Those in the substance abuse treatment field sometimes use contingency management to increase client retention. Contingency management is, essentially, a positive incentive program for clients to help keep them in treatment longer. And the longer those are in treatment, the more effective that treatment is and the more likely they will complete treatment. While some…
A study that looked at the drinking habits and lifestyles of more than 80,000 Japanese women and men over a 14-year period showed that gender and the amount of alcohol consumed may help determine one’s risk for heart disease and stroke. The study showed that women, in particular, were more affected by heavy drinking than…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndxrU9Q5nzI] Take a look at Crossroads for Women for Women’s new organizational video directed by Laki Vazakas. This new video tells the story of Crossroads for Women for Women through the women who have walked through its doors. Crossroads for Women for Women is where you would send your mother, sister or daughter for outpatient…
Healthday reported that taking a regimen of prescribed medications is the most effective way to reduce withdrawal symptoms and urges to drink alcohol in those being treated for alcohol dependence. The conclusion came from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Combine study, a large-scale, multi-site, combined medication and behavioral treatment study. Data was…
Anheuser-Busch announced yesterday that they have stopped production of caffeinated versions of its Bud Extra and Tilt malt beverage products and is reformulating them to remove caffeine and guarana, both stimulants. The decision to stop selling these alcoholic energy drinks was part of an agreement with 11 state attorneys general, including Maine’s AG Steve Rowe,…
A nationwide survey, being released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), shows that more than half of the teens surveyed admitted to underage drinking and 40% of those teens got free alcohol from an adult. Among the youngest teens, girls were found to drink slightly more than boys, consistent with…
A study coming out of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia connects kids reactions to alcohol odors to their mom’s emotions. Children of mothers who were considered to be “escape drinkers” were more likely to choose an unpleasant smell over the smell of beer than children of non-escape drinkers. A mother was determined to…
Democrat Senator Jim Webb from Virginia, and potential Vice Presidential candidate for Barack Obama, recently held a meeting on Capitol Hill to “get the facts out” about the ineffectiveness of jailing nonviolent offenders for drug-related offenses rather than treating them for their addiction problem. The hearing of the Joint Economic Committee solicited testimony from prosecutors…
A government report coming out of the United Kingdom estimates that a single drug addict costs taxpayers more than £800,000 (about $1.569 million) over his or her lifetime. Interestingly enough, a female drug addict was estimated to cost £859,000 (about $1.692 million), while a male user cost slightly less at £827,000 ($1.629). The admittedly conservative…
A new study found an increase in alcohol dependence possibly due to American teenagers drinking at earlier ages. In particular, this increase in alcohol dependence seemed to be explained by women drinking at increasingly younger ages throughout time. While researchers saw an increase in earlier drinking and alcohol dependence in men, the changes were much…
