Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles will participate in Recovery Month 2010 by planning and attending several events you may want to attend.  We will help the national recovery community to bring awareness to the public about the benefits of recovery from alcohol dependence and drug addiction.  Please join us in September for this celebration of hope and freedom.

Here are just a few of the events we will attend:

August 31, 9:30am           LA County Supervisors Proclamation at LA County Hall

September 7, 6:00pm       City of San Fernando Proclamation at Council Chambers

September 23, 6:00pm     Recovery Night at Dodger Stadium

September 28, 10:00am   Antelope Valley Rally and March for Recovery at Tarzana Treatment Centers

September 29, 10:00am   San Fernando Valley Rally and March for Recovery at Van Nuys Court Quad

We will plan and attend more events, so please bookmark this page and check back every day for updates.  If you or your organization would like to plan an event in your area, go to this page for information:
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Community-Events/Event-Planning.aspx

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides adult and youth alcohol and drug treatment.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

All of our services are also available via video conference or phone as part of our telehealth services.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Tolerance, as it relates to alcohol dependence and drug addiction, is often misunderstood by many in the general public.  In the manner that drug and alcohol tolerance functions, it can be a safety mechanism to the body and, at the same time, deadly.  This makes awareness of the subject critical for anyone who engages in alcohol abuse or drug abuse, as well as those in recovery.

It can easily be assumed that tolerance means that an individual can drink more alcohol without getting drunk, or handle drug use in a seemingly controlled manner.  With this assumption comes the belief that these “abilities” are an example of the natural differences that exist from one individual to another.  While this is partially true, the nature of alcohol and drug tolerance is much more complicated.

Alcohol tolerance is the example with which most people can relate.  Consider the amount of alcohol you need to drink before you feel the effects, or “buzzed”.  Let’s say this is 2 beers.  If you drink 2 beers every day, over time you will feel less of an effect.  If you want to feel the same effect, you must drink more alcohol.  The amount of alcohol needed for the same feeling will continue to increase as you add more alcohol.  

The same concept works with drugs.  Alcohol abuse or drug abuse can result from tolerance since individuals will chase that feeling by drinking or using more on each occasion.  If the cycle continues with regular daily alcohol or drug intake, the body can become physically dependent and alcoholism or drug addiction is the result.  

On this road to addiction that we just followed, the brain has protected the body from overdose, with tolerance, by adjusting to the higher levels of substance use.  This benefit of drug tolerance can become a dangerous consequence, though, for recovering individuals who relapse.  The addicted brain still needs a large amount of drugs for an effect, but the body returns to a lower tolerance of what is essentially a poison.

At the time of first use on a relapse, the brain will dictate the most recent amount of drugs used to get a desired effect.  If the formerly recovering addict is not careful, this amount can easily cause a drug overdose or even be fatal.  Many drug addicts are not aware of this fact, and will even ignore warnings from fellow drug users because they don’t realize the consequences they face.

While alcoholics are less likely to overdose on alcohol during first use on a relapse, they may experience what is known as a lack of tolerance.  At this point, a drunken feeling may result from only 1 drink.  Lack of tolerance can actually occur with anyone who drinks alcohol, but it is typically coupled with alcohol dependence.  Of course, that 1 drink will still not be enough to satisfy alcoholics and they can become a danger to themselves through inebriation and alcohol’s effect on the body.

This information is good to share with teens, friends in recovery, or anyone you may know who engages in alcohol abuse or drug abuse.  Too many see tolerance as a benefit both early in substance use and in addiction.  Tolerance is explained in effective alcohol and drug treatment as part of addiction education groups to prevent accidental overdoses among those who may relapse.  Bringing this awareness to the general public may save even more lives.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment and addiction education.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Senior alcohol abuse is often more difficult to correct than with any other group in America.  By age 60, most individuals are set in their ways and don’t feel the need to change anything.  In fact, many seniors are aware of the risks they face with heavy drinking and continue seemingly without care.  Loved ones may feel helpless, but solutions exist.

About 40% of those over 60 say they drink alcohol, with almost one-third of them admitting to binge drinking and heavy drinking, or alcohol dependence.  These statistics come from a 2007 report at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies website.  This means that about 1 in 10 seniors at least binge drink on occasion, which can be very dangerous to their health and that of others.  

Many external changes happen with individuals when they reach age 60.  Retirement is imminent if it has not already occurred, friends begin to move away or pass away, and family members may even suggest a change of residence.  Worst of all, the mind and body begin to show signs of aging, meaning that doctor visits become common and more medications need to be taken.  All of these can be terribly stressful on anyone when they are grouped into a few short years.

Boredom, loneliness, and a sense of powerlessness can each lead anyone to drink alcohol.  Whether it is a time-filler or an escape from negative feelings doesn’t matter.  The end result is that it works and leads to earlier drinking times and less time outside the home.  Senior alcohol abuse may even be a purposeful celebration of the golden years.  The daily party begins with joy, but can quickly turn to injury or a fatality.

This can all be very harmful for seniors due to interactions with medications, a higher risk of falling, and aging major organs.  If alcohol dependence sets in, the effects on the body and brain are more detrimental to seniors than anyone else.  The celebrators, in freedom, usually drive under the influence.  Yet most seniors who abuse alcohol either hide it or justify it, and accept the risks.

Family members who see the alcohol abuse will often accept the behavior as a rite of passage.  Considering the years they have lived, why would a loved one deny what seems well deserved? And if nobody gets hurt, all is okay.  That is, until somebody gets hurt or health problems develop.  Some seniors will stop the behavior at this point, but most will continue to drink heavily and probably more.

There are 2 things that loved ones can do at this point.  The first is to strongly suggest alcohol detox and alcohol treatment.  But most people in their 60’s today will see that as a sign of weakness and refuse, and family members generally won’t force the issue.  Doing so may get the elderly alcoholic into treatment, but he or she will only benefit if self-motivated.  So keep suggesting, with love, and let them make the decision.

Second, you can set boundaries and stick to them.  If they refuse to quit drinking or cut down, suggest accompanying them to the doctor so you can discuss medication interactions.  Let them know you understand that they are not concerned with their own health, but you are concerned with the health of others including yourself and younger members of the family.  It may be hard, but you must be firm, with love, and continue to suggest alcohol treatment.

To the younger generations, seniors who refuse to change these behaviors seem stubborn.  However, like any other individual who engages in alcohol abuse, the bottom line is that they are escaping from emotions.  Instead of arguing and treating them like children, it is best to discuss feelings as much as possible.  Avoid forcing the issue of senior alcohol treatment, and use gentle, loving nudges.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol and drug treatment for seniors in a culturally sensitive manner.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

The senior prom at high schools across the country is a special evening of celebration for most teens.  To most of them, there is a sense of freedom involved that is typically supported by parents.  The problem with this is that too many youths see this freedom as an open door to teen alcohol abuse.  And even if they don’t drink, it is likely that they will condone it for others and may suffer injury because of it.

It is a “party night” for almost every senior in high school across the country whether they attend the Prom or not.  For most of them, this is the night where they feel free to act like adults.  One aspect of adulthood in the United States is the “right” to drink alcohol.  So it is common for adolescents to believe they have this same privilege, even though they are not of legal age.

Planning for this big drinking night can begin weeks before.  Groups of friends will pool money and figure out how they will purchase liquor.  Some parents will actually chip in and get alcohol for them, with the hope that the youths will follow orders to be safe.  They may even rent a limousine and get a hotel room, thinking this is a responsible move.  

As talk among peers spreads, so does the pressure for others to engage in youth alcohol abuse.  Adolescents feel a need to be a part of the crowd, so they will either join the party or be silent about others drinking in their group.  The danger is in the perception of risk.  A recent survey showed that while about 9 out of 10 teens believe that either they or their friends will drink on prom night, only about one-quarter see any danger in it.

Other than the obvious dangers that come from driving under the influence of alcohol, there are risks from uninhibited behavior of violence, thrill seeking, and sexual assault.  Adolescent alcohol abuse also brings a higher likelihood of future problems with alcohol dependence.  One does not need to get drunk to be a victim of these activities; they only need to be close by.  Parents and educators should strongly caution teens about these consequences regardless of how responsible they have proven to be in the past.

The main tool in the prevention of adolescent alcohol abuse is education.  Adolescent alcohol treatment is only necessary when education does not deter teen alcohol abuse.  When teens are provided with negative consequences, they may think twice before abusing alcohol or condoning it among their friends.  Alcohol abuse might seem like fun to many teens, but they need to hear about the negatives.

Promoting a safe prom means more joy among the attendees, and less risk of a tragedy occurring on prom night.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment, as well as prevention education.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Teen drug addiction does not only occur with drugs like heroin and methamphetamines.  Prescription opiate and benzodiazepine abuse can quickly lead to addiction, and we should not forget about marijuana and alcohol which are still drugs.  Parents need to be aware of these facts so they can easily spot the signs of impending drug addiction with their youth.

Don’t be fooled by the idea that if you don’t catch your adolescent using strong drugs, then it is not a big deal.  Granted, finding evidence of heroin or methamphetamine use can scare any parent into contacting the closest drug treatment center.  Too many parents, though, do not take the same drastic action with other drugs, and may simply resort to grounding or other minor punishments.

Alcohol and marijuana are the best examples.  Many parents still believe it is okay to allow teen alcohol use in the home, in hopes that they will not drink outside the home.  In most cases they will and put themselves at risk of injury and death.  Adolescents, in most cases, simply don’t drink responsibly like adults.  Getting a buzz is the purpose as opposed to having a social moment with friends.

The 21st Century has seen an equalizing with alcohol of the social acceptance of marijuana.  The drug has become normalized with such a high percentage of the population having smoked pot in younger days.  If marijuana use caused them no major problems, parents may allow their teens to use it or just wave it off as typical youth behavior.   What they don’t know is that marijuana is now much more potent and addictive, and can also lead to injury or death if they drive under the influence of pot.

Now prescription drugs like Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin), and benzodiazepines (Xanax and Valium) have become popular with adolescents.  Adolescent prescription drug abuse is largely driven by a low perception of risk.  Teens believe there is no danger that comes with the high, as long as they take the drugs in controlled situations.  But drug addiction can take hold quickly with these drugs, which can lead them to try heroin addiction since it is cheaper and more potent.

Drug addiction treatment usually begins with drug detox or alcohol detox.  Drug withdrawal symptoms include flu-like aches and intestinal problems among others, and alcohol withdrawal can be fatal in serious cases.  It is best to avoid the need for medical detoxification before teen drug treatment.  The way to do this is to treat all teen drug abuse equally, and seek treatment at the earliest signs of use.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment, as well as prevention education.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Arguably, the story of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, is the most heartwarming to those in recovery from alcohol dependence or drug addiction.  His wife, Lois Wilson, has always been equally memorialized in that her life experience led to the founding of Al-Anon.  Now a made-for-TV movie will chronicle her life, and how her own tragedy led to a life-saving program for millions.

The CBS Network will air the Hallmark Hall of Fame story, When Love Is Not Enough – The Lois Wilson Story on Sunday, April 25th at 9/8c pm.  No doubt, many individuals in recovery will watch this show along with their families.  We are using our web space to promote this important TV movie with the hope that many others will watch, as well.  It is an opportunity to spread awareness of the disease of addiction through entertainment.

View the movie trailer here:
http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article|10001|10051|/HallmarkSite/HallmarkHallOfFame/HHOF_TOP

Read more about the movie and Lois Wilson here:
http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article|10001|10051|/HallmarkSite/HallmarkHallOfFame/HHOF_SCENES

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol and drug treatment for adults and youth.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

It’s no secret that a certain percentage of teens will recreationally use alcohol or drugs before they finish high school.  We would all like to wave a magic wand and put a stop to it, but that is just a dream.  We can only do our best to teach adolescents the damage that alcohol abuse and drug abuse will cause in their lives.

Sometimes it seems like a futile effort.  Some of our youth will engage in substance use no matter what they are taught, or even if they face legal and academic consequences.  Many of them begin using out of curiosity or peer pressure, and others do so in order to escape negative feelings.  Some are even undiagnosed with mental health disorders, and find comfort in self-medicating.

The consequences of teen alcohol and drug abuse are evident to anyone whose primary work is in service to adolescents.  At schools, we see promising students suddenly miss homework assignments or watch grades drop on tests.  Youth organizations and similar groups notice that some kids just stop attending meetings and functions.

Sadly, there is no magic wand that will put an end to adolescent substance abuse.  Prevention is an effort that must continue, though, because teens will otherwise not hear our message of consequences.  They will be left only with reasons to try alcohol and drugs, and none make them think first about future problems.  Although it may seem like a lost cause, at times, lives are saved every day.

In times of doubt, remember that when teens engage in alcohol abuse or drug abuse they increase the likelihood of future problems with alcohol dependence or drug addiction.  Each and every adolescent that hears this message gets the opportunity to live into adulthood alcohol and drug free.  At the very least, we can attempt to delay the start of substance use until after adolescence.

It is also important that we know when to refer teens to youth alcohol and drug treatment.  There is often a delay because of the mistaken parallel between adolescent substance abuse and adult substance abuse.  In actuality, teens need to at least speak with an addiction counselor at the first sign of abuse so the true nature of the problem can be understood in each case.

Adolescent alcohol and drug treatment helps teens to discover why they use alcohol or drugs.  This allows them to grow by dealing with life problems instead of escaping with substance use.  When mental health disorders are discovered, the treatment center should include in-house care for co-occurring mental health disorders.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment, as well as prevention education.  We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

The most troublesome factor for anyone who knows an alcoholic or drug addict is a lack of understanding and knowledge about the disease.  So the first step in any treatment for friends and family is education.  Alcoholism and drug addiction sufferers face many issues in life, even if they have already received treatment and are living in recovery.  For those who love them, life can be equally difficult or even worse.  

Years ago, effort was necessary on the part of the general public to learn about the disease aspects of addiction.  Books about alcohol dependence and drug addiction were available in stores and libraries, in “self-help” sections.  But it was a treasure hunt to seek detailed medical, psychological, and statistical information.  In general, those who found these sources were individuals in those respective fields and not many in the general population.

Information is everywhere on the internet today, especially regarding alcohol abuse and drug abuse.  Blogs that offer opinions and recovery stories are interesting and relatable.  Professional blogs and websites tend to provide valuable and categorized facts, like this one, that help individuals to learn and understand the disease of addiction.  And detailed medical, psychological, and statistical information can be found at professional organization and government websites.

Television shows about addiction, intervention, and alcohol and drug treatment have become more common than ever.  Even the shows that highlight celebrities can be educational if the viewer focuses on the recovery efforts made by counselors, rather than seeking tabloid style entertainment.  To avoid the temptation away from education, it is better to also watch shows that involve people who are not celebrities.

A new series on TLC’s cable channel titled Addicted currently airs on Wednesdays at 10pm.  As with most cable TV shows, new episodes are rerun several times over the week that follows so it is easy to catch.  Each episode follows an individual who suffers from alcohol dependence or drug addiction through the addiction, treatment, and recovery from an interventionist’s point-of-view.

TV series’ and specials that show the activities of addicts are very effective teachers.  Viewers who suffer from addiction, or know someone who does, can relate to the issues faced by the individuals profiled each week.  Even more importantly, viewers can see the connection from addiction to problems, and the differing reactions of addicts and their loved ones.

Friends and family members often feel alone when they see a loved one sink into the depths of alcoholism or drug addiction.  Many secrets, stigma, and emotions surround the disease.  It traps people in a world of hopelessness, where the decision to fix the problem takes a leap of faith.  TV shows about addiction can build bridges of knowledge that make the path to recovery easier to travel.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides family services as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Tragedy always brings sorrow, no doubt.  In the aftermath, though, we can take lessons from those working to prevent tragedies from repeating.  Efforts to support victims of the Ft. Hood shootings on November 5, 2009, are generating valuable lessons for those in need of mental health treatment and alcohol and drug treatment, and their loved ones.  Seek help.

Those who suffer from mental health disorders, alcohol dependence, or drug addiction generally do not ask for help at the first sign of problems.  They may also suffer co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.  In any of these cases it is likely that problems will mount before they ask loved ones for help, if ever.  It is fair to say they are simply incapable of seeking help until it is too late.

To individuals who don’t have a problem with alcohol, drugs or their mental health, this may seem odd.  When a problem can’t be solved individually, it is easy to ask someone for help.  So if an individual in need of help is incapable of asking for it, others will generally not offer it because in polite society that may be rude.

Mental health and addiction professionals continually seek ways to get early help to individuals in need.  A simple suggestion to the public is in the excerpt below from an article on the Behavioral Healthcare website.  "Look to your left, look to your right and look within and basically determine who needs help."  This is true for veterans and the general public alike.  

-- Begin external content –

Fort Hood, TX — Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, announced the formulation by post leaders and health experts of a behavioral health campaign plan addressing the psychological and emotional needs of the community during a special live broadcast Monday night.
***
"Frankly, I believe as tragic as this incident may be, there could be some goodness that comes from this," he said, "and that is, in fact, that we could establish a baseline for our real mental health needs here at Fort Hood."
***
"First and foremost, seek help if you need it," Cone said. "If you're suffering from the effects of this incident you need to come forward and let us help you with it.

"Look to your left, look to your right and look within and basically determine who needs help," he added. "We've got the resources here right now. We've had a huge surge in the number of behavioral health providers that are available and we can accommodate the number of folks we think will come forward."

--Source: http://www.behavioral.net/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=B20DF0482CF84DBA94F725711F709DD7&tier=3&nid=5BEF728A0CC140559D990B97AB53F240 –

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles has the resources to provide mental health treatment for veterans and others as part of our commitment to integrated behavior healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help for alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Drug addiction is mainly driven by internal factors with individuals who suffer.  But external cues, or triggers, can affect the progression of drug use, or relapse for those in recovery.  So it is very important for those who suffer from drug addiction, as well as alcoholism, to be aware of their triggers, and for loved ones to understand how they work.

Triggers, generally defined, are anything that sparks an emotional response in addicts that in turn lead them to a thought that their substance of choice will calm them.  The trigger can cause stress, sadness, or glee.  They are such a high risk of relapse that triggers are typically addressed in drug or alcohol detox, early in treatment.

Loved ones often wonder why anyone in recovery from drug addiction or alcohol dependence would use a drug to make things better after gaining awareness of the damage it had caused them.  The fact is that the trigger mechanism is out of the addict’s control.  The decision of whether to use drugs or not is something that requires work.  So it is an effective defense for addicts to inform family and friends about specific triggers.

A trigger does not necessarily involve the drug of choice, like a heroin addict seeing a picture of a needle.  It can be a neighborhood, event, person, and even the sunrise.  Triggers from sensory cues tend to last for a lifetime, but lose power when a program of recovery is followed.  Because of this, addicts must always be prepared to either avoid triggers or know what to do when faced with them.

The excerpt below is from a study about the relationship of news media reports and opioid overdoses.  It is interesting to note that opioid addicts are more likely to overdose with a relapse, especially after a long period of abstinence.  Since the disease is progressive they may use a high dose to feed their addiction, but the body simply can’t handle it anymore.    

Those who suffer from drug addiction and their loved ones need to be vigilant about triggers.  Use the information in this article, along with the study, for knowledge as a defense.

-- Begin external content --

Historical studies of news media have suggested an association between reporting and increased drug abuse. Period effects for substance use have been documented for different classes of legal and illicit substances, with the suspicion that media publicity may have played major roles in their emergence. Previous analyses have drawn primarily from qualitative evidence; the temporal relationship between media reporting volume and adverse health consequences has not been quantified nationally. We set out to explore whether we could find a quantitative relationship between media reports about prescription opioid abuse and overdose mortality associated with these drugs. We assessed whether increases in news media reports occurred before or after increases in overdose deaths.

-- Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0007758 –

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles staffs addiction counselors in medical detoxification units as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help for drug addiction or alcohol dependence, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.