Trend Mirrors Similar Increase in Misuse of These Powerful Medications
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- The number of prescriptions for controlled medications such as opioids and stimulants has nearly doubled in adolescents and young adults since 1994. The trend, reported in the December issue of Pediatrics, mirrors a similar increase in misuse of these drugs, with adolescents and young adults' illicit use of prescription drugs now outstripping all other illicit drug use except marijuana. The researchers couldn't attribute the increased misuse directly to more prescriptions, but did urge both physicians and patients to be vigilant when considering the use of drugs such as Oxycontin or Ritalin. » More

By The Press Association | Nursing Times
Public health experts have issued a warning to drug users and medics after a patient was treated for methaemoglobinaemia - a potentially fatal condition which has been linked to the use of cocaine. The patient was treated in a Glasgow hospital for the rare and serious condition which affects the way oxygen is carried in the bloodstream. » More

Connecticut Post (http://www.ctpost.com)
A smoker for many years, my friend Ron found himself a bit cranky while going "cold turkey" and listening to a smoking cessation tape. As soothing male and female voices alternately directed the listener through what was supposed to be a positive guided visualization, I caught him grumbling back to the presenters, "Yeah, yeah that's easy for you to say. You're probably both sitting there smoking!" » More

I was able to stop using codeine after returning home and to my job in the operating room.  I dodged a bullet– or so it seemed.  I continued to drink wine, beer, and the occasional margarita, but I had convinced myself that drinking was an isolated vice that was necessary given the stress of my job.  Yes, the AA and NA people said that alcohol would take me back to my ‘drug of choice’, but they didn’t understand my special situation, and didn’t know how smart I was.  The scary incident in the Bahamas faded from my memory.  Looking back, it wasn’t that big of a deal. » More

The Malta Independent Online; By Annaliza Borg
An average of 20 drug addicts become pregnant every year in Malta and are prescribed the opioid substitute methadone during pregnancy, Agenzija Sedqa clinical director and acting operations director Dr. George Grech told The Malta Independent on Sunday. » More

A Blog About Mental and Emotional Health
Peggy Ferguson, Ph.D.
Most people and most families experience increased stress around the holidays. For families where there is addiction and/or where there is addiction recovery, holiday get-togethers can be especially difficult. Active addiction carries its own trauma in family holidays, with acting out, self-perpetuating conflicts, and self-imposed or family-imposed exile of the addict from the family. » More