Underage Drinking and Graduation Season

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Graduation is a time to celebrate accomplishments and look forward to new and exciting adventures. When the celebrations venture into underage drinking, which commonly happens when young people are in celebratory moods, dangerous situations can develop.

Underage Drinking Statistics

Despite the strict drinking laws for young people in the United States, alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth under 21 years old, in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4,300 underage people die every year due to excessive drinking. Young people between the ages of 11 and 20 years old consume 11 percent of all the alcohol in the United States. Binge drinking, a common drinking behavior among young people, accounts for more than 90 percent of underage alcohol consumption. In 2010, about 189,000 visits to emergency rooms by people under 21 years old were attributed to have alcohol as the cause. In a 2013 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, high school students admitted that in the last 30 days:

• 35% consumed alcohol
• 21% reported binge drinking
• 10% drove a vehicle after drinking alcohol
• 22% rode in a vehicle with a driver who had consumed alcohol

Graduation season typically sees increases in alcohol use and abuse among underage people. There are proms, graduation parties, homecoming events and more, all happening when the weather is warming. Young people are looking forward to the end of school and the start of vacation. The party atmosphere is infectious, and frequently, people under 21 experiment with alcohol. Parents who are alert and diligentcan help minimize underage drinking episodes and the consequences. When your child knows you’re savvy and looking out for the signs of drinking and ready to apply consequences if rules are disobeyed, you’re gaining an edge that can help your child avoid temptations and stay safe. Look for these signs of underage drinking:

• Problems with grades or behavior issues in school
• Socializing with a different group of friends
• Lack of interest in activities
• Less attention to appearance
• Smelling alcohol on breath
• Slurred speech
• Clumsiness, confusion
• Lack of focus, memory problems

The Risks of Underage Drinking

Besides the obvious, where youths can injure themselves and others by drinking and driving, other risks are involved as well. Drinking impairs a person’s judgment, and underage drinking can lead to further risky behaviors, like unprotected sex or angry outbursts leading to injuries and arrests. Once an underage person is under the influence, they are more vulnerable to dangerous situations and people. The risk of being mugged, sexually assaulted or beaten, resulting in serious harm, increases greatly. Underage drinking leading to an alcohol problem later in life is also a risk. Research shows that people who drink before 15 years old are four times more likely to have alcohol dependence later in life.

Be Aware and Vigilant

It’s important to be tuned in, especially during graduation season, to young people who may be drinking. Being vigilant, while letting young people know you’re watching, can go a long way in preventing underage drinking or heading off alcohol issues before any serious consequences arise.

The Senate Passes The CARA Bill

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On Wednesday the Senate passed the CARA bill by an overwhelming vote. The approved bill is intended to change the way America handles drug addiction and opioid painkiller addiction. The bill which had previously pass the House of Representatives will now be on Presidents Obama’s desk awaiting approval early next week. Some are calling this the “Bill to Battle Heroin Addiction “and recovery advocates and addiction professionals across the nation have been pushing for such a bill for a while.  After months of wrangling, the bill has made its way to President Obama and he is expected to sign. This news comes as a relief to those who suffer from opioid painkiller addiction and heroin addiction, and those family members who have been directly affected by drug addiction. The bill aims to help communities develop drug treatment and drug overdose programs for the estimated 2.2 million Americans addicted to opioid painkillers and heroin. U.S. deaths from drug overdoses hit a record high in 2014, propelled by abuse of prescription painkillers and heroin addiction, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 28,000 people died from opioid overdose in 2014. Heroin-related deaths have also increased sharply, more than tripling since 2010. In 2014, more than 10,500 people died from heroin, the agency said. The bill authorizes $181 million a year for new programs it creates. Many believe that the bill falls far short for funding the heroin addiction in America, but any action towards fighting the epidemic is a step in the right direction. Supporters of the bill, which passed the Senate 92-to-2 believe it will dramatically change the trajectory of the addiction crisis that has claimed the lives of thousands of Americans.

“This is a historic moment, the first time in decades that Congress has passed comprehensive addiction legislation, and the first time Congress has ever supported long-term addiction recovery,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a chief author of the legislation. “This is also the first time that we’ve treated addiction like the disease that it is, which will help put an end to the stigma that has surrounded addiction for too long.”

The bill, called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act if enacted into law, also would provide new training for emergency personnel in administering drugs to reverse opioid overdoses and help communities purchase those drugs. It would also promote alternatives to incarceration for those with substance-abuse problems and expand access to naloxone, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

At Nova Recovery Center we offer heroin addiction treatment and opioid addiction treatment along with drug treatment. Our 90-Day program model allows enough time for the drug addict to reclaim their life from drugs. Clients are given the necessary tools to overcome their addictions and find a life in recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, contact Nova Recovery Center today for help. Our staff works 24/7 to ensure the best quality of care for our clients.

CARA Passes The House In A Nearly Unanimous Decision.

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The House passed the CARA Bill in a 407-5 Vote on Friday, July 8th. This is big news in the battle to end the opioid addiction in America. In a nearly unanimous decision, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act bill was passed by the House of Representatives. The Bill is expected to move quickly through Congress and onto the desk of President Obama by early next week. This is great news for those who have been effected by the opioid addiction and heroin addiction in America. Family members and friends who have seen loved ones struggle or die due to drug addiction could have more resources on their side to get heroin addiction treatment or opioid addiction treatment they need. The CARA bill was originally stalled in its passing due to numerous Democrats believing that there was not enough money allocated to treatment services in the proposed Bill. While debates about funding remain a top concern, any investment in heroin addiction treatment or opioid addiction treatment is a step in the right direction. President Obama proposed $1.1 billion in funding to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic earlier this year.

The lack of services and funding to fight the heroin epidemic and opioid addiction epidemic in America has resulting in 130 people dying every day. Many addiction professionals and recovery advocates have urged Congress to take action on this crisis. CARA is designed to ensure that federal resources are focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery programs that have been tested and proven effective. The CARA Bill includes the following.

• Expanding alcohol and drug prevention and education
• Increasing collaboration with law enforcement and criminal justice systems
• Creating more disposal and turn-in sites for unwanted prescription medications
• Increasing availability of treatment including evidence-based and medication-assisted programs
• Creating prescription drug monitoring programs to help at-risk individuals access critical services

The Bill also plans to expand the availability of Naloxone. Sold under the brand name Narcan, Naloxone is a medication used to block the effects of opioids. The anti-overdose medication may be given intravenously to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The medication also comes in the form of a nasal spray. The effects of naloxone last about half an hour to an hour. Multiple doses of the drug may be required, as the duration of action of most opioids is greater than that of naloxone.

Nova Recovery Center offers Heroin Addiction Treatment and Opioid Addiction Treatment. Our 90-Day Drug Addiction Treatment Program can help those addicted find a life in recovery. Contact us today for more information.

On (And Off) the Field, Matt Bush is Working Hard to Redeem His Name

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His teammates try their best to buffer him from the insults hurled in his direction. Less than a year out of the halfway house where he used to reside, it’s not uncommon for Texas Rangers relief pitcher Matt Bush to hear fans—strangers—shouting at him, bringing up the ugly incidents in his troubled past. 

Already a key player in one of the American League’s most influential teams, Matt Bush has sworn to remain steady, focused, strong, and above all, sober—even in the face of boisterous fans, many of whom are inebriated themselves.

A Troubled Past

Thirty years old and a recovering alcoholic, Matt Bush is on his second and last chance in professional baseball. He’s also a convicted felon. Sentenced to 52 months in prison in December of 2012, Matt Bush was convicted of three felony charges as the result of an accident that occurred when he slipped away from spring training, drove drunk and crashed into a 72-year-old motorcyclist—knocking the latter off his bike and running over his head as he fled the scene of the accident. 

The victim survived, but suffered significant injuries as a result, including a collapsed lung, brain hemorrhaging and eight broken vertebrae. The accident was actually Matt Bush’s second hit and run of the night, and the final straw in a series of ever-escalating alcoholic and depressive behaviors that led to his eventual conviction and prison time.

Starting Over in Sobriety

Today, Matt Bush has been sober for over four years, including the time he spent in prison and the time he spent working at a local Golden Coral restaurant for minimum wage while living in a halfway house following his sentence. But after sitting out of professional ball for four years, Matt Bush has blossomed into the most noteworthy comeback story in all of recent baseball memory.

Now pitching over 100 MPH, Bush has proved to be quite the saving grace for the Rangers’ bullpen since his return. In the nearly 17 innings since his arrival, he’s struck out 18 batters and walked only three. 

Commitment to Improvement

Impressive numbers, and all accompanied by obvious dedication which has really caught the eye of his new teammates. Many of his teammates are now a central part of Matt’s support system as he continues to strive toward redemption and excellence, even in the face of those who seek only to remind him of his past transgressions. 

Matt Bush, who reported having his first drink in junior high and becoming fully dependent on alcohol by the age of 21, now has a large network of both support and monitoring at home and on the road. 

In the clubhouse, his teammates surround him. His father stays with him while the Rangers play at home. For away games, a special assistant has been assigned to stay in his room. He meets with the team manager once a week. He trains more than anyone else on the team. 

He isn’t allowed to drive. Or to party. And if he has a single drink… it’s all over.

And yet despite everything that’s happened—the lessons he’s learned in the hardest of ways and the drastic changes he’s made—Matt Bush claims that he’s the happiest he can remember being in a long time. Having faced down his demons and been given a second chance at the sport he loves, he sees these opportunities as getting a chance to make amends for some of the pain he’s caused. And he doesn’t plan on wasting a moment of it.

Heroin Addiction Treatment: Medicaid Now Eligible In NH

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According to the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration only 2.5million people received aid for drug and alcohol treatment out of the 23.1 million who needed it in 2012.  Heroin addicts play a smaller role in those addicted, but their numbers have doubled from 2007 to 2012. There are an estimated 700,000 drug addicts addicted to heroin in America. The insurance industry has not come to grips with the dangers of heroin withdrawal, although it has not been known to kill, withdrawal symptoms can often lead to relapses. Heroin withdrawal feels like your bones are about to break, you’re sweating and having the chills at the same time, mixed with vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms often feel like too much for the drug users who often return to heroin for ease and comfort. Even if the addict survives the heroin withdrawal, they often relapse if they fail to make it into treatment in a timely manner.

New Hampshire residents who use Medicaid are now eligible for drug addiction treatment. Around 140,000 Medicaid recipients are now qualified to use their insurance for addiction recovery services. State health officials announced the new revisions to the states Medicaid practices. The expansion went into effect this past Friday. As of July 1st which marked the beginning of the state’s budget year, Medicaid will pay for substance use disorder treatment. The benefit was already available to the 49,000 people who enrolled as part of the state’s Medicaid expansion program launched two years ago. All standard Medicaid recipients can now access substance abuse disorder benefits, including residential treatment, opioid treatment programs, and recovery support services. New Hampshire Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeffrey Meyer called the expanded treatment an “important milestone in the state’s response to the opioid addiction crisis.”

As the number of heroin users continues to rise increasing number of those addicted are looking for help but are having trouble doing so. The expansion doesn’t mean that addiction treatment will be easily available for those who need it. Medicaid funded beds are limited, and there is currently waiting lists at many addiction treatment centers for these beds. Although the Medicaid plan does allow access to substance use disorder services including assessment, residential treatment, outpatient services, opioid treatment programs, and recovery support services, the states limited beds is halting the process. With packed facilities, treatment is expensive for those who use private pay or out of network benefits, getting into an inpatient rehab facility can be a slow process.  

Nova Recovery Center offers Heroin Addiction Treatment and Drug Treatment. Located in Austin, Texas our 90-day inpatient program is staffed by licensed counselor’s and recovery specialists. Our program is designed to treat the underlying problems of drug addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with a heroin addiction or drug addiction, contact Nova Recovery Center today for help.

Police Help With Heroin Addiction Treatment

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For years the words “addict” and “criminal” have been mistaken as synonymous. Now slowly but surely we are understanding that addiction is a disease that centers in our brain. Those who are suffering from the disease of addiction are using the “open door policy” at this local police station to find the help they need. Instead of being locked in handcuffs, the Dover Police Department are working to help addicts out. Heroin users who wish to seek help for with heroin addiction treatment can now find treatment without fear of retaliation from law enforcement. Working as part of the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, the Dover Police Department started the ANGEL program. Under the new program, addicts must voluntarily come into the police station and turn in any drugs and drug paraphernalia they have. From there they will be assigned a volunteer officer who will assist them in getting into one of the several recovery treatment clinics in the state. Understanding that addiction is a disease, and that it can be treated is a huge step forward in battling the heroin epidemic plaguing the nation. Many police departments throughout the nation have started programs like ANGEL. They noticed that locking the addicts up and treating them like criminals isn’t solving the problem. Many police officers now carry NARCAN, which is also known as Naloxone which reverses an opioid overdose. However, prevention is too late for those who already suffer from addiction, so better medical access is the next logical step.  When an addict seeks help, those first few moments are critical in sustained treatment. The ANGEL program couldn’t have launched at a better time. Delaware law enforcement officers have reported increases of fentanyl being mixed with heroin, which can be 40 times as potent as pure heroin. Theses mixed batches of heroin are the cause behind many of the states recent overdoses this year. In 2015, 228 people died in Delaware from drug overdoses. The war on drugs has criminalized and stigmatized those who suffer from the disease of addiction and hasn’t always made sure people get the support they need to get clean. Drug abusers who do get some help often fall back into addiction because they don’t have the guidance they need to stay clean.

Here at Nova Recovery Center we offer a full circle of continuum of care. Starting with Drug Detox, Residential Drug Treatment, IOP, Sober Living and Monitoring Program. If you or a loved one is in need of drug and alcohol treatment, contact Nova Recovery Center today for help. Or Call Us Today

Heroin Addiction Treatment: HIV Outbreak

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the analysis in June of the 3,100 counties across the United States at risk of a potentially deadly immunodeficiency disease (HIV) outbreak.  HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus severely damages the immune system and causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, a condition that defeats the body’s ability to protect itself against disease. An HIV outbreak linked to heroin addiction and other injected drugs could be a double edged sword for us. The top five counties listed in their findings were Cambell, Gallatin, and Grant County in Northern Kentucky, Brown County in Ohio, and Dearborn County in Indiana. “This study identified areas of the country especially vulnerable to rapid spread of HIV infection and new or continuing high rates of hepatitis C infection among persons who inject drugs,” said Michelle Van Handel, a CDC epidemiologist and lead author of the report. The CDC studied Scott County, its outbreak and known factors that influence HIV to find out what other counties are susceptible to outbreaks. It was unusual that Scott County is rural, since most HIV outbreaks have been in urban areas. That county experienced a quick and vicious HIV outbreak in 2014 and 2015. More than 180 IV drug users were infected. About 90 percent of them also tested positive for hepatitis C.  Drug abuse and heroin addiction have been linked with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. Most people know that intravenous drug use and needle-sharing can transmit HIV, less commonly known is the role that drug abuse in plays. A person under the influence of certain drugs is more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as having unsafe sex with an infected partner. No vaccine yet exists to protect a person from getting HIV, and there is no cure. However, HIV can be prevented and its transmission curtailed.

The analysis is one of the CDC’s efforts to help states prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C among IV drug users. The CDC believes some of our nation’s greatest success in HIV prevention is among people who inject drugs. Many health leaders are advocating for syringe exchanges. Where those who use needles can exchange dirty needles or pick up clean needles at these syringe exchanges.  While the CDC did not examine the harm-reduction strategy of needle exchange, they believe that exchanges and their other services can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases including HIV.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a heroin addiction or drug addiction, contact NOVA RECOVERY CENTER today for help. Our team of licensed counselors and recovery specialists work hands on with our clients, giving them the tools for a successful life in recovery.

29 Million Addicts Worldwide and Heroin Addiction is Leading The Way

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According to World Drug Report issued last Thursday, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said there are now over 29 million people suffering from drug addiction and drug use disorders worldwide. The number of people addicted to drugs across the world has risen for the first time in years. Last year it was reported that only 27 million people around the world suffered from drug addiction. The report also mentioned that heroin is the deadliest drug and leading cause for this epidemic worldwide. The increasing use of heroin addiction in the United States is a particular concern. As of 2014 a record number 1 million people were using heroin, almost three times the number of people in 2003. Even more staggering, heroin related deaths shot up 5 times what they were in 2000. The heroin use and related overdose deaths has some calling this “alarming” and immediate action needs to be taken against the rise of heroin.

There has been a lot of theories about why heroin is on the rise. The biggest theory is that the crackdown on prescription opioid painkillers has led to the heroin epidemic. Many believe that opioid painkillers were being over prescribed and since the slow down and recent CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids have rolled out, more people are turning to heroin. Prescriptions drugs like Vicodin and OxyContin are harder to find these days, people are turning to the streets to get their fix. Unlike the pharmaceutical drugs, street heroin is unregulated and the potency of the drug can change from batch to batch, causing a wide spread heroin overdose related deaths across the nation.

Even though the UN report also indicated that there was a large decline in opium production worldwide in 2015, heroin deaths are still on the rise. Due to the high production levels in previous years, it could be awhile before we see a decline of heroin on the streets. Heroin addiction is flooding the streets of America and stealing the life from families. It is estimated that 29 people overdose each day. Worldwide 250 million people consumed at least one drug in 2014, the UNODC said. Of the estimated 29 million heavy users, some 17 million are addicted to opiates, which include heroin, opium and morphine

Now what about those who seek treatment? The numbers are slim. On average 1 out of 6 people addicted to drugs will seek the treatment they need. Overdose deaths have surpassed car accidents as the number one accident related death cause in America. The heroin train doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Here at Hill Country Detox in Detox we offer heroin detox, alcohol detox, and other drug detox programs. Located in the Hill Country of Texas, our beautiful facility offers a luxury style setting when ridding your body of the toxic substances. If you or a loved one is in need of drug detox, give us a call today at 888.512.5020 to find out how we can help. Or Contact Us Here.

Synthetic Marijuana Causes 16 Overdoses in Houston on Thursday

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The Houston Fire Department responded to calls about people appearing to have “altered states of mind” in the notorious “Kush Corner” on Thursday around 2:30. The area of Hermann Park is well known for its synthetic marijuana use and packets of the fake pot were found throughout the park. When the emergency responders first showed up they found dozens of people who needed hospitalization. Many appeared to have overdosed on synthetic marijuana and paramedics had taken 16 people away in ambulances before the day was over. Houston, TX has been plagued with bizarre incidents involving synthetic marijuana use. One incident where two men attacked and shot at their neighbors when they found a piece of cold chicken on the lawn during a BBQ. Another incident was deadly when a man beat, stabbed, and choked his girlfriend to death during an argument after allegedly smoking a bad batch of synthetic marijuana. The city of Houston has multiple lawsuits against local shops selling the drug. Many fear that this is just the beginning of the synthetic marijuana overdoses they could see this summer.

 

What is Synthetic Marijuana?

Synthetic Marijuana or Synthetic cannabinoids refers to a man-made mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed on shredded plant material so they can be smoked. The chemicals are called cannabinoids because they are related to the chemicals found in the marijuana plant. Many users of the synthetic drug believe it is a safe alternative to real marijuana. In fact, the chemically sprayed shredded planet material effect on the brain can be more powerful than marijuana, their actual effects can be unpredictable, and even cause hallucinations, panic, and violent outburst of rage. Many of the packets containing the drug are labeled “Not for Human Consumption”, and claim to have “natural” material. However, the only parts of these products that are natural are the dried planet materials. The chemicals that are sprayed onto the drug are made in laboratories.  Easy access and the belief that synthetic cannabinoid products are “natural” and therefore harmless have likely contributed to their use among young people. Another reason for their use is that standard drug tests cannot easily detect many of the chemicals used in these products. 

Where is synthetic marijuana sold?

For many years’ synthetic pot could easily be purchased in drug paraphernalia store, gas stations, and through the internet. Authorities deemed the chemicals to have no medical benefit and had a high potential for abuse so they banned the sale and possession of these chemicals. Many were packaged with catchy names like Black Mamba and Kush. Two of the most notorious products were K2 and Spice. However, manufacturers try to sidestep these laws by changing the chemical formulas in their mixtures. Creating new, even more powerful synthetic drugs.

Effects synthetic marijuana has on the brain.

The chemicals in the synthetic pot act on the same brain cell receptors as THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Some researches believe that the chemicals bind more strongly than marijuana does, which produces a stronger effect. Because the chemical composition of many synthetic cannabinoid products is unknown and may change from batch to batch, these products are likely to contain substances that cause dramatically different effects than the user might expect.Some users of the synthetic drug have reported elevated moods, relaxation, altered perceptions, symptoms of psychosis, extreme anxiety, confusion, paranoia, and even hallucinations. Other health effects reported are rapid heart rate, vomiting, violent behavior, and suicidal thoughts.

Are synthetic marijuana addictive?

Yes, synthetic marijuana can be addictive.

Nova Recovery Centers residential drug and alcohol rehab center offers evidence-base therapeutic interventions to address substance use disorders. After completion at our Detox Center, clients will receive individual treatment plans, combining treatment modalities with a twelve-step program to create a curriculum built to meet all addiction needs. Our long-term care strategy allows clients to experience and over the various stressors of life in a safe, therapeutic setting before starting their new life in recovery. Contact us Today or Call us today at 855.969.3668 for more information.

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Heroin Addiction: The Untold Cost of Heroin

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Heroin addiction treatment in Texas- The unspoken amount of cost of heroin addiction is rarely spoken about. The drug epidemic gripping the Nation and its devastating effects on our younger generation. Heroin tears families apart, destroys stability, steals innocence, happiness and any sense of safety in the family. The disease of heroin addiction doesn’t care about race, color, or size, it doesn’t care what neighborhood you live in or where you work, it can effect anyone. Instead of getting the love, care, and attention children need to grow, they’re becoming secondary to heroin. Heroin replaces your morals with corruption, lies, and stealing. It doesn’t take long from the average American to become hooked on heroin, within weeks a person can change and do whatever it takes to get the drug. The ended quest to get the next high, and we say “endless” unless a proper intervention and heroin addiction treatment takes place there may be little hope. The enormous toll is breathtaking. To put the untold cost of heroin addiction in perspective lets us talk directly about the parents who use heroin who have children. Aside from the family financial burden and emotional toll, foster care homes are filling up with children left behind from heroin addiction. In Kentucky alone, foster care and other placement homes are at an all-time high. Reaching 8.084 fostered kids, over a 1000 person increase from six years ago. State and local leaders say drugs; especially the heroin drug are to blame. Another state dealing with a heroin problem is Indiana, where records show 2,600 children were removed from their homes because of parents’ drug use during the six months leading up to March 2015, that’s an increase of 71% from the previous 2 years. While these numbers are quite grim, other child welfare statistics are equally as mind-blowing. Kentucky’s substantiated social service reports involving drug abuse rose to 8,542 last year, up from 6,303 in 2011. Drug abuse also helped swell the ranks of children growing up without either parent, Kids Count data show, from 63,000 in 2010 to 80,000 two years ago in Kentucky, and from 81,000 to 89,000 in Indiana. What does this mean for the children who have to grow up without a parent? The answers could be endless, some studies have been done for child with absent parents and the outcomes are unpleasant. Now this doesn’t mean everyone child effected by the heroin epidemic will have to endure counseling or be at higher risk of abusing drugs when they grow up. A child needs both parents in their life, there helpless against the disease of addiction and the effects it has on the families. Children taken away due to their parents using heroin will miss out on family holidays, birthdays, and life events. This could be a very lonely time for a child, and they could build resentment against their parents. The unspoken price ones family has to pay for addition is astonishing.

Here at Nova Recovery Center we offer Heroin Addiction Treatment in Texas. We can help those family members who suffer from abuse of heroin and other opioids and drugs including alcohol. Our 90 Inpatient Residential Rehab Center is located on 20 acres of beautiful Texas hill country. Our onsite Doctor, Counselors and Recovery Specialists can provide you with the tools to overcome your addiction and get your life back. If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs or alcohol, we can help. Call us Today at 855-969-3668 Or Contact us here for help.

Battling Prescription Drug Abuse in Texas

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Like most states in the U.S., Texas is facing a severe problem with abuse of and addiction to prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (Kadian, Avinza), codeine and related drugs.

Use and Abuse of Prescription Medication

Opioid medications are typically prescribed for painful conditions, including dental work and injury-related pain. Morphine is often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain. Prescriptions for codeine are more commonly used for mild pain, but are also given to relieve symptoms like coughing and diarrhea.

These drugs have legitimate medical uses, but they are also being used in unintended ways and for durations longer than necessary, and they are often diverted or sold to those who do not have legal prescriptions or genuine conditions requiring these medicines.

During the “America’s Addiction to Opioids” presentation, which was given to the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Nora Volkow stated, “Several factors are likely to have contributed to the severity of the current prescription drug abuse problem. They include drastic increases in the number of prescriptions written and dispensed, greater social acceptability for using medications for different purposes and aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies. These factors together have helped create the broad environmental availability of prescription medications in general and opioid analgesics in particular.”

Prescription Drug Abuse Trends for Texas 

According to the report “Substance Abuse Trends in Texas,” hydrocodone is the most prevalent prescription opioid used for nonmedical purposes in the state. The report also indicates an increasing problem with abuse of codeine cough syrup and attributes the rise, in part, to music promoting “sippin’ syrup” and several cases of popular singers getting in trouble because of their use of “syrup.”

Trends in Texas center around illicit pain clinics, pharmacies and physicians. The most desired pharmaceuticals continued to be the three that constitute what is known as the Houston Cocktail: hydrocodone, carisoprodol (Soma), and alprazolam (Xanax). The DEA reported prescriptions from Houston pain management clinics were filled in pharmacies as far north as Oklahoma, as far east as Alabama and as far west as El Paso. 

Large numbers of patients from Louisiana and other states travel to the Houston area for the purpose of prescription fraud. Pill crews recruit “patients” to fraudulently obtain multiple prescriptions from pain clinics, which are filled at local pharmacies and then given to the pill crew leader for illicit distribution. Houston area physicians were also found to be mailing prescriptions to patients in other states—primarily Louisiana and Mississippi. 

Monitoring Abuse and Controlling Diversion

Texas House and Senate committees continue to examine ways to limit prescription drug abuse and agree that Texas should interactively share its drug monitoring database with other states. State lawmakers also propose that doctors should be encouraged to use online databases identifying patients who “doctor shop” for medications.

Since diversion of prescription drugs is a significant abuse problem, The Texas Prescription Program was created to monitor controlled substance prescriptions. This program provides an efficient, cost-effective tool for investigating and preventing drug diversion.

Medical practitioners and pharmacists use the program to verify records and inquire about patients to help detect possible illicit use. In addition, the program can be used to generate and disseminate information regarding prescription trends.

Naloxone Available Without A Prescription

Another recent effort to combat the increase of deaths from opioid overdose involves the drug naloxone. Naloxone can be administered to someone actively overdosing on opioids and can reverse the effects of opiates almost immediately.

Last year, advocates and public health experts convinced state lawmakers to pass a Senate bill to expand the availability of naloxone in Texas. In February of this year, Walgreens announced it was rolling out a comprehensive initiative to make the life-saving drug available without a prescription at its pharmacies in 35 states and Washington, D.C. According to the plan, Texans will be able to get naloxone at Walgreens by June.

Sober Living in Houston, TX: Best City for A Career

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For recovering addicts looking to start a career Houston, Texas is the place to do it. Houston’s Job market isn’t as strong as it once was a few years ago, but the city still ranks in the top 10 best cities to start a career. WalletHub a finance website recently released a ranking of the top 150 cities for starting a career. Texas grabbed 4 cities in the top 10. Houston ranked No. 9 overall and No.2 for professional opportunities.Based on a score compiled using eight professional opportunity metrics and nine quality of life metrics. Each city on the list refers to the city proper and excludes surrounding metro areas, the Texas City stole the 9th spot. In recent years the struggle has been real for young Americans finding a job. Hiring is on the rise in 2016, and employers plan to hire more, according to the National Association of College and Employers. There is optimism for sobriety in 2016, with the recent heroin epidemic and opioid painkiller addiction taking lives of famous celebrities. Americans are starting to wake up to the drug addiction effecting its nation. Many drug addicts fear going to treatment due to maintaining their current job. Although returning to an old environment straight out of drug rehab is concerning, Sober Living in Houston offers recovery and employment opportunities.  After completion of a drug and alcohol treatment center it is encouraged that you move into a sober living home. Those active in career building or a finding a part time job while attending school can benefit from the support of the sober living home, because at home support in recovery can increase chances at long term sobriety and success in the workplace. Work can be stressful and reclaiming your spot in the workplace after your addiction, can be difficult. Having the ongoing support of your recovery peers in your sober house and the structure of a sober living environment can make a large difference. Sober living houses allow you to practice the tools of recovery in everyday life, returning from a stressful day at work and being able to talk to someone about it, can make all the difference.  Sober living houses are designed to provide structure and peer support for addicts in recovery.  When co-workers venture off to the bars to celebrate a long work week, you can venture off with your sober living roommates instead. The house provides residents with regular alcohol tests/drug tests, a curfew, chores, and involvement in the 12-steps of recovery. Many recovering addicts claim that holding down a steady job was difficult in their addiction.  So if you’re looking for a recovery, and a city that is ranked high for starting a career and professional opportunities. Sober living in Houston could be the best choice for you.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction, and is looking for help. Contact Us today for Sober Living in Houston and other Cities across Texas and Colorado. Our highly trained admissions team can help consult you with treatment care options and sober living options in your area.

City for Recovery: Sober Living in Austin

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Sober Living in Austin – Many drug addicts who enter treatment find it to be a life changing event. With a new found awareness of the disease of addiction, solid spiritual principles to live by and knowledge and skills to use, addicts in recovery after rehab are often encouraged to move into a sober living house. Successful completion of a drug and alcohol treatment center is just the first step towards a life filled with sobriety. Transitioning into a continuum of care program is the second step and offers a better chance at sobriety. Many recovering addicts face the decision of moving back into their old neighborhood, or moving to a new city. Understanding that you’re beginning a whole new life after rehab, a fresh start in a new city may be the best choice for you. Many recovering addicts are warned about hanging around old people, places and things that are directly connected to your addiction.  If you think you can just return home directly after drug rehab, you may be setting yourself up for a relapse. Although relapse can be caused by many things, temptation is one of the most dangerous things in early recovery. Hanging around old friends that still abuse drugs and alcohol may tempt you. Returning to unhealthy relationships with friends and family may tempt you to use. Even old hang outs like bars may tempt you to slip back into your old ways. By moving to a new city, you can avoid many of these past temptations. Even better, a new city can give you an opportunity for a fresh start after drug rehab. Many addicts find Sober Living in Austin to be an answer after their stay at rehab. The already established recovery community in Austin is very strong and welcoming. With over 100 twelve step meetings a day, addicts in recovery always have a meeting to go to.  The strong support network in Austin is significant for many addicts in recovery. If you’re considering a move to sober living in Austin, the ever growing city just might be a place you want to call home.

Why Sober Living in Austin?

Austin, Texas is constantly ranked in magazines for best-cities lists. We have made the top 10 best cities for vegetarians and BBQ and our Burgers are off the chain. Even local restaurants have even been featured in cult classic films like Dazed and Confused.  Austin has even ranked No.1 on Forbes list of best big cities for jobs.The Fiscal Times  ranked Austin No. 2 on its list of The 10 Top Cities People Are Moving to in 2012. A study from U-Haul even backs that stat up. Realtor.com has even said that Austin is the second-best investment market in the United States. If that isn’t enough reason to move to Austin, Census numbers say were the third-fasted growing city in America. Need we say anymore? Austin is one of the best U.S. cities to find work, according to Adecco Staffing U.S. Austin is the ninth-best city in the country for business and careers. And for all the recovering addicts who have an appetite, according to GrubHub Inc, Austin, Texas ranked in the top ten most vegetarian-friendly cities. Don’t like veggies? The city ranked No.13 on Travel magazine in 2012 America’s Best Burger Cities, and U.S News says our  barbeque is 5thbest in the country.

It’s simple. When completing a drug and alcohol rehab center you will be encouraged to move into a sober living house. Make sure the city you choose is growing just like your recovery will be. That’s why Sober Living in Austin, Texas should be your choice. If you know someone who is struggling with addiction, and would like help please contact us today. We provide gender specific sober living in the Austin Area.