Alcohol and Prescription Drug Use in San Diego County - Are you Becoming Dependent?

Most people in Carmel Valley, Del Mar, La Jolla, San Diego and Scripps Ranch at least try drinking alcohol sometime during their life. Many others have been given a prescription for pain medication due to an injury, dental or surgical procedure. For many people, the substance makes them feel so good, that they look forward to the drink or pain pill, like a reward for having done a good job at work or school. Unfortunately, some people are genetically wired to like the drug or alcohol so much that they become physically dependent on the substance and physically have to drink more alcohol or take more pills to just feel normal. The amount of time it takes for this to happen varies with the person, gender and the substance. It can take from 6 months to a 2 years for prescription pain medication to become physically dependent and alcohol can take from 2-10 plus years for a person to become dependent. The pattern of symptoms though are similar:

-- drinking or using drugs to calm your nerves
-- occasional memory lapses after heavy drinking or drugging
-- thinking a lot about the next time you will have a drink or use drugs
-- hiding your drugs or alcohol
-- sneaking while you are drinking or doing drugs so you won't be found out
-- feeling guilty about drinking or using the drugs
-- difficulty in your relationships - angry or aggressive over small events
-- deep inside there is a feeling of helplessness; you are drinking or doing the drugs and can't even stop yourself, no how hard you try
-- beginning of depression with the frequent thoughts of feeling hopeless, futile.

If you feel you or a family member is suffering from the use of alcohol or prescription drugs, you may be suffering from a substance use disorder that is causing the problem. Seek help before the symptoms and consequences get more severe. We can help. Professional. Confidential.


Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Outpatient Rehab Provides Treatment for Encinitas, Del Mar and and La Jolla Recovery

Facts to Know about Outpatient Treatment for Addictions:

1. Outpatient Detoxification is the first step in developing a foundation for your recovery. Begin treatment by taking good care of your body.

2. Outpatient treatment is just as effective for early and middle stage addiction treatment (those who do not yet have severe medical or legal complications of alcohol and drug abuse and are still working or attending school.

3. Outpatient Womens morning program is ideal for many moms who want sobriety, who are unable to leave their children for 30 days and other women who want their afternoons and evenings free for school or work.

4. Outpatient rehab groups develop the similar cohesion as inpatient treatment, and a sober support system emerges from sharing the common experiences of isolation.

5. Intensive Outpatient treatment spans 70 days on average, allowing you more than double the amount of time to begin to recover from alcohol and/or drug dependence through rehab treatment, meetings, family, relationships and work or school. Adding weekly aftercare for a year provides additional amounts of support for your recovery.

6. Outpatient drug rehab treatment at Lasting Recovery includes traditional addiction psycho-education and wellness programming to help you begin reducing your stress in early recovery from alcohol and drugs.

At the end of outpatient treatment:
---problems seem resolvable. You sit next to other people who are going through the same thing. You realize you don't have to isolate anymore and that you're not alone.
---life is usually easier to manage since your brain neurochemistry is repairing.
---stress levels is down as a result of not using alcohol or drugs and receiving learning how to manage stress more effectively.
---re-connection of the emotional and reward pathways in the brain lead to clearer thinking
---significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Benefit from the experience of an outpatient group for 10 weeks and experience the benefits for yourself and your family, of living life clean and sober.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS
Co-Owner and Clinical Director

Prescription Drug Abuse in Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Encinitas and Carlsbad

Prescription drug addiction continues to be a growing problem that many people don't take as seriously as they should.  Join Together, reported today that according to research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about 70 percent of 12-17 year olds see great risk in smoking a pack of cigarettes or more daily compared to 40 percent who saw great risk in binge drinking and about 34 percent who perceived great risk in smoking marijuana monthly.

Back in July of 09, after years of focusing primarily on marijuana use, there was news  from CBS News that the more urgent growing problem is prescription-drug misuse  antidrug campaigns from both the private and public sector have turned their attention to what's seen as a more urgent problem: prescription-drug misuse. 
Authorities say marijuana by comparison to prescription drug use, is 'benign'.  
        Prescription drugs that create physical dependency and addiction belong in two classes of pills; opiates and benzodiazepines.  opiates include drug such as codeine, vicodin, norco, oxycodone and benzodiazepines/tranquillizer drugs including xanax, valium, ambian and others.


Many people feel that since the medications were originally prescribed by a doctor that their prescription drug abuse is different. Getting high on an FDA approved drug, traps people into the illusion that they are safely manufactured and will not become a problem.

Yet in October 2009,  a local website in San Diego reported on the growing problems of teens and prescription drug abuse:  the county medical examiner when discussing teen deaths from drugs reported 54 oxycodone-related deaths between 2008 and 2009, up from 17 deaths between 2004 and 2006,  He also stated that adding the death rate from alcohol and heroin brings death rate for 16 - 25 year old alcohol and drug users, even higher.


The Signs of Addiction to Prescription Drugs:

          --A preoccupation with symptoms of pain or sleeplessness in order to justify the request for more medication.
          --Lack of interest in doing other activities unrelated to the drug using experience.
          --Good, drug induced feelings preoccupy the mind.
          --Mood swings.
          --Borrowing from friends and/or purchasing from drug dealers.
          --Purchasing drugs on the internet or from pharmacies in Mexico.
          --Past history of drug addiction.
          --On and off relief from anxiety.
          --Using more than the recommended amount of the medication.
          --Taking medications from family, friends or strangers medicine cabinets.
          --Hiding medications or lying about taking them.
Medication changes the brain chemistry,making it less effective at producing chemicals like dopamine or endorphin. Since the brain has stopped producing these chemicals itself, they must be introduced through another source.  At this point, the prescription drug addict has become physically dependent on the medication. 


Effects of Excessive Use of Prescription Pills:
A person who is addicted to prescription drugs may experience the following:
          --Anxiety
          --Depression
          --Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
          --Loss of interest in relationships with friends or family members
          --Withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using the medications on their own

Important:    Consumption with or without alcohol can effect the central nervous system causing respiratory distress,  failure or even death. 

Lasting Recovery provides Detoxification Services and Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Prescription medication addiction.  Recovery is possible --- we can help.   



Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS
Co-Founder and Clinical Director


 





 

Women Only and Men Only Addiction Treatment Serving San Diego County

Substance abuse and addiction to alcohol and drugs is a problem that extends to people of all ages and genders ( men and women)  and is prevalent in most communities in the United States.  In fact, more than 700,000 Americans receive alcoholism treatment on any given day, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Treatment program, both private and public in cities throughout San Diego County, from Chula Vista to Lakeside, to Coronado, Del Mar and Carlsbad, are treating people for the destructive effects of chemical addiction. None of these women or men ever thought that they would need treatment.  Seek assistance from professionals who can help you recover from chemical dependency. You want the best professional clinicians who are up on the latest research. Are there differences in treatment methods? Yes. One treatment difference is in gender specific groups.

There has been much research done on the differences in how women and men experience alcohol and drug addiction differently.

       --The factors that lead up to the first use of alcohol and drugs is often dissimilar for both sexes.
       --Brain chemistry among men and women shows that women are more sensitive to the reward
value of alcohol and drugs
       --The length of time for the disease of alcoholism to develop in women is eight years on average, and for men it is an average of 15 years.

Both men and women begin using substances for different reasons, referred to as predisposing risk factors, psychological disorders, family and social risk factors. Research by Stephanie Covington, Ph.D., a La Jolla therapist,  author and researcher,  showed that 74% of women with alcohol and or drug addictions had experienced some form of sexual trauma.

The trauma caused by sexual, emotional or physical abuse can lead to many forms of depression, anxiety, low feelings of self worth, guilt, shame, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Reserch has shown that women are 200 time more likely to develop PTSD from within their family and local communities, as men.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to have suffered physical abuse and tend to struggle with co-occuring disorders of anxiety and depression along with their alcohol and drug dependency.  In addition, men have more substance related legal problems as a result of their difficulty managing anger. Men's issues tend to be related to defiance and opposition.

Women are more likely than men to struggle with issues related to trust, self esteem and developing an assertive voice. In gender specific groups no one has to put up their social/sexual front.  Letting down defenses in a safe and secure environment is what makes treatment possible.  Many people have not been without a chemical mask on their thinking and emotions for years. When the chemicals are out of one's system, the thoughts and feelings are acknowledged in a safe, and confidential environment.

 Lasting Recovery is a gender specific treatment center in San Diego, as we offer groups for women only, men only and also a co-ed group for men and women. If you want a personalized, intimate and caring treatment program for yourself or a family member, give us a call. If we can't help you, we will refer you to a program that can. 

Judy Saalinger, Ph.d., MFT, CAS

Treatment of Opiate Dependency in Young Adults in Sorrento Valley

I have something to celebrate this month - 32 years free from an opiate addiction.

Given opiates for a pain problem that became chronic, I was hooked for 10 years on codeine.  As I write this, I recall how grateful I am to be free of the destructive power opiates had over my thoughts, emotions and quality of life.

Drug addiction to opiates in San Diego County continues to be a growing problem.  The first time users are usually young men and women, who like myself, are emotionally sensitive and who find reducing emotional and physical pain with opiates quite intoxicating.  The euphoria and increased sense of well-being by using the drugs, draw the user back into the illusion that all their emotional and relationship problems related to fear, anxiety and anger, will magically disappear...forever.  We are chemically lulled into sleep, thinking that life is, indeed, very good.

However, young women and men, living in all areas of San Diego, including La Jolla, Del Mar or Encinitas, who use opiates begin to realize after a short time that they want more of the drug (the craving has begun, and it is hoped that taking more will make the drug experience better, just like the first use) only this time the drugs do not bring the same positive effects.  Instead they feel drowsiness, disorientation and dulled senses.  The  motor coordination in these young users  is effected, and they may prefer to just lay around. Life starts to become depressing.   It is not unusual that people begin to use different drugs and perhaps alcohol to try and get the chemical high through mixing substances.

Judgment about important decisions related to work, school money, relationships or family are impaired. People lose jobs, relationships, money and family.  By this time, which could be 3-4 months or a couple of years, the positive effects of the drug are no long present, the negative effects of the opiates are dominating the person's life and living revolves around obtaining the drug to avoid the physical withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include feeling sick, vomiting diarrhea, poor appetite, stomach cramps, dry mouth, restlessness, headache, fainting attacks, stiffness, muscles twitching, fatigue, or tiredness, muscular tension, aches and pains, weakness and insomnia.

Feeling these same withdrawal symptoms for about 6 months, I'm glad I chose to withdraw from the opiates anyway,  breaking  my dependency on this drug.   For 10 years I carried those little white pills in the brown plastic bottle, day and night.  I couldn't remember what it felt like without them, and I was willing to give it a try. It had to be better than what I was feeling and the way I was living.

Today, 32 years later, I still know it was the best decision I ever made.  I feel great most days and have the opportunity to help others who suffer from addictions.

Our medical director, Michael Markopoulos, MD can help you detox from the opiate/withdrawal wheel with the use of Suboxone. It isn't a long term answer, and it will help you reduce the early symptoms.  You don't need to suffer withdrawal for 6 months.  After a detox from the opiates you will benefit from entering an outpatient treatment program where you will learn how to stay clean and discover healthy way to meet life's opportunities.

Get the help you need today.  Call us at 858-453-4315.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Alcohol Detox in San Diego County

Do you ever feel sick of drinking alcohol and want to stop. Are the symptoms of withdrawal so uncomfortable that in the past you gave up and went back to drinking and hating yourself for it?
Be  motivated to go through the detox and achieve recovery! You are worth it. And you can do it.

Adequate detoxification is important to beginning the longer process of complete physical and psychological withdrawal from alcohol.  The proper management of this first stage will maximize your chances of lasting rehabilitation, by providing a net of safety and reduction of harm during alcohol or drug withdrawal.  You deserve to have a new beginning.


How do you know if you are already in withdrawal from alcohol or just suffering a bad hangover?  The onset of alcohol withdrawal usually occurs between 6 and 24 hours after the last drink, and an uncomplicated withdrawal usually lasts between 1-4 days.


The first thing to do is decide if you or your loved one will need an outpatient or an inpatient detoxification. The greater the amount of alcohol consumed in a day and the longer the period of time of drinking or ingesting drugs in the body, the greater the  chances of a complicated withdrawal, which means an inpatient detox would be safest.


To determine if you or someone you love is suitable for an outpatient detoxification which usually lasts from 1-4 days, look at the following list:
      1.  Not severely dependent
      2.  No previous complicated withdrawal (no seizures, disorientation, confusion or hallucinations)
      3.  No concurrent illness, injury or recent surgery
      4.  No significant use of other psychotropic drugs that could aggravate withdrawal
      5.  You are motivated to achieve abstinence
      6.  A reliable caretaker is available.




Daily drinking by men of more than 6 standard drinks (1.5 ozs)  a day, and women more than 4 a day, places a person at high risk for a complicated withdrawal. Weekly drinking of 42 standard drinks of alcohol for men and more than 28 for women places a person high risk. Other individual, drug and factors in the environment can effect the level of risk for alcohol related problems.


A simple withdrawal, manageable in an outpatient detoxification can begin by seeming like a hangover or a case of the flu, and usually occurs between 6 and 24 hours after the last drink.  Some symptoms include:
     --tremulousness
     --perspiration
     --increased pulse
     --increased temperature
     --nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
     --restlessness, agitation
     --anxiety
     --insomnia, sleeping disturbance
     --fears
     --depression
     --headaches


If you would like more information on our detoxification program for alcohol, drugs or prescription drugs, including Suboxon, give us a call. We can help you 7 days a week.


Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Tranquillizer and Sedative Dependence in San Diego Neighborhoods

More and more people who suffer from anxiety or sleeplessness are prescribed medications from their doctors.  Some pople find that using these drugs to get high is a dangerous game. Young people are overdosing from using xanax along with opiate medications. We see young people whose have stalled their lives, from Carmel Valley, Del Mar, La Jolla and Encinitas due to the fact that they are suffering from having become dependent on drugs.

These medications are often obtained by young people from drug dealers and older people who tend to go to their physicians.  Being unaware that the increasing physical dependence is taking over, these people will take the prescribed 30 days of medications in 2-3 days, leaving them desperate to get more medications.  I have spoken with men and women of all ages who were surprised when they found they had taken the entire prescription in a few days, as if they could not get enough. Just like the person who finds that they now cannot stop at just two drinks, the compulsion to drink more or to use more of the drugs overpowers them and their physiological addiction is beginning to take control of their life.  Whether it is alcohol or prescription drugs, people are confused and feeling guilty, and desperate, some people will begin to shop for more alcohol or doctors who will fill the prescriptions for the narcotics.  Others will go on the internet and order a large supply of drugs which are then delivered within a day or two.  Some people who are not addicted will go to Mexico to purchase the drugs from the pharmacies who sell to them without a prescription.

If you find that you are physically dependent on these medications, do not try to detox yourself. Withdrawal from alcohol, valium, librium, xanax and ambien,can cause severe anxiety symptoms, including seizures.

Lasting recovery Outpatient Detoxification offers confidential medically supervised detoxification from alcohol and prescription drugs. Our Medical Director, Michael Markopoulos, MD can help you with early recovery cravings for alcohol including Naltrexone, and Suboxon for opioid dependence.
You do not have to recover alone. Call Lasting Recovery for help with your chemical dependency treatment needs.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Prescription Drug Addiction in San Diego County

Men and women of all ages, from San Diego County, including  Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach and Carmel Valley contact us for information on what to do when they are afraid of stopping the use of these prescription drugs, including opiates and tranquillizer medications. Some attempts to stop use of the drugs, fail because of the severity of the withdrawal symptom.  They report being extremely sick from opiates or experiencing severe anxiety from the tranquillizer or sedative medications including Xanax and Ambian.  We often see people taking the opiates and tranquillizers or sedatives in a dangerous combination.

What is considered prescription drug abuse?  Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, Nora Volkow, MD, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated recently that the nonmedical use or abuse of prescription drugs is a serious and growing public health problem in the country.

OPIATE ABUSE/DEPENDENCE
Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse monitoring survey of grades 8 through 12, found that 9.3 percent  of 12 graders reported using Vicodin without a prescription in the past year and 5.0 percent reported using OxyContin - making these medications among the most commonly abused prescription drugs by adolescents.

We have seen young adults who were introduced to opiates by being prescribed Vicodin or even OxyContin for sports injuries in high school, then abusing the drugs for recreation.  They like the high they get and want increased doses as they gradually become addicted to the opiates and begin to buy them from local drug dealers.  We see many young people from 18-26 whose lives have never gotten started on a solid drug free foundation and others whose work and academic careers are failing because of the physical, emotional, social and financial problems crated by addiction.

OxyContin is classified as a synthetic opiate and will give these young abusers a feeling similar to high grade heroin, but the physical withdrawal symptoms last longer.  Symptoms of withdrawal include: perpetually being tired, hot/cold sweats, vomiting, nausea, heart palpitations, joints and muscles in constant pain, uncontrollable coughing, diarrhea, insomnia, restlessness, involuntary leg movements, watery eyes, excessive yawning, depression and cold flashes with goose bumps, hence the name cold turkey.

Symptoms can be reduced by using buprenorphine, sold as Suboxone.  This medication is prescribed by certified physicians and through some treatment centers on a short term basis to help those with opioid addiction to recover from their dependence. At Lasting Recovery, the Director of Medical Services, Michael Markopoulos, MD is able to help those suffering from opioid addiction to detox with Suboxone.

If you or a family member is abusing these highly addicting opioid medications, reach out and get help. No one thinks it will happen to them. There is no shame in being addicted.  The switch from pharmaceutical grade drugs to smoking, snorting or injecting heroin is the next step and sometimes a fatal one.

Lasting Recovery Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Addiction, located in San Diego, just north of Miramar Marine base, and University Town Center, in the Sorrento Mesa area, offers outpatient detoxification services for freedom from opioid, tranquillizer, sedative or alcohol dependence.
Don't put your life on hold any longer.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Women and Men with Alcohol Problems Begin their Healing In Sorrento Mesa

How can you tell if you have a problem with alcohol?  After all, it seems as if alcohol is served everywhere in La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, and Mission Hills, even at the spa and beauty salons.  Alcohol is served at parties to celebrate your local soccor, basketball, football, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Indian Princess activities. Co-workers and business associates in Sorrento Valley, La Jolla and Downtown San Diego,  attorneys throughout San Diego County, get together for dinner and drinks, create events such as wine clubs and wine tasting parties for fundraising or social events.  Opportunities to drink alcohol are scattered throughout communities in San Diego.

If you are questioning your drinking and if you work or do not work, are a parent or not, here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself:

• Do I want to go to the activity because alcohol is going to be served, or because it usually becomes a big drinking event for me?
• Do I have a rule for myself about drinking and driving with my children or their friends in the car?  Have I ever broken that rule, or thought about breaking it, just one time?
• Am I isolating with my alcohol or prescription drugs in my room, while my family is being together and doing homework, talking or watching TV?
• Am I isolating with my alcohol or drugs and not returning phone calls, avoiding friends and family because I would rather come home from work, get comfortable and drink my alcohol, alone, with no one bothering me, except the cat?
  
• Do I wonder if my alcohol and drugs are really more important to me than my partner/spouse/chidren, even though I hate to think like this?
• Do I hide bottles in trash cans that belong to my neighbor  or drop them off in different neighborhoods so I will not be discovered?
  
• Do I go to different liquor stores so the clerks will not ask me why I was just here buying alcohol yesterday, or earlier today?
• Do I usually defend my alcohol purchase by saying that I am getting ready for a big party - usually with myself, however I do not say that.
• Do I think I might have some physical pain this weekend, so I call the doctor and lie about my current level of pain so I can get a refill from the pharmacy for my favorite prescription medication?
• Have I ever gone to see doctors including than my primary or family physician, trying to get a prescription for tranquillizers or opiate pain medication, knowing I would drink alcohol with the pills? 
• Have I ever thouight maybe I was addicted to alcohol or to the prescription drugs?  

If you would like to do an online assessment, go to our home page and find alcohol and drug assessments. Or call our office at 858-453-4315.

Only you can decide if your drinking or drug use has moved from social use, to early or middle stage addiction.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Detoxification serving Carmel Valley

Detoxification from alcohol and drugs can be a mixed experience. You are saying no more, ever again, to the destructiveness of addictive substances, and yes to your life in the hopes of a better future. Many people are surprised when they realize they are addicted and unable to stop using the alcohol, prescribed opiate medication,e.g. Hydrocodone, Norco, Percocet, Ultram, OxyContin; or tranquilizer medications, e.g. benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Alprazolam, Ambian and others.

Some people attempt to detoxify at home, or see their physicians for a brief office visit, or seek inpatient detoxification for dangerous symptoms of withdrawal. Outpatient Detoxification through an outpatient alcohol and drug treatment center over 3 or more days, provides the confidentiality of an office detox, and a physical and psychological assessment to provide you with information to help you make choices to stay clean and sober.

Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, and you may need 24 hour care if you have a co-occuring medical condition such as diabetes. Withdrawal can be experienced as a severe hangover with symptoms rated mild to severe and lasts for several days.

Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol may include:
-Upset stomach, nausea
-Headaches
-Shaking (tremors in hands and body)
-Fearful (panic attack)
-Difficulty sleeping (insomnia, nightmares)
-Increased body temperature
-Increased breathing and heart rate

Call your physician, a friend, family member or Lasting Recovery if you think you might be in trouble detoxing from an addictive substance on your own. There will be discomfort, and there is the promise of a new beginning in sobriety.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Future Risks of Binge Drinking in San Diego County

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

1. 330% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse
2. 280% more likely to suffer from some form of liver disease
3. 270% more likely to use tobacco
4. 270% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence
5. 230% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for drug dependence
6. 180% more likely to lose their driver's license
7. 180% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for tobacco dependence
8. 160% more likely to use other drugs
9. 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.

An Open Letter to My Family in San Diego

Read this letter - It was written by an addict several years ago, and is still true today.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY FAMILY


Dear Family Members:

I am a Chemically Dependent Person. I need Help.

Chemical dependency is a family illness and needs the total involvement of my family.

Don't allow me to lie to you and accept it for the truth. In doing so, you encourage me to lie. The truth may be painful, but get at it.

Don't let me outsmart you. This only teaches me to avoid responsibility and to lose respect for you at the same time.

Don't let me exploit you or take advantage of you, blame or argue when I'm drunk, high or sober. And don't pour out my liquor or take away my drugs. You may feel better, but the situation will be worse.

Don't accept my promises. This is just my method of postponing pain. And don't keep switching agreements. If an agreement is made, stick to it.

Don't lose your temper with me. It will destroy you and any possibility of helping me.

Don't allow your anxiety for us to compel you to do what I must do for myself.

Don't cover p or abort the consequences of my drug use. It reduces the crisis, but perpetuates the illness.

Above all, don't run away from reality as I do. Chemical dependency, my illness, gets worse as my use continues. Start now to learn, to understand and to plan for my recovery. I need help from a doctor, a counselor, a psychologist or a recovered alcoholic or addict … and from God. I cannot help myself.

I hate myself, but I love you. To do nothing is the worst choice you can make for us.

Please help me,


Your Addicted Person

If you want to learn more about how to get professional help, call us at Lasting Recovery. We can either help you with your outpatient alcohol or drug addiction recovery or refer you to an inpatient rehab. The choice is yours. Call us at 858-453-4315.

Are you questioning the downside to your alcohol or drug use

Today I received a call from a 37 year old man who was confused about his alcohol use. He drank alcohol only on the weekends, and he gladly reported that he did not have any legal problems, did not drink in the mornings and he believed his alcohol use was not interfering with his work. Then his wife told him to pack his bags and leave, the next time he decided he was going to drink.

His alcohol use, however was interfering with his family. He brought home alcohol every night, and extra for the weekend, as he usually got started drinking by noon. His evening drinking started as soon as he got home, and sometimes he started in the parking lot of the liquor store. He would think about the alcohol around noon, when he began counting the hours until he could get off work and go the liquor store. He would get so excited, as he imagined himself getting home and having a shot and some beers to relax. His wife nagged him about his routine behavior, as she saw he preferred his drinking more in the evening than spending time with her or his family.

He started drinking when he was age 16, and then he only drank on the weekends. When he came in, I gave him this information:


1. Addiction is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over alcohol or drugs, preoccupation with drugs or alcohol, use of addictive substances despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.

2. Primary refers to the nature of addiction as a disease entity in addition to and separate from other pathophysiologic states which may be associated with it. Primary suggests that addiction, is not a symptom of an underlying disease state.

3. Disease means an involuntary disability. It represents the sum of the abnormal phenomena displayed by a group of individuals. These phenomena are associated with a specified common set of characteristics by which these individuals differ from the norm, and which places them at a disadvantage.

Part II tomorrow.

Trying to stop drinking or using drugs is difficult for those people who are more progressed in their disease. Women generally have difficulty with alcohol and drug use sooner than men due to sex differences. If you need help and want to get back on the road of living your life safe and healthy, seek help now.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Alcohol and Drug Use Rising in San Diego County

For those of us living in San Diego County, we are honored to have outstanding researchers and treatment providers for alcohol and drug addiction. Mark Schuckit, MD a leading researcher from the University of California San Diego has again helped us to understand more about the disease of alcoholism.

His latest research was published in Lancet, a medical journal this week to show, that in the developed countries, men have a 15 percent risk over their lifetime for abusing alcohol, and in addition, men have a 10 percent risk for becoming dependent (addicted) to alcohol.

Looking at these numbers: at least one in five men (20%) are at lifetime risk of becoming dependent on or abusing alcohol. Women's risk over all is 8-10%. Why? Dr. Shuckitt states that a higher proportion of women rarely or never drink.


What are the consequences (negative outcomes) of alcohol and drug dependence? Statistics show alcohol and drug abuse and dependence can increase auto accidents, suicides, divorces, child abuse, domestic violence, thefts, assaults, physical deterioration, organ damage, sexual dysfunction and brain damage.
What does this mean to us in day to day living? Be aware of what you go through when you drink alcohol or use drugs.

Symptoms of this progress and chronic disease go unnoticed for years:
drinking or using drugs to calm nerves

1. occasional memory lapses after heavy drinking or drugging
2. preoccupation with alcohol or drugs (thinking about the next time to drink or use)
3. hiding your alcohol or drugs
4. sneaking while drinking or doing drugs
5. feeling of guilt about drinking or using drugs
6. grandiose or aggressive behavior
7. overwhelming feeling of helplessness
8. thinking 'what's the use', a sense of futility
9. complete dishonesty
10. loss of other interest
11. family, work and money problems
12. neglect of feed
13. drinking alone, or secretly
14. family and friends avoided

If you feel your alcohol or drug use is becoming a problem, seek treatment before the symptoms and consequences get more severe. We can help!

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Culture of Intoxication in San Diego County

The desire for intoxication is the main reason people begin drinking alcohol or using legal and prescription psychoactive drugs and illegal drugs. Alcohol and drug treatment providers in San Diego County regularly see people for treatment who use alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and mind altering prescription drugs.

We are seeing an increase in the number of young heroin users who began using prescribed psychotropic drugs, along with alcohol and marijuana. Once the intoxication begins, and the addiction progresses, people want a more intense experience, as the high isn't as high as before. Some people who are using drugs realize that the stronger drugs are too dangerous and they are able to stop using the drugs. For others who are unable to stop, they move into the use of heavier opiates such as Oxycontin, and then into smoking and shooting heroin. Each day of drug use increases the chance of danger and deadly side effects.

The federal government's War on Drugs has been directed toward illegal narcotics. Recent data from NIDA — National Institute on Drug Addiction — Monitoring the Future Survey, shows that, "seven of top 10 drugs being high school seniors are misusing legal prescription or over-the-counter medications."

As a member of the treatment community in San Diego County, we are seeing younger people with more severe and dangerous addictions. The drug dealer is not necessarily the culprit in this addiction. It can be the parents medicine cabinets, the over prescribing by some physicians to give unnecessarily large amounts of pain medication to teenagers, and the proximity of Tijuana where purchasing prescription drugs is reported to be easy and done frequently. Prescription amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, and the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medication Ritalin also were among the most popular drugs of abuse among high-school seniors, along with over-the-counter cough medications.

What's the answer?
We can learn through alcohol and drug addiction treatment that we can develop more reliance on living in reality, rather than seeking intoxication.

Living in sobriety is to experience the gift of being alive and alcohol and drug addiction treatment can help people to open the door to recovery.

Alcohol and Drug use in San Diego County

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

Parity at Last for Alcohol and Drug Addictions

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

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Forum

ADDICTION FORUM
What does Evidence-Based Practice have to do with Addiction Treatment?

HAZELDEN, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949 to help people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction, in collaboration with Lasting Recovery, NCADD San Diego, and Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, is offering a free educational forum.

Date: Friday, October 17, 2008
8:30am - Registration and Continental Breakfast
9 - 10:30 a.m. - Presentation

Location: Handlery Hotel, San Diego

Reservations: 888-257-7800 x 4204