HBO Conversations on Addiction Show #7 Lessons Learned

Posted on Mar 5th, 2007 by

Today we had Ms S Johnson of SASI on to talk with us about the lessons learn by addicts she encounters. Ms Johnson has been a counselor serving herion addicts for 16 years. She affirmed many of the stories presented in today's program. Of those that she had questions of where those that related to both family and societal resistance to changing the stigma placed on addiction patients. We discussed the Swiss and UK experience (noted below) that would institute government policy such that the government would provide herion to addicts. I then informed her of the up coming HBO series and its mission to change or kick a new conversation on what addiction is and how it should be treated.

Our conversation lasted to the point that we where unable to discuss the last story regarding the "Medication Free Treatments".

An Addict Waits

I wait now for The Presence with the silent hope that something may transpire within me and over come this hold of addiction. - would it but tip me in ways to make for peace - a The coming quiet

full nights sleep. While I wait I search my mind for that memory of those whose lives are a part of me in ways that are direct and sure. I would include them in this waiting moment, but there again, our Father, I am not sure that is what I really want to do. I wait, that my spirit may be clarified and my willingness may be at the disposal of that seed of Grace you placed in my heart.

The Quote of the Day - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

"Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there."

Injections and Youth

Injection is increasingly becoming the prevalent route of administration among younger heroin users admitted to treatment, according to data from the national Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS).

Since 1995, the percentage of primary heroin treatment admissions ages 29 and younger who reported injection as their usual route of administration has increased steadily, from 53% to 72% in 2004.

At the same time, the percentage of older heroin treatment admissions (age 30 and older) who reported injection as their usual route of administration has decreased from 82% in 1992 to 59% in 2004.

One possible explanation for this trend is that younger heroin users perceive less social stigma and/or risk of contracting HIV/AIDS associated with injecting drug use than do their older counterparts.

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF file at www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/cesarfax/vol15/15-46.pdf.

Addictions as Teacher

There are many people in this world that would have you believe that addictions are a horrible thing that happen to us. As a person who smoked cigarettes and drank an average of a twelve pack of beer a day for the better part of 15 years and walked away form both practices, I think I have some expertise on the subject of addictions. I don't look at either of these addictions as negative. I look at them as my greatest teachers. Although I was caught in the haze of drinking and smoking for all of that time, I now realize why it happened. I've learned that both practices taught me more than they took from me, although on the surface that may seem hard to believe.

Free Heroin

A pilot program in Brighton and Hove, England will distribute free heroin to addicts in a bid to cut crime and addiction, The Argus reported Nov. 25.

The U.K.'s National Health Service is sponsoring the program, which would cost between $20,000 and $30,000 per user annually. Addicts would be allowed to inject themselves with government-provided heroin under supervision, similar to a "safe-injection" site established in Vancouver, Canada. They also would receive doses of methadone to take home with them at night.

Outcomes among the addicts taking part in the program will be compared to those of 10 patients receiving methadone only.

"We will be looking at people who have had difficulty benefiting from the mainstream treatments. We will be looking at dealing with people who don't respond well to heroin substitutes and being in hospital," said Chris Hughes, substance-misuse services manager at the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, who will run the program. "A lot of people won't come forward for methadone treatment. If this trial is successful it will have all-round benefits for everyone

Treatment without medications

Here are a few of the most common addiction Treatment without medications.

Relapse Prevention This is the drug addiction treatment that helps you control your behavior. Moreover, you learn to identify dangerous situations and how to avoid them. This treatment basically concentrates on augmenting your learning processes. This way, it helps you to develop your own defense skills.
Matrix model This is an intensive and deep drug addiction treatment without medications. It works as much on your consciousness as on forcing into you a kind of drill that prevents you from using drugs.
Supportive-Expressive Psychotherapy This drug addiction treatment works mostly through interpersonal links. It works in a way to create your sphere of comfort. What is more, it teaches you to trust in other people’s support. This treatment is mostly used in cocaine and heroin addiction cases.
Individualized drug counseling This drug addiction treatment without medications is a short-term therapy that concentrates not only on a drug addiction but it also works also on other related subjects, such as employment status and family problems.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy This drug addiction treatment concentrates on the addicts’ will with an aim to incite the will to fight the addiction. This treatment is quite effective and is capable of changing people, but in a good way. The drug addict not only stops using drugs but also becomes stronger and more focused.
Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents This drug addiction treatment without medications works with an aim to change patients behavior to drug-free one. This treatment is based on showing desired behavior and rewarding any steps addicts take toward achieving it.

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HBO Conversations on Addiction Show #7 Lessons Learned

An Addict Waits

The Quote of the Day - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Injections and Youth

Addictions as Teacher

Free Heroin

Treatment without medications

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HBO Conversations on Addiction Show #7 Lessons Learned

An Addict Waits

The Quote of the Day - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Injections and Youth

Addictions as Teacher

Free Heroin

Treatment without medications

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Inspire

The Gaiam Network

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