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Lasting Recovery Director of Psychiatric Services, Kai MacDonald, MD, has been named one of the Top Three Psychiatrists in San Diego County!
Listed in San Diego Magazines 2009 Physicians of Exceptional Excellence, the article will appear in the October issue of the magazine. To be selected for this honor, doctors received votes from their peers at the San Diego County Medical Society who were asked to whom they would refer their patients and family members.
Dr. MacDonald is a Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and Diplomate, American Board of Family Practice. In addition to his work with Lasting Recovery, he is in private practice and, Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California San Diego, Dept. of Psychiatry, UCSD; Medical Director, Clinical Trials, and Asst. Director, Psychiatry Consult-Liaison Service, Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit at UCSD.
Dr. MacDonald is committed to the well being and recovery of clients at Lasting Recovery. We value his warm and concise approach to each client he helps. A part of the treatment team, our staff has received excellent supervision and our clients, superb care for co-occurring disorders. Effective treatment of psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, ADHD and post traumatic stress disorder, occur in more than 50% of alcoholics and addicts seeking treatment for their addictions. The goal of our team is to reduce the symptoms of these inner barriers while helping clients identify their strengths, abilities and goals as they begin the journey of recovery.
Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS Labels: Commentary, psychiatric treatment
The Amethyst Initiative PART 2 Combating underage drinking must come from education and community support. The beginning of alcohol and drug use is becoming more prevalent in junior high, as this is when hormone-driven risky behavior begins. Educators, counselors and administrators should be trained to see the signs of early use in teens. Counselors should be trained in intervention techniques and communication with students families. This should be true for facilities through college and trade schools. Families need to stay involved in their young ones lives. The most successful discussions with young people are non-accusatory, supportive and engaging. Discuss the facts, get all the information and help find solutions through support rather than using scare tactics. This loving support will give young people a sense of self-worth and the confidence to be drug-free (Dr. Rob, 2003). City and school law enforcement must stand firm on zero-tolerance laws regarding underage drinking. Despite many states adopting these laws, consistent enforcement wavers. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, stated in 2006 that when the first eight States to adopt zero-tolerance laws were compared with nearby States without such laws, the zero-tolerance States showed a 21-percent greater decline in the proportion of single-vehicle night-time fatal crashes involving drivers under 21, the type of crash most likely to involve alcohol. Resources must be available to see these laws into action. Alcohol is widely available and promoted to young people in America today. Though underage drinking use is regarded as a normal part of growing up by some people, it is dangerous for the drinker and the community as evident by the number of alcohol-related accidents and crimes. Adolescents are at greater risk for development of health-related issues due to alcohol abuse and adverse consequences including risky behavior and poor school performance. Lowering the legal drinking age would not help the problem of underage drinking but aggravate it. William Cope Moyers, executive director of the Hazelden Center for Public Advocacy and a recovering alcoholic said, "Twenty-one is not working according to the college presidents statement. But from my own experiences a long time ago, 18 never worked either" (Hazelden, 2008). References Alcoholics Anonymous (2007). Young people and AA. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.Discovery Health (2006). Underage drinking nets alcohol industry billions. Dr. Rob (2003). Teen center: teens and risky behavior – One nurse's plea to teens. Hazelden (2008). Debate to lower drinking age builds despite 21'a success. NIAAA (2006). Alcohol alert. Retrieved January 17, 2008, from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/ Spears & Spears (2008). In tandem: reading and writing for college students. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Your comments are appreciated. Given that most adults who suffer from alcohol problems began in their teens, keeping the age of drinking at 21 seems the most prudent decision. Tamra Anderson, Clinical Administrator Lasting Recovery
Labels: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcohol-Abuse, Alcoholism, Commentary, Underage-Drinking
The Amethyst Initiative PART 1 The Amethyst Initiative is a recent movement of over 130 college presidents requesting the nation lower the legal drinking age. This absurd suggestion not only could endanger young lives but it reveals backwards thinking by professionals who should be looking out for those they serve (Hazelden, 2008). Underage drinking is on the rise. Ten percent of Alcoholics Anonymous members are under the age of 30 (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2007). This community-based support network responded to the needs of young people when Alateen spurred off from Al-Anon – a support group for loved ones of alcoholics. Among 12-20 year olds, over 47% are current drinkers and 26% meet the criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence compared to 9.6% of those over the legal drinking age (Discovery Health, 2009). In 1988, 21 became the legal minimum drinking age in all 50 states. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that in spring of 2004, over 18,000 lives were saved through decreases in alcohol-related accidents, which are the leading cause of death of young people in our country (Hazelden, 2008). Although severe health problems associated with alcohol abuse are not as common in adolescents, studies show that young people set themselves up for these risks when they drink heavily from an early age. Brain damage can occur, as alcohol affects the maturation of young tissue. Lasting effects to long-term memory and learning skills are evident in adults who began drinking at an early age. Drinking can also elevate liver enzymes and effect growth and development. In fact, consuming alcohol during puberty adversely affects the maturation of reproductive organs and can upset the hormonal balance for normal development of organs, bones and muscles (NIAAA, 2006). Discovery Health (2006) has stated that almost all (96.8%) of the adult drinkers with alcohol abuse and dependence began drinking prior to the age of 21. A common phrase in Alcoholics Anonymous regarding young drinkers is, if you're not an alcoholic, you're studying hard to be one. This may be true for many young people. If so, why would we lower the legal drinking age and invite them to try it on for size?
Over one third of United States alcohol sales are to underage and/or abusive drinkers (Discovery Health, 2009). It seems the financial interests of the alcohol industry may be weightier than the interests of our young peoples health. Lowering the legal drinking age certainly would not solve these problems but only serve to exaggerate them. Tamra Anderson Clinical Administrator Lasting Recovery
Labels: Alcohol-Abuse, Alcoholism, Commentary, Research, Underage-Drinking
Binge drinking for men is defined as 5 or more standard drinks and for women as 4 or more standard drinks on a single occasion.
A standard drink is a 12 oz. can of beer or cooler; 8-9 oz malt liquor; 5 oz. glass of table wine; or 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof spirits.
According to a recent, large survey 14% of the U.S. population binge drink at least once a week.
In comparison with the 60% of the U.S. population who never binge drink, in the next three years the 14% of drinkers who binge at least once a week are
- 330% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse
- 280% more likely to suffer from some form of liver disease
- 270% more likely to use tobacco
- 270% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence
- 230% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for drug dependence
- 180% more likely to lose their driver's license
- 180% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for tobacco dependence
- 160% more likely to use other drugs
- 130% more likely to experience a divorce or separation
The risks are even higher for the 3% of drinkers who binge 5 or more times per week. Labels: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcohol-Abuse, Commentary, Drug-Abuse, Drug-Addiction, Smoking
One of the reasons that people abuse alcohol and other drugs is to manage their emotional distress. This is known as the self-medication hypothesis. This hypothesis has been proposed as an explanation for the frequent co-occurence of anxiety and substance use disorders.
Recently, Bolton and his colleagues used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a large (n=43,093, age 18 years and older) nationally representative survey of the U.S. population to test the self-medication hypothesis. They looked at the rates of self-medication among individuals with four types of mood disorder: dysthymia, a milder form of chronic depression; major depression; bipolar I, a mood disorder that includes bouts of mania and depression; and bipolar II, a mood disorder that includes bouts of hypomania, less severe than full-blown mania, as well as depression.
Overall, nearly one-quarter (24.1%) of individuals with any of the four mood disorders listed above used alcohol and drugs to manage their moods. Self-medication was even more prevalent among individuals with bipolar disorder. During depressive episodes, 41.0% of individuals with bipolar I disorder and 34.7% of those with bipolar II disorder engaged in self-medication with alcohol and other drugs of abuse.
Men were more than twice as likely as women and divorced and widowed individuals more likely than others to engage in self-medication. On the other hand, African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders and individuals over the age of 44 years were less likely to self-medicate. Thus, younger, divorced, white males with mood disorders are the subgroup in the population most likely to engage in self-medication.
Bolton and his colleagues also found that individuals who self-medicated for mood disorders were more likely to experience co-occuring anxiety and personality disorders than those who did not self-medicate for mood disorders. Self-medicating men were more likely to suffer from panic attacks while self-medicating women were more likely to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. Both genders of self-medicators were more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for dependent personality disorder.
Lasting Recovery as a dual diagnosis enhanced substance abuse treatment program can help individuals who suffer from mood and other mental health problems associated with their substance abuse/dependence.
Reference: Bolton JM, Robinson J, Sareen J. Self-medication of mood disorders with alcohol and drugs in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. J Affect Disord. 2008, Nov 10.
Arthur J. Farkas, Ph.D.Labels: Alcohol-Abuse, Commentary, Drug-Abuse, Treatment
Short-term detoxification coupled with individual and/or group therapy in either a residential or outpatient facility for a few weeks or months is the current treatment as usual for opioid-addicted youth. Except for treating withdrawal during detoxification the typical program does not use agonist medications like suboxone on young addicts. Relapse rates for the current treatment as usual is quite high.
In a recent study in JAMA, Woody and his colleagues reported the results of a randomized trial that compared a 14-day outpatient detoxification using suboxone (detox) vs 12 weeks of outpatient treatment with suboxone (extended treatment). The study was open to young people between the ages of 14 and 21 years but less than 18% of the participants were below the age of 18; no 14 year-old and only one 15 year-old was enrolled in the study. The typical participant was about 19 years old. In addition to receiving suboxone, participants were scheduled for one individual and one group therapy session per week for 12 weeks.
The participants in the detox group had poorer outcomes than the participants in the extended treatment group. Less than 20% of the detox participants completed the study vs 70% of the participants in the extended treatment group. The detox participant on average attended 5 counseling sessions while the extended treatment participants attended 12 counseling sessions. The detox participants also had poorer post treatment outcomes at 6, 9 and 12 month follow-up. Among the detox participants between 17 and 28% produced negative urine tests for opioids, while 29 to 52% of the extended treatment participants produced negative tests.
Woody and colleagues noted that the small study size and the short study duration made it impossible to estimate the number of participants who actually recovered, which they defined as a "voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship." Their study suggests that higher rates of true recovery may be possible with longer use of effective medications coupled with longer and more intensive psychosocial treatment.
Reference: Woody GE, Poole SA, Subramaniam G, et al. Extended vs Short-term Buprenorphine-Naloxone for Treatment of Opioid-Addicted Youth: A Randomized Trial. JAMA. 2008;300(17):2003-2011.Labels: Commentary, suboxone, young-opiate-addicts
Is cannabis use during adolescence and early adulthood an innocent diversion or does it have serious social outcomes in later life? This is the question addressed by Fergusson and Boden in a recent study they published in the journal Addiction. To obtain their answer they followed a group a young people from the age of 14 until the reached the age of 25 years. They divided these young people into six groups based on the amount of cannabis they smoked between the ages of 14 and 21 years. The rates of cannabis use among these young people ranged from none to more than 400 times during this seven year period. Fergusson and Boden found that the more cannabis these young people used before the age of 21 years the worse off they were between the ages of 21 and 25 years. Those with the highest rate of use were the least likely to have earned a college degree, had the lowest level of income, were most likely to be unemployed, and were the least satisfied with their relationships and with life in general. Even after statistical adjustment for a range of possibly confounding variables including: family socioeconomic status and functioning, exposure to child abuse, personal adjustment and mental health, high school achievement, and other substance use. The relationship between increasing levels of cannabis use and lower educational, economic and satisfaction outcomes remained statistically significant. This is just another finding in a growing body of evidence that heavy cannabis use early in life can have serious consequences in early adulthood. Arthur J. Farkas, Ph.D. Reference: Fergusson DM, Boden JM. (2008) Cannabis use and later life outcomes. Addiction, 103(6):969-76.Labels: Commentary, drug-use, Wellness
When asking an incoming client to our alcohol and drug addiction treatment program if they smoke and have they considered quitting, they respond with, “I can’t possible stop drinking and doing drugs, and stop smoking at the same time!” Yet, it has been recently shown by researchers that quitting smoking and drinking simultaneously may aid sobriety. Join Together, a newsletter advancing effective alcohol and drug policy, prevention and treatment recently reported that people trying to quit drinking experience more cognitive improvements when they simultaneously stop smoking, as well. Researchers studied brain scans of 37 subjects in treatment for alcohol addiction and found that smoking alcoholics compared to non smoking alcoholics, did not recover some cognitive functioning. Skills such as decision-making, speed thinking, 3-D visualization and short term memory continued to be impaired. While it isn’t clear what differences in brain functioning were present prior to the smokers first cigarette, it is known that a higher percentage of people with ADHD, anxiety disorders and bi-polar disorder, are smokers. I smoked my first cigarette at age 10 and by age 14, I was a daily smoker. After trying to quit at least 50 times, I finally did it. But only after I was able to get off of a 10 year addiction to prescription drugs. Not an easy feat by any means. Now I understand why it was so hard…my decision making skills were eroding, I couldn’t think very fast and my short term memory was weak. No wonder I couldn’t stay quit. I couldn’t remember that I had told myself that I wasn’t going to smoke anymore. Seems that is the way of all addictions; we say we will quit, then forget what we said and start drinking or doing drugs again. Join Together notes that experts say that a delay in addressing nicotine addiction could lead to chemical-dependency relapse if smokers try to quit while in early recovery. If clients aren’t ready to quit smoking and drinking at the same time, we encourage people to wait until they have developed several relapse prevention tools before they begin the quitting process. Relapse into smoking can take a person back to their active addiction whether it be alcohol or drugs. There is research to indicate that people who quit smoking crack cocaine and cigarettes have increased recovery rates as a result of not experiencing the triggering effects of a similar oral and physical sensations and class of drugs. In San Diego county, with smoking bans in the workplace and restaurants, we see fewer of our clients who are still smoking by the time they come for treatment. Education and awareness of the effects of the drug nicotine addiction are important in overall health and wellness. We are pleased to note that Art Farkas, Ph.D., our co-owner and co-director, published over 40 articles in peer reviewed journals related to smoking cessation while on the faculty of the School of Medicine, University of California San Diego. The facts speak for themselves. Judy Saalinger Labels: Commentary
Recent news articles have addressed the facts that prevention does not decrease the uptake of drug use among youth and young adults. Most of the young people in San Diego county use drugs and alcohol for effect: the drug's action is pleasant or useful (this includes medical use); it allows people to temporarily feel more pleasure, less physical or emotional pain or discomfort, or both. People use drugs to relax, the media is filled with messages that social events, parties, ball games, going to the beach, dinner with friends, or partners, or drink to feel more romantic. For 85-90% of the population, it isn't a problem, nor is it an addiction. Alcohol and drug use becomes a problem when the negative effects outweigh the positive, and a person keeps using it anyway. The reason for starting on alcohol and drugs in the first place is experimentation. Most alcoholics and addicts began the use of marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine or methamphetamine at about age 14 or 15, as experimentation. Many will try prescription drugs, including tranquillizers and opiate pain medications. Opiate medications temporarily reduce painful emotions as a result of divorce, parental conflict, relationship conflict, loss of the first love and reduce anxiety when meeting new groups of people. About 85-90% try it once and never again. This group report they are having recreational experience. The other 10-15% develop a chemical addiction with the substances and are unable to stop. They don't realize that their bodies are predisposed through genetics, stress, and trauma, to want to continue using the chemicals despite the negative effects. The euphoric recall, of the first encounter then drives the obsession to use despite the negative consequences. The positive effects of alcohol are calming, with reduced fear, anxiety and anger. There is an increased feeling of well-being, confidence and it is sleep inducing, reducing physical pain or discomfort. The negative effects include drowsiness, disorientation, blackouts, and impaired motor coordination. Add to this, impaired judgment in making any decisions, nausea and vomiting with minor overdose, unconsciousness/coma/death with large overdose, and there are problems in the home, work and adding to the overload in emergency rooms. If you are living in San Diego county and alcohol and drugs are a problem for you, take the actions to switch beverages and recreational activities. There are plenty of non alcoholic beverages and healthy stimulating fun activities to do in San Diego, on any day of the week. If you need support for stopping your alcohol and drug use, call AA or NA for help in locating a meeting close to you. If you want more education, group treatment and understanding of addiction, recovery and relapse prevention for alcohol or drug use, including prescription drugs given initially for chronic pain, call us at Lasting Recovery. We can help you find the best help for your situation. Judy Saalinger Labels: Alcohol-Abuse, Commentary, Drug-Addiction
I have noted the increase in prescription drug dependence among young adults ages 17-25 who are addicted to prescription drugs. For residents in San Diego County, the problem of abusive distribution of prescription drugs is further compounded by our close proximity to Tijuana. Teenagers stream across the border to Tijuana and come back with any narcotic prescription drug they want. The story I hear when treating these young people, is that if you are tall enough to put your money on the counter, the clerk will sell you the prescription drugs. Here's information on another side of the problem, an article from Join Together.org.
California Targets Top Abusers of State Prescription Drug System
The California attorney general's office has announced a crackdown on prescription drug fraud that will start by targeting 50 individuals with the most extensive track record of visiting multiple doctors and pharmacies to get drugs, the Imperial Valley News recently.
California Attorney General Edumnd Brown Jr. reported that prescription drug addicts are abusing the system, draining time and money from hundreds of doctors and pharmacies who are there to help real sick people. He noted the dangerous cycles of fraud and abuse.
A statewide campaign was launched in June to address prescription drug abuse and make it easier for doctors to keep track of prescription drug records. The plan includes a proposal to ensure health professionals access to computers with real-time updated information describing patient prescription drug histories. The initiative has led to dozens of arrests of individuals suspected of gaming the system to fraudulently obtain large quantities of controlled prescription drugs.
Commentary - Prescription Drug Dependence
Prescription Drug Dependency is a growing problem in our communities. Media advertising and the ease physicians have in prescribing opiate pain medication and tranquillizers, from teenagers to the elderly, has contributed to the excessive number of prescription pill addicts.
The addiction generally begins because a patient is experiencing a physically or emotionally painful condition for which they either receive an opiate to reduce the symptoms of physical pain or a tranquillizer or sedative medication to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. After the initial symptoms have decreased, the dependency upon them may be developing. Who is prone to become addicted to these meds? - Men and women who have a prior history of not being able to easily stop their drinking, who drink in excess of 1-2 drinks at a sitting.
- Men and women who have a family history of alcoholism or drug addiction.
Taking a look at our addiction history, whether to alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription drugs will help us determine if we have the potential to abuse or become dependent on prescription drugs. There are healthier methods of pain reduction and relaxation. Turning to a drug only increases the problem. Labels: Commentary, Prescription-Drug-Addiction
Reprinted from Join Together - Advancing effective alcohol and drug policy, prevention and treatment Unmet Need for Drug Treatment October 7, 2008 Research Summary According to data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 82% of the estimated 7.5 million who needed treatment for an illicit drug problem in the past year did not receive it. While there are many reasons for not receiving treatment, a primary one appears to be a lack of perceived need. Nearly all (91%) of those who were assessed as needing but did not receive treatment for illicit drug problems said that they did not feel that they needed treatment. Similar results were found for alcohol treatment. A lack of perceived need for treatment may mean that people don’t think they have a problem, they think their problem is not serious enough to warrant treatment, or they think they can handle their substance use problem on their own. Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland. COMMENTARY Use of chemical substances has increased dramatically over the past years due to exposure through the media, increased glamorization and use of substances for recreation and availability to people of all ages. The people I see in treatment are the lucky ones. They are part of the 18% or 1,350,000 this year who did receive some form of treatment for this devastating brain disease. Why? What is the reason they are in treatment for their addictions and not others? The main reason is that they overcame their Denial. Denial is psychological term for a group of behaviors that evolve to protect oneself from reality. Addiction is subtle in the way in takes over a person's life. Like a cancer is remains undetected until it creates severe enough problems to get your attention. Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease, and has specific symptoms in the Early, Middle and Late stages. Most people don't think they are addicted, even though they may realize that they are experiencing difficulty stopping or cutting down on a substance (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, meth, tranquillizers, opiate pain medications, heroin and others). As denial begins, we minimize the amount we use or the consequences, and avoid anyone who might ask us why we are drinking or using more. We may feel guilty for our behavior change. For many of us, we believe we know what an alcoholic or addict looks like and acts like, and it isn't us. Our psychological defense mechanisms then attempt to avoid reality and convince others and ourselves that we don't have a problem with alcohol and drugs. If you have had consequences related to your use, or anyone has suggested to you that you may have a problem with alcohol, marijuana, stimulants or opiates, take the quiz on our website and save yourself. No one else can do it for you. Judy Saalinger Labels: Addiction, Commentary
Americans across the country now have parity for alcohol and drug addictions and mental health problems.The Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, advocated throughout the country for the past decade, passed both houses of Congress today. Stigma is still strong against people with addiction problems. I just completed an alcohol and drug educational session and one of the most important concerns of people in the early part of their addiction recovery is how to explain why they have been out of work for the past couple of months, why they are not in school this semester, why they don't have a car, or why their children aren't living with them at this time. The brain disease of addiction acts like a thief, a taker. Addiction takes people's self respect, jobs, driver's licenses, money, kids, education and health, damages their relationships with themselves and others. Alcohol and drug recovery helps these men and women restore their self esteem and recognize that yes, they are responsible for putting back the pieces of the wreckage created by them when they were not really themselves. Hopefully this legislation will begin to remove the stigma of addiction and allow addiction to be an 'acceptable' disease. Judy Saalinger Labels: Alcohol, Commentary, Drug-Addiction
Making mental health and addiction parity with other medical illnesses is a must for our society. The problem with the this bill currently passed both houses is not parity. In other words, it doesn't have to be included in insurance policies. Mental Health and addiction, are symptoms of brain changes that have occurred,just as a change in various other organs have changed as the result of a disease. The price paid is untold suffering, creating loss of families, wounded children, divorces and losses to our economy and our society. Providing adequate mental health and addiction health care for our society will bring the ability to use our brains in creative, solution focused ways for us to restore ourselves as a nation. Judy Saalinger, Ph.D, MFT, CAS
Clinical DirectorLabels: Addiction, Commentary, Recovery
MSN Health and Fitness section recently had a report entitled Beyond 12 Steps. The author, Mia Szalavits, poses the question, 'how do you find evidence-based addiction and alcoholism treatment for yourself or a loved one instead of, or in addition to,12 step approaches?' I agree with this guide and am encouraged to see worthwhile information available in the media regarding treatment and care for people with alcohol and drug addictions. As an addiction specialist and licensed psychotherapist, I see the amazing results in our program with this combination of treatment approaches. Here are the five dos and five do not's as the best guide to treatment: 1. Do start your search for treatment with full psychological or psychiatric evaluation from and M.D. psychiatrist or a Ph.D. psychologist. 2. Do look for therapists who use empirically supported or evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or motivational enhancement therapy. 3. Do make sure you feel safe and understood by the therapist or treatment approach you choose. 4. Do get as much social support as possible, and do not limit your search to traditional support groups. 5. Do consider the use of anti-addiction medications. 6. Do not accept treatment that is confrontational, humiliating or degrading. 7. Do not think a formal intervention, in which family members confront the addict about his or her problem is the only way to help. 8. Do not assume inpatient treatment is superior to outpatient treatment. 9. Do not use a facility for troubled teens that treats multiple disorders with a one-size-fits-all approach. 10. Do not give up. This handy guide to locating treatment for yourself or a loved one is essential. Thanks MSN for putting this online! Judy Saalinger, Co-Owner and Clinical Director Lasting Recovery Labels: Alcohol, Commentary, Drug-Abuse
Study Finds Sports Stadiums Serve Alcohol to Intoxicated, Underage Fans An undercover operation conducted as part of research sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Substance Abuse Prevention and Research Program found that operatives who appeared underage or obviously intoxicated had a relatively easy time purchasing alcohol at professional sports events. - Join Together News I get asked by clients why people are not informed sooner of the dangers of alcohol use in this country. Many learn about the dangerous health consequences much too late, usually in a treatment program when facing severe consequences in their lives, rather than in middle school when early education may have preventative benefits. Alcohol is a very popular and lucrative commodity and many businesses would lose big profits if people were educated about the toxic effects of alcohol on their brains. Sporting events are notorious for bringing out obnoxious drinking behaviors in people who spill their beers and shout obscenities at players on the field. Now underage illegal users of alcohol have a ready playing field themselves, blending into the adult crowd, and purchasing alcohol undetected. How many businesses would forego a guaranteed sale of their products? Unless there are strict monetary and legal consequences and a way to actively enforce the rules to keep proprietors accountable, underage drinking is likely to continue.-Carolyn Walstein, Group Counselor, Lasting Recovery.Labels: Commentary, Underage-Drinking
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