of shows in the 2016-2017 season showed smoking, up from 79% the previous year.

    Netflix had 866 instances of tobacco appearing on screen in 2016-2017, while broadcast and cable shows had 343. The previous year, Netflix had 299 instances, while cable and broadcast had 139 instances. 

    Impact On The Youth

    The Truth Initiative report emphasizes that seeing smoking and tobacco products on screen can inspire young people to use tobacco themselves. 

    “Analysis of peer-reviewed studies estimates that exposure to tobacco use in movies is responsible for 37% of smoking initiation among young smokers,” the report authors wrote. 

    They continued, “The popularity of streaming combined with the pervasive rise of smoking in episodic content points to an emerging threat to a new generation of Young Americans.”

    Up to 28 million young people have been exposed to smoking through the most popular programs. 

    In response to the report, Netflix issued a statement to Entertainment Weekly saying that it will reconsider the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes on screen. A spokesperson for the organization said that Netflix needs to balance harm reduction with artistic expression and historical accuracy.

    “Netflix strongly supports artistic expression. We also recognize that smoking is harmful and when portrayed positively on screen can adversely influence young people,” the spokesperson said. 

    In the future, all projects with a rating of TV-14 (for shows) or PG-13 (for movies) will not feature smoking or e-cigarette use “except for reasons of historical or factual accuracy” Netflix said. 

    “For new projects with higher ratings, there’ll be no smoking or e-cigarettes unless it’s essential to the creative vision of the artist or because it’s character-defining (historically or culturally important),” the spokesperson said. “In addition, starting later this year, smoking information will be included as part of our ratings on the Netflix service so our members can make informed choices about what they watch.”

    ‘Stranger Things’ Tops The List 

    Researchers for the Truth Initiative found that the popular Netflix show Stranger Things showed smoking more than any other program—in fact, every episode of the show contained images of tobacco use. The show stars a group of teens, many of whom are under the age of 18. 

    Netflix was the primary focus of the report not intentionally, but because young people surveyed indicated that their favorite shows were mostly Netflix originals, the report authors noted. 

    “While Netflix is the focus of this analysis because it is the platform for young people’s favorite streaming shows, it should be noted that the proliferation of tobacco imagery is not limited to Netflix,” they said. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Hawaii Decriminalizes Marijuana

    Hawaii Decriminalizes Marijuana

    The law will take effect on January 11, 2020.

    On Tuesday (July 9) Hawaii decriminalized marijuana possession. 

    The state will no longer give jail time for possession of up to 3 grams of marijuana, but can give a $130 fine. Previously this “offense” was punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1000 fine.

    However, 3 grams is a low threshold for marijuana possession. Possessing larger amounts, repeat offenses and selling or trafficking marijuana is still punishable by jail time, Vox reported.

    “Unfortunately, three grams would be the smallest amount of any state that has decriminalized (or legalized) simple possession of marijuana. Still, removing criminal penalties and possible jail time for possession of a small amount of cannabis is an improvement,” read a statement by the Marijuana Policy Project.

    The decriminalization bill, after passing the state legislature, was neither signed nor vetoed by Hawaii’s governor David Ige. It became law on July 9 and will take effect on January 11, 2020.

    Ige decided not to veto the legislation, though he did veto two other marijuana-related bills—to allow the transport of medical marijuana between Hawaii’s islands and to create an industrial hemp licensing program.

    The governor said the bill lacked a provision to provide substance abuse support for young people. “That was a very tough call,” he said. “I did go back and forth on decriminalization.”

    Ige said that Hawaii’s passing of decriminalization does not mean that they will be next to legalize marijuana. And he’s in no hurry to do so either.

    “We continue to learn from other states about the problems they see with recreational marijuana, and most of the governors that I talk to that have recreational laws have acknowledged significant problems with those measures,” he said in June.

    “Hawaii can benefit from not being at the head of the table, that we would be smart to engage and recognize what’s happening in other states, acknowledge the challenges and problems that it has raised and allow us to look at how we would implement it here in a much better controlled fashion,” said Ige.

    Legalization has been proposed in Hawaii for years. This year, it again fell through the cracks.

    In March, a bill to legalize marijuana died before a deadline in the state legislature. “Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English has introduced marijuana legalization bills for the past 15 years—but Hawaii has a track record of moving slowly on social issues,” the AP reported.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Teen Marijuana Use Drops Amid Legalization

    Teen Marijuana Use Drops Amid Legalization

    Teen marijuana use is down 8% in states where recreational marijuana is legal. 

    Legalizing recreational cannabis has lead to a decrease in teen use in many states, according to a study published this week that contradicts previous research of how legalization affects teen pot use. 

    The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, found that recreational marijuana laws were associated with an 8% decrease in teen pot use, and a 9% decrease in frequent use. 

    Recreational Use

    “Because our study is based on more policy variation than prior work, we view our estimates as the most credible to date in the literature,” study author Mark Anderson told CNN. He emphasized that the study focused on recreational legalization, not legalization for medical use. 

    “Just to be clear we found no effect on teen use following legalization for medical purposes, but evidence of a possible reduction in use following legalization for recreational purposes,” he said. 

    The researchers looked at data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, which polled 1.4 million high schoolers between 1993 and 2017.

    Anderson would like to see the data reviewed again in a few years in order to reflect more widespread recreational legalization efforts. 

    “Because many recreational marijuana laws have been passed so recently, we do observe limited post-treatment data for some of these states,” he said. “In a few years, it would make sense to update our estimates as more data become available.”

    Stanford University professor of pediatrics Bonnie Halpern-Felsher said that the study needs an in-depth look, since it found different results from previous research. 

    “I think the big question is why,” she said. “Why are they seeing in this national dataset decreases—pretty significant decreases—when other studies are finding no difference?”

    Age Restrictions

    One possible explanation that researchers float in the paper is that teens are not able to buy legal cannabis because of the age restriction (only those 21 and over can access it), and legalization has lead to fewer opportunities to buy on the black market. Halpern-Felsher agreed that this is possible. 

    “Maybe now because of having legalization, you don’t have the street sales anymore,” she said. “So dispensaries, we would hope, would be better at carding and checking for age verification.”

    Whatever the reason for the decrease, she emphasized that education is key in maintaining teens’ health amid legalization. 

    “The other question is, are youth getting the message about the fact that using marijuana during adolescence is more harmful because of their brain development?” she said. “Given the legalization, we need more education around marijuana or cannabis use for youth and we don’t really have a lot of education.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Does Having Access To Opioids Increase Overdose Risks?

    Does Having Access To Opioids Increase Overdose Risks?

    A new study investigated whether having access to a family member’s prescriptions makes one more likely to overdose.

    People who have a family member who was prescribed opioids are nearly three times more likely to experience an opioid overdose than people who do not have a family member with access to opioids, according to a recent study reported on by Vox. 

    The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at records from about 11,500 people, 2,303 of whom had experienced an opioid overdose that required a hospital visit. The researchers found that people whose family member had been prescribed opioids in the past were more likely to overdose. 

    “Family member prescriptions may be a risk factor for overdose,” the study authors wrote. 

    The authors said that the data proves that more needs to be done to reduce access to opioids among family members of people who are given prescriptions. 

    “Interventions may focus on expanding access to opioid antagonists, locking prescription opioids in the home, and providing greater patient education to limit fatal overdose among family members,” they wrote. 

    Although some people argue that the opioid crisis is caused by underlying factors like low social mobility, studies like this prove that access to opioids plays a significant role, said Stanford drug policy expert Keith Humphreys. 

    “The claim that opioid overdose is just about ‘root causes’ rather than drug supply cannot be sustained in light of these findings,” he wrote on Twitter. 

    The research showed that the more opioids a person was prescribed, the higher the risk that one of their family members would overdose. The study only looked at overdose victims who had not previously been prescribed opioids themselves, solidifying the link between family member use and likelihood of overdose. 

    Having Access

    This isn’t the first time that research has shown a link between access to opioids and abuse. Another study published this year found that when teens were prescribed opioids for the first time, 2.4% developed long-term use. However, that rose to 4.1% for teens who had a family member that used opioids chronically. 

    “The findings suggest that long-term opioid use among family members is associated with persistent opioid use among opioid-naive adolescents and young adults undergoing surgery and should be screened for in the preoperative period,” study authors wrote. 

    In addition, a report found that doctors and nurses were responsible for 67% of prescription drug thefts. The vast majority of those involved opioids. Tennessee doctor Stephen Loyd said that easy access to opioids and lack of accountability made it easy for him to divert pills. 

    “There was no requirements on what happened to those pills. They could go down the toilet or they could go in my pocket,” he said, adding that he’s not surprised there is so much opioid diversion among doctors. “They’ve got high stress jobs. A lot of them, like myself, have workaholism. And not only that, you have access.” 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Where to Find Alprazolam Addiction Treatment

    Where to Find Alprazolam Addiction Treatment

    We can help you find the best luxury Alprazolam rehab.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Alprazolam?
    2. Uses of Alprazolam
    3. Slang Names for Alprazolam
    4. Definition of Addiction
    5. Problems with Alprazolam Addiction
    6. Addiction Symptoms with Alprazolam
    7. Withdrawal Symptoms with Alprazolam
    8. Drug Rehabs
    9. Types of rehabs
    10. Payment for rehab loans and insurance
    11. Conclusion

    What is Alprazolam?

    Alprazolam is one of the top prescribed benzodiazepines usually consumed for a different number of disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorder, and others. It’s also a medication that is prescribed to people with sleep disorders. Since it’s a prescription drug, it has opened doors to Alprazolam being misused by patients who are looking to get quick relief from certain conditions and even for those looking for an easy high. Most medical experts don’t prescribe more than 4 mg of Alprazolam within 24 hours for people with mild anxiety symptoms, while people with severe anxiety attacks are prescribed about 10 mg of the drug. 

    Uses of Alprazolam

    Alprazolam is a sedative, and it affects the brain and nervous system of a person. It boosts the production of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which slows down the nerve activity of the cell in the brain resulting in providing a relaxed and calm feeling. Alprazolam is mainly prescribed for two conditions – anxiety disorder and panic disorder. When taken in the prescribed dosage, Alprazolam can help minimize and stop the episodes of intense fear and anxiety in a person. It allows people with such disorders to manage the conditions and is quite useful for the same. Since Alprazolam affects the central nervous system of a person, it can slow down breathing and heartbeat, which often elevates during the manic episodes. People with anxiety disorder often find it challenging to live a healthy life since it dramatically interferes with school, social activities, and even relationships. However, Alprazolam is prescribed only for a short period to prevent its misuse or addiction. When it’s combined with other therapies, it can help a person with anxiety and panic disorder handle situations that can often lead to severe episodes. 

    Slang Names for Alprazolam

    Alprazolam is known by many different names in the market, and some of them might be named depending on the company that produced it. Some of the street names for Alprazolam are zanies, xannies, handlebars, blue footballs, bars, French fries, ladders, benzos, Upjohn, and sticks.

    Definition of Addiction

    Alprazolam addiction occurs when the person taking the drugs become physically and psychologically dependent on the drug to operate appropriately. If the person stops consuming the drugs, they immediately suffer from withdrawal symptoms since their body is already accustomed to the drug’s presence in the body. People will find it challenging to get by even a day without taking the medication and have severe panic attacks even if they try. A person with severe Alprazolam addiction may take about 20 to 30 pills in a day. A person will first start to become tolerant of the drug, which will force them to increase the dosage or frequency of consumption. The addiction happens over some time, and once that happens, stopping the drug entirely will become a big challenge for them. Since Alprazolam provides a feeling of euphoria and pleasure, people start to misuse Alprazolam to get that feeling and often end up being addicted to it. The time needed for a person to get addicted to Alprazolam will significantly vary from person to person and depends on other factors like past substance habits, brain chemistry, the quantity consumed, frequency, and other environmental factors. 

    Problems with Alprazolam Addiction

    It has been proven that Alprazolam has misuse liability, especially if someone with a drug abuse history takes it. People can enjoy many benefits when they take prescribed Alprazolam along with other medications and therapy. However, often, people start to rely on Alprazolam for support. Many also begin to experiment with Alprazolam for recreational purposes and combine it with alcohol and other drugs to increase the sedative effect. It can increase the risk of addiction and even overdose, which can lead to death. Also, the interaction of Alprazolam with other dangerous substances such as alcohol, caffeine, Nyquil, ibuprofen, Benadryl, and others can cause injury and even death. It’s best for a person to check with a doctor before consuming any other drug along with Alprazolam; otherwise, it can be dangerous to your health.

    Addiction Symptoms with Alprazolam

    Even though Alprazolam addiction is treatable, it’s essential to know that there is an addiction so that comprehensive tools can be used for the treatment to begin. Even though it might sound easy to understand if a person is becoming addictive to Alprazolam, the reality is that many people don’t know the signs of Alprazolam abuse until it becomes severe. 

    The most common sign of Alprazolam addiction is that the person is not taking Alprazolam as prescribed and is continuing to take Alprazolam even after it’s not been prescribed any longer. If the person has been warned of the Alprazolam dependency and continues to use it in different ways such as crushing, snorting, or in other forms, it means that the person is becoming addicted to it. If there is a prescription of Alprazolam in the family, one has to make sure to count the pills regularly to ensure that no one is misusing the drug. The Alprazolam bottle needs to be kept in a locked place. 

    • Common Signs of Alprazolam Addiction

    It’s essential to keep a check on the social and behavioral changes in a person who might be suspected of abusing Alprazolam. Those with Alprazolam addiction will have a shift in their priorities, and it’ll be visible in their behavior. A person with Alprazolam addiction will become unpredictable, have mood swings, and their mood will depend on the use of the drug. A person will also start to skip school or work almost regularly. Thus, it’s best to monitor your performance in school or their involvement in their professional life. They would also show less interest in daily activities that they usually enjoyed before. 

    Another common sign of Alprazolam addiction that the person will become secretive and not want others to know what they are up to. They will ensure that people do not enter their room and often hide things from their family members and friends. They will also spend most of their in the toilet, even if they are not using it. They will also seek out other people who abuse the drugs for companionship or source more drugs. They will also try to visit several physicians than required to get more prescriptions for Alprazolam. They will not want to socialize much with their family members to avoid the detection of their Alprazolam abuse. 

    It’s best to check for red flags such as mortar and pestle, razor blades, and even credit cards because the person might be snorting the Alprazolam by crushing it since it makes the drug act more quickly. You should also check for straws, rolled up paper bills, and papers as these are good indicators of Alprazolam abuse. Since the person will need more Alprazolam, they will have trouble keeping up with their financials and see considerable discrepancies in how they are spending their money. If they start to borrow money from friends and families and are unable to explain the same, it can be an indication that they are trying to fund their addiction. 

    Often people with Alprazolam addiction end up in legal trouble, and it’s a common sign that the person has become a severe Alprazolam abuser. Since buying and reselling prescription drugs is illegal, if the person is caught with false prescriptions, they can end up in jail and face a sentence. 

    • Physical Symptoms of Alprazolam Addiction

    Most people, who are addicted to Alprazolam, may have started using the drug from prescription for some psychological disorder. To help ease the conditions of these disorders, the physicians will up or lower the dosage depending on the emotions that need to be kept in check. However, with time, it is possible for people to get addicted to it, and there are some common indicators of such addiction. 

    Some of the top physical symptoms of Alprazolam addiction that one needs to look for –

    • Unable to cope without the use of Alprazolam
    • Sleeping for longer periods of time
    • Headache
    • Dry mouth
    • Slurred speech
    • Vertigo
    • Impaired coordination
    • Weakness
    • Light-headedness
    • Vomiting
    • Delirium
    • Seizures
    • Constipation
    • Appetite change
    • Fluctuation in weight

    Some other psychological symptoms of Alprazolam addiction to look into are –

    • Depression
    • Memory loss
    • Talkativeness
    • Delusions
    • Lack of concentration
    • Suicidal thoughts
    • Coordination and balance problems
    • Confusion
    • Speed Issues

    Withdrawal Symptoms with Alprazolam

    Trying to stop the use of Alprazolam abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms usually depend on the length of use of the drug, and how much of the drug has been consumed till date. However, remember that not all the symptoms can be withdrawal signs. People need to reduce the dosage they consume over some time and then finally taper off from Alprazolam. All these methods should be done under the close supervision of a trained medical professional and should not be tried at home. 

    Drug Rehabs

    Since Alprazolam is one of the top prescribed drugs in the United States, the number of people becoming addicted to it is quite large. Those who have been taking Alprazolam for a long period can often develop withdrawal symptoms, sometimes with high severity levels, and they will need help to overcome it. The good news is that Alprazolam addiction is treatable with a combination of detoxification and therapy methods. Thus, it would help if you looked into supervised drug rehab centers to ensure that you’re entirely free of Alprazolam. Often, the withdrawal symptoms of Alprazolam can be dangerous, and one should seek help from a supervised and professional facility. If a person becomes addicted to Alprazolam, the best and safest way to end the addiction is to enter into a medically managed drug rehab center. 

    Types of Rehabs

    When a person has Alprazolam addiction, it’s not recommended to stop taking the medication ‘cold turkey’ as it can lead to serious health issues. It’s best to take the help of professionals as it’s not possible for a person to do it on their own. The first step to getting treatment for Alprazolam addiction is to realize that there is a problem and that they are ready to fight it. There are mainly two types of rehab available for people with Alprazolam addiction in Canada – Inpatient and Outpatient rehab centers. 

    Inpatient

    Inpatient rehab is an effective way of treating for Alprazolam addiction. The patient will be required to live at the treatment facility in Canada throughout the course of the treatment, depending on the severity of the abuse. It usually covers all the different programs such as detox services, therapy, counseling, meditation, neurofeedback, and others in a medically supervised environment. Since the best way to recover from Alprazolam addiction is gradually decreasing the dosage of Alprazolam the body gets, inpatient programs are perfect for people suffering from severe addiction and symptoms. Such programs allow the body to adjust naturally to the absence of the drug and prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient rehab offers more comprehensive treatment and is best for people with severe Alprazolam addiction or someone with a history of treatment drop-outs for outpatient treatment programs.

    Outpatient

    For those who are suffering from low or mild Alprazolam addiction, outpatient rehab is another option that can be utilized. Here, the patient can live at home but attend treatment sessions at the rehab at predetermined times on a regular basis. It’s best for those who cannot admit themselves into inpatient rehab or are the sole caregivers of their children or their old parents. Most outpatient programs will include counseling, family therapy, education, relapse prevention therapy, and also support group. It’s best to pick a rehab center that is close to the person’s home or workplace so that it’s easy for them to attend the different programs, and they will not feel lethargic to attend them. 

    Residential

    Residential rehab is one kind of inpatient rehab program where the person suffering from addiction needs to spend a few days or several months within the premises of a rehab facility and get the support they need. Here, the patient is continuously monitored through their doctors and specially trained professionals for any severe withdrawal symptoms of Alprazolam. They are also provided with assistance and therapy to help them cope with anxiety and to learn how to live without Alprazolam. 

    Payment for Rehab Loans and Insurance

    There is no fixed cost for Alprazolam addiction treatment, and it will depend on a lot of things, such as the type of program, duration, location, features, and insurance coverage. If the person has health insurance, it can cover a part of the total treatment program too. Before choosing a rehab center, it’s best to contact their health insurance provider and check if they have contact with any specific rehab centers that take their insurance. Also, inpatient and residential rehab treatment will be costlier than outpatient treatment, so one has to pick according to their financial stability and the severity of their addiction.

    Most rehabs facilities understand that recovering addicts will have financial hardships, and it’s the reason they offer different payment plans that they can afford. Many facilities offer loans to their patients on low interest, but they will be required to pay back within a set period after the treatment is over. Some rehab facilities will also offer scholarships or loans to their patients who cannot afford to pay for their treatment. 

    Conclusion

    You can seek help for Alprazolam addiction anytime and stop the damage that the drug causes to people. If there is someone who is suffering from Alprazolam addiction, it’s essential to seek treatment for the same. There is courage in accepting that you need help for Alprazolam addiction and it’s treatable. There are plenty of rehab facilities out there, and you need to pick the one that is best suited for them.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find Treatment for Oxazepam Addiction

    How to Find Treatment for Oxazepam Addiction

    Use this handy information guide to find out everything about Oxazepam and Oxazepam addiction.

    1. What is Oxazepam?
    2. What are the medical uses of Oxazepam?
    3. What are the Slang Names for Oxazepam?
    4. What is an addiction?
    5. Problems with Addiction
    6. What are the Oxazepam Addiction Symptoms?
    7. What are the Oxazepam Withdrawal Symptoms?
    8. Is Drug Rehab for Oxazepam a Solution?
    9. Types of Rehabs for Oxazepam
    10. Inpatient Rehab Program
    11. Outpatient Rehab Program
    12. Residential Rehab Program
    13. Rehab Payment

    What is Oxazepam?

    Oxazepam is one of the Benzodiazepines used for mild to intermediate action. Oxazepam belongs to a class of organic compounds called 1, 4-benzodiazepines. They are compounds that contain benzene ring fused to a 1,4-azepine. 

    It is a metabolite of prazepam, diazepam, and temazepam, and has moderate anxiolytic, amnesic, anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties; compared to the other benzodiazepines. 

    It comes in tablet and capsule form. Oxazepam is orally administered and gets absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract at a slower rate, unlike the other Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or flurazepam. It delivers its effects in 2-4 hours and these last for around 3 hours.

    It relieves anxiety by activating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in the brain. Patients are supposed to take Oxazepam in three intervals per day or one or two tablets in a day. In case the patient is administering the drug to have a better sleep, it’s advisable to take the medication only at bedtime. 
     

    What are the medical uses of Oxazepam?

    It helps in the treatment of short-term anxiety associated with depression, acute substance withdrawal, and Oxazepam addiction. It also relieves tension, agitation, and irritability in older patients. Alcohol withdrawal associated with acute tremulousness and inebriation is responsive to Oxazepam. Long term use of Oxazepam, for around four months, is not yet analyzed as being helpful. One should consult a physician before administration.

    Oxazepam does not cause a patient to be “high,” it has other effects like slurred speech, disorientation, sleepiness, and lack of coordination. When a patient uses Oxazepam for a prolonged period, it leads to an increase in side effects like change in appetite.

    What are the Slang Names for Oxazepam?

    People who obtain Oxazepam and other addictive medicines without a prescription use slang names. These names help in making a transaction without being catching attention from the authorities. The slang names used for Oxazepam include:

    1. Benzos
    2. Dippers
    3. Blues/ Heavenly Blues
    4. BZDs
    5. Downers
    6. Goofballs
    7. Nerve Pills
    8. Tranks
    9. Zannies
    10.  Footballs

    If you find a loved one who exhibits addictive symptoms and uses any of these names in their calls or texts, you must take proper measures to identify if this person suffers from Oxazepam addiction and seek help. 

    What is an addiction?

    Oxazepam is in the class of Benzodiazepine, which is a drug class that is highly addictive when used for a prolonged time. Even though it works slowly, it increases the risk of abuse and addiction, and an overdose is fatal.

    Sometimes, it’s difficult to know the signs of addiction, and this is because Oxazepam is considered a safe and mild drug compared to other active drugs like Klonopin. A patient is more likely to misuse Oxazepam and not know its escalation to abuse and possible Oxazepam addiction.

    Problems with Addiction

    When a patient has Oxazepam addiction, they always want to obtain a prescription. The addict still has this tendency of going from one doctor to another seeking more of the drug than the prescribed dosage. It’s known as “doctor-shopping,” and the patient lies to get more dosage.

    It turns into an addiction when the patient craves for more, struggling to control the urge to have Oxazepam and continues to use despite the adverse effects. Oxazepam addiction makes the patient skip work or school, opt to take the drug compared to their favorite activities, and causes difficulties in their relationships with people and healthy social life. 

    Oxazepam has sedating effects, and this can cause accidents and injuries to the user. When used with alcohol, it increases sedation effects. Using alcohol alongside Oxazepam addiction increases life-threatening side effects like lightheadedness, unusual dizziness, difficulty breathing, and extreme sleepiness. A chance of an overdose is higher when mixed with opioids, which can be fatal.

    What are the Oxazepam Addiction Symptoms?

    Oxazepam addiction symptoms are gradually more noticeable and become more evident with continued use of the drug. When noticed in a family member or friend, it’s advisable to seek help and treatment immediately. These symptoms include:

    • Use of Oxazepam other than the doctor’s prescription that a patient has.
    • Using Oxazepam without a prescription.
    • Having cravings and withdrawal when not using the drug.
    • Using Oxazepam for different uses other than what it was prescribed for.
    • Tolerance increases on Oxazepam effects.
    • Lying about the use of Oxazepam.
    • Not able to stop the use of Oxazepam even when the patient tries.
    • Not ready to function normally even when not using Oxazepam.
    • Financial issues due to usage and low performance in school and at work.

    What are the Oxazepam Withdrawal Symptoms?

    With Oxazepam addiction, when the patient immediately stops taking the drug, there are possibilities of experiencing withdrawal. It produces very uncomfortable symptoms, which take effect in 1-2 days when the patient stops the last dose, and the symptoms can last for 2-4 weeks.

    The symptoms include:

    • Insomnia
    • Anxiety
    • Muscle aches and pains
    • Restlessness
    • Agitation and irritability
    • Poor Concentration
    • Loss of Memory

    Is Drug Rehab for Oxazepam a good Solution?

    Rehabs are the best option for patients suffering from Oxazepam addiction. Detox programs that are medically supervised take place in hospitals and rehab centers. Medical staff administers medications to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. Such a solution is safe, comfortable, and ensures support for the Oxazepam addict and prepares them for treatment.

    Patients suffering from Oxazepam addiction are recommended to sign up for a detox program that is medically supervised. This is because the withdrawal symptoms are severe, and a detox program helps a great deal in escaping them. 

    The program is crucial for recovery, but not without treatment. One of the popular treatment plans is behavioral therapy. It changes the patients’ way of thinking and their attitude towards drugs- for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, commonly known as (CBT), helps the patient with coping skills. The skills help to deal with stressful situations that mostly lead to the use of drugs. Behavioral therapy is still the best in helping with Oxazepam addiction.

    Types of Rehabs for Oxazepam

    There are several rehab programs, and there are several factors to consider before settling on one. These factors include financial capability, facilities offered, the support services, the cost, amenities, visitation policies, rules and restrictions, distance from home, the reviews, and staff to patient ratio.

    Some basic rehab programs like Outpatient program, Inpatient program, and Residential program exist in almost all rehabs. However, the choice depends on the level of Oxazepam addiction, the doctor’s recommendation, and each of their unique features and benefits. The rehab program starts after the detoxification stage. It involves several therapies and treatments to help stop Oxazepam addiction, where the patient learns about coping skills.

    Inpatient Rehab Program

    The treatment for Oxazepam addiction is limited, and an inpatient rehab program is always recommended because it provides all the resources needed to overcome Oxazepam addiction and live a better life. The patient lives away from home to receive 24-hour medical care, and supervision is required.

    The medical professionals available can address multiple addiction cases and other mental health issues. This mostly lasts for 30 to 90 days. The professionals also prepare the addict to manage their life after rehab, like the importance of sobriety maintenance programs, how to overcome triggers, and what to do when there is a relapse. 

    Outpatient Rehab Program

    This rehab program involves going to the treatment facility during the day and going back home in the evening, and mostly takes place in a hospital setting. The patient must visit the treatment facility for physical and mental check-ups; doctors will sometimes administer medications on-site to reduce the withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, and increased heart rate.

    It’s less restrictive than the inpatient program; it requires around 10 to 12 hours a week of visitation to a local hospital-like facility. It involves education on drug abuse, group and individual counseling, and teaches the addicts on how to cope with cravings for the drug.

    This is a good option for patients with mild Oxazepam addiction. It’s also considered a long-term treatment option that lasts for 3 to 6 months or over one year. Outpatient detoxification is a more effective treatment plan if your everyday life is not disrupted so much. 

    Residential Rehab Program

    It’s a treatment program offered to the patient of Oxazepam addiction in a residential setting; this is over a treatment program that mostly lasts for less than 30 days or more than 30 days. The length of stay depends on the addiction type, the frequency of using the drug, co-occurring addictions, or medical conditions.

    In the program, it’s also advisable first to start with the detoxification program to clear the harmful toxins from the body. After the detox process, there are several treatment forms used in the residential setting. This involves counseling, group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step program participation, educational lectures, and training in preventing relapse. Choosing the residential program is voluntary, but sometimes, it can come as an order from the court.

    Rehab Payment

    Rehab treatment can be costly, and this is why most people consider not seeking help. However, it’s known that the benefits of the program outweigh the cost involved. An excellent facility provides the best chance to live a better and healthy life again after recovering from Oxazepam addiction. The price can be considered to be on the lower- costing $350 to $750, and on the upper from $1500 to $3000. There are also other options for treatment costs.

    Rehab Insurance

    Several insurance companies extend funding for patients suffering from Oxazepam and other addictions. Different insurance policies have different options. Before a patient seeks treatment, it’s advisable to find out about such possibilities. 

    An insurance program requires you to:

    • Complete outpatient program first before joining the inpatient program.
    • In the case of outpatient care, co-payment needs to be made first.
    • The coverage is generally for several visits per annum.
    • A patient is supposed not to exceed the amount set aside for treatment.

    Private Funding

    For patients who can afford the treatment cost, it’s better to pay the full cost upfront. It can be done in advance, over the treatment program period, or per session. It’s best to go with the outpatient program since it’s considered more reasonable than the inpatient program.

    Rehab Loan

    A patient can get a loan from the bank to help cover the cost of treatment. It’s best to first seek the loan before checking into a facility. After everything is sorted, the patient can arrange for the treatment facility. Most private residential programs are always in a position to negotiate the cost price.

    Selling personal properties

    It involves the sale of properties like cars, jewelry, clothes, antiques, and collectibles to help raise funds for the treatment plan. Art collections, music collections, sports equipment like bicycles, skis, and technological equipment like computers, smartphones, tablets can also be sold. 

    Cash Donations

    This can be done by getting help from friends and family members. You can look for online personal funding platforms like GoFundMe.com. This can actually be an excellent way to raise funds for the rehab treatment plan. 

    Getting Government Grants

    There’s also an option of federal funding and grants. This is dependent on where the addiction victim lives and their age. A grant is a better option since it’s not considered as a loan, and the patient is not supposed to pay before the outcome of the program is evident. However, it’s essential to use the funds for the sole purpose of treatment, and sometimes, an audit-proof is conducted to verify that.

    You can follow this link to find more about treatment plans and centers.

    https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/get-help/get-help-problematic-substance-use.html

    For any patient with Oxazepam addiction, a rehab treatment program should be started at an early stage to avoid the problem of relapse or overdose. Friends and family members should be on the lookout for the stated symptoms and seek help. Even though the cost is high, the patient should consider the benefits that can help them lead a normal and healthy life.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Medical History Museum "Rehumanizes" Specimens Of Patients With Mental Illness

    Medical History Museum "Rehumanizes" Specimens Of Patients With Mental Illness

    “The goal is to give people back a voice that they no longer have,” said Sarah Halter, executive director of the museum.

    Preserved brains, hearts and tumors that, for years, illustrated the physical impact of mental illness on the body were due for an update.

    The specimens—collected from the patients of Central State Hospital (formerly the Indiana Hospital for the Insane)—are now accompanied by a fresh set of labels that paint a clearer picture of the people they once belonged to. The goal was to “rehumanize the specimens.” 

    The unveiling of the collection will take place on July 9th in Indianapolis at the Old Pathology Building of Central State Hospital, which became the Indiana Medical History Museum in 1971.

    Addressing Stigma

    “There is certainly stigma attached to mental illness today, but in the past this sometimes ran much deeper in society,” according to the museum’s website. “Patients at Central State Hospital and others like it across the country were frequently ostracized by their families and communities.”

    The project to learn more about the patients behind the specimens, and to draw more attention to them, began in 2015 and was a collective effort by historians, archivists, medical students and pathologists.

    By piecing together the lives of the patients and sharing this information with visitors, the museum is highlighting the humanity behind each specimen. Especially in a setting—the former “Hospital for the Insane”—where these people were treated with little of it.

    “The goal is to give people back a voice that they no longer have,” said Sarah Halter, executive director of the museum. Halter emphasized the profound impact of displaying labels that give a more complete background accompanying each specimen—including the name of the individual.

    One image provided by the Smithsonian magazine shows both old and new labels, side by side, next to a preserved brain.

    The difference is clear. The old label gave a clinical description and very little detail about the individual: “Male, Age: 69.” With the new label, we learn his name: Charles L. and a brief history of the man: a farmer and father of six “described by those who knew him as a kind and considerate person.”

    Visitors Can Find Out The Back Story Of Each Specimen

    The museum goes into further detail on its website, where visitors can seek more information about each specimen and the individual including where they grew up and why they were admitted to the hospital.

    “We want visitors to realize that these were real people,” said Halter. “We’re all impacted by mental illness whether directly or indirectly… We might have some impact in the community through telling these stories, so we’re continuing to dig and look for more information so that we can add narratives to the collection as we go.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Congressman To Trump: Commute Sentences For 16,000 Non-Violent Prisoners

    Congressman To Trump: Commute Sentences For 16,000 Non-Violent Prisoners

    “Justice delayed is justice denied. Please do the right thing,” Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen wrote in his letter to Trump. 

    Steve Cohen, the Democratic Congressman from Tennessee’s 9th District, sent a tartly worded letter to President Donald Trump recommending that he commute the prison sentences of approximately 16,000 non-violent drug offenders.

    In the letter, Cohen wrote that he was inspired to send the request after Trump commuted the life sentence of Tennessee resident Alice Marie Johnson in 2018, and added that many other individuals currently behind bars “deserve the same relief.”

    Cohen’s letter referenced the efforts of reality television star Kim Kardashian in bringing Johnson’s sentence to Trump’s attention; Kardashian met with the president in May 2018 to discuss prison reform and the possibility of commutation for Johnson, a non-violent drug offender who had been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for her involvement in a drug trafficking scheme.

    Trump Has Granted Three Commutations During His Term

    After serving 21 years of her sentence, Trump granted Johnson’s petition for clemency on June 6, which marked the first of three such commutations since he took office.

    “Thousands serving time for non-violent drug offenses don’t have Kim Kardashian to plead their cases for clemency but are just as deserving of the relief,” wrote Cohen. “These non-violent drug offenders should be released based on their records, not on celebrity endorsements.”

    Cohen also noted that Trump’s predecessor, President Barack Obama, had established a clemency initiative in his second term in office that ultimately resulted in the commutation of more than 1,700 federal inmates, the majority of which had been convicted of non-violent drug offenses, according to Marijuana Moment.

    “Justice delayed is justice denied,” Cohen wrote in the conclusion of his letter. “Please do the right thing.”

    Cohen’s letter to the president comes on the heels of an announcement by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), who on June 20 detailed his “Restorative Justice Initiative” as part of his campaign for president.

    Cory Booker Makes Campaign Promise To Non-Violent Offenders

    As Marijuana Moment noted, Booker announced that if elected, he would grant clemency to an estimated 17,000 federal prisoners serving sentences for non-violent drug offenses. Approximately half of those individuals would have marijuana-related convictions.

    “Granting clemency won’t repair all the damage that has been done by the War on Drugs and our broken criminal justice system, but it will help our country confront this injustice and begin to heal,” he wrote. 

    Fellow Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar has also made clemency part of her campaign, and has suggested the establishment of a bipartisan clemency board to review and recommend non-violent cases to the president in a more expedient fashion. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Toddler Is The Latest Victim Of Philippines’ Violent Drug War

    Toddler Is The Latest Victim Of Philippines’ Violent Drug War

    According to child rights groups in the Philippines, more than 100 children have died since June 2016.

    The Philippines’ violent campaign against drugs continues to claim innocent lives—the latest, a 3-year-old girl named Myka Ulpina.

    Human Rights Watch reports that Myka died on Sunday (June 30) after being shot during a police raid targeting her father. The police, who have a reputation for lying, claimed that her father used Myka as a “shield” during the raid.

    Thousands Have Lost Their Lives 

    Myka’s death is a grim reminder that authorities enforcing the “war on drugs” in the Philippines—launched by President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2016 upon his taking office—are still carrying out violent attacks on poor and urban Filipinos.

    Authorities have admitted to 6,600 killings thus far—but others estimate this number may reach 27,000.

    According to child rights groups in the Philippines, more than 100 children have died since June 2016. They include the deaths of 4-year-old Skyler Abatayo in July 2018 and 5-year-old Danica May Garcia in August 2016—both which have been condemned by UNICEF, the United Nations children’s agency.

    The death of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, who was killed by police in August 2017, marked the only time that police officers have been convicted of murdering a drug war victim.

    The Drug War Affects Everyone

    Human Rights Watch notes, the impact of the government’s violent drug war has a much greater reach than is reported. “The toll of the Philippines’ ‘drug war’ does not end with the killing of a drug suspect, but may extend to their children, often completely destroying families,” said Philippines researcher Carlos Conde.

    The trauma of living in this environment, witnessing deaths and the economic toll of losing family members affect children as well.

    Human Rights Watch is calling on the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution “that urges the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the ‘drug war’ killings and other human rights violations in the Philippines.” The organization says that it would only be a “modest first step” but has the potential to make significant progress toward stopping the “carnage” in the Philippines.

    To learn more about the impact of the drug war on Filipino children, check out the Human Rights Watch report: Collateral Damage: The Children of Duterte’s ‘War on Drugs’ by Carlos Conde.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • LA’s Homeless Population Is Being Devastated By Meth

    LA’s Homeless Population Is Being Devastated By Meth

    “Meth puts you in one of the deepest holes to climb out of,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.

    Mark Casanova estimates that 70% of the clients that he works with at Homeless Health Care Los Angeles are addicted to meth, a drug that wrecks their physical and mental health and makes it more difficult to connect them with services. 

    “It’s way cheaper, it lasts longer, you can smoke it or inject it, it’s easy to get,” Casanova told The Los Angeles Times, speaking about why homeless Californians are turning to meth much more than opioids. 

    In LA’s infamous Skid Row, meth addiction is a plague that contributes to crime and disruption, and pulls people further away from the social fabric that could help them get housing. 

    The LAPD Weighs In

    “Meth puts you in one of the deepest holes to climb out of,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore. “It rots people from the inside out and absolutely owns their lives, and they will do anything in order to exist on it and pursue it.”

    Moore is fighting meth addiction through attacking the supply chain while others, including Dr. Susan Partovi, are taking a harm-reduction approach, working with needle exchanges and other public health programs. 

    Meth’s Dark Toll

    “Crystal meth is the plague of our society,” said Partovi, who once worked at county jails and now works at a needle exchange. “I was seeing 20- and 30-year-olds who had heart attacks and heart failure, and people with pulmonary hypertension who will need lung transplants. There were people who’d had strokes in their 30s.”

    Brian Hurley, head of addiction medicine for LA County’s Department of Health Services, said that meth use causes similar symptoms to mental illness, so it can be difficult to tell whether someone needs mental health treatment or addiction treatment. 

    “Meth is a huge driver of mental health issues because when you use meth, you can become psychotic and anxious and feel depressed,” he explained. 

    Despite the immense challenges, some people in LA’s homeless population do manage to get sober. Sean Romin works as an addiction specialist and has been sober for 15 years. Given his personal experience, he feels empathy for the people still using. 

    “No matter how down or how vulnerable or depressed you feel, meth has the tendency to just get rid of all that in a way that drinking or crack can’t do,” he said. “For eight, 10, 12 hours, you can feel like a normal human being. You can feel like there’s hope.”

    Some people, like Tommy Lee, 53, are able to tap into that hope long term. Lee, who is in recovery, is no longer using and was able to get into temporary housing. 

    “I got to where I was tired, my body was hurting, I couldn’t sleep and my heart was getting weak,” he said. “I’m still young and I want to get my life back. I’m trying my best.”

    View the original article at thefix.com