Drug Abuse

Posts Tagged ‘chronic pain’

Question by ShoeShine: What Are Your Thoughts Yet Another Casualty of the Illegal Alien Invasion: Deportee Murders Heroic Cop?
Yet another tragedy of the illegal alien invasion, another murder which could have been prevented, if we had tighter borders and someone running Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who really meant business:

Phoenix police Officer Nick Erfle survived two bouts of cancer to put back on his uniform and patrol the city’s streets.
On Tuesday, a jaywalker shot him in the face and killed him.

“He’s a hard charger. Even though he had a serious illness, he came back to work the streets as soon as he could,” Sgt. Joel Tranter said.The gunman, an illegal immigrant who had been deported last year, fled after shooting Erfle, commandeering a stopped car at gunpoint and ordering the motorist to drive. About an hour later, a Phoenix police tactical team surrounded Erik Jovani Martinez, 22, on a west Phoenix street and shot him dead as he pointed a gun at the hostage. The hostage was not hurt.    Read more...

Question by DLM: What is the current medical definition of “addiction?” (more)?
Also, does the definition differ from one substance to another, or in the case of gambling or other behaviors, where there is no chemical dependency, is there a separate definition for those as well?

I am just curious about the “umbrella” that the word addiction covers in the medical world, versus common everyday ‘people-talk’ use of the word. The more specifics you can provide, the better.

Best answer:

Answer by John de Witt
You’ll want a DSM-IV for all the definitions you’d ever care to look at.

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Alcohol and drug use can progress into abuse and even addiction so insidiously that sometimes people do not realize that it has become a problem for them and those around them. The following self-assessment tests can help you determine whether or not … Read more on About – News & Issues    Read more...

Teen OTC drug abuse can lead to problems
Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of an individual's life, treatment is not simple. If you're concerned about your teen abusing drugs, start by seeking guidance from a medical professional, behavioral … Read more on Huntington Herald Dispatch

High School Dropouts More Likely to Have Drug and Alcohol Abuse Problems
Recovery Associates is a drug and alcohol treatment center that provides a variety of programs and services for men, women and teens struggling with chemical dependency issues. At the core of their philosophy is the belief that addiction is a treatable … Read more on PR Web (press release)

The Problem With Pain Pills
He makes a strong case that opioid drugs used to treat chronic pain, like OxyContin, not only are addictive and deadly but often don't work for many people who use them and lead to a range of additional health problems. It's Mr. Meier's second foray … Read more on New York Times (blog)    Read more...

Drug addiction and drug abuse – by Emina Rizvic.

History of drug abuse: Missoula woman fights prescription addiction for years …
Stanich died two months ago to the day, a victim of the prescription drug addiction that dogged her from the age of 16. She'd been to rehab repeatedly. She would hit bottom, get clean, use again. Her parents and sister lived in fear, so much so that … Read more on Montana Standard

State lacks 'prescription drug abuse strategy,' official says
He is recommending mandatory use by physicians of a database of patients' drug use to catch those who “shop” for drug-friendly doctors, specific safeguards for prescribing long term opiates to non-cancer chronic pain patients; physician training; and … Read more on Greenville News

Prescription Drug Abuse: Health Care Provider Compliance and DEA’s Role – More information on Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices: http://www.fulbright.com/pharmaceuticals Presenter: Fulbright Healthcare Lawyer Rick Robinson | www.f…

Glendale speaker: Mental illness, drug abuse are public-health issues
One way to prevent future mass shootings is to pay more attention to the mental health of those around us, according to Pamela Hyde, administrator of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Hyde was a keynote speaker at … Read more on Arizona Republic

Chronic pain ranks well below drug addiction as a major health problem in new …
A high percentage (82%) believes that taking prescription painkillers for long-term, chronic pain could result in addiction, which nearly 50% of Americans describe as a major health problem. An overwhelming majority (85%) are very concerned or somewhat … Read more on EurekAlert (press release)    Read more...

INSIGHT: Don't let problems with substance abuse ruin your most vital asset
Alcohol and drug abuse by employees causes many expensive problems for business and industry, ranging from an increase in health insurance claims and workplace injuries to lost productivity. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workplace drug … Read more on Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Chronic pain ranks well below drug addiction as a major health problem in new …
A high percentage (82%) believes that taking prescription painkillers for long-term, chronic pain could result in addiction, which nearly 50% of Americans describe as a major health problem. An overwhelming majority (85%) are very concerned or somewhat … Read more on Medical Xpress

Egypt’s drug problem spirals out of control – 17 Oct 09 – According to Egypt’s National Council for Fighting and Treating Addiction, six million people from Egypt’s population are addicted to narcotics. The United N…    Read more...