Please fill out this form for
Addiction Treatment

Drug Rehab

Never “Too Much” Information About the Dangers of DXM Abuse

(Dextromethorphan), a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter cough and cold remedies which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, was reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to be responsible for an estimated 12,584 emergency departments visits in 2004. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 1 in 10 teens – more than 2.4 million young people – report having abused over-the-counter cough medicines to get high.

Celebrity medical personalities are starting to notice these startling numbers. Recently Dr. Drew Pinsky, host of the popular radio show “Loveline” and the star of the VH1 hits “Celebrity rehab with Dr. Drew” and “Sober House,” announced that he was joining the national Five Moms Campaign whose goal is to further educate parents and legislators about the dangers of cough medicine abuse.

One of the founders of the Five Moms is Misty Fetko, a Registered Nurse, who lost her son Carl to an overdose of a lethal mix of drugs consisting of DXM, Fentanyl (a prescription narcotic) and marijuana. “I was an emergency room nurse. I had recognized signs of substance abuse in patients over the years. Never once did I realize that cough medicine abuse was possible, let alone that my son would be drawn to this dangerous behavior. Through Five Moms I’m hopeful that we can arm other parents with the information and resources that I unfortunately did not have,” said Ms. Fetko.

Rebecca Pool, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with Narconon Arrowhead, applauds the campaign of the Five Moms and Dr. Drew that is educating the public about the dangers of over-the-counter drugs. “Ms Fetko’s story is a tragic one I have heard many times from families trying to get their loved one to Narconon for substance abuse, specifically DXM. Tragically, a number of our clients never arrive due to an accidental overdose before coming to our facility, trying to get that last ‘high’ not realizing how dangerous over-the-counter drugs are. I am always amazed when our younger clients first arrive at our facility and state that their first introduction to ‘getting high’ was with over-the-counter cough syrup containing DXM. The majority of those starting with DXM believed it was safer and not addictive because they had bought it in the local pharmacy and then progressed to mixing it with other drugs and alcohol. This is where educating both our youth and parents on the dangers of DXM abuse and drug addiction is of the utmost importance,” stated Ms. Poole. “Narconon Arrowhead fully supports any organization promoting drug education and prevention. John Bitinas, Narconon Arrowhead’s drug prevention and education specialist, travels across the country delivering drug education and prevention lectures to schools throughout the U.S. John spoke with over 65,000 of our nation’s youth last year and one of the ‘hot’ topics of the year last year was DXM abuse.”

If you would like more information regarding DXM or substance abuse, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933. The Narconon international network of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education programs was founded over 43 years ago. Narconon Arrowhead is the networks premier facility, located in southeast Oklahoma on 216 acres in Arrowhead State Park, is the perfect treatment environment for those addicted who are trying to regain control of their life. Since Narconon’s center opened in Oklahoma in 1990 over 3,580 people have graduated the full program. Over 70% of these graduates are enjoying sober and productive lives today.

Economic Hardships Can Increase Addiction

Drug Rehab

Economic downturns can be frightening to everyone, but there are healthy ways of getting through them - from engaging in activities such as positive thinking, supportive relationships, to seeking help when needed from health professionals. However, if a person is already addicted to drugs and begins feeling the pressures of paying the rent, the car payment, putting the food on the table, the credit card bill, etc., etc, the overwhelming need to escape from these realities will be foremost in their mind. The answer to all their problems, from financial to personal, will be to take their drug of choice to escape. As the problems mount, more of that drug will be needed for escape.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in September 2009 that since December of 2007 the number of unemployed persons has increased by 7.6 million to 15.1 million, with the unemployment rate doubling to 9.8 percent. Not surprisingly many families are living paycheck to paycheck trying to figure a way to stay afloat much less get ahead in these hard times.

With the economy down the logical action to take would be to tighten the belt and cut down on unneeded expenses such as eating out, going to the movies or buying those new clothes you want but do not need. Sadly, for an addict, drugs are considered a need. An addict feels they must have the drug to cope with life and depending on the drug, not go through a painful physical withdrawal. As times get harder, more and more of the drug is needed to escape no matter how much more is needed to be spent on the drug or on how that money is procured.

“Before I went to rehab I spent every penny I could put my hands on to buy more and more drugs. I lost my job due to testing positive for drugs and told myself ‘never again’. Yet I continued to put the drugs before finding employment, putting food on the table for my family and paying any bills. I just know I woke up every morning with every intention of finding a job and instead would find myself doing whatever it took, be it lying ,cheating or stealing from family and friends to get money so I could get more drugs,” said Joe Harper, graduate of the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation program.

“This story is all too familiar,” said Rebecca Pool, C.A.D.C. (Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor) of Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’s leading residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. “Many of our clients say even knowing they might lose a job or family due to their addiction, they just could not stop. The last thing they wanted to do is take more drugs but the drugs had turned into the solution to take away the pain from all the problems they needed to face in their life. Their sole focus becomes getting more drugs despite losing employment, family and self respect. This is where the Narconon program steps in and gives the individual the life skills and tools to live a drug-free life and the ability to make the right choices that will help them achieve their goals and dreams they had before addiction entered their life.”

If someone you know is struggling with a drug and/or alcohol addiction, contact Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933. Narconon graduates have over a 70% success rate of living drug-free lives.

Employers Can Benefit from Drug-Free Work Week Pointers

Drug Rehab

To achieve a drug-free workplace, it is critical that an organization educate its workers about the nature of alcohol and drug use and its negative impact on workplace safety and productivity. SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) reported that of the estimated 17.8 million current illicit drug users ages 18 or older in 2008, 12.9 million were employed either full or part time. With these disturbing statistics for business owners’, participating in Drug-Free Work Week celebrated October 19th through the 25th, will not only increase the well being of your employees, but also their productivity.

Studies by SAMSHA show that when compared with non-substance abusers, substance abusing employees are more likely to change jobs frequently, be late to or absent from work, be less productive employees, be involved in a workplace accident and are more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim. To combat this from happening in your workplace here are some suggested actions to take;

• Implement a Drug-Free Workplace program.

• Promote your Drug-Free Workplace program.

• Train supervisors on identifying workers who have problems related to substance abuse.

• Remind employees about EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and MAP (Member Assistance Programs) if available.

• Offer health screening.

• Publicize available community treatment resources.

• Review your health insurance policy regarding coverage for substance abuse treatment and if it is not covered consider discussing adding substance abuse coverage with whoever handles your organization’s health benefits due to the fact that employees struggling with substance abuse will seek help proactively.

• Allow employees time to volunteer in community drug prevention efforts.

• Distribute a payroll message listing helplines or a reminder about Drug-Free Work Week for employees.

• Hold a social event celebrating safety and health.

If an employee is already stuck in the cycle of addiction finding a drug rehabilitation facility that will return them back to the productive, drug-free individual required for their work and to enjoy the life they so justly deserve is of the utmost importance. “This is where Narconon Arrowhead comes in,” stated Ryan Thorpe, Director of Admissions at Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers located in southeast Oklahoma. “We offer employers an alternative to simply getting rid of good staff that can be rehabilitated, and we enable good workers who have become addicted to drugs to return to the workforce, sober and hardworking. At Narconon, our program constantly returns substance abuser to a healthy, productive lifestyle. Seven out of ten of our graduates are still drug-free years after they return to work.”

If you are concerned about a co-worker, friend or loved one battling substance abuse, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933. Narconon Arrowhead has counselors available to answer questions and offer free evaluations and assessments for drug and alcohol addiction. Narconon has a 70% success rate for those graduating the Narconon program, returning not only to their families but also their workplace drug-free, productive and eager to participate in life.

Why “self-help” groups found the highest attendees of those receiving substance abuse treatment

Drug Rehab

^{In a recent study, National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the highest amount of individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse do so via self-help support systems. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotic Anonymous, and other varied support groups classically offer free meetings designed to assist the individual in changing their drug or alcohol addicted life in a self-help fashion. So why self-help?

Often self-help is free or really low cost. Meetings are scheduled around the nation in most towns and cities where those addicted can go and share with others similarly afflicted and hopefully gain strength and encouragement to get them through the ravages of cravings, pent up guilt and overwhelming depression which almost always accompanies withdrawal and abstinence from drugs or alcohol. With millions addicted in the U.S. alone, there is plenty of need.

All too often though a person trying desperately to rid themselves of the addiction related burdens they bare discover that they lack the skills, fortitude and sheer willpower to “white knuckle it” or tough out the tremendous challenges associated with substance abuse. Bill K., a poly-drug abuser from Seattle explains, “I tried everything I could to stay away from the drugs and the people I used with but it seemed as though the drugs called my name. From the time I woke up in the morning until I went to sleep at night it became one long agonizing day after another filled with the secret desire to use while constantly being forced me to abstain. One day I just gave up and went straight back downhill from there. No matter how many meetings I went to I just couldn’t get my mind off the drugs.”

Billy’s experience with attempting to use self-help to remain drug and alcohol free is by far not an isolated experience. The 2008 NSDUH shows that the number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at a self-help group were 2,187,000. The majority of these 2 million discovered how difficult it truly is to simply attend meetings or undergo meditation and truly leave addiction behind. Many, if not most, will find themselves returning to drug and alcohol use and thereby feeling an unfortunately higher sense of failure, hopelessness, and shame due to not being able to control their own addiction and future.

The number of people seeking addiction treatment can be staggering. In fact, according to this same study:

1.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at a self-help group was 2,187,000.

2.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at an outpatient rehabilitation facility was 1,455,000.

3.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at an outpatient mental health center was 1,054,000.

4.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at an inpatient rehabilitation facility was 743,000.

5.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at a hospital as an inpatient was 675,000.

6.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at a private doctor's office was 672,000.

7.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at an emergency room was 374,000.

8.       The number of persons aged 12 or older who received substance use treatment at a prison or jail was 343,000.

From self-help groups to clinical settings to prison and/or jail programs, people attempt to get and stay “clean and sober”. The success of that goal is going to lie in the comprehensive nature of whatever recovery method the person chooses. If a person could simply stop using drugs and/or alcohol, leave addiction behind and never look back again, they would. Unfortunately addiction is severe in strength and involves multiple aspects of a person’s body, mind, and spirit. To handle one single aspect of drug or alcohol use without successfully addressing the remaining factors is to simply ask for relapse to occur. Unless every aspect of the mechanics of addiction is fully addressed and handled, the individual will find themselves attempting to remain sober, feeling the guilt and shame or the past or physical cravings as well as cycling through depressive stages. This will eventually lead them back into a condition whereby they “give up” and reuse drugs and/or alcohol.

Narconon Arrowhead, Narconon's premier facility, located in Oklahoma on 216 acres in Arrowhead State Park, is a truly, most comprehensive program for an addict who is trying to recover from addiction. The peaceful setting we offer here is like no other and our highly trained staffs are 100% dedicated to helping our clients overcome their addictions. Narconon Arrowhead first opened its doors in 2000 and starting delivering drug education across the nation in 2001 in an attempt to help prevent addiction before it starts. If you or someone you love needs help please call 1-800-468-6933 to speak to a counselor who can help you get started on the road to recovery for a life time.}

Communication at Family Dinners Decrease Chances of Teens Using Drugs

Drug Rehab

A September 2009 report by CASA (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse) states that teenagers who have fewer than three family dinners compared to those who have five to seven family dinners per week are twice as likely to try drugs in the future.

“This report reinforces what many of our clients who are in recovery right now say about their teen years,” according to Rebecca Pool, C.A.D.C. (Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor) of Narconon Arrowhead, one of the countries leading residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities, Teens who find it easy to talk with their parents about personal things are less likely to use substances. As they were growing up they rarely sat down for dinner with their family and when they did that was the rare occasion when they actually saw their parents. If they had questions or needed advice they would turn to a friend instead of their parents. This caused many to never gain the life skills needed to live a successful drug-free life.”

“The CASA study supports what used to be considered parental common sense. The more time kids spend with their parents the closer and more meaningful the relationship is,” said Narconon’s Pool.

If someone you know is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol and you want to help them achieve lasting recovery, call Narconon Arrowhead today. Call Narconon at 1-800-468-6933 for free addiction counseling, referrals and free assessments . Narconon has a 70% success rate for graduates living a drug free life.