New article from MSNBC.com talks about how the loss of jobs and inability to find work can make it harder to stay sober. Author Eve Tahmincioglu states, “During tough economic times, it can be even harder to fight an addiction. It can also be more challenging for workers trying to clean themselves up to hold onto their jobs.”

Excerpts:

“There are more financial stressors today,” said Dr. Barbara Krantz, CEO and medical director of research at Hanley Center, an addiction recovery center in West Palm Beach, Fla., adding that such stress can contribute to alcohol and drug use, both illegal and prescription. From 2007 through 2009, Hanley Center has seen more than a 60 percent increase in the number of patients citing work-related problems as one of the top reasons they are seeking substance addiction help.

In many cases, she added, workers lose their jobs because of substance abuse, but most employers don’t fire them outright over an addiction. “People tell us they lost their jobs because of absenteeism or poor job performance,” she said.

About the alcohol / drug distinction:

Protections for a worker with a substance abuse problem under the nation’s labor laws are not as clear as those for people with disabilities such as blindness or paraplegia.

“The ADA actually treats drug and alcohol abuse somewhat differently,” Chris Kuczynski, an attorney with the EEOC said. “An alcoholic who is currently drinking can be covered, although he or she can be held to the same standards as other workers concerning use of alcohol at the worksite, can be disciplined for violating rules that say employees cannot be working under the influence of alcohol, etc.

“The distinction between drug and alcohol use can be important in some situations, particularly where treatment is concerned. Because persons engaging in the illegal use of drugs aren’t covered and aren’t therefore entitled to reasonable accommodation, an employer doesn’t have to offer them the opportunity to take leave for treatment. On the other hand, because alcoholics who are currently drinking can be individuals with disabilities, reasonable accommodation in the form of time off for treatment may be required.”

If you were a former abuser, an employer can’t hold that against you in most cases.

About getting treatment:

In cases where the employer suspects a worker is high while on the job or that the employee has an abuse problem — and the employee has not owned up to it or asked for help — and the abuse is negatively impacting his or her work duties, the employer can terminate the employee, added Anthony Oncidi, partner and head of the Los Angeles labor and employment law group for Proskauer Rose.

Oncidi’s firm had a financial services client last year with a high-level employee who was repeatedly coming to work under the influence and even going to client meetings drunk. The female employee had been with the firm for five years, but the alcohol problem had surfaced only recently.

“She even went to a conference where she clearly had too much alcohol and embarrassed herself and the company,” he said. “They talked to her about it, but she denied she had a problem. She was fired.”

On the flip side, if an employee needs to take time off to go into a treatment program, the employer typically has to reasonably accommodate the worker, Oncidi said.

Read the entire article here on MSNBC.com.

Post by Sarah Wilde

 Exercise may be an effective and nonpharmacologic treatment option for alcohol dependence.

Likewise, according to ScienceDaily, circadian disruptions can also lead to alcohol abuse as well as relapse in abstinent alcoholics.   Circadian rhythms, which refers to the timing of daily rhythms, can be - no surprise - highly disrupted by alcohol abuse.   A new animal study has used hamsters to test for the influence of wheel-running on alcohol intake.  Results indicate that exercise, perhaps through stimulation of brain reward pathways, may be able to reduce alcohol intake in humans. 

“Alcohol abuse, characterized by routine craving for and consumption of alcohol as well as an inability to function normally without it, disrupts both the timing and consolidation of daily circadian rhythms — when to sleep, eat, and mate — driven by the brain circadian clock,” explained J. David Glass, professor of biological sciences at Kent State University and corresponding author for the study. “With continual alcohol use, one may go to bed too early or late, not sleep across the night, and have an unusual eating regime, eating little throughout the day and/or overeating at night. This can lead to a vicious cycle of drinking because these individuals, in response, will consume more alcohol to fall asleep easier only to complain of more disrupted sleep across the night and additionally have a greater craving for alcohol.”

In other words, said Alan M. Rosenwasser, professor of psychology at the University of Maine, chronic alcohol abuse and circadian disruption become reciprocally destructive and result in negative effects on physical and emotional health.  By getting  proper exercise at key points in the day, alcoholics and others alike can improve their circadian regulation to improve their sleep habits and reduce their need for alcohol.  While this does not mean that exercise is the cure for alcoholism, it is further evidence that exercise is important to the regulation of Circadian rhythm, which is why both areas are key components in the LifeSkills Authorities Recovery Coaching programs.   

Results will be published in the September 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.  Read the full article at Science Daily.

Have you used exercise as part of your recovery plan?    Tell us more.

Dramatic Rise in the Proportion of Older Americans Admitted for Substance Abuse Treatment from 1992 to 2008.

“The proportion of substance abuse treatment admissions involving older Americans (aged 50 and older) has nearly doubled — from 6.6 percent of all admissions in 1992 to 12.2 percent in 2008. The study, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), also shows a sharp rise during this period in the proportion of older Americans admissions related to illicit drug abuse — even though alcohol abuse is still the leading cause for admissions involving this age group.

Among its more notable findings the SAMHSA study reveals that from 1992 to 2008 the proportion of admissions among this age group due primarily to:

• Heroin abuse more than doubled — from 7.2 percent to 16.0 percent.
• Cocaine abuse quadrupled — from 2.9 percent to 11.4 percent.
• Prescription drug abuse rose from 0.7 percent to 3.5 percent.
• Marijuana abuse increased from 0.6 percent to 2.9 percent.

At the same time admissions primarily related to alcohol abuse decreased from 84.6 percent in 1992 to 59.9 percent in 2008.”

Getting help for parents and grandparents that need it may be as simple as asking them to take part in an assessment about their drinking and drug use.   LifeSkills Authorities can help not only the addicted individual but the entire family.   By providing addiction consulting and qualified addiction intervention services, LifeSkills Authorities will help to create a loving atmosphere in a time of great need and support.   Contact us now to learn more.

Post by Sarah Wilde

Adolescent binge drinking is increasing and causes long-term effects on the brain.  While often considered a problem, it creates more damaging effects than just poor decisions, illegal behavior and regretful exchanges.    According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences, yet another study shows that binge drinking interferes with normal brain activity, in a manner which has lasting effects.   Heavy alcohol consumption over 11 months “dramatically and persistently decreased” cell activity, including the division of a certain type of cells, and significantly altered certain cells, creating a lasting alcohol-induced reduction affecting development.  

The study concludes that the period of adolescence is highly vulnerable to alcohol and that alcohol decreases neural turnover by altering the ongoing process of neuronal development.  The lasting effect was still seen 2 months after discontinuation of alcohol.  This lasting effect, the study says, may underlie the deficits in cognitive tasks that are observed in alcoholics.

The next time your teenager tells you that their drinking is “no big deal,” remind them that it actually is.   Binge alcohol consumption in teenagers means that they are not only getting drunk in the moment but negatively impacting their ability to function in the future.   These kids are in fact reducing hippcampal neurogenesis, which is the process of creating new neurons, and is essential to the growing brain and activities such as learning and memory.    Drinking excessively after this weekend’s football game or for next weekend’s parties and events is setting up impaired memory and reasoning ability for years to come.   Parents do not always seem to understand the long-term ramifications of teenage drinking.   Some parents think it is the easier thing to cave into their teens desire to drink, and others choose not to know or ask too many questions.  

As a parent it is our job to keep our kids healthy and set them up for a successful future.   Just like sunblock is needed today to prevent cancer tomorrow, intervention on our teenagers drinking is necessary today to prevent dramatic effects to their growing brains tomorrow.   If you need help, LifeSkills Authorities provides consultation to families and schools on how to speak with your kids about alcohol and its consequences.  Contact us now so that we can help you educate your family and children before they’ve set unhealthy patterns that are more difficult to break.

Full study available here.    Have you discovered a helpful way to teach your children about the harmful effects of alcohol?   Share with our community – post your comments here.

Post by Sarah Wilde

Michael Douglas was on the Today show this morning speaking with Matt Lauer about the sentencing of his son, Cameron, for drug charges.    Cameron has spent years suffering the effects of untreated addiction despite numerous attempts at sobriety.    The story is certainly heartbreaking and one that surely hit too close to home for many parents in the same position of having children fall victim to drug abuse.

Matt Lauer asked Michael Douglas what the lesson is that he could offer other parents with a child abusing drugs or alcohol.   Douglas’ response was, “You have to catch it early.  Your options once your children turn eighteen are limited.  Most of the time 30 days ain’t gonna do it.   But see what you can do when they’re under eighteen because after that it has to be all with their permission.”

We couldn’t agree more.   Help is available and we at LifeSkills Authorities encourage parents to help “raise the bottom” for their children by intervening early.   We work with parents to approach their children in a loving way, through an invitational intervention - never with surprises or coercion.   If your child is abusing drugs or alcohol take action now.    A qualified invitational interventionist can help you sort through next steps.

Post by Sarah Wilde

Teenage girls and young adult women are particularly at risk when they abuse drugs and alcohol.   Bad habits stemming from an early age lead to decisions that may impact them for the rest of their lives.  Female drug abuse is a problem in this country that often extends beyond the female user.   Moms abusing drugs affect their children and pregnant women affect the developing fetus.  

Nora D. Volkow, M.D., the Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse says that “research increasingly suggests that women may be more vulnerable than men to particular consequences of drug abuse, including addiction. This greater vulnerability may stem from gender-specific differences in motivations for drug use, differing sensitivities to drug effects, and a host of other biological and environmental factors. And while more research is needed, animal models and clinical studies alike suggest that females may be more vulnerable than males to the rewarding effects of drugs, which could increase their risk for dependence.”

The NIDA also tells us “among the youngest age group (12- to 17-year-olds), males and females had similar rates of current drug use for cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and the nonmedical use of prescription psychotherapeutic drugs in 2007. Moreover, young females surpassed males in current cigarette use in 2006 and in dependence on or abuse of alcohol in 2006 and 2007. This is particularly troubling given that the adolescent brain is still developing, and we are just beginning to understand how drug exposure could affect brain structure, connectivity, and function during this vulnerable time.”

Drug use during pregnancy (including the use of tobacco and alcohol) presents injurious effects on both the mother and fetus.  Females using during pregnancy set up a heightened drug abuse risk for the offspring in adolescence and young adulthood, according to Volkow.  It is scary and sad to learn that in 2006-2007, 5.2 percent of pregnant women aged 15-44 had used an illicit drug in the past month and 16.6 percent were current users of tobacco products.

If you or someone you know is abusing drugs or alcohol it is never too early or late to get someone help.  Both Mother’s Day and Women’s Health Week are approaching in May.   To honor this, tell the women in your life how important their good health is to you, and if they need help do your part to intervene.   If you feel you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, take the first step toward recovery and ask for help.

Post by Michael Plahn

In this economy, every cent counts.   Have you stopped to think about what your alcohol, smoking or drug habit cost you in terms of money going out the door?   Forget about the time spent seeking a buzz or recovering from a hangover, let’s talk cash.

Take a look at what you’re spending on alcohol each month.   Use this nifty Alcohol-Spending Calculator to find out.

What did you discover about your spending habits?   Is there anything else you’d rather be doing with that money each month?   Let us know, post your comments here.

Post by Michael Plahn

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to hangovers, health problems, including alcohol poisoning, and an increased risk of heart disease. This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, LifeSkills Authorities encourages you to take this time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol abuse and dependence. To spread the word, help educate about alcohol abuse and addiction, LifeSkills Authorities is joining other organizations across the country to honor Alcohol Awareness Month to prevent alcohol abuse in our community.

If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. Keep track of how much you drink, avoid places where overdrinking occurs, and find new ways to deal with stress.  Set a drinking limit and if you keep alcohol in your home, keep only a limited supply.  If these strategies do not prove successful then you should ask for help from a doctor, family, or a qualified and trained addiction professional.  If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help.

According to Michael Plahn, Founder and Program Director at LifeSkills Authorities, “make no mistake, addiction is a terminal disease with some disastrous consequences if left untreated. The earlier addiction is confronted, the better the chances of preventing tragic situations and improving the quality of the life of the addicted individual and those of their loved ones.”

It is never too early or late to get someone help.

Post by Michael Plahn

We often receive inquiries and questions from concerned family members that want to know how they can help a loved one suffering from addiction.   We recently received the following:

Post by Michael Plahn

Here are some simple questions to ask yourself if you are curious whether you have a problem with alcohol:

• Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
• Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
• Does your drinking worry your family?
• Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won’t?
• Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
• Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may indeed have a problem with alcohol.   No matter what, you are not alone.   Please take the first step toward addressing your problem with alcohol and ask for help.