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Category: Addiction News

  • Xanax Detection Timelines (INFOGRAPHIC)

    Xanax Detection Timelines (INFOGRAPHIC)

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: A visual representation that outlines basic detection periods for alprazolam on blood, saliva, urine, and hair based tests. You’ll learn average lengths of time of alprazolam stay in your system. Plus, you’ll learn about the factors that can influence metabolism.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Drug Basics

    Drug Name: Xanax, main ingredient alprazolam
    Drug Class: Depressants/Sedatives/Hypnotics
    Street Names: Xannies, Zannies, Z-Bars

    Xanax, also known by its generic name alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication. It is a central nervous system depressant that slows down brain activity and produces feeling of drowsiness, calmness, and relaxation. [1]

    Xanax is usually prescribed as a tablet, but it can also come in a liquid form. It is classified as Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA. Xanax’s active ingredient, alprazolam, can be habit-forming and users may become dependent on the medication. [2]

    Use Statistics

    Xanax is a popular and commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. Many Americans use Xanax for medical purposes, and many of them start misusing and get addicted. Also, there are people who take it recreationally, to get high. Just how many people?

    According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there were 17,926,000 Americans who were using alprazolam, which accounts for 6.6% of the total U.S. population. Over 700K of them were teens, almost 3M were young adults between the ages 18-25.

    More than 14M adult Americans took Xanax in 2017.

    Also, about 4,165,000 Americans abused Xanax last year. Abuse can be seen among all age groups. 407K U.S. teens, over 1.6M young adults and over 2 million adults in U.S. took Xanax other than prescribed. [3]

    Why Drug Test?

    There are many reasons why someone will need a drug test. An employer may require it for a job position, or a court may order it for legal reasons. Athletes may be tested for drug use. People in rehab are also regularly tested in planned testing or random testing situations. Emergency rooms drug test in cases of injury or overdose. Also, your prescribing doctor may ask you for drug testing as part of your treatment.

    Detection Window

    Whatever the reasons, it’s good to know the basic detection windows for Xanax and to be prepared for what test results can be. Most drug tests are positive if you’re testing within the detection window for the specific type of test. What’s a detection window?

    The period of time from the last dose of alprazolam until it’s detected in your system is called a drug’s detection window. 

    So, how long does alprazolam stay in your system? On average, the half-life of Xanax is 12 hours. But, Xanax half-life can be anywhere between 6-20 hours. Still, detection windows for alprazolam vary between individuals. The detection window also depends upon the drug test that is used. Here are some general guidelines for Xanax detection by type of drug test sample:

    Urine: Urinalysis can usually detect Xanax for up to 5 days after the last use.
    Saliva: These types of tests detect the presence of Xanax up to 60 hours after the last intake.
    Blood: The detection period for Xanax in a blood tests is about 24 hours.
    Hair: Xanax can be detected up to 90 days in hair follicle drug tests.

    Have in mind that drug detection times in urine, blood, hair, and saliva are in average and can vary greatly from person to person. You should use this information as a general guide only.

    Influence Factors

    Many factors can influence the presence of alprazolam in the system. Some of them include:

    • Age
    • Gender
    • Weight
    • Diet and use of fluids
    • Frequency and length of use
    • Overall health
    • Liver and kidney function
    • Metabolism
    • Physical activity

    In general, younger people eliminate toxins faster. Also, people with slower metabolism will have Xanax longer in their system. Moreover, any liver or kidney impairment can slower the elimination period.

    Any Questions?

    We hope that you find this infographic educational and helpful. If you still have any questions about Xanax detection timelines, we welcome your questions and comments in the section below. We’ll try to answer your questions personally and promptly. Feel free to share a personal story and tell others your drug screening experience.

    Moreover, if you or somone you love is battling Xanax dependence don’t hesitate to ask for support. Our caring admissions navigators are available 24/7 to discuss treatment options. Reach out today.

    [vc_single_image media=”266525″ media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_use_pixel=”yes” media_width_pixel=”300″]

    Reference Sources:
    [1] FDA: XANAX Label
    [2] DEA: Drug Scheduling
    [3] SAMSHA: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables
    Addiction Blog: Xanax half-life: how long does Xanax stay in your system
    SAMSHA: Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Methadone Clinics in Texas

    Methadone Clinics in Texas

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Methadone is administered as part of Narcotic Treatment Programs in Texas. Combined with counseling and talk therapies, the medicine can offer numerous benefits for people addicted to opiates. We review more about the process of receiving methadone and where to find it in Texas here.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    What is Narcotic Treatment?

    The State of Texas calls use of methadone for addiction “narcotic treatment”.  It’s a form of medication assisted treatment. During narcotic treatment, you take prescribed medications in combination with counseling and talk therapy to treat opiate or opioid use disorder.

    So, what is methadone? How does it work?

    Methadone is a synthetic, long-acting opioid that works by acting on the brain receptors. It “covers” nerve receptors so that if you take strong drugs, you don’t get high. In the same way, methadone can dull withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. It is a Schedule II controlled substance…which means that it is habit forming and has the potential for possible addiction if not used as directed. [1]

    Public health officials consider medication assisted treatment one of many solutions that can help the growing number of people in the U.S. addicted to opioids. However, use of methadone is controversial. While it can be essential, some people abuse it. That’s why this type of treatment shouldn’t be limited to medicines. Other services include case management and referrals to help with lifestyle changes.

    How Methadone Clinics in Texas Work

    Narcotic Treatment Programs in Texas are specialized medical clinics that use methadone or buprenorphine to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or pain killer drugs. It is illegal to use methadone without a prescription, to sell or give it to someone else. There are also laws against forging or altering a prescription or making false representation to obtain methadone or a prescription for the drug. [2]

    So, how do methadone clinics in Texas works?

    STEP 1: Screening

    You won’t be processed for admission as a patient of a methadone clinic until you have been determined eligible to enter an narcotic treatment program. So, you will be screened by a health care professional to see if you meet the criteria. Exception to this screening phase include pregnant women, patients who have resided in a penal or chronic care institution for one month or longer, and patients who have had two documented attempts at short-term detoxification or drug-free treatment.

    The screening process can include a history of your drug use, a medical history, psychological and sociological background questions, educational and vocational achievements, current mental status, and a physical examination. Also, you should be 18 or older with moderate to severe opioid use disorder for at least 12 months in order to qualify to receive methadone.

    STEP 2: Admission and Initial Evaluation

    After it’s been determined that you meet the criteria for admission, you will be evaluated by the medical director or program physician and clinical staff trained and qualified to perform assessments. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if methadone treatment is the most appropriate treatment for you. The evaluation usually includes an assessment of your medical, psychosocial, educational, and vocational needs.

    STEP 3: Drug Testing

    Before receiving methadone, you will have to submit an initial drug test. For the first year of treatment, you will have to submit random drug tests each month, and eight random drug abuse tests yearly afterward.

    STEP 4: Treatment Planning

    Based on the initial screening and evaluation, your primary counselor will create an individualized treatment plan. The treatment plan will be reviewed at least once each 90 days during the first year of treatment, and at least twice a year thereafter. Planning will include a dosing schedule and outline recommended prescription use. You’ll also be encouraged to seek counseling or talk therapy at the same time you are taking methadone.

    Dosing and length of treatment

    Typically, most people go to a methadone clinic on a daily basis, six days a week. How long treatment will last is different for each patient, but for methadone maintenance, 12 months is considered the minimum. Some people use methadone for many years. The cost of treatment will be based on your income and expenses, and you may need to pay for some services. If you comply with the rules of the program, you may be allowed a certain quantity of take-home doses. [3]

    Counseling

    Counseling and behavioral therapies are an essential part of a Narcotic Treatment Program. They can help you reach stability faster and become a productive member of society. They can help you focus on relapse prevention, gain control over your life and learn to live a drug-free life. Individual and group therapies, family and couples counseling are just some of the services you may be offered.

    Regulation of Methadone

    In order to ensure the safety of patients and the quality of services, the state of Texas has set up numerous laws and regulations that outline how methadone should be used. The Narcotic Treatment Section of the Patient Quality Care Unit is responsible for regulating and inspecting methadone clinics in Texas. There are currently 75 maintenance programs in Texas that treat around 11,000 opiate-addicted patients.

    There are few things you should consider if you are enrolling in a Narcotic Treatment Program in Texas. If you become a patient at a methadone clinic, you should be informed of your rights. Here are some basic principles to keep in mind.

    1. Every narcotic treatment program in Texas must have a state permit issued by the Texas Department of Health and a federal permit issued by the SAMSHA and the DEA. If you want to make sure that a specific narcotic treatment clinic in Texas has a license, check the directory of narcotic treatment clinics.

    2. Your patient confidentiality is protected by federal law.

    3. Methadone clinics in Texas are required to provide or offer referrals to their patients. These services include social and human services, mental health services, educational and vocational services, family counseling, and HIV/AIDS counseling, prevention, and risk-reduction education.

    4. In Texas, the patient-staff ratio needs to be a maximum of 50 patients for each counselor. Texas allows an increase in the ratio under certain circumstances. But if you don’t feel that you’re receiving the attention that you need, file a complaint on the hotline number below.

    5. Methadone should be administered or dispensed in oral form by a certified health care professional.

    If you believe that any TX State methadone clinic is not following the state regulations you may file a complaint. Complaints may be mailed, faxed or delivered by phone via the complaint hotline.

    Submit a Complaint against a Texas Methadone Facility

    Texas Laws and Rules

    Narcotic clinics in Texas are tightly regulated. There are numerous state and federal laws that govern the prescription and dispensing of methadone. Also, there are laws that regulate how narcotic treatment clinics work. Here are some of the most important ones:

    Title 42, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 8: The Certification of Opioid Treatment Programs, Code of Federal Regulations governs the treatment of opiate and opioid addiction with FDA-approved medications. This law outlines the system created to accredit and certify opioid treatment programs that prescribe methadone. In this law, patients must receive counseling and behavioral therapies in addition to methadone. [4]

    Texas Administrative Code: Chapter 229 Subchapter J Minimum Standards for Narcotic Treatment Programs: This subsection of the Texas Administrative Code provides the minimum standards for the establishment and operation of a narcotic treatment program in Texas. It outlines the state and federal regulations, program application procedures, program fees, program operations, and enforcement procedures. [5]

    Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 466: The purpose of this Chapter is outlining the regulation of narcotic drug treatment programs, and ensuring the proper use of approved narcotic drugs in the treatment of persons with a narcotic dependency. [6]

    Texas Methadone Doctors

    You can’t just go to a doctor in Texas and get a dose of methadone. By law, methadone is administered or dispensed in oral form in a licensed narcotic program only. Further, the law requires that the physician responsible for prescribing and supervision of methadone is licensed to practice medicine and has worked in the field of addiction medicine a minimum of one year. [7]

    The clinic is there to ensure your safety. And methadone should be administered in a way that reduces the potential for abuse.

    In Texas, methadone can be prescribed and taken only under the supervision of a physician via a licensed narcotic treatment programs.

    How can you find a methadone prescribing doctor in Texas? You can find all state and federally licensed programs that offer methadone treatment through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMSHA. Check out treatment centers who are authorized to offer patients methadone in the State of Texas in the following link.

    SAMHSA OTP Treatment Directory for Texas.

    State Sponsored Methadone Clinics in Texas

    Texas is home to a number of private and public narcotic clinics that provide methadone. Public clinics are state-funded and usually have a longer waiting list than the private ones. So, what benefits exist to help people who are in need of financial aid?

    If you want to receive coverage for methadone, federal law mandates that you are enrolled in, or have documented proof of, substance use disorder counseling.

    Then, Texas Medicaid covers methadone under Fee-For-Service (FFS) and Managed Care (MC) plans. Methadone is listed as a medical and pharmacy benefit under both FFS and MC plans. Methadone also appears on the preferred drug list under both FFS and MC plans and is covered for use in accredited outpatient narcotic treatment programs under both plans.

    There are a number of free narcotic clinics that support people trying to overcome opioid addiction. Texas Department of State Health Services’ website provides a list of licensed state-sponsored narcotic treatment facilities.

    Texas Methadone for Veterans

    Addiction is quite common for U.S. war veterans. Many veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Using drugs and alcohol can be a way of coping with the memory of past events.

    If you’re a veteran suffering from opioid addiction, you can seek help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In order to apply, you’ll need your most recent tax return, social security numbers for yourself and your qualified dependents, and account numbers for any current health insurance.

    Through this organization, you can find a number of treatment services and receive medically managed detoxification as well as drug substitution therapies like methadone. Counseling and other behavioral therapies may also be a part of your methadone treatment.

    If you are interested, you can apply to receive VA health care online, by phone, by mail, or in person. In general, in a week or less, your application should be approved. Once you get the approval you’ll need to find a VA facility in Texas and start treatment with methadone. For a listing of VA centers in Texas, check out the Texas VA Directory here.

    The Drug Epidemic in Texas

    In Texas, the opioid crisis is a public health emergency. It affects people from all generations and socioeconomic status. In fact, almost half of all drug overdose deaths in Texas involve opioids. As a response, the Texas Department of State Health Services has developed two strategies in order to address opioid misuse. [8]

    These include:

    1. Improving surveillance. The Department of State Health Services has started using health data in real time collected from hospitals, emergency centers, and urgent care providers, to look for early warning signs of overdose. Healthcare providers has also started reporting overdoses involving controlled substances to the state.
    2. Expanding prevention through education and training. Texas has started naloxone overdose education, buprenorphine waiver training, and maternal opioid misuse prevention.

    The goal of these initiatives is to establish safety guidelines in hospitals for recognizing opioid misuse and enhancing care for women with opioid use disorder, during and after pregnancy.

    The following statistics taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, will give you an insight into the Texas opioid epidemic:

    • Texan physicians wrote 53.1 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons in 2017.
    • In Texas, 1,458 overdose deaths involving opioids were reported in 2017.
    • Deaths involving fentanyl tripled from 118 in 2007 to 348 deaths in 2017.
    • There were 569 heroin-involved overdose deaths in 2017

    Even in light of these figures, Texas continues to have one of the lowest rates of drug overdose deaths involving opioids in the country. The implementation of the strategies is expected to decrease these numbers even further. [9]

    Methadone Saves Lives

    Can methadone help?

    Yes!

    Methadone can save your life. It keeps you stable enough that you can make positive changes in your life. Methadone therapy will reduce or help you to avoid health problems such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, skin infections and vein problems.

    If it is part of a comprehensive treatment program, methadone treatment is more likely to be successful. Usually, treatment includes a combination of counseling, alternative therapies and the development of a positive support network of peers, friends and a support group. Work with a physician or a counselor to find the best approach that addresses your needs.

    If you are struggling with opioid addiction, know that you are not alone. With the right addiction treatment program, you can achieve a lot. If you need help finding the right treatment center in Texas or would like more information on narcotic programs, we invite you to give us a call today. Our admission navigators are available 24/7.

    Reference Sources:
    [1] SAMSHA: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
    [2] Texas Department of State Health Services: Narcotic Treatment Clinics
    [3] Texas Department of State Health Services: Laws and Rules – Narcotic Treatment Clinics
    [4] Title 42, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 8: MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT FOR OPIOID USE DISORDERS
    [5] Texas Administrative Code: Chapter 229 Subchapter J Minimum Standards for Narcotic Treatment Programs:
    [6] Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 466: REGULATION OF NARCOTIC DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS
    [7] Texas Administrative Code: CHAPTER 163. LICENSURE 
    [8] Texas Department of State Health Services: Public Health Response to the Opioid Crisis
    [9] NIDA: Texas Opioid Summary
    ASAM: Medicaid Coverage of Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
    Texas Department of State Health Services: Adult Substance Use Medication-Assisted Treatment

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Drug Courts in Mississippi

    Drug Courts in Mississippi

    ARTICLE SUMMARY: You may be eligible to go through a Mississippi drug court if you have been charged with a non-violent, non-felony drug or alcohol-related crime. This article explains more about the legal process for entering drug courts in Mississippi, what are they, and how these specialized courts help people change their lives.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    What is a Drug Court?

    Mississippi drug courts are special courts that handle cases involving drug use and related crime. The idea is that people respond better to treatment than to punishment. How do they work?

    MS drug courts offer comprehensive supervision and connect people to treatment. A drug court usually orders drug testing and treatment services in phases. But if you violate the court orders, a drug court judge can use frequent and immediate sanctions to help you change for the better.

    Mississippi drug courts vary from one jurisdiction to another in terms of structure, scope, and target populations, but they all share three primary goals:

    1. To reduce recidivism
    2. To reduce substance abuse among participants
    3. To rehabilitate participants

    Participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling instead of incarceration. In fact, most people come to drug court with multiple problems. This is too much for any agency to handle alone. So, drug courts rely upon daily communication among many different government agencies. How do courts coordinate care?

    Drug courts work best when judges, court personnel, probation officers, social workers, and treatment providers can cooperate closely. So, the state’s court model includes the 10 key components published by the Drug Court Program Office of the United States Department of Justice. [1] [2]

    Mississippi’s Drug Court History

    Drug courts begin when judges notice a community need. They are usually created when a judge observes that drug offenders keep appearing before the bench over and over again. This happened in Mississippi in the early 90’s. As drug-related offenses started filling Mississippi courts dockets, jails became overcrowded. Additionally, probation departments were overloaded.

    Jailing people for drug crimes in Mississippi just didn’t make sense.

    In the state of Mississippi, the first drug court began in Ridgeland in 1995. The drug court concept was so effective that it spread quickly. Four years later, the first felony drug court program was created by Judge Keith Starrett in the 14th Circuit Court district. By January 2003, there were seven drug court programs in the state of Mississippi and five more in the planning stages. [3]

    In April of 2003, Senate Bill 2605 was signed into law by the governor. This new law allowed the creation of drug court programs statewide in Chancery, Circuit, County, Youth, Municipal or Justice courts. This law was codified as the Alice Griffin Clarke Drug Court Act, Mississippi Code § 9-23.

    Drug courts help people get better. These programs save lives. If you have an addiction problem, a Mississippi drug court may be just what you need. But are you eligible, or not?

    Drug Court Requirements and Eligibility in Mississippi

    Once you have been identified as a substance abuser, you are going to be screened for drug court eligibility. Most people who go through drug court are nonviolent, initial offenders or probation violators. The most common drugs of abuse for these offenders are marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs. [4]

    According to the Mississippi Code § 9-23-15, in order to be eligible for alternative sentencing, you must satisfy all of the following criteria. [5]

    1. You cannot have an felony convictions for any violent crimes defined in MS Code § 97-3-2 in the past 10 years.

    2. The crime before the court can’t be a crime of violence or a DUI charge that caused death.

    3. The crime before the court cannot be drug trafficking outlined in MS Code § 41-29-139(f), nor can you have a prior conviction for same.

    4. The crime before the court can’t be burglary of a dwelling under MS Code § 97-17-23(2) or MS Code § 97-17-37..

    5. Other criminal proceedings alleging commission of a crime of violence cannot be pending against you.

    NOTE HERE: Each local drug court program in Mississippi may establish other criteria in addition to these eligibility requirements.

    Getting Started

    How do you start a drug court program in Mississippi?

    1. After arrest, you should have a first appearance before a judge. During this time, a bond is set, if applicable. At the same time, you retain an attorney or you are appointed a Public Defender. The Defense Counsel will then recommend a Drug Court Coordinator or Probation Officer. The average length of time between arrest and first appearance in drug court is one to three weeks.
    2. Or, you might recommended to a MS drug court directly by Law Enforcement. Usually, Law Enforcement recommends you to an attorney, and then the attorney applies to Drug Court on your behalf.

    STEP 1: Referral. If you are an initial felony offender, you can be referred to Mississippi Drug Court by law enforcement or the defense bar. Probation violators are referred to Drug Court by the probation officer. These third-parties complete referral forms on your behalf and fax them to the Drug Court for screening.

    STEP 2: Screening. If you are out of custody at the time of referral, you will be contacted by the Drug Court Coordinator or the Probation Officer to report to their office for screening. If you are in jail waiting to be sentenced, the initial screening is done at the jail before they go to court.

    STEP 3: Transfer. Screening results are reported to the drug court team. Then, you are required to appear in court to be sentenced to Drug Court. The time between arrest and first appearance in Drug Court is typically three to four weeks.

    STEP 4: Assessment. You usually report to the treatment provider for assessment immediately after first appearance in drug court. Assessment starts in the the first two days and treatment starts in seven days from the day they are accepted into the program.

    The Process

    Each drug court in Mississippi works independently, so processes vary. Generally, you go through four basic phases of step-down treatment in drug court. The idea is that you’re gradually given more freedom of choice the longer you stay in the program. To move from phase to phase, you must have the consensus and positive feedback from the entire Drug Court Team.

    Most Mississippi Drug Court Programs usually lasts one to two years. It depends on how well you deal with the structure that is added to your life. Normally, you are going to be required to be in court on a biweekly basis.

    Be sure to arrive on time and stay for the entire drug court session. Many drug courts have implemented dress codes for court attendance.

    What can you expect in terms of phases?

    PHASE 1: In the first phase of drug court, treatment begins. You will be required to submit random urine testing, minimum twice a week. Also you will also have to make a daily call to your Drug Court Program Coordinator or Probation Officer. Expect to attend ninety alcoholics or narcotics anonymous meetings in ninety days. Weekly written assignments will also be required. You’ll need to attend Drug Court Sessions every Monday at Noon.

    PHASE 2: In the second phase, you’ll need to seek and maintain employment. Or, you’ll be expected to enroll in school working toward a vocation. Substantial progress toward obtaining a GED is also mandated, as it is necessary. You will also be required to begin and complete the payment of your fines and court fees. Four alcoholics or narcotics anonymous meetings will be required a week. During this phase, you continue your weekly appearance before the judge, weekly writing assignments, and submission of twice weekly urine screens.

    PHASE 3: In this phase of MS drug court, requirements include attending two Drug Court Sessions each month and 2-3 urine tests each month. You need to complete your GED during this time, if need be. You must also attend three support group meetings and one aftercare meeting per week. Another requirement is to participate in the Drug Court Relapse Prevention Panel, to provide advice to others in the program.

    PHASE 4: In the last phase of drug court in Mississippi, status reports must be submitted on a monthly basis to the court. However, you no longer need to appear before the judge in Drug Court Sessions. However, drug tests will be planned on a random basis. You’ll be given encouragement to attend 3 support group meetings and 1 aftercare meeting per week. In addition to your participation on the Drug Court Relapse Prevention Panel, you are invited to begin participating in a Drug Court alumni Group.

    Treatment

    If you are a part of a Mississippi drug court program, you must follow all rules and regulations of treatment. The addiction treatment program coordinated through drug court includes weekly treatment meetings, weekly 12-step meetings such as AA or NA meetings, and frequent and random drug testing.  If you are not doing well, the judge may order increased drug testing, more meeting attendance, a short jail time, or other creative graduated sanctions.

    Mississippi drug court judges may order one or combination of more of the following services:

    • 12-step programs
    • Addiction treatment
    • Budgeting
    • Continued education services
    • General Educational Development
    • Human resources development
    • Individual and group counseling
    • Inpatient treatment
    • Literacy classes
    • Parenting classes
    • Vocational rehabilitation

    These are most common services available to many county programs. A case manager supervises your overall treatment, helping you stay on track. The case manager assists with referrals to other agencies to help meet your education, employment and other needs.

    Violations

    As said before, being accepted into a Mississippi drug court means you must attend all meetings and court sessions and always be on time. But, what happens if you don’t?

    Failure to appear in court may result in a warrant for your arrest.

    Abstinence from alcohol and other drugs is an ongoing requirement. So, if you fail to comply with rules of the program, it will result in the imposition of immediate consequences.

    You may also be terminated from Drug Court through voluntary withdrawal, new felony charges, or tampered urine screens. Furthermore, no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed. If your behavior disrupts the treatment of others in the program, you will be removed from the program.  In simple words, not complying with the program’s rules and guidelines gets you out of the drug court treatment program.

    Mississippi Drug Court Statistics

    In 2017, Mississippi drug courts in Mississippi served more than 5,250 people. The numbers included graduates, people currently enrolled and also those who unfortunately did not successfully complete the program. [6]

    But generally, drug courts help people change their lives!

    • Mississippi operated 42 drug treatment programs in 2017.
    • Mississippi drug courts reported 757 graduates in 2017.
    • 980 unemployed people found jobs through MS drug courts in 2017.
    • Participants worked over 27K+ hours of community service in 2017.

    If you’re facing a drug or alcohol-related crime sentence, a drug court can help! To learn more, seek help from an attorney. Or, you can call us 24/7 to talk about addiction. We know addiction. We believe in treatment.

    Completing Mississippi Drug Court

    Successful completion of the treatment program and requirements of the Mississippi drug court result in:

    • Dismissal of the charges
    • Reduced or set aside sentences
    • Lesser penalties

    …or a combination of these. Furthermore, if you were sentenced and plead guilty, successful completion of the drug court order and other requirements of probation or suspension of sentence will result in the record of the criminal conviction or adjudication being expunged.

    But, most importantly, graduating participants gain the necessary tools to rebuild their own lives.

    Your Questions

    We tried to offer you a close look into Mississippi’s drug court system. But, if you still have questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below.

    Reference Sources:
    [1] State of Mississippi Judiciary: Drug Courts
    [2] U.S. Department of Justice: Bureau of Justice Assistance Defining Drug Courts: THE KEY COMPONENTS
    [3] The University of Southern Mississippi: Therapeutic Jurisprudence: An Examination of Mississippi Drug Courts
    [4] Justice Programs Office: Policies and Procedures Manual
    [5] State of Mississippi Supreme Court: Mississippi Drug Court Rules
    [6] State of Mississippi Judiciary: Supreme Court Annual Report – Mississippi Supreme Court
    State of Mississippi: Review of the Feasibility of Extending Drug Courts Statewide in Mississippi
    Mississippi Drug Court Advisory Committee: Progress Report on Mississippi Drug Courts

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • In UK, Opioids Will Carry Addiction Warning

    In UK, Opioids Will Carry Addiction Warning

    “Things are not as bad here as in America, but we must act now to protect people from the darker side of painkillers.”

    Prescription opioids in the United Kingdom will carry a prominent warning about the risk of addiction following new recommendations from an opioid policy group.

    “I have been incredibly concerned by the recent increase in people addicted to opioid drugs,” health secretary Matt Hancock said in announcing the change, according to The Guardian.

    He continued, “Painkillers were a major breakthrough in modern medicine and are hugely important to help people manage pain alongside their busy lives – but they must be treated with caution. We know that too much of any painkiller can damage your health, and some opioids are highly addictive and can ruin lives like an illegal drug.”

    The policy decision is based on a recommendation from the United Kingdom’s Commission on Human Medicines, a group that makes recommendations in regards to opioids. The group recommended that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency require manufacturers to label opioids with the warning. 

    “This is an important first step to help minimize the risks of addiction associated with opioid medicines, while supporting patients to get the right information at the right time to support their care,” said Dr. June Rain, director of the agency.

    In the UK, the prescription rates for opioids have risen 60 percent in ten years. The labeling effort is a way to get ahead of opioid abuse, Hancock said.

    “Things are not as bad here as in America, but we must act now to protect people from the darker side of painkillers,” he said. “We need to place a greater focus on making sure that these medicines are used appropriately and for pain management alone, and make sure people are fully aware of the risks.”

    England’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, said the warnings are an important way for patients to learn about the dangers of opioid pills.

    “We know that long-term use of painkillers can lead to life-altering and sometimes fatal addictions – so I am delighted to see measures put in place to raise awareness of the risks of codeine and prescribed drugs,” she said. “It is vital that anyone who is prescribed strong painkillers takes them only as long as they are suffering from serious pain. As soon as the pain starts to alleviate, the drugs have done their job, and it is important to switch to over-the-counter medications which do not carry the same risk of addiction.”

    In the United States, U.S. senators introduced legislation last fall that would require opioids to be labelled with a warning about their addictive nature. 

    “The path from one bottle of pills for patients who have had their wisdom teeth removed or experienced lower back pain to addiction needs as many roadblocks as possible, and a warning label could help save lives,” said Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who sponsored the bill. “In the same way we put warning labels on cigarettes for being addictive and causing death, we need labels to caution patients about the dangers of prescription opioids. It is important that everyone who receives an opioid prescription understand the potential risks, and a sticker on an opioid pill bottle is a consistent reminder.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Florida College Allegedly Flagged Applicants Who Mentioned Mental Health Struggles

    Florida College Allegedly Flagged Applicants Who Mentioned Mental Health Struggles

    A Florida liberal arts college is under investigation over allegations of “weeding out” applicants with a mental health history.

    A Florida college allegedly discriminated against applicants who may have mental health issues, according to a complaint filed by two former students.

    The admissions department of the New College of Florida (NCF) adopted a new policy in 2017 that “instituted a ‘red flag’ system for application review,” the complaint alleges. Under the instruction of Dr. Joy Hamm, the new Dean of Admissions at the time who implemented the policy, applications containing “any unusual or concerning details” were flagged for a second review.

    “[Dr. Hamm] actively instructed people to red-flag essays where students disclosed mental health issues and disabilities. We believe this may be a violation of the [Americans with Disabilities Act],” reads the complaint, which is available online.

    The students who filed the complaint, Maria Simmerling and Eugenia Quintanilla of the class of 2018, worked in the admissions department from 2015-2018. They say they were made aware of the practice through fellow staff who “feared retaliation if they spoke up.”

    The document goes on in more disturbing detail: “Dr. Hamm explicitly stated that she was trying to ‘weed out’ people with disabilities and mental health problems in our prospective student pool.”

    There were allegedly “multiple cases” of students who qualified for automatic admission but were rejected “after their essays were red-flagged for merely mentioning mental health struggles,” reads the complaint.

    After failing to get a serious response from the school, the NCF alumni decided to go public with the allegations. “People should not have to go through a second review process if they disclose mental health or disabilities in their application essays,” they stated.

    The school’s chief compliance officer Barbara Stier confirmed the use of red-flagging to Inside Higher Ed. However, she says that the practice was not designed to discriminate but to mark applicants who also have low test scores or lack certain academic requirements to indicate that they did not meet the criteria for admission.

    NCF President Donal O’Shea released a statement last Friday acknowledging the complaint. “New College very much values cognitive diversity,” he said. “The allegations in the complaints are absolutely antithetical to our values.”

    According to his statement, there will be a second, external investigation in May.

    Simmerling and Quintanilla say that the school’s internal investigation—which found no wrongdoing—was a “joke” and was treated as a mere “formality.”

    Even as they reached out to administration officials including O’Shea, members of HR and the provost, the students say their complaint was not taken seriously. “They all denied any wrongdoing, often with contradictory stories,” according to the complaint.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How Student Abuse of ADHD Meds Affects Peers With a Diagnosis

    How Student Abuse of ADHD Meds Affects Peers With a Diagnosis

    A UNC survey found that a majority of students have misused Adderall or other prescription stimulants. This is hurting their peers who have a real need for the medications.

    Various research in recent years has pointed to a growing problem on college campuses: the misuse of stimulants such as Adderall to aid in academic success.

    And the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is no exception, the student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel reports.

    According to the student paper, a recent survey of 145 students on campus found that more than one-third had used Adderall or other prescription stimulants in the past month. Of those students, 60.7% admitted they had used such medications without a prescription.

    UNC psychology professor Beth Kurtz-Costes tells the Daily Tar Heel that one reason for use of such medications may be that students feel pressure to keep up and perform well academically in college.

    “An amount of anxiety that is serious enough that it requires someone to go to CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) or to seek outside help will definitely hamper performance,” Kurtz-Costes said. “A moderate amount of anxiety is considered good. You’ll perform better on an exam or in giving a speech if you’re moderately aroused or anxious, but going beyond a certain point, certainly, is a deterrent to performance.”

    For some students, such as UNC sophomore Paige Masten, stimulants like Adderall are necessary. Masten tells the Daily Tar Heel that she has been diagnosed with ADHD, and as such, the medication affects her differently than it may for her peers without such diagnoses.

    “When I take my Adderall, I don’t have the same effects,” she said. “I don’t feel super productive and I don’t feel like I’m going to stay up all night the same way they do. I just feel kind of normal and able to function, whereas without it I can’t focus whatsoever.”

    For people with diagnoses like ADHD, medications like Adderall aid in lowering stimulation levels and returning them to a normal level of function, the Texas A&M University Health Science Center reports. But for those without, it can be dangerous and can even result in stroke or death.

    “People who take it for exams or just when they’re stressed, it kind of can mess with their brain because they’ll stay up way longer than they need to, they’ll be really jittery and hyper-attentive,” Masten added. “I think, ultimately, it does the opposite of what it’s supposed to be doing for them, whereas for me it makes me into a more normal person.”

    For Masten, seeing other students abuse the medication is frustrating, as access to it is already limited.

    “Obviously I have the luxury and the privilege of being able to go to the doctor when I need to and being able to afford it,” Masten said. “But there’s also some people who struggle with ADHD who may not have that same luxury, and making it even harder would make it even more difficult for them to obtain the drugs they need to be as productive as people without ADHD. I think that that further disadvantages them in a way that would be really unfair.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Sackler Family Wants To Settle Opioid Lawsuits

    Sackler Family Wants To Settle Opioid Lawsuits

    While the Sacklers are interested in settling, a rep for the family insists that they are not at fault for the opioid epidemic.

    Members of the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, want to settle the onslaught of opioid lawsuits against them, according to recent statements from a family lawyer. 

    Speaking with Reuters, Mary Jo White of Debevoise & Plimpton, who represents four members of the family, said their clients are interested in settling the lawsuits, but also insisted that the company and the family are not at fault for the opioid epidemic. 

    “The objective is and remains to try to achieve a global resolution,” White said. “Purdue and the Sackler family members, given this litigation landscape, would like to resolve with the plaintiffs in a constructive way to get the monies to the communities that need them, to the people that are addicted… rather than to pay attorneys’ fees for years and years and years to come. You’re talking 2,000 cases. How long will they take to go through the court system?”

    White said that given the scope of the lawsuits against the Sackler family and Purdue, settling is going to be a long and complex process. 

    She said, “You have municipalities and counties as well as state AGs involved in these matters, and getting all of those plaintiffs in a global resolution is very difficult.”

    Despite the family’s willingness to settle, White said that they are not interested in accepting fault. White said that the lawsuits twist and misconstrue normal business documents to shine a negative light on the company. She added that the lawsuits are politically motivated. 

    “Let’s be clear: There is a major public health crisis that we’re all dealing with. But in terms of litigation, what you always want are all of the motivators to be merits-based so that politics are not playing a role, incentives are not playing a role that alters the outcome,” she said. “Let’s see what the real problem is and what the real solutions are rather than playing a litigation blame game with the fingers pointed in the wrong direction.”

    However, Paul Hanly, who is representing municipalities suing Purdue, said that the cases against the company are solid. 

    “Our cases assert strong legal, not political, claims against the Sacklers and all of the other defendants,” he told Reuters. “Ms. White’s comments are belied by the facts that Judge Polster [overseeing the federal cases in Ohio courts] has denied motions to dismiss brought by any number of defendants also claiming that the allegations are without a proper legal basis… and such motions have met the same fate in the New York state coordinated cases.” 

    Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who is leading a lawsuit against the company, was not impressed with White’s statements. 

    “For years, members of the Sackler family tried to shift the blame and hide their role in creating and profiting off the opioid epidemic,” she said. “Our lawsuit exposed their illegal deception, and we will aggressively pursue our case against them.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Do Partial Hospitalization Programs Work for Addiction Recovery?

    Do Partial Hospitalization Programs Work for Addiction Recovery?

    Partial hospitalization programs allow addicts to live at home while receiving treatment for their addiction problems and mental health conditions. The goal of partial hospitalization programs is to treat people with substance abuse disorders that are related to another mental health condition.   Most addictions involve other disorders such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The NIDA defines partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) as “programs that let patients undergo treatment at rehab facilities for four to six hours per day on a minimum of five days a week.” PHPs are sometimes referred to as “day treatments.”

    A Step Between Outpatient and Residential Treatment

    Partial hospitalization programs constitute a middle ground between residential treatment programs and regular outpatient programs in which a person receives treatment only a couple of times per week. For some people, PHPs can serve as a step down from residential treatment programs after they have detoxed and stabilized. For other people, a partial hospitalization program in and of itself might be their best choice to get the rehabilitation they need to live a life of sobriety, especially if they have mitigating circumstances such as caring for children or older adults in their households that make it difficult for them to leave home.

    Strategies and Scope of Partial Hospitalization Programs

    Patients in partial hospitalization programs receive much of the same types of treatment as patients in residential treatment programs.  PHPs can include individual and group counseling sessions, medical care, psychiatric medications, and Twelve Step meetings. Treatment plans in PHPs are individual plans. When it comes to recovery, one size doesn’t fit all.  But, all people with substance abuse disorders require treatment that provides stability and compassionate care.

    Effectiveness of Treatment

    Every effort is made by providers to ensure that patients fully avail themselves of the benefits of treatment programs. Partial hospitalization programs constitute effective rehabilitation for people with substance abuse disorders paired with a mental health condition. As a treatment option, a PHP offers an excellent balance between highly structured care and a higher degree of independence.  This ensures that patients can maintain their sobriety once the treatment program has ended.

    PHPs can be an excellent choice, depending on your circumstances. You realize you need help with a substance abuse disorder.  But, you have commitments that mean you need to be at home as much as possible.  If so, you should talk with healthcare professionals to find out if a Partial Hospitalization Plan would be the best option for you.

    Resources:

    drugabuse.gov – Treatment Settings

    View the original article at bestdrugrehabilitation.com

  • Harm Reduction vs. Gentrification in Asheville, North Carolina

    Harm Reduction vs. Gentrification in Asheville, North Carolina

    “Harm reduction is on the front lines [of drug overdose] but we have to argue for our existence and the lives of the people we serve. That is unconscionable.”

    In August 2018, Hillary Brown received a bizarre notice from the city of Asheville. The small syringe exchange program that Brown ran three hours a week in the backroom of a bookstore was ordered to shut down within 30 days for operating an illegal homeless shelter.

    At first, 31-year-old Brown, the sole employee of harm reduction nonprofit Steady Collective in western North Carolina, thought it was a joke. Every Tuesday since 2016 the Steady Collective had visited the backroom at Firestorm Books to hand out sterile syringes, condoms, and overdose prevention supplies to people at risk for overdose and drug-related infections.

    Syringe Exchange or Homeless Shelter?

    Separated from the bookstore by a curtain, the backroom is dimly lit and bare except for a couple of red-cushioned church pews against a wall and two gray folding tables where Brown lays out the supplies. The room contains no food, no beds, no bathrooms, and no showers. People who stop by to stock up on supplies rarely linger more than five minutes. And many of them do have homes.

    Brown followed up with the notice, which had been served to the building’s other tenants as well: Firestorm Books & Coffee, 12 Baskets (a small free-lunch program operating in the basement), and Kairos West, a community center run by the Episcopal Church. All four tenants were accused of violating zoning laws having to do with the operation of a homeless shelter in the city’s rapidly gentrifying west end. A $100 per diem penalty would be levied against all tenants if the Steady Collective did not cease operations within 30 days.

    The initial notice of violation seemed bizarre, but it was only a hint of the ongoing legal battle it would spark.

    Within the 30-day grace period, the city withdrew the notices of violation from 12 Baskets and Kairos West, leaving Firestorm Books and the Steady Collective to face the legal hurdles alone.

    Remarkably, Firestorm Books, which could have easily saved itself by asking the Steady Collective to stop coming on Tuesdays, chose to dig in for a fight, risking its 10-year business history and the livelihood of its four employees.

    Beck, one of Firestorm’s co-owners, explains that the Firestorm team see themselves as “community organizers first and business people second.” Throwing a community nonprofit out to save their own skins would run counter to their business and personal ethos.

    Lucky for Firestorm and Steady Collective, local attorney John Noor offered to take the case pro bono. Noor has worked the case since September and helped secure meetings between city management and the Steady Collective.

    Attracting the Wrong Kind of People

    According to Brown, during one meeting to make the case for why a small once-a-week syringe exchange should not be classified as a homeless shelter, a city official commented: “It’s less about what you do and more about who you serve.”

    Brown considers this a rare—and likely accidental—moment of honesty. The city wasn’t arguing against the need for the program or its efficacy. (There are mountains of evidence that point to syringe exchange programs as safe and effective for reducing bloodborne disease transmission and overdose death). And Asheville is in desperate need of help. Its surrounding county, Buncombe, has one of the highest overdose rates in western North Carolina. The Steady Collective, one of the few programs in the city that attempts to mitigate the overdose crisis, reported 719 successful overdose reversals since 2016—no other program in the county can claim those results.

    But as the city official admitted, it’s not about what the program does. It’s not about science or results or lives saved or providing resources to a population in desperate need. No, the city’s concern is the program attracting the “wrong kind” of people to a rapidly gentrifying part of the city; the eyesore of folks who might look homeless gathering on a street that is trying hard to look hip. And the fear of what “those people” might bring.

    Asheville’s tactics mirror similar efforts by other cities and states, including Los Angeles, Charleston, Claremont, and Lawrence County, to shut down syringe exchanges. “Zoning violations” are a favorite tool, as are concerns about discarded needles (a problem that can be addressed through syringe disposal bins) and policymakers’ personal discomfort with the idea of harm reduction.

    “At a time of crisis we are having resources taken away,” says Brown. “Harm reduction is on the front lines [of drug overdose] but we have to argue for our existence and the lives of the people we serve. That is unconscionable.”

    Fighting City Hall to Help Drug Users

    Earlier this month I traveled to Asheville to witness the state’s largest legal battle over syringe exchange with my own eyes. The day I visited, Brown and a volunteer were in Firestorm’s backroom riffling through bags of packaged syringes, condoms, Band-aids and naloxone, a medicine used to reverse opioid overdose.

    Although Brown remained calm throughout our interview, the past few months of legal battles have taken an emotional toll.

    “What is really exhausting is to hear [the city] debate people’s dignity,” Brown said. The legal process “has undone me in ways I wasn’t prepared for.”

    Brown described the frustration of having people come into the exchange crying over the loss of a loved one to overdose who “can’t talk about the loss [outside the harm reduction program] because they are engaged in a criminal activity.”

    And the whole process hasn’t exactly occurred in the open.

    “The city of Asheville wants to talk behind closed doors and go through their rules. They don’t want the public to know [what they are doing],” said Brown.

    In March, after months of legal wrangling, the city finally made an offer: the Steady Collective could operate under the classification of “medical clinic” if they kept a physician on site during all hours of operation.

    Brown described the offer as a slap in the face. The tiny exchange can barely afford a single employee to run operations. To pay a supervising physician—when the only real task is to hand out non-prescription supplies from the back of a bookstore—is a non-starter. (Notably, the Steady Collective operates another exchange on Wednesdays out of a church in a non-gentrifying part of town; the city has not required that location to keep medical personnel on site.)

    Thanks to legal help, the Steady Collective was able to counter the offer and settle for an agreement to keep a nurse on site. They are the only syringe exchange in the state with such a requirement.

    The day I visited, Vanessa Bourgeois was the on-site nurse. Bourgeois works weekends at a local hospital but volunteers on Tuesdays for the Steady Collective where she puts packets of syringes and condoms in plastic bags and hands them across the table to participants—hardly work that requires a nursing license.

    The absurdity of the predicament is not lost on her.

    “This is not a situation that needs a nurse,” she says bluntly. “Harm reduction is appropriate for laypeople.”

    Though she is happy to support the Steady Collective’s work, she denounces the city’s actions as “part of the narrative to make people who use drugs seem dangerous or scary.”

    Because Bourgeois volunteers her time during exchange hours, the Steady Collective and Firestorm Books are no longer under threat of being shut down. But to Brown, their work is far from over.

    Asheville Impedes Harm Reduction Efforts

    Asheville, a city often touted as one of North Carolina’s “most progressive,” has shown little evidence of progressive thinking towards drug users in any of its major government facilities. When North Carolina legalized syringe exchange in 2016, Asheville police responded aggressively, ripping up the ID cards that syringe exchange participants are required to carry by law.

    In 2018, Mission Hospital, the largest medical facility in Asheville, implemented a draconian policy against drugs users: If any patient is suspected of IV drug use, regardless of the medical condition for which they are being seen, hospital staff will confiscate their electronic possessions, refuse them visitors, and keep a staff member in the room at all times to supervise them.

    And the City of Asheville Planning Department has not given up their war on harm reduction. The city plans to write syringe exchanges into the zoning code, which would allow the city to impose restrictions on their locations. Brown believes fighting against such legislation is “the most important issue facing harm reduction in the state” and urges other programs not to be complacent.

    Asked what the Steady Collective would do differently if faced with the situation again, Brown says that the organization would be more aggressive about raising public awareness of the city’s actions and mobilizing people to fight back. At the time, the concern was that drawing too much negative attention to the city would disrupt the negotiation process. But now Brown sees that there was never much negotiation to begin with.

    To other harm reduction programs facing similar threats, Brown advises: “Be more vocal about the process. Invite other people in. Organize the community to fight back. Mobilize medical professionals and faith leaders.”

    North Carolina accomplished a great feat when it legalized syringe exchange programs in 2016. But the real work still lies ahead. We still live in a world that stigmatizes and devalues the lives of people who use drugs. Until this changes, every harm reduction program in every community is at risk. People who use drugs and their allies must stick together. Stay vigilant. And be ready for the fights when they come.


    Maribel Lopez and Hillary Brown at the church location

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Britney Spears Leaves Treatment Facility

    Britney Spears Leaves Treatment Facility

    “Britney is back at home and is very happy about it,” said a source close to the Spears family.

    After spending a few weeks in an “all-encompassing wellness facility,” Britney Spears checked out on Thursday (April 25) and has returned home to spend time with her sons and boyfriend. 

    “Britney is back at home and is very happy about it,” someone close to the Spears family told People. 

    The pop icon checked into the facility early April, after having taken time off from work to care for her sick father, who suffered a colon rupture. 

    Despite living at the facility, People reported that Spears has continued to post on social media and even left the facility a few times, for Easter and to get her hair done. 

    Last Tuesday, Spears posted a video on Instagram, in which she spoke about the events taking place in her life. 

    “My family has been going through a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I just needed time to deal,” she said. “Don’t worry I’ll be back very soon.”

    She elaborated in the caption, adding, “I wanted to say hi, because things that are being said have just gotten out of control!!! Wow!!! There’s rumors, death threats to my family and my team, and just so many things crazy things being said. I am trying to take a moment for myself, but everything that’s happening is just making it harder for me.” 

    The singer also took time to acknowledge her fans and ask for their support during this time.

    “You may not know this about me, but I am strong, and stand up for what I want,” she wrote. “Your love and dedication is amazing, but what I need right now is a little bit of privacy to deal with all the hard things that life is throwing my way. If you could do that, I would be forever grateful.” 

    Initially, when Spears checked into treatment, a source told People that she had made the decision to do so fully on her own. 

    Around the same time, another source added that her father’s health was the main factor in Spears seeking help. 

    “Her dad being sick has taken a toll on her,” the source told People. “He nearly died and actually had another surgery a few weeks ago. He’s not doing well. They’re so close and it has been a lot. There is nothing dramatic going on with her—she just realized she needs to make sure to take time to care for herself.”

    View the original article at thefix.com