What is a Drug Intervention?

When it comes time to help a loved one struggling with addiction, you may be lost as to what you can actually do.  If you know someone who is in the midst of a battle with drug addiction, the time to do something is today.  The longer you put off contacting a drug treatment program and setting up a drug intervention, the worse the situation can become.

It can be quite challenging to think of constructive ways of helping a loved one who is withering away because of drug addiction.  People who are wrapped up in drug addiction have an arduous task ahead of them when the desire to become clean strikes. However, most often an addict will flatly refuse help and deny anything is wrong with them, if confronted by concerned friends and family members.

Admitting to an addiction can be one of the hardest things a person can ever do and being open and honest can bring feelings of guilt and shame to someone.  An intervention is a carefully planned process which involves the family and those closest to the addicted person.  The goal of an intervention is not to shame or ridicule the addicted person, but to confront the person in a controlled environment which is filled with compassion, understanding and concern.

During an intervention, the selected group of individuals will come together and confront the addict about the consequences of their behavior and will ask him or her to get treatment. If the addicted person refuses to receive professional treatment, he or she will be left to face the choice and the repercussions alone.  When you are dealing with someone faced with drug addiction, you must be fully prepared to pull out all the stops because if you don’t, you just might be burying the person in the not too distant future.

When a family hosts an intervention, it will provide the subject with specific examples of their destructive behavior and how it has harmed and impacted their loved ones.  At some point during the intervention the addicted person will be offered admittance into a prearranged treatment program and the request will be outlined with specific goals, steps and guidelines.  After the individual has been given the guidelines and requests have been made, each person will clearly spell out what will happen if the person refuses to go into treatment.

An intervention can help someone who is struggling with addictive habits such as drug addiction.  People who are wrangling with addiction issues often do not see the negative and harmful impact their behaviors are having on those who love them most.  It is very important to not wait until the person has hit bottom, because then it may be too late.  Instead of just thinking about hosting an intervention, contact us today and discuss the process and get some information to help convince you how important and beneficial it can be.

Hosting an intervention is not an act done out of anger or rage, instead it is something done out of desperation and love, because we know you only want the best for the one you love.  When your friend or family member needs help to conquer an addiction, we are the ones you need. Call us right now and let us help you host an intervention which will allow your loved one to turn their life around. 
Do you or a loved one need an alcohol detox center in New Jersey? If so, please give us a call. We are here to help. Our team of alcoholism specialists have helped 1000's of people just like you or your loved one. Alcoholism is a disease that can be treated. We help you get the treatment that is right for you. Contact us today for more information. 

New Jersey Drug Interventionist

Is a loved one using and unwilling to look at or change their behavior? Are they hurting the ones they love? Are they hurting you? If you are struggling with a loved one who is dealing with an addiction problem and unwilling to listen to those who love him or her, it may be time for a professional drug interventionist in New Jersey to step in. The Addiction Networks provide quality, affordable and effective teams of intervention specialist who are highly trained and compassionate.

A drug intervention can be staged in many different ways but what we have found to be very successful are one on one interventions and family or group interventions. Depending on the person in need of our help and the situation we are facing will ultimately determine which route or team should pursue. Each person and situation is a little different but each detail important. Your loved one may be using and held up in a crack house or shooting gallery and the police may need to escort the interventionist into a dangerous situation. Your loved one may be out of state and all alone so the team would need to perform a one on one intervention and build trust before trying to assist. There are many different scenarios but no scenario should result in an unsuccessful intervention taking place.

One of the most important concepts for a family to remember is that should they attempt an intervention without a professional, it may cause a lot of emotional turmoil as the loved one is used to doing what they want not listening to those closest to him/her. A professional is not as emotionally involved so they can work different angles without fear of emotional breakdowns or violent eruptions. A family must keep this in mind when deciding to use a professional interventionist vs trying to go about it alone.

If you are interested in learning more about a drug interventionist in New Jersey or the tri-state area, please give us a call and we will answer any questions you may have and do our very best to get your loved one into treatment as soon as possible. 888-315-9749

(888) 315-9749

Story Behind Halfway Houses and Where They are Headed

There general process we see now a days looks similar to this. An intervention of some sort takes place whether by a professional interventionist or family member. Once a client is willing to receive help, typically a detox center is notified and the client is scheduled for intake. Upon completing of the detox, a client will then go through an inpatient or residential treatment program which may be 30 days to 180 days in length. After completing treatment a sober living or halfway house is usually recommended in combination with some sort of aftercare plan or intensive outpatient program or IOP.

From the time a client goes into detox to the day they complete their halfway house or sober living commitment, a client should have anywhere between 6 months to 12 months of sobriety or clean time.  This process has been established by treatment professionals through a extensive trial and error process which took decades. We know have a tremendous awareness and understanding of addiction. Just as our understanding has increased so has our levels of care especially when it comes to "halfway houses."

In past years, halfway houses were designed for inmates leaving a jail or prison. Today, they have taken on a new shape, direction and reach. The term halfway initially mean't that once a person came out of jail or prison he or she would stay in a home with other inmates and it was considered a halfway point between being locked up and being integrated back into society. However, addicts and alcoholics are very intelligent people and some saw an opportunity to save their homes from foreclosure by placing other recovering addicts and alcoholics in their homes and charging by the bed. Not only did they save their homes but were able to turn a profit and open another home. Others saw a profitable business model and one that would benefit society and opened up homes and communities of sober homes. Today, there are sober living communities that occupy entire apartment complexes and house 100's of recovering addicts and alcoholics.

We are now seeing more halfway house owners turning their business from sober living into IOP or treatment centers. Some halfway houses are keeping the sober housing model and adding the treatment component on to their current business model. This allows owners to not only collect weekly rent but also bill a client's insurance company for services rendered. This is bringing the quality of care to a new level and greatly benefiting clients by keeping them actively participating in some form of supervised and specialized care. This new method of treatment is reducing relapse rates and increasing success rates for inpatient centers.

If you are considering treatment, we advise you consider going the extra mile and fully committing to the entire process. Each phase has it's own rewards waiting for you. Each phase will add a number or tools and experiences that will greatly benefit your future and recovery. Your life is important and you should consider going from inpatient rehab to sober living and following all recommended aftercare requirements. It will change your life but more importantly it may save your life.

Give Yourself a Shot at Recovery- It Will be Well Worth the Effort

Finding a successful drug and alcohol rehab will depend entirely on the individual that is looking. Are they ready to get clean and sober? Do they want to be in rehab? Have they hit a bottom? Going into an alcohol detox or drug treatment program is not a solution for everyone’s problem. Sure it can help no matter what but the reality is most addiction treatment centers teach the same or similar information. They each have their spin own things and some offer a little more or less than others. However, in the end if a person is ready to get clean, they won’t use drugs and alcohol anymore and do whatever it takes to keep it that way.  

If a person is not ready to stop using drugs and alcohol does that mean they may not be ready for a rehabilitation program? No, a  family should do an intervention and allow the process of recovery a chance to take over. There is always hope for an addict or alcoholic. There is always a chance that they will hear something during a one on one therapy or group counseling session. Sometimes when an addict or alcoholic is told they will not stay clean, they work even harder just out of spite and end up that way because they had something to prove.

Most people are not ready and willing to go to rehab. They want to continue using for as long as they possibly can. They are addicted to drugs and alcohol so it only makes sense for them to continue using. They may go to an addiction rehab to save their family or avoid a jail sentence. No matter what the reason, it is always a good idea for them to give rehab a shot. One thing is for sure, they will never get high successfully after completing a drug and alcohol treatment program because all the information they will learn will rattle inside their minds even when getting high again.

Some would say you must hit a bottom to become willing to get help. What if the shovel can keep digging another bottom and another? Through all the years in addiction and recovery there has been one bottom after another. The only true bottom is death. If you would like to put the shovel down and give recovery a shot because you want to live a new way of life, go to a detox and get cleaned up. From there go to an addiction rehab program and learn about the disease of addiction and how it is affecting every area of your life. Give yourself a shot to live. It will be well worth the effort you put in. 

Alcohol Detox Center in New Jersey- An Experience of a Lifetime

When I was drinking heavily and it was borderline alcohol abuse, I thought to myself, "I am just having a rough patch but I will pull through." When I started drinking every day I knew I might have a problem. When I tried to stop drinking and found that I could not successfully for any length of time, I was convinced I might be an alcoholic. 

There are many stages involved before drinking become a real problem and when getting help is no longer optional. I had reached the final stage when I received my 4th DUI. I knew that there was nothing I could do in my own power to stop drinking and avoid spending the rest of my life in jail or the nut house. This is when I finally threw up my hands, waived the white flag and admitted I was a "real alcoholic" and I needed help from a professional alcohol detox center and rehabilitation program. 

I tried calling a number of alcohol detox center in New Jersey. I think I must have called at least 10 or that is how it at least felt having to go over the same questions, verify insurance over and over and be told I was not a candidate due to this reason or that reason. Most times, well all times, it was because my insurance did not want to pay for an alcohol detox center or they didn't pay enough. I found myself desperate for help but unable to get the help I so desperately needed. 

I had just about given up all hope when a friend told me about The Detox Center. I thought to myself, "great another detox center I have to deal with and get denied by." I told my friend that I didn't even want to call because I didn't want to get rejected again. He told me he would call and ensured me this place was different and they were able to help him when he went through a similar experience looking for a detox forheroin addiction. He said that The Detox Center was not a detox at all but a network of detox centers throughout NJ. He said they had relationships with alcohol detox centers, detox centers that dealt with low income clients to those who wanted something a little more luxurious. 

It was only a matter of hours before someone from The Detox Center called me back and said they not only had a bed available in an alcohol detox center but they also had a bed available for an alcohol treatment center. I was completely shocked. I had tried time and time again to find a place to go with no success. How did they find me both so quickly? I never bothered to ask since I was just happy to have a place to help me get through the withdrawals I knew I would have once I stopped drinking. 

It was about 12;30 p.m when we spoke to The Detox Center and by 4:30 p.m I was packing up and on my way into detox. Once I got there I was more than pleasantly surprised. The staff was very encouraging and on a couple bad nights, they were right there next to me. After I got through the withdrawals, I started going to some groups and listening to how other people stopped drinking and using drugs. This really inspired me and I started to feel hope, something I had lost a long time ago. 

Once I got to the alcohol treatment center, I was greeted by all the other clients. I was welcomed as though I was entering into a new family. I later understood why. I really was a part of a new family. When I completed treatment I started going to AA meetings like the rehab had suggested. I got a sponsor and worked the 12 steps of Alcoholic Anonymous. I even sponsored a couple of guys which I still have in my life on a daily basis. 

I am so grateful that my friend helped me find Alcohol Detox Center NJ and their team. I truly believe I would have died if it wasn't for everyone willing to help me. Thank God for friends and thank God for AA and the 12 steps. 

Addiction Treatment and Recovery Options

With so much addiction comes the demand for more interventionists, drug detox and drug rehab centers.. Addiction Networks simplifies the process of locating the most suitable and effective. Our network of substance abuse treatment centers range from low cost and affordable to high end and luxury. Our rehab programs are among the elite. We pride ourselves on working with the very best. We provide both secular and faith based rehabilitation. We have programs that range from 28 days to 180 days. We have aftercare treatment programs in place and we do an extensive follow up with each client. Our treatment centers take addiction seriously. Most of our staff has either been through addiction and come out of the other side, or they have had family members who have been through the struggle.

Some services that set us above the rest

• Interventions or family interventions
• Drug and alcohol detox programs
• Christian rehabilitation
• 12 step recovery based treatment
• Sober living 

When a family member is struggling to make the decision about whether or not they want to get clean and stay clean, our intervention specialists are well versed in how to motivate them to not only make the decision but to fully commit. Our interventions are successful because we understand that not one method can be applied to all our clients. There are times when family will be asked to participate, write letters, and gather together to express how our client's addiction is negatively impacting their lives. Other times, a one on one, more personal and intimate intervention will be performed. The interventionist will locate the client abusing drugs or alcohol and spend quality time, sharing information with them that will help motivate them to go into a drug and/or alcohol rehab center. Both methods are effective, choosing the right approach will be determined by the interventionist. 

A drug and alcohol detox program is not always required. A detox center will be notified and on stand by if the following drugs are being abused: heroin, opiates, Xanax, alcohol, and opiate based painkillers. There are some others but these are the primary drugs being used by most of our clients. Meth, cocaine, crack or marijuana do not require an inpatient detox center as these drugs do not cause physical dependence. The typical length of stay for heroin abuse ranges from 5 to 7 days. Xanax and alcohol may be a little longer as these substance can cause serious withdrawal symptoms and cause a person to experience seizures if not detoxed properly. 

Christian rehabilitation centers are very successful as they are great at teaching a client to surrender, to remain humble and trust in a power greater than themselves. Our treatment centers are located throughout California, Texas, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Florida. Our network of Christian rehabs is not limited to one state. This plays a vital role if our client is in a harmful environment and needs to escape old people, places, and things that may lead back to drug abuse or alcohol abuse. 

12 step recovery based rehab centers follow the traditions and teachings handed down from the Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous 12 step recovery support groups. AA and NA have been successfully helping people overcome addiction and alcoholism for decades. There are now hundreds of thousands of 12 step meetings in the United States and abroad. Millions of alcoholics and addicts have found great success and life changing recovery through these support groups. Clients will typically learn about and work through the first 3 steps of the AA and NA program before completing a 12 step based treatment center.

Here are the first 3 steps:

1.     We admitted we were powerless over our addiction/alcoholism and that are lives had become unmanageable.
We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him.

S    A sober living home or halfway house is strongly recommended as part of the aftercare program. A sober living environment will provide a built-in network of sober supports. There will be accountability and structure. Certain rules are in place to help clients stay on track and not veer off the road to recovery. Most sober living homes or halfway houses are typically 90 to 180 days. 

      

      If you would like more information about any of our treatment programs, please call us today at 888-376-0706. We are here to help you overcome addiction and alcoholism and begin your journey of recovery. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have. 

Sexual Addiction and It's Effects

Sexual addiction is best characterized as an intimacy disorder which is highlighted by compulsive sexual acts and thoughts.  Like all other types of addiction, sex addiction has a negative impact on the addict and the person’s family.  With time, the addict will usually act out in intense ways in order to satisfy their urges and compulsion and the person will not care about the consequences.

For some people with sexual addiction, the behavior may not progress beyond compulsive masturbation or the use of pornography.  However, other people may become involved in illegal activities like exhibitionism, child molestation, rape and voyeurism.  Sexual addicts do not necessarily become a sex offender and not all sexual offenders are sex addicts either.

About 71% of people who are child molesters are sexual addicts and for many the problem can be so severe, being imprisoned is the only means of protecting society against them.

Society has accepted that sexual offenders do not act out on their compulsion for gratification, but rather out of a desire for control, power, and dominance or to release rage and anger.  However, now it is understood sex addiction changes the brain and the reward center associated with sexual behavior also motivates those with sexual addiction issues.

Increasing sexual provocation and exhibitionism into today’s society has resulted in an increase in the number of people engaging in unusual or illicit sexual practices such as escort services, computer pornography and phone sex.  More of these people and their partners are seeking help for sex addiction than ever before.

The same behavior and compulsions which drive other forms of addiction is also present with sexual addiction.  However, these other addictions involve substances or behaviors which have no necessary relationship to our survival.  Sexual activity is very different and having sex is needed in order to ensure human survival.  Although some people are celibate by choice, others are not and most healthy human beings have a strong desire for sex.  In fact, lack of interest or a low sex drive can indicate a medical problem or mental health issue.

While there is no official medical diagnosis for sexual addiction, medical researchers have attempted to define the disorder using some criteria based on chemical dependence criteria.  The following behaviors could indicate sex addiction:

·        Frequently engaging in sex with multiple partners or more partners than intended

·        Being preoccupied with or persistently craving sexual activity

·        Neglecting obligations such as home, work and family to engage in sex

·        Continually engaging in sexual behaviors in spite of it causing negative issues in one’s life

·        Spending considerable time in activities related to sex

·        Being irritable when not able to engage in the desired behavior

You may have a sex addiction if you can identify with three or more of these criteria and it may be worthwhile for you to consider seeking treatment.  Sex addicts tend to organize their activities around sex in much the same way a drug addict or alcoholic will center their life on their substance of choice.

If you wish to find out more information about sex addiction and treatment, please call us at the CaliforniaAddiction Network today.  We can answer all of your questions and help you determine what you may need to do in the situation.

Treating the "Whole" Person with Holistic Addiction Treatment

Many people are confused by the term “holistic” and it becomes even more bewildering when it is used in conjunction with drug and alcohol treatment.  Most often the word “holistic” brings about images of yoga, meditation and alternative medicine.  However, it is important to realize in terms of holistic treatment for addiction, that just because a program happens to term itself as “holistic” does not mean it is devoid of medical or psychotherapeutic modalities.

Holistic treatment is something which addresses a person as a “whole.”  This type of treatment takes the entire individual, including their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs into consideration when formulating a plan for treating an addiction issue.  Holistic treatment in a way is more comprehensive than either traditional or alternative treatments, because it takes the best of both programs and customizes the treatment to fit each client’s unique needs.

Holistic addiction treatment can and does include medical management with a team of medical professionals who specialize in chemical dependence and recovery and a licensed mental health specialist.  Frequently, holistic addiction treatment will also include individual psychotherapy and it uses a wealth of alternative options to supplement and support the traditional treatment methods being used.

Some of the more specific treatment approaches which can be used in combination with traditional therapies in a holistic treatment setting can include meditation, yoga and massage therapy.  Massage is beneficial in that it facilitates a deeper connection and appreciation for one’s body and it helps reduce anxiety and physical pain.  Yoga and meditation induces relaxation and can help improve a person’s rate of recovery and strengthen an individual’s sense of well-being.

In the course of recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, someone must make the conscious choice to change their life.  When you have made the decision to change your life and want to take back control over your choices, it is a great step towards improving your health and gaining a stronger sense of well-worth.  However, with all the many

options which exist for treating drug and alcohol addiction, many people overlook holistic treatment because of believing it is not effective.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.

If you or someone you love is struggling with drugs and alcohol and it has turned into an addiction, you need to do something to change.  You cannot simply sit back and ignore your problem and it is not something which will go away on its own.  When you are truly ready to change your life and willing to seek professional help, contact the California Addiction Network today and find out more information about our holistic treatment services.

Purge the Toxins from Substance Abuse through Detox

The goal of drug and alcohol detox is to help the body purge the toxins from substance abuse.  The very first step of detoxification is to support someone as they go through drug and alcohol withdrawal.  The definition of withdrawal is defined as the discontinuation of using drugs and alcohol and the physical and psychological adjustment which follows.  Once a person has stopped using drugs and alcohol, withdrawal symptoms will follow.

The length and severity of withdrawal will be different for each person, depending on what drugs or the amount of alcohol that was regularly used.  Very few people with addiction are only using one drug alone and most will suffer from poly-addiction because of using multiple substances in conjunction with alcohol. 

It is normal to see someone in a drug and alcohol detox who has been abusing alcohol along with meth, heroin or cocaine or prescription drugs, among other things.  Detox is a process which applies to individuals who have acquired a physical dependence and supervised withdrawal is the best way to diminish someone’s cravings for their substance of choice.

Drug and alcohol detox is done in many different ways depending on the type of facility that is elected.  Most detox programs will provide treatment to alleviate the symptoms of physical drug and alcohol withdrawal.   Ideally, the program you choose will help you through the use of medications and supportive therapies which are administered by experienced and compassionate detox professionals.

The duration of drug and alcohol withdrawal will normally last for about 3-5 days in total.  However, there are other people who have such severe addiction issues that going through withdrawal may take more than a week and sometimes it can last for months.

Drug and alcohol detox should include all aspects of the individual’s withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.  The removal of the toxins from drug and alcohol abuse is the key to preparing someone for seeking further drug and alcohol treatment.  If the drug and alcohol toxins are not purged from the body, it can wind up causing residual cravings a person may experience for years after having quit.

Someone going through detoxification should realize is a vital step in the healing process and for somebody with physical dependence issues, it is necessary.  An addicted person must have the accumulated toxins from drug and alcohol removed from their system, in order to build their body back up and to prepare themselves physically and psychologically for more treatment. 

You can find a drug and alcohol detox services through speaking with a treatment program or you can locate one through performing an online search for these programs in your area.  Although you may be scared about the unknown you face as you take the steps needed to become clean and sober, it should serve as a turning point in your life and give you hope for the future.  If you or someone you love is faced with a physical dependence on drugs and alcohol, please call us at the California Addiction Network today and talk to our caring clinicians and specialists about detox and let us help you.

PTSD and Trauma- Hand in Hand

Post-TraumaticStress Disorder or PTSD and Trauma disorders go hand in hand.  These are debilitating mental health disorders which follow experiencing or seeing a traumatic or tragic or frightening event in one’s life.  People with these disorders will usually experience recurrent frightening thoughts and memories of the ordeal and feel emotionally numbed from the situation.

Once referred to as “shell shock” or battle fatigue, PTSD was first brought to the attention of the public by soldiers returning from battle.  However, either disorder can develop from experiencing any number of traumatic things.  These can include rape, kidnapping, torture, violent attacks, earthquakes, fire, flood, or being held captive.  The event that triggers PTSD and trauma can be something which threatened a person’s life or the life of someone close to them.

People with PTSD and trauma disorder will repeatedly relive the situation in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections of the experience.  The nightmares or recurrent thoughts may come and go intermittently and a person could be free from them for days, weeks, months or years at a time.  However, some individuals may experience these memories on a consistent basis for no particular reason.

PTSD and trauma can cause sleep disturbances, depression, emotional detachment and numbness and some individuals may easily be startled.  The disorder can also cause people to lose interest in things they used to enjoy and they may have issues with showing and feeling affection for others.  People with PTSD can be irritable, more aggressive than in the past and it could lead to violence.

PTSD can happen at any age and even during childhood.  The disorder can be accompanied by anxiety, depression and substance abuse.  It can make people have trouble holding a job or socializing can be extremely difficult.  In general, the symptoms of PTSD can seem to get worse if the event that triggered the disorder was caused by a person and not a tragic event such as a flood or fire.

Ordinary things and events can seem to pull the person back to the traumatic memory and it can trigger flashbacks and cause horrible images to pop up on the individual’s mind.  A flashback may make the sufferer lose touch with reality and reenact the event for a period of seconds or hours, but it can last for days in some of the most extreme cases.  A person experiencing a flashback, which can happen through images, sounds, smells, or feelings, will usually believe the event is happening to them all over again.

PTSD and trauma disorders can be treated and it is usually done through using a combination of therapy and medications to control the symptoms of the disorder.  People with PTSD should seek out help because if not, the situation can become all-consuming and take over their life completely.

If you or someone you love is suffering from PTSD or trauma disorder and you are thinking of seeking help, the time to act is now.  Please contact us at the California AddictionNetwork

and talk to us about your situation and let us help you receive the treatment you need, so you can recover and get back to living a healthy and happier life.

Life Threatening Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcoholism is horrible and in addition to being physically and emotionally destructive, it is something which will hurt the person’s family too.  The moment of clarity for many people with alcoholism is when they wake up and need a drink to just get out of bed and it is at this moment when many of them realize how important it is to seek an alcohol detox.

When someone wakes up in the morning and feels physically ill and shaking, it means the body has become accustomed to drinking alcohol and must now have it to function.  Even if somebody is deeply ashamed of their drinking and wants to stop, it is a vicious cycle of back and forth until the individual makes a commitment to change their life.

Alcoholics who are willing to go into detoxification and stop drinking are likely to experience a myriad of different withdrawal symptoms.  The most common withdrawal symptoms an alcoholic will feel when he or she suddenly stops drinking include; insomnia, headaches, dizziness, nausea, sweating, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, cravings, hallucinations and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be so intense and overwhelming that a person may be so desperate to make it all stop that he or she takes a drink.  However, for those individuals with alcoholism who go into an alcohol detox, success can be achieved because the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be managed and alleviated through different means.

People with alcohol dependence who go into detox have a higher rate of success than those who attempt to quit drinking on their own. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and the intensity will be different for each person.  Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be potentially life threatening for people who have been engaged in heavy drinking for weeks, months of years.  Because of how complicated it can be to get someone through alcohol withdrawal, it is best to seek professional help from a detox clinic and to not try to do it on your own.

Heavy prolonged alcohol consumption can disrupt the neurotransmitters in the brain and this will affect how messages are sent and received.  Chronic alcohol consumption will also suppress the release of glutamate, which is responsible for feelings of excitement. When someone who is used to heavily drinking suddenly stops, the brain will become disrupted and it can induce anxiety, irritability, agitation, seizures, tremors and delirium tremens.

To control the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and to help somebody get through the process with no complications, detox can be the answer.  If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism and want to stop drinking, realizing the truth about your problem is the first step and the second is making the commitment to accept detox.

Although you may have tried countless times to stop drinking on your own and failed, today can be the start of something entirely different.  You can contact us at the CaliforniaAddiction Network and find out more information about alcohol detox and how it can help to make your life better and allow you to become sober.

Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg Seeks to Restore Mental Health Fund for Inmates

Senate leader Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento said he wishes to allocate $50 million to a mental health funding program which ended in 2008, because of budget cuts.  However, the restoration of the program will depend on whether the United States grants a delay on reducing prison overcrowding. 

After nearly ten years of state funding, the Mentally Ill Offender Crime ReductionGrants ended in 2008, due to budget cuts.  Steinberg wants to restart funding of the program, beginning with $50 million in the budget next year.  However, that money being granted is contingent upon Governor Jerry Brown receiving a delay in a federal court order to reduce crowding in state prisons.

Gov. Brown had agreed to special legislation which sets aside a portion of the state’s savings for use in mental health and other services which are aimed at reducing crime, if the courts limit on the prison population is postponed.  Without such a delay, Brown intends to use those funds to send state prisoners to private facilities outside the state of California.

Steinberg stated if Brown did not succeed in convincing federal judges to extend the deadline, he would try to add the grant program to the 2014 state budget.  The judge’s cutoff date for the prison crowding settlement issue is the same day Brown must submit his yearly spending plan to the Legislature.

Many of the former state prisoners who must now be supervised by the county are mentally ill. The LA department is setting up special squads of probation officers who are specially trained to handle their needs.  It is hard to get an exact fix on just how many prisoners suffer from mental illness, but these same inmates may also come into the prison system with substance abuse issues which require comprehensive treatment and psychological services in order to treat.

Steinberg stated his proposal, which has yet to be drafted into legislation, would offer grants to fund programs such as mental health courts, where judges could send those with mental illness or addiction issues into treatment, instead of the prison system.  He said he would like to dedicate half of the grants to services for mentally ill or drug addicted juvenile offenders.

Nine counties used grants to fund mental health courts and 13 counties also targeted mentally ill offenders who had drug abuse problems too.  The report stated 53% of those in these types of programs returned to jail within two years, but 56% of those who received aid reoffended.

Large changes were noted in the drug and alcohol abuse and homeless rates. Approximately 32% of those enrolled in the state funded programs were able to become economically self-sufficient, in contrast to 24% of those who were not enrolled in the program.

These programs are life changing and it is the hope of Steinberg to change the way mental illness and addiction are addressed in the prison system.  With proper treatment and access to mental health services, it has been proven people can be treated and get better and inmates are no different than anyone else.

California Revokes Burbank Pharmacy’s License for Selling Drugs to Patients Who Died

A pharmacy in Burbank that dispensed painkillers and other narcotics to five young patients who died of overdose has had its license revoked.  The state pharmacy board found that the pharmacy employees had failed to properly investigate prescriptions that contributed to the people’s deaths.

The pharmacy, Jay Scott Drugs catered to patients of Dr. Bernard Bass and Dr. Massoud Bamdad, both of who were later convicted of crimes in connection with their prescribing habits.

By law, pharmacists are required to examine prescriptions, scrutinize customers and refuse to fill any prescriptions, if they suspect a person does not have a legitimate medical need for the drug.

Many of Dr. Bass’s patients were in their 20’s and traveled more than 40 miles from their homes in Ventura County to visit the doctor in North Hollywood and then would go another five miles to Jay Scott Drugs where they usually paid cash for a combination of medications favored by drug addicts.  Though Dr. Bamdad was a general practitioner, more than half of all the prescriptions his patients filled were for painkillers or other common drugs of abuse, according to the California Boardof Pharmacy.

The board faulted lead pharmacist Albert Daher and two of his colleagues with unquestioningly filling prescriptions, in spite of many red flags which should have raised suspicion.  The board’s decision noted the pharmacy received large financial profits from the filling of Bass’ prescriptions.

During an interview in his store, Albert Daher said he felt he had been unfairly targeted by the Pharmacy Board and resented the notion he was in it for profit and cared nothing for his patients. Four of Bass’ patients between the ages of 21 and 31 years old died of overdose within the span of a month in 2008, after receiving prescriptions filled from Jay Scott Drugs.  A fifth patient overdosed at the age of 23, after filling a prescription from Bamdad, according to information in board documents.

The board found the pharmacy at fault for feeding the addictions of four other patients who later died with the same kinds of drugs that were filled at Jay Scott Drugs.  Even if there was not sufficient evidence to prove the lethal pills were the same ones obtained at Jay Scott Drugs, the board’s decision stated the pharmacy had been routinely filling prescriptions and feeding people’s drug addiction.

The Pharmacy Board took it a step further and rejected a proposed decision of a judge, who presided over the 16-day hearing.  The judge found Bass, not Bamdad, had an obvious prescribing pattern and patient’s profiles which should have drawn the attention of Daher and other colleagues.

How Might the Affordable Care Act Revolutionize Addiction Treatment?

The Affordable Care Act came into effect January 1^st, 2014 and it requires that no insurance company may refuse to cover someone for a preexisting condition and now insurance coverage is attainable for people of lower income levels.  Obamacare’s treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism as chronic diseases that must be covered by insurance plans could help as many as 40 million U.S. citizens enter treatment, according to information from the California Health Report.

Recent government statistical data shows that around 24 million aged 12 years and older are in need of treatment for a substance abuse issue, but only 11% of them will receive it at a professional drug and alcohol treatment program.  The national average cost for entering a substance abuse treatment program is around $4,000 for admission and outpatient programs run an average of $1,500 for a course of treatment.

The passage of Obamacare could help eliminate the cost barriers for people who may not have otherwise been able to financially afford to seek drug and alcohol treatment.  Dr. Thomas McLellan, former deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy said in an interview with the California Health Report, “I don’t think there’s another illness that will be more affected by the Affordable Care Act.”

Drug addiction, alcoholism and substance abuse have not always been considered as chronic illnesses.  However, since opiate abuse is on the rise in America, alcoholism and other addiction issues cost the country about $120 billion per year in health care spending, the new law places the emphasis on both treatment and prevention.  The Affordable Care Act forces insurers to cover the cost of rehab and encourages medical professionals to screen patients for possible drug or alcohol addictions.

Screening someone for a potential substance abuse or addiction issue can also prevent other chronic diseases from forming or becoming worse, especially since many people with these issues do not seek health care services because of the associated stigma and exorbitant costs.  The Affordable Care Act could also wind up driving up healthcare costs indirectly, because of causing other medical issues.  Doctors are hoping the ACA’s two-pronged approach to substance abuse could help curb addictions and reduce healthcare spending substantially.

If you have specific questions about how the Affordable Care Act could positively impact your treatment experiences, you can call us at the California Addiction Network for further information.  Now more than ever before, the cost of drug and alcohol treatment could be more affordable and it is the right time to find out if you qualify to be covered under the Affordable Care Act.  Do not wait any longer, because you could finally have access to the services and treatment you need to change your entire life.

California Drug Overdose Deaths on the Rise

The number of deaths from drug overdoses in the state of California, most of which were due to prescription medications, increased by 31% from 1999 to 2010, according to recently released information.  These statistics are quite frightening, but how they compare with other states may surprise you.

California surprisingly fared better than many states in relation to overdose deaths and it came in with the 15^th lowest drug-overdose mortality rate in America.  Approximately 10.6 per 100,000 people suffered fatal overdoses in 2010, according to the “Prescription Drug Abuse: Strategies to Stop the Epidemic,” which was released by the nonprofit group Trust for America’s Health. While most states received a score of 6 or less, California scored an 8 on a scale of 10, for “promising indicators,” on strategies to curb prescription drug abuse.

According to Billie Weiss, the associate director of the Southern California Injury and Violence Research Prevention Program at UCLA, “We’ve been working at it, but we can do better.  We can be using our pharmacy prescribing database to really keep better track of physicians who are overprescribing…We have drug shoppers who go to a bunch of physicians and get prescriptions; using that prescribing database would really help identify some of those folks.”

While California has an active prescription drug monitoring database called C.U.R.E.S, for certain types of controlled substances, it does not make it mandatory for physicians to report every patient’s information.  As of 2014, approximately 33 other states, including; Alaska, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Dakota, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, New Hampshire, Delaware, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Iowa, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and others have implemented prescription drug monitoring programs.

California has been given points for many indicators, including having a “doctor shopping law” and a “good Samaritan law.”  The “doctor shopping law” prohibits people from withholding information about prior prescriptions from their health care professionals, while the “good Samaritan law” provides someone with immunity or lessening of a sentence for those who seek help from themselves or someone else experiencing a drug overdose.

Nationally, overdose deaths involving prescription medications, specifically painkillers, have quadrupled since 1999, and now outnumber those deaths from cocaine and heroin combined.

Prescription drug abuse and misuse have reached epidemic proportions and it warrants a strong public health response.  California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed two new bills into law aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse.  The first one is SB 670 and it gives the state medical board the authority to inspect and copy medical records of a deceased patient without a court order or the consent of the next of kin.  The second bill SB 809, increases practitioners licensing fees in order to fund an overhaul of the C.U.R.E.S system database, which some doctors now consider too difficult to use.

We at the California Addiction Network applaud the recent laws passed to aid in protecting people from death by drug overdose. However, we are also realistic in that we know there are countless numbers of people who are in need of help and we invite them to call us today, because the longer you play around with drugs the worse your life will become.

The United States and Italy Cracking Down on Mafia Drug Smuggling

Italian and American authorities said Tuesday, February 11^th, 2014,  that they have broken up a new heroin and cocaine trafficking drug ring coordinated by Italy’s powerful ‘Ndrangheta’ organized crime syndicate and New York’s famous Gambino mafia crime family.  Seventeen individuals were placed under arrest in Italy and another seven were arrested in New York, officials said.

The investigation just highlighted how ‘Ndrangheta’ is spreading its influence and operations beyond the borders of Italy, as it coordinates its position as one of the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations.  It also underscored how ‘Ndrangheta’ that is based in the Southern region of Calabria, is  now encroaching on territory which was once occupied by the Sicilian-based Cosa Nostra, since the Gambino’s were in the Sicilian mafia’s American branch.

The anti-mafia Italian police stated the “New Bridge” operation targeted a new cocaine trafficking route via South America to the Southern Italian port of Gioia Tauro which united the Gambino’s with the ‘Ndrangheta.” In exchange, the Italians were to traffic their heroin directly into the United States market.

The aim of the Italian and American mafia alliance was to “build a bridge of criminality and corruption to stretch from South America to Italy and back to New York,” stated Marshall Miller, a top prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s office in Brooklyn.

Through the use of wiretaps and an undercover agent called “Jimmy” who infiltrated the NY mob, officials say they have thwarted the delivery to Italy of some 500 kilograms of pure cocaine.  The shipment was to have been hidden among canned coconuts and pineapples on its way from Guyana to Gioia Tauro, in Northern Italy.

Raffaele Grassi, head of the Italian police’s central operative service unit stated, “The ‘Ndrangheta’ can and has to be considered one of the most powerful organizations in the world for handling international drug trafficking. The ‘Ndrangheta’ has left its territory of origin; beyond occupying areas of our country and infiltrating itself in Northern Italy, the ‘Ndrangheta’ is looking for criminals beyond the border, invading new markets to make profit.”

The FBI worked with the Italian police in Italy and vice versa, and Miller and other officials from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Brooklyn were on hand in Rome for the press conference announcing the information about the arrests.  The Italian suspects have been accused of mafia association and drug trafficking, along with various other charges.  Miller stated one of the American based suspects was accused of money laundering through a Brooklyn based bank and that several hundred thousand dollars was also seized during the investigation.

There are many reasons why we, at the California Addiction Network are ecstatic about this revelation, because any drugs removed from the streets are a good thing.  We ask you to please consider right now, if your drug abuse has escalated to the point of becoming uncontrollable and if so, you should contact us right now without delay, because your entire future and life are on the line.

Antioch, CA House Fire Reveals a Marijuana Growing House

A house fire in Antioch, CA led investigators to discover an indoor marijuana growing house.  In January 2014, nearly 1,000 marijuana plants and cultivating equipment were seized by police after the place caught on fire.

A neighbor on Hidden Glen Drive saw the home’s electrical panel sparking and called 9-1-1 around 9:00 p.m.  Firefighters found a number of marijuana plants inside the home and called the police. Nobody was home at the time of the fire, so there were no injuries to report.  A power company worker inspected the electrical panel to see if it is possibly what caused the house to catch fire.

The fire appears to have originated in the home’s dining room, but was quickly brought under control.  The home’s owners rigged the home’s electrical system to bypass the utility meter and the set-up is what had caused the electric panel to overheat.

Police removed 960 plants from the two-story house located in the 4500 block of Hidden Glen Drive, after serving a search warrant on the home hours after fireman put out the blaze.  The one-alarm fire began in a wall behind a fuse box and fire crews had it put out within minutes of it starting, according to fire inspector Steven Aubert of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

Abuert stated, “What’s fortunate is that it was a brand new home and it contained a sprinkler system.  That kept the fire to its point of origin.  The damage sustained was very minimal.”

Morefield stated the house was part of a large-scale marijuana growing operation.  At the present time, police are still trying to identify and locate the owners of the home.   Anybody with information about the fire is urged to call the Antioch, California Police Department at (925) 779-6895.

California Drug Bust Had Connections to Cartel

After a yearlong investigation using wiretaps, undercover police informants, and purchases of automatic weapons, federal authorities facilitated raids in Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties in California.  The large scale drug trafficking operation was found to have ties to the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico.

The raids were conducted in locations throughout the Valley early on Wednesday, January 29^th, 2014, and it resulted in eleven people being arrested and the police seized weapons, marijuana and methamphetamine.  According to a search warrant unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District County, the investigation focused around adjoining horse ranches on Almond Avenue in Patterson which were owned by Augustin Ramirez.

According to U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman, Lauren Horwood, “Evidence uncovered during the investigation indicates the ring used sophisticated methods to conceal and smuggle the contraband, including commercial trucks with hollowed out drive shafts and vehicles equipped with hidden compartments.”

Federal investigators stated the drug ring has ties to the Mexican cartel which is headed by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.  Two horse ranches in Stanislaus County were among those searched and during the investigation, police found five indoor marijuana growing operations, nearly 60 pounds of processed marijuana, meth and more than $20,000 in cash.  Officials believed the organization was growing marijuana and distributing methamphetamine.

In total, police authorities seized about 90 pounds of methamphetamine, three firearms and an undisclosed amount of cash.  According to the United States Immigrationand Customs Enforcement I.C.E., at least 6 of the 11 people who were arrested in the raids faced federal drug trafficking and weapons charges, including suspected ring leader, Francisco “Paco” Felix.

At the current time, at least four other people are still being sought in connection with the raids.

Investigators started buying methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana from suspects including Francisco Felix and Martinez.   The investigation into the drug ring was first launched in January of 2013 and court documents outline a long history of purchases of marijuana and methamphetamine and later illegal weapons.

On September 19^th, 2013, Francisco Felix reportedly told a person working with investigators that he could get at least 200 pounds of methamphetamine which had been cooked and stored in Culiacan.  Felix reportedly bragged about the shipment stating it had “never been stepped on,” meaning it was pure.

Authorities searched six different locations in Patterson, three in Ceres, two in Tracy and Newman and one in each Stevinson, Modesto, Stockton, Turlock and Mountain House, according to court affidavits.  Around 25 sheriffs’ deputies and other law enforcement officials from Merced County participated in the early-morning raids.  Authorities in Merced and Stanislaus counties referred questions about the raid to state and federal agencies.

It is not clear Wednesday if any of the arrests were made in Merced County and police are pleased with the outcome and the amount of narcotics, weapons and cash that were seized.

$7 Million in Marijuana Found in Electronics Shipment in Tustin, CA

Approximately 12 tons of marijuana with a street value of $7 million was found hidden among a shipment of electronics in a tractor-trailer in Tustin, California.  Police responding to a report of a possible attempted cargo theft in the 1100 block of Warner Avenue discovered the drugs, after the driver of the trailer contacted them.

The driver of the rig believed he was transporting a simple shipment of electronics from San Diego, California to Tustin.  He told police he was traveling through Orange County when two men in a white cargo van pulled up next to him and the passenger demanded he pull over.  The passenger showed some kind of badge on a chain which was dangling from around his neck and it made the driver uneasy and suspicious.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was suspicious about the unprofessional look and demeanor of the men in the cargo van and so he pulled into a local business where an armed security guard was stationed.  At that time the truck driver called the police to report the incident.  The van lingered in the area for a bit afterwards, but fled the scene when police arrived.

The police later determined that no law enforcement agency was involved in trying to stop the big rig.  During an inspection of the tractor-trailer which was tightly packed, police discovered approximately 12 tons of marijuana concealed in bricks and hidden among the many boxes.  The marijuana had a street value of more than $7 million, which was a great strike against the battle to keep drugs off of the streets.

The van driver was described as a Hispanic male about 30-years of age and he had a shaved head.  The passenger was also described as being Hispanic, with a thin build and he was wearing what appeared to be a black ballistics type vest.  The driver of the tractor-trailer was not suspected in aiding the transport of the drugs and was not placed under arrest for the incident.

Police are still seeking information and leads about the crime and are asking the public to become involved.  People with any information about the case are encouraged to contact Detective Haug at(714) 573-3246.