The legal ramifications of enabling a loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction

Last week, Anna Nicole Smith’s partner / lawyer, Howard K. Stern, and two doctors were charged with multiple felonies for illegally supplying the drugs that ultimately led to her accidental fatal overdose in February of 2007. Several prescription drugs were found in the room in which she died. It was reported that all three men…

Women, drinking, sexual assault and perceptions

There have been some interesting studies recently published regarding women and drinking. It’s always interesting to find studies with female participants since so few in the past have looked at gender differences in relation to substance abuse. Here are some highlights and links: CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) reported that more than 20% of sexual…

Brief Intervention by Doctors Can Reduce Alcohol Use in Postpartum Women

A recent study showed that brief interventions in the doctor’s office can reduce alcohol use in postpartum women. In the study, 8,706 women were screened at their 6-week postpartum doctor visit. The women were given either “usual care,”  defined as “receipt of a booklet on general health issues but no specific counseling,” or brief intervention.…

MillerCoors Agrees to Stop Selling Alcoholic Energy Drink, Sparks

MillerCoors has agreed to remove caffeine and other stimulants from its line of alcoholic energy drinks, Sparks. The agreement, announced on December 18th, was reached with the attorneys general of 13 states, including Maine’s AG Steve Rowe. The attorneys general accused MillerCoors of marketing the Sparks alcoholic energy drink to minors and implying that alcoholic…

Opportunity for Friends and Family Members to Learn About a Loved One’s Addiction

Crossroads for Women for Women will be holding it’s last educational series of the year, “The Effects of Addiction on Friends & Family,” starting on November 4th in Portland, ME. The 4-week series is for those friends and family members with a loved one that has a drug or alcohol problem. It is also helpful…