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The Addictions Coach Creates a Mobile Rehab to Combat Drug and Alcohol Addictions

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

The Addictions Coach announced that they are offering a mobile rehab service in addition to their individual private sessions. The Addictions Coach Company is bringing the rehab to the client. They have mastered the art of handling addictions by pairing Yoga, nutrition and fitness, along with traditional talk therapy, to assist in the fight against addiction, all done on location of their clients. Sober coaches usually employ the more traditional of therapies, including talk therapy and prayer to assist clients in gaining insight into their addiction, but Cali Estes, owner of The Addictions Coach, has taken the approach to a whole new level.

Cali’s multidimensional approach focuses on the underlying cause of the addiction and she approaches each client in a unique manner. Unlike traditional drug rehabilitation centers that convince the addict that they have a disease that is incurable and they must attend meetings, recite prayers and follow steps, Cali tailors her program to fit the client. By realizing that each client is unique and their pattern of addiction is unique with a root cause, Cali is able to address the addiction at the core and assist the addict in making the necessary changes and positive steps in their life.

“Actors like Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan use sober coaches to get clean,” Cali said. When I work with actors, I like to decrease their Post-Acute Withdrawal symptoms and teach them how to access the feel good chemicals in their brain by using Yoga, nutrition and fitness. “

Cali is more than a ‘sober coach’. She has a background in clinical and personality psychology, addictions and forensics. She can get to the root of the addiction quickly and work with the client in building a safe environment in which to make the changes necessary to live a productive lifestyle. Clients in addiction feel powerless, helpless and hopeless and need answers and ways to change their lives. Sometimes family and friends think that everyone should be able to have ‘just one drink’ at a function, but for some clients that is not what happens. That one drink turns them into an unmanageable individual that their family and friends cannot deal with. Taking a pill to ‘get through the day’ or ‘take the edge off’ eventually leads to a full blown addiction with the addict personality. Cali can address all these issues with both the family and the client and assist them in making the changes necessary to be happy and healthy.

“I do the traditional one hour a week sessions, but I am also available to assist clients on tour, on movie sets, or for 30 day stays in their home,” Cali said. “For a high powered CEO or actor that does not have the time to spend in a residential rehab, I can bring the rehab to them.”

Cali has consulted in 2 countries and frequently flies between South Florida, New York and Los Angeles to work with her clients. She has clients in the music industry, acting/film, modeling, CEO’s and frequent high stress jobs clients. She is available on an individual basis for clients, more intensive or for speaking engagements. She has accompanied clients to high risk situations like weddings, worked ‘on set’ of movie and film productions, worked directly with pro athletes, sat in on business meetings, been ‘on tour’ with musicians and even will work directly in the home of the client for a more intensive ‘rehab’ setting.

“I am available for individual sessions, long day sessions from 8-12 hours, weekly sessions on as a 30 day stay,” Cali said. “I handle drug, alcohol, food and assorted other addictions at the root cause and assist the client in realizing that a life free from addiction is possible.”

The Addictions Coach is based out of Miami Florida but services clients in all of South Florida, New York City and Los Angeles.

#####

Guest Post written By Cali Estes

cali@theaddictionscoach.com

786 709 0479

Tags: Addictions Coach, Alcohol Addictionm, Mobile Rehab, Substance Abuse
Posted in Substance Abuse | No Comments »

National Drug Control Strategy

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

The National Drug Control Strategy represents the US Government’s efforts towards reducing the harmful effects of illegal drug usage on society at large. The strategy does not believe in an enforcement system representing a kind of war on drugs; neither does it tilt towards legalization of drug usage. It believes that drug abuse is a disease which impairs the brain and can be prevented as well as treated. It therefore propagates a middle path. Effective implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy is dependent on the availability of vital information pertaining to illegal drugs. Updated information on drug abuse and its consequences is of paramount importance in this regard. In addition, monitoring of parameters helps in gauging how well the program is functioning. Strategic changes and modifications can then be introduced for better results. It is understood that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) will require certain specific information for formulation, implementation and performance assessment of the strategy. These include the following broad categories:

Assessment of current illegal drug usage
- Drug prevalence and frequency of usage
- Drug usage at workplace and consequent loss of productivity
- Drug usage by arrestees, parolees and probationers
Assessment of illegal drug activity
- Quantities of illegal drugs available for consumption in the country
- Quantities of illegal drugs entering the country
- Number of drug manufacturing facilities seized and total area of drug plantation destroyed
- Quantity of illegal drugs seized in the country
- Changes in the quality and price of illegal drugs
Assessment of consequences of illegal drug usage
- Measurement of burden placed on emergency services
- Health care costs incurred as a result of illegal drug usage
- Extent of criminal activities as a result of illegal drug consumption
Assessment of drug treatment
- Number of users that meet criteria for treatment
- Utilization of public as well as private treatment facilities

In addition to the aforementioned categories, information must also be available for analyzing current trends in comparison to previously compiled data. Such an analysis would certainly improve the assessment of the strategy under implementation. It will also help in standardizing the process of assessing drug treatment effectiveness.

Drug related Data systems

As we have seen, specific information is required for strategy formulation and implementation. The following section lists down the important data sources that are used to compile information for this purpose.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) – Using information on demographics, health and drug usage, it measures alcohol and drug abuse prevalence, among various age groups. The survey started off with a limited scope restricted to household members, but in 1991, it was expanded and now includes homeless people living in shelters and other temporary arrangements, students living in dormitories and civilians on military bases. Over the years, it has been modified in a manner that it now provides single year information on common phenomena, and multi-year data on less common behaviors.
- In 2009, the estimated number of illegal drug users, aged 12 or older, for past month usage, was 21 million^[1]. This was a staggering 8.7% of the population within this segment.
- For the same period, figures for past month usage among adolescents (aged between 12 to 17 years), was 2.47 million, which was 10% of the adolescent population.
- On the basis of current employment status, in the year 2009, 8% of the full time employed population was estimated to be using illegal drugs. This percentage shot up to 17% for the unemployed population.
Drug Abuse Warning Network or DAWN collates information on emergency episodes and medical examination cases in relation to drug usage. It works along with local, state and federal policymakers to analyze substance abuse patterns and trends along with the associated health hazards. In 2003, the data was converted into digital format, and since then estimates are available for national as well as metropolitan areas.
- In 2002, the total drug episodes were 670,307, a jump of over 50% since 1988; while the total drug mentions were 1,209,938, which were double compared to 1988 figures.
- The total number of emergency department visits involving illegal drug usage was around 1 million in 2004, and more or less remained the same by 2009. In contrast, the number of emergency department visits for non-medical usage of pharmaceuticals was 0.5 million in 2004, and it had more than doubled by 2009, the estimated number being 1.01 million.
Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) – It is a national census compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and covering thousands of law enforcement agencies across United States. Data includes arrests for manufacture, possession and sale of illegal drugs. The distribution of data is also done on the basis of geographical location and demographics.
- The number of arrests for drug violations was 1.36 million in 1989. This figure rose to 1.66 million in the year 2009, and represented 12.2% of the total number of arrests.
National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Service (N-SSATS) collects information on the number, type, ownership structure, scope of services, treatment capacity, utilization rate etc. of treatment facilities for alcohol and drug abuse.
- The number for single day census of clients enrolled in treatment facilities was 1.18 million in the year 2009. Out of these, 0.6 million were in non-profit private facilities, while 0.3 million were in for-profit private facilities. The numbers for Local/State/Federal Government sponsored facilities were pretty low in comparison.
National Seizure Systems (NSS) gathers data on clandestine laboratories seized by US law enforcement agencies. The records are maintained and controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The usage of the data however, is limited to law enforcement agencies for enforcement of laws. Apart from important investigative leads, information is available on the type, number and location of meth labs that have been seized.
- In 2010, a total of 10,374 meth labs and dump sites were seized across the United States. This included around 6,225 small labs and 9 super labs, that produce more than 10 pounds annually

International Statistics

The International Narcotics Control Strategy Report provides information on illegal drug manufacturing & transit nations, in an attempt to prevent drug manufacturing, trafficking and other associated money laundering businesses. Along with this, the US Government itself maintains data on each country that is estimated to be producing significant amounts of illegal drugs. A few important findings have been listed below:

According to the World Drug Report 2012, prepared by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, around 230 million people, representing 5% of the global population have used illegal drugs in 2010. Of these, problem users suffering from addiction, number around 27 million ^[2]. More than 0.2 million people die each year as a result of cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs.
There is an annual flow of approximately 430 to 450 tons of heroin in the global market; this includes 340 tons that is consumed, the remaining being seized ^[3]. More than 380 tons of this total amount, is exclusively produced in Afghanistan, almost all of which gets trafficked out, into the heroin market.
In the year 2007-08, 17 million people across the world consumed 470 tons of cocaine, more than 40% of which was consumed in North America. Columbia remains the biggest source of cocaine for North America; while in Europe, some amounts are available from Peru and Bolivia as well.

The ONDCP has established two distinct departments addressing and analyzing information, one working on the demand side and the other on the supply side of the drug market. These two groups help in improving current information systems as well as in developing new data systems in the area of drug control. The goal is to ensure that appropriate data is available for controlling production, trafficking and consumption of illegal drugs across the United States.

References:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/policy-and-research/2011_data_supplement.pdf

http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2012/WDR_2012_web_small.pdf

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-trafficking/index.html

Tags: Drug Control Strategy, illegal drug activity, illegal drug usage, National Drug Control, ONDCP, substance addiction, Workplace Drug Testing Policy
Posted in Substance Abuse | No Comments »

Things to Keep in Mind When Implementing Workplace Drug Testing Policy

Saturday, February 16th, 2013

Implementing drug testing in your organization is not a simple task but it does not have to be overwhelming. By keeping some key points in mind, your organization can have an effective drug testing regimen in place without any major hassles.

Have a goal

The general goal of drug testing is to eradicate drug use altogether from your organization. But to begin with, it’s important to have a more specific goal in mind that addresses your organization.

If your organization has had substance abuse issues in the past, the goal might be to rid the company of this problem and avoid future problems. If your organization is the only one in its industry or area that doesn’t do drug testing and that’s making the organization look bad, the goal might be to implement a policy to fall in line with similar organizations. Or, your goal might be to become the first organization of its kind in your area to implement drug testing in the hopes of turning it into a sales point. Any of those goals is fine, as long as you have a clear one in mind before starting.

An example of a bad goal to base your drug testing regimen on is to catch ‘Steve’ in shipping, who you are absolutely sure gets high on his lunch break. Going after one specific individual within your organization is not a valid reason to implement drug testing.

Develop a policy

Any organization that takes the step of implementing a drug testing regimen should put all the details down in writing first, have a lawyer make sure it is completely legal and then communicate that policy to all potentially affected employees.

The policy should outline what type of drug testing is to be done, how drug testing is to be done, what drugs are to be tested for, how often they are to be tested for and any other details pertaining to the drug testing.

As part of this policy, it’s imperative for organizations to do their research. There are a few select states that have some specific rules about drug testing in the workplace and you should review your state’s laws on the subject to familiarize yourself with them.

Stick with it

A drug testing regimen is only effective if it’s being done. That is why it’s always favourable to work with someone who has expertise in the field to set it up. That way, you can be sure that you’re implementing a drug testing policy that is affordable for your organization and won’t run the risk of being abandoned for being too expensive.

Reap the benefits

The last step is to keep an eye on what has changed in your organization with drug testing in place. You’ll see problem employees leave, productivity increase and accidents and sick days decrease.

Effective drug testing will more than pay for itself over time. Plus, don’t forget the good reputation you will be cultivating with clients and potential employees alike, as your organization will be known as one that takes safety and employee morale seriously.

Tags: Drug Testing, drug Testing Policy, drug testing program, drug testing regimen, Workplace Drug Testing Policy
Posted in Prescription Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse | No Comments »

Facts and Stats on Substance Abuse by Employees

Friday, February 15th, 2013

The image that comes to mind when talking about people who abuse drugs is often someone who is incapable of holding down a job and who slinks around shady parts of town looking for drugs. But the facts belie that stereotype.

According to a nationwide study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), 70% of all drug abusers in the country are currently employed.

These drug abusers are 10 times more likely to miss work, and 3 times more likely to be less productive than an average worker. They are 5 times more likely to file for workers’ comp and almost 4 times as likely to get into a workplace accident. They cost, on average, twice as much as an average worker with regards to their healthcare costs. And due to all those reasons they tend to change jobs almost 3 times more than the rest of the workforce.

Top Drugs for Abusers

Out of almost 12 million drug tests done in 2011, almost 3.5% came back positive. And while that is a small number percentage-wise, it is a huge number when talking about employed individuals. Because that 3.5% represents about 400,000 workers.

Marijuana was the top drug that people were busted for, with about half of that 3.5% of positive results being for marijuana.

That was followed by prescription drug abuse, which is a concern for both young and older employees. Oxycodone and opiate-based prescription drugs were the top two groups among prescription drugs abused. Prescription drug abuse seems to be a concern mostly for urban, white collar employees. All together they made up about 30% of all the positive drug test results.

Amphetamine and Methamphetamine were the third most common group, making up about 15-20% of positive results.

Also on the rise, and a concern for mostly young people, are synthetic drugs like synthetic marijuana and synthetic cocaine.

While it may be a tough reality to face, it is obvious that the American workforce is infected with the nationwide plague of drug abuse and the only way to eradicate it is with comprehensive drug testing policies.

Proactive Parents: Best Antidote to Teenage Substance Abuse

Thursday, February 14th, 2013

Parents: For nine months they are completely sheltered in their mother’s womb. After birth, they are protected by your joint love and nurturing in the womb of your home. Soon they are ready for school and the influence of the world outside. Here is where your role as nurturer and protector is challenged, not only by the outside world, but more, by the interactive effects of three realities in your young children’s life: the developmental changes in the their physical and psychological world, the culture and upbringing at home and now the added norms of the outside world. They need you more now to put a semblance of constancy and harmony between and among these three dynamically interacting realities and to assure your kids that they are okay and that they can be in control.

You Are an Automatic Role Model

You are their idols, the most influential persons in their young life. You are their models, more by examples than by words; oftentimes, with neither of you knowing it. They manifest facial and body expressions similar to yours, develop tastes and preferences similar to yours. Their mental and emotional responses are getting to be like yours. Are you even-tempered or emotionally unpredictable? Do you think before you act or are you impulsive? How do you deal with pressure and stress? How do you deal with problems? Do you do things in moderation or do you over-indulge? These are among the parent factors that influence the foundation of a child’s personality that can make youngsters strong against teenage substance abuse or susceptible to it.

Introduction to Drugs

The overt initial introduction to drugs is usually through persons outside of the home: in-group pressure, classmates, a close friend, an admired external role model. Or it can be within the confines of the home: the aforementioned parent factors, the pervading home atmosphere, the television, the alcohol/drug use of parents, the prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet, etc.

What Parents Can Do:

Ideally, parents have established a loving, trusting and supportive relationship with their teenage children. They have set consistent norms of behavior and standards of what is right and what is wrong all through the children’s growing-up years. This laid relationship foundation makes the following tasks easy and natural when your children reach adolescence:

1. Communicate. Ask and listen to what is happening to your children—including their thoughts and feelings—through regular talks with them. In natural, flowing conversation and/or story telling, educate them on the use of alcohol and drugs, including prescription drugs and the risks of experimenting with them.

2.Keep them busy with healthy and positive activities. These include sports, membership in music groups, creative hobby groups, dance groups and community service groups, among others, depending on their interests and talents.

3. Monitor – Know your children’s friends and their parents, if possible. Set specific limits as to the time your children should be home. Know where your children are, who they are with and what, generally, they are doing during times they are not in school nor at home. Monitoring has to be done with caution and needs to be understood by the children, lest they begin to feel being “policed” and not trusted.

4. Know Signs of Alcohol and Drug Use/Abuse – Know substance abuse facts especially the signs and symptoms of alcohol and/or drug abuse, including prescription drug abuse. Be sensitive to behavior changes that are inconsistent with the children’s usual behavior and mood patterns, like irritability, hostility, lying, clamming up, sleeping habits, reduced interest in studies, lower grades, change in level of energy, change of friends, constricted pupils, loss of or increased appetite and other behavior and physical changes.

5. Immediately Act on Signs of Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse – Talk to your child, let him/her know that you are concerned and that you do not approve of what you observe. Try to make the child see and admit the problem so you can form a partnership and jointly deal with it. If necessary, have the child go through private and confidential drug abuse test. Check the sources of the alcohol/ prescription drug being abused. It might be your own medicine cabinet or your own doctor’s prescriptions. Reset time limits and be clear about consequences. Seek professional help on drug abuse intervention for more focused and purposive course of action. With your child, develop an action plan to cut the budding drug abuse and prevent drug addiction. If the problem has become actual substance abuse that has developed before you became aware of it, consult a professional drug abuse counselor.

References:

http://www.hanleycenter.org/research/news700.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/10/20/8-warning-signs-your-teen-may-be-abusing-prescription-drugs/

http://pact360.org/images/uploads/general/Parents360_Rx_Tip_Sheet__9-10-12_.pdf

http://www.livestrong.com/article/81359-abused-prescription-drugs/

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids/My-son-was-more-than-the-drugs-that-took-his-life.html

http://www.hanleycenter.org/research/news700.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/81359-abused-prescription-drugs/
http://www.medicinenet.com/chlorpheniramine_pseudoephedrine/article.htm

Tags: drug abuse counselor, drug abuse intervention, National Drug Control, prescription drug abuse, prescription drug abuse test, substance abuse facts, teenage substance abuse, the medicine cabinet
Posted in Prescription Drug Abuse | No Comments »

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Answers, comments, information, articles and opinions provided on all TestCountry related webpages are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, counseling, psychological, or other professional advice. You should not use the information on TestCountry for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, rehabilitation or detoxification from any substance abuse or adopting any treatment for a health or drug problem.