MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'drugs alcohol'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:55:27 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3757922&cid=t_227648_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F15%2Fmel-gibson-bipolar-disorder-and-alcohol%2F As Mel Gibson’s voicemails to his ex-girlfriend continue to be leaked to the Internet this week, many media outlets are asking questions about Mel Gibson’s mental health. That’s no wonder — the voicemails are laced with profanity, racial epithets, and threats. In a 2008 documentary, Acting Class of 1977, he first talked about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But are the rants to his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva related to a possible mental health diagnosis? Alcohol? Or something else? It’s not easy to answer this question, because nobody except Mel Gibson, 54, and his doctors know. All we can do is speculate, based upon observations of his reactions, tone and behavior as recorded in the voicemails that are publicly available. So let’s take a loo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3757922 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:30:22 +0100 3757922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494349&cid=t_227648_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2Falcoholism-family-and-the-limits-of-love%2F On April 25th, Hallmark Hall of Fame will broadcast the movie “When Love Is Not Enough — The Lois Wilson Story,” starring Winona Ryder and Barry Pepper (CBS, 9:00 pm ET). The movie, which portrays the life of Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-Anon Family Groups and wife of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, is based on William G. Borchert’s 2005 book, The Lois Wilson Story: When Love Is Not Enough. Borchert’s earlier screenplay was the basis of the acclaimed movie My Name is Bill W. which starred James Woods, James Garner, and JoBeth Williams. The premiere of the movie also falls during the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.’s (NCADD) 24th Annual Alcohol Awareness Month with its theme, “When Love Is Not Enough: Helping Families Coping With Alco... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494349 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:16:15 +0100 3494349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2210434&cid=t_227648_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fsuicide-when-it-hurts-too-much-to-live%2F What happens when it hurts too much to live? Can it really be too painful to live one more moment with emptiness, depression, and despair? Yes, for some people suicide seems like the only way out. Not every person who contemplates killing themselves is truly interested in ending their time on earth. For many, suicidal thoughts are about escape — musing about the idea of leaving the bonds that bind them to other people, responsibilities to burdens, and the despair of what they can’t change. If they could just escape it, maybe they still could go on somehow. Not right now, but after a while. They just need to get away from it. Suicidal thoughts and actions are also sometimes paired with strong impulses and low inhibitions. This can happen with drugs and alcohol, bipolar disorder... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2210434 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:49:45 +0100 2210434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1097500&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fabstinence-based-recovery%2F is the resolution of alcohol- and other drug-related problems through the strategy of complete and enduring cessation of the non-medical use of alcohol and other drugs. The achievement of this strategy remains the most common definition of recovery. Subscribe to Recovery Is Sexy by Email (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097500 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:54:30 +0100 1097500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1088858&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhigh-bottom-recovery%2F refers to the initiation of recovery through a breakthrough of awareness of all that one could lose through continued alcohol and other drug use. References to “high bottom alcoholics” refer to people who entered recovery without having suffered major economic or social losses due to their drinking. Low Bottom Recovery refers to the initiation of recovery by individuals in the latest stages of addiction who have experienced great losses related to their drinking and drug use. Low bottom recovery is associated with the experience of anguish and desperation—a choice between recovery on the one hand or insanity and death on the other. Subscribe to Recovery Is Sexy by Email (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1088858 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:06:19 +0100 1088858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082994&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fgiving-it-away%2F is a phrase that captures one of the many paradoxes of recovery from alcohol or drugs: that the methods and fruits of recovery cannot be fully experienced and understood until they are given to someone else. Subscribe to Recovery Is Sexy by Email (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082994 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:03:51 +0100 1082994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081815&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Ffaith-based-recovery%2F is the resolution of alcohol and other drug problems within the framework of religious experience, beliefs, and rituals and within the mutual support of a faith community. Faith-based recovery frameworks may serve as adjuncts to traditional recovery support programs or serve as alternatives to such programs. Subscribe to Recovery Is Sexy by Email (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081815 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:00:45 +0100 1081815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080518&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fabstinence-from-heroin-works%2F This study examined longitudinal patterns of heroin use, other substance use, health, mental health, employment, criminal involvement, and mortality among heroin addicts. The sample was composed of 581 male heroin addicts admitted to the California Civil Addict Program (CAP) during the years 1962 through 1964; CAP was a compulsory drug treatment program for heroin-dependent criminal offenders. This 33-year follow-up study updates information previously obtained from admission records and 2 face-to-face interviews conducted in 1974-1975 and 1985-1986; in 1996-1997, at the latest follow-up, 284 were dead and 242 were interviewed. In 1996-1997, the mean age of the 242 interviewed subjects was 57.4 years. Age, disability, years since first heroin use, and heavy alcohol use were significa... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080518 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 10:38:54 +0100 1080518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1020051&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Falcoholism-addiction-treatment-saves-money%2F This study clearly demonstrates the financial benefits of providing treatment for drug and alcohol problems,” according to Susan Ettner, lead author and professor of general internal medicine and health services research at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and School of Public Health. The researcher team used data from 2,567 clients in 43 treatment programs in 13 California counties during 2000 and 2001, through the California Treatment Outcome Project (CalTOP). The research team estimated cost of treatment for an individual by multiplying the number of days spent in each treatment setting, such as residential or outpatient, by the average daily cost of each mode of treatment, estimated using cost data collected from treatment providers. Monetary benefits associated with ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1020051 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:42:31 +0100 1020051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1019168&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fi-am-a-cocaine-addict%2F My name is Paul and I am a Cocaine Addict. I was born in Liverpool, the second son in a family of five boys and one girl. My father was a Liverpool dockworker who used to come home from work via the pub every night. I remember my parents would fight physically, and more often than not my Dad would be so drunk my Mum would win. My elder brother used to climb out of the window and go to the phone box at the top of our street. Using a false name he would call the police to report a disturbance at our address then calmly climb back through the window and go to sleep. I knew the effect alcohol had on people I had seen first hand the destructive nature of drunkards and I swore I would never drink and I would never be like my Dad. I was going to be famous a rock star or an actor. I didn’t ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1019168 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:55:00 +0100 1019168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002539&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fstress-affects-relapse%2F   Study Examines Link Between Stress Relapse A new animal study finds that a stress-related gene and brain chemical may play a role in addiction relapse, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Researchers from NIAAA and Camerino University in Italy found that rats that showed a preference for alcohol were more sensitive to stress. Those more prone to relapse under stress were examined for genetic patterns that might offer clues to this trait. Researchers found that these rats had higher expression levels of Crhr1, a gene that encodes the stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRH-R1). “Our findings demonstrate that the Crhr1 genotype and its expression interact with environmental stress to reinstate alcohol-seeking behavi... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002539 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:13:21 +0100 1002539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=836035&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Frisky-partners-and-domestic-violence%2F This study was undertaken to determine the strength of association between selected evidence-based risk indicators and exposure to intimate partner violence. In this cross-sectional study of 768 women aged 18-64 years who presented to 2 emergency departments in Ontario, Canada, participants answered questions about risk indicators and completed the Composite Abuse Scale to determine their exposure to intimate partner violence in the past year. Results: Intimate partner violence was significantly associated with being separated, in a common-law relationship or single depression somatic symptoms having a male partner who was employed less than part time, or having a partner with an alcohol or drug problem Each unit increase in the number of indicators corresponded to a four-fold increase ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=836035 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 09:11:58 +0100 836035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807436&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fcommon-problems-in-recovery%2F Common Problems in Patients Recovering from Chemical Dependency Chemical dependency is a common, chronic disease that affects up to 25 percent of patients seen in primary care practices. The treatment goal for patients recovering from chemical dependency should be to avoid relapse. This requires physicians to have an open, nonjudgmental attitude and specific expertise about the implications of addiction for other health problems. Firstline treatment for chemical dependency should be nonpharmacologic, but when medication is necessary, physicians should avoid drugs that have the potential for abuse or addiction. Medications that sedate or otherwise impair judgment also should be avoided in the recovering patient. Psychiatric illnesses should be aggressively treated, because untreated sympt... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807436 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:15:53 +0100 807436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=791528&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fa-dangerous-mix%2F Alcohol Energy Drinks and Youth Big Alcohol’s Cross-over Brands Creating Confusion, Health Risks  Alcohol companies are finding increasingly dangerous ways to hook the nation’s youth and fuel the underage drinking epidemic. That is the conclusion of a new report, Alcohol, Energy Drinks, and Youth: A Dangerous Mix, released by Marin Institute at the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center annual conference in Orlando. The report examines the alcohol industry’s youth-oriented marketing tactics promoting the consumption of alcoholic energy drinks, such as Bud Extra, Tilt, Sparks, and Rockstar 21. “The alcohol industry is irresponsibly marketing alcoholic energy drinks to youth,” says Michele Simon, JD, MPH, Research and Policy Director for Marin Instit... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=791528 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:33:04 +0100 791528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=775444&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fintegrating-primary-medical-care-with-addiction-treatment%2F Conclusions Individuals with SAMCs benefit from integrated medical and substance abuse treatment, and such an approach can be cost-effective. These findings are relevant given the high prevalence and cost of medical conditions among substance abuse patients, new developments in medications for addiction, and recent legislation on parity of substance abuse with other medical benefits. Research report; Integrating Primary Medical Care With Addiction Treatment; A Randomized Controlled Trial, Constance Weisner, DrPH; Jennifer Mertens, MA; Sujaya Parthasarathy, PhD; Charles Moore, MD, MBA; Yun Lu, MPH. JAMA. 2001;286:1715-1723. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=775444 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:18:49 +0100 775444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764785&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fhelping-helps%2F Conclusions; Findings support the helper therapy principle and clarify the process of 12-step affiliation. Research report; Sarah E. Zemore, Lee Ann Kaskutas & Lyndsay N. Ammon, In 12-step groups, helping helps the helper. Addiction; March 2004 Peer Support in Action: From Bystanding to Standing By Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764785 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:45:20 +0100 764785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=758735&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fdual-dependence-2%2F Conclusions: Alcohol use is an important and under-rated problem in the treatment of drug misusers. A comprehensive assessment of alcohol use among drug misusers should include separate assessments of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems and severity of alcohol dependence. Research; Gossop, Michael; Marsden, John; Stewart, Duncan. Dual dependence: assessment of dependence upon alcohol and illicit drugs, and the relationship of alcohol dependence among drug misusers to patterns of drinking, illicit drug use and health problems. Addiction; Volume 97(2), February 2002, p 169-178. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=758735 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:27:47 +0100 758735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=741498&cid=t_227648_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fwhat-are-drug-users-looking-for%2F What are drug users looking for in treatment; abstinence or harm reduction? Within the UK and in many other countries two of the most significant issues with regard to the development of health and social care services for drug users has been the growth of the consumer perspective and the philosophy of harm reduction. In this paper we look at drug users’ aspirations from treatment and consider whether drug users are looking to treatment to reduce their risk behavior or to become abstinent from their drug use. The paper is based on interviews using a core schedule with 1007 drug users starting a new episode of drug treatment in Scotland. Participants were recruited from a total of 33 drug treatment agencies located in rural, urban and inner-city areas across Scotland. Our research has... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=741498 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:59:37 +0100 741498