Archive for November, 2009
- Meth Addict Charged with Stabbing His Mother to Death
A meth addict who had been living with his mother in Santa Rosa, California, has been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing her to death. Christopher Anthony Lavis, 43, pleaded guilty in October to first-degree murder and two weapon enhancements in the Sept. 27, 2008 slaying of his mother, Constance Elizabeth LaSalle.
- Those Who Engage in Self-Harm More Dangerous on the Road
Self-harm gives the impression than an individual only intends to hurt themselves. In truth, they pose a greater risk in motor vehicle crashes, even after controlling for psychological distress and substance abuse.
- Author to Speak about Her Son’s Addiction, Recovery at University of Pittsburgh
Libby Cataldi, author of “Stay Close: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Addiction,” will speak tomorrow at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland. For years, her son, Jeffery Bratton, was plagued by an addiction to drugs that ravaged his life and that of his family’s. After years of struggling with Jeff’s disease, she finally found solace in the words of the patriarch of an Italian treatment facility: “stagli vicino,” which translates in English to “stay close.”
- Setting Boundaries with Addicted Loved Ones during the Holidays
For some people, the holiday season is filled with tension, financial stress, obligatory family visits, and dreaded office parties, while others bask in the holiday spirit, relishing every moment. No matter how you feel about the holidays, though, there is added pressure and anxiety when a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse issue.
- 130,000 People Become Addicted to Drugs Annually in Iran
The Iranian police chief announced that about 130,000 people become addicted to drugs each year in Iran. Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam, who is also head of Iran’s anti-narcotics agency, also acknowledged the scale of the problem for a country on a key heroin trafficking route.
- Binge Drinking Continues to be Growing College Student Problem
Binge drinking has practically become a national pastime for college students and many are putting more than just their grades on the line by engaging in such activity. For the nearly half of all students at four-year colleges who do it regularly, they are putting their lives at risk.
- Andre Agassi Opens Up About Former Drug Use
Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts spoke with tennis star Andre Agassi about his memoir “Open,” in which he admits to using crystal meth in 1997.
- Dusting: A New Dangerous Way to Get High
Huffing, or using inhalants to get high, has been known about for decades, but an article in the current issue of Medtox Journal reports that a relatively new form of inhalant abuse called "dusting" is becoming widespread. This involves inhaling products that are meant for dusting off the screens and keyboards of personal computers—products that are readily available at office supply stores and elsewhere.
- Seroquel: The New Kid on the Pharmaceutical Black Market
Seroquel is a powerful antipsychotic intended to treat schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, but it has gained popularity on the street as a drug that can knock you out in minutes. The quick sedative action of Seroquel is especially popular among cocaine and meth users to combat the comedown from their illicit drug of choice.
- What Is Luxury Drug Treatment?
When people think of treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, the image that most often comes to mind is one of deprivation, pain, dreariness and struggle. We can’t help but carry with us impressions we may have received through portrayals of drug addicts in or out of treatment in the movies, what we’ve read about or seen first-hand. This does a tremendous injustice to the actual alcohol and substance abuse treatment available today to clients of all means. Whether you are a person with limited income, a businessman or housewife solidly in the middle class, or a top executive, or high-profile celebrity, by choosing the right drug treatment facility for your particular needs, you can be assured of the best possible care. There is, however, a specific difference with luxury drug treatment that you will not find with the others: everything is first-class.