Cocaine Overdose Deaths Are On The Rise

 

Though opioids are taking center stage in the world of addiction headlines, it is worth noting that several other drugs are wreaking havoc on this country as well. Cocaine, in particular, is responsible for a sharp uptick in U.S. overdose deaths. In fact, according to newly released statistics, the number of cocaine-related fatalities has shot up by more that 50 percent within the last three years.

 

These new figures come from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which tracked coke overdoses, as well as those caused by other pyschostimulants. What makes these findings even more troubling is the fact that cocaine use hasn’t necessarily increased dramatically (though it is still a common practice). The truth of the matter is that street coke has simply become more deadly, thanks to the presence of synthetic opioids; which are commonly mixed into batches.

 

The CDC reps emphasized this point after releasing the study. “Death rates involving cocaine and psychostimulants, with and without opioids, have increased,” they explained. “Synthetic opioids appear to be the primary driver of cocaine-involved death rate increases, and recent data point to increasing synthetic opioid involvement in psychostimulant-involved deaths.”

 

The sad fact is: when drugs like this are purchased on the streets, users have no real idea about the harmful chemicals that are often mixed in. Not only are the synthetic opioids extremely dangerous and more likely to cause an overdose, they are also highly addictive; encouraging buyers to come back and purchase larger quantities.

 

The CDC authors concluded their research with a call to action, encouraging local officials to bring more attention to this issue. Much of the public is unaware of just how dangerous cocaine is, compared to its potency several decades ago. Not only that; according to a recent expose by NBC News, coke can be considered “chic” among millennials and young people.

 

Daniel Raymond, deputy director of The Harm Reduction Coalition, was interviewed for the NBC article. He emphasized the fact that coke continues to have a certain allure and is often thought of as a “party drug.”

 

“Certain drugs seem to go in and out of style,” Raymond told the site. “Right now we’re seeing an uptick in cocaine use, and we’re hitting that point in the cycle where we’re starting to see more fatal overdoses.”

 

If you, or anyone you are close to, is struggling with a cocaine addiction, please reach out and get help before it’s too late.

 

Medical Community Speaks Out About Addicted Mothers

 

On its surface, the idea of a pregnant women using (or any mother, for that matter) sounds inexcusable and deserves punishment. But those of us in the recovery community, we know that answer isn’t just black and white. Sadly, an extreme dependency can cloud even the most compassionate of  judgments; causing caring people to make terrible choices. In fact, that’s one of the reasons that several prominent organizations within the medical community are speaking out to condemn criminal charges against moms with addictions.

 

The most vocal sect so far has been the Washington D.C.-based American Academy of Nursing (also known as AAN). The 2,700 member organization has called for an end to criminal and civil charges against pregnant moms-to-be and female parents due to drug use. They even went so far as to issue a press release on the subject, outlining the detrimental effect an arrest or jail time can have on these women.

 

The release also called out the current opioid crisis and the increased cases of dependencies across the nation. “At the forefront of the national stage for the past several years, the opioid epidemic has expanded the public’s awareness of substance use disorders (or SUDs),” it read. “For pregnant women with SUDs however, punitive actions in place of a public health response have resulted in criminal charges, arrests, and incarceration for these women. This has reinforced a culture of fear and barriers to essential health services.”

 

Certain states, in particular, take these cases extremely seriously, dubbing any kind of drug use during pregnancy as a form of child abuse. Tennessee, Alabama, Wisconsin, Ohio and Kentucky, for example, can enforce harsh sentences and, as the release explained, create a culture of fear.

 

The solutions proposed by the AAN and similar supportive medical organizations include treatment programs for women in these predicaments. Of course it is completely immoral and unethical to use while pregnant, but their opinion is that jail may only hurt these families more. The best scenario, according to them, is to immediately get the moms-to-be (and their babies) healthy, but then put them through an intensive treatment program that can set them up for success.

 

As the AAN said in the end of their press release, “we hope to reduce the stigma of SUDs in the age of the opioid epidemic.” Criminalizing it can certainly lead to darker consequences and perhaps not curb the problem at all.

 

We fully understand that this is a very sensitive subject and want to be a resource for anyone who may know a parent in this situation. First and foremost, we urge you to get them help immediately.

 

Adults Coping With Alcoholic Parents

 

Growing up in an alcoholic household can be tremendously traumatic for a child. But there are instances when the problem remains buried or perhaps nonexistent until that child reaches adulthood. As you grow older and more observant, you may begin picking up signals that a parent in the home was hiding an addiction. And as difficult as it may be; once you hit adulthood, you may be called upon to identify and resolve this life-threatening issue.

 

The BBC actually flagged this growing trend on their website. In an article on their homepage, the global news outlet called out a sharp increase in grown children taking their parents into treatment. For example, the Association for the Children of Alcoholics (also known as ACOA) received inquiries from more than 23,000 people last year. That pales in comparison to the stats from 2013, which leveled off at 6,400.

 

But the data doesn’t end there. The site went on to report that as many as one in three older adults battling alcoholism first developed it later in life. Now there could be a myriad of reasons for this occurrence. An aging parent may find themselves drinking after the loss of a spouse, or perhaps depression after retirement. They could also be dealing with more physical pain at an advanced age and look to booze as a coping mechanism.

 

This scenario can be especially difficult for the adult children, as they never grew up with alcoholism in the home. Seeing a problem occur somewhat suddenly in an older parent can stir up a variety of difficult emotions, as NACOA rep Stephanie Page explained to The BBC.

 

“The parent may have retired and is lonely; they may have had issues adjusting to retirement,” Page told he site. “The adult child of the alcoholic often finds that really difficult because they haven’t seen this side of them before and they may not know what to do. It can be really surreal seeing this side to your parent.”

 

Having to take the lead and “reverse roles” with a parent can be very difficult, especially when it comes to seeking out treatment. At Inneractions, we have been through these instances countless times and are happy to offer support or counseling before step one is taken. If you or someone you are close to is dealing with an alcoholic older parent, please reach out so they can get the care and recovery regimen they need.

 

Addiction On The Rise Among Female Nurses

 

There is no denying the fact that Registered Nurses (aka “RNs“) are true American heroes. They help save lives on a daily basis and are always willing to roll up their sleeves when medical emergencies arise. But they are also human and can fall prey to an addiction just as easily as anyone else. In fact, recent studies have shown a rise in dependencies among women in this field.

 

First the facts. According to new data from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, up to 10 percent of all RN’s may be dependent on drugs or alcohol (per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing). Now this raises alarms on several levels. Not only is it tragic to think that people in this field are struggling with addiction, there is also the fact that they have regular access to medications. On the one hand, this can easily escalate a dangerous habit. And on the other, it could create a scenario where someone who’s intoxicated may be called to help with a medical emergency.

 

The National Council called out those concerns specifically in their report. “The behavior that results from this disease has far-reaching and negative effects, not only on the nurses themselves, but also upon the patients who depend on the nurse for safe, competent care,” NCSBN’s researchers wrote. “Many nurses with substance use disorder are unidentified, unreported, untreated and may continue to practice where their impairment may endanger the lives of their patients.”

 

Now truth be told, 91 percent of all RNs are female. So that, in itself, touches upon addiction among women and correlates with stats we’ve previously blogged about. Research has shown this gender to be more susceptible to certain dependencies. And the fact that nurses are called upon to work overnight shifts and grueling schedules could lead to unintentional issues with stimulants.

 

And let’s not forget the stressors that many of these women have to take home. The Atlanta Journal pointed out that female E.R. nurses were nearly four times as likely to abuse cocaine and alcohol than their pediatric counterparts. For those working in the emergency room, traumatic incidents occur nightly and can severely traumatize a RN. The need to “escape” with some sort of substance is not that uncommon of a reaction.

 

So the truth is; no matter how “trained” you are to handle difficult situations, addiction can always rear its ugly head. If this situation sounds familiar to you or someone close to you, please reach out and let us help.

 

Why Are More Women Abusing Opioids?

 

As the opioid addiction crisis continues to cripple the country, more studies are underway to determine some of the causes behind these dependencies. Of course it’s hard to pinpoint one single underlying factor, but there are some interesting trends that have been emerging regarding painkiller abuse and gender. In the case of women, for example, certain research has shown that domestic violence may play a role in why females begin using.

 

Nabila El-Bassel is a professor of social work at Columbia University. In article for the academic site The Conversation, she discussed examples and stats that may lend credence to the physical abuse theory. El-Bassel also touched upon the slippery slope many addicted women face and how an opioid dependency can quickly evolve into heroin needles and the potential for HIV contractions.

 

“Research has repeatedly indicated that drug use is associated with partner violence, specifically against women, who may be particularly susceptible to such violence when under the influence of opioids,” El-Bassel wrote. “Living with substance use disorders puts these women into a number of contexts that expose them to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases that jeopardize their survival in many ways.”

 

Another harsh reality is that domestic violence can lead to painkiller prognoses. It’s a sad fact, but there are many abused women who need to be hospitalized for their injuries; breaking bones and receiving brutal concussions. A common treatment method for that has been opioid prescriptions, in the hope that they can reduce the severe physical ailments. So, in essence, the household violence could ultimately lead to a woman’s first exposure to opioids.

 

El-Bassel also brings up the fact that abusive male spouses sometimes purposely feed addictions to assert more control. A common technique will be undermining a woman’s attempt to get sober and preying on sensitive emotions. It is ultimately done as a form of dominance.

 

One other alarming stat brought up by El-Bassel was the fact that women are nearly three times less likely to receive the life-saving naloxone treatment during an overdose. In her opinion, it was because women may be devalued and there could be a gender barrier involved that first responders may not be aware of.

 

El-Basel finished her piece with some recommendations on how society as a whole can help to change the stigma.

 

“Women who use drugs face multilayers of stigma and disbelief, preventing them from disclosing problems such as partner violence,” she wrote. “Staying in treatment is difficult for women when services are designed and delivered by men who may not know how to create an environment of trust for women. These issues must be changed if we are serious on addressing the opioid epidemic among women.”

 

The Reality Of Survivor’s Guilt

 

This past month, there have been several troubling stories about Survivor’s Guilt and the suicides of those closely impacted by the Sandy Hook and Parkland shootings. Tragically, those who lived through those traumatic incidents wound up taking their own lives during pivotal anniversary dates and remembrances. The truth of the matter is, this is a very real issue and one that deserves to be addressed.

 

Three key figures in those prior tragedies took their lives in March 2019. Jeremy Richman was the father of a Sandy Hook student who was murdered in the 2012 massacre. His suicide was discovered this past Monday. Just a few days prior, Sydney Aiello and an unnamed Parkland student also killed themselves after having survived that 2018 attack.

 

With more incidents like these occurring, it is likely that suicidal tendencies will begin to emerge within the circles around the victims. It is said that these feelings may be even stronger among teenagers, as their coping skills haven’t fully matured.

 

Phyllis Alongi, a former clinical director at the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, was interviewed for NBC News, addressing the survivor’s guilt phenomenon and how it can impact young people.

 

“The degree to which survivor’s guilt impacts someone’s life may depend on the level of trauma they were exposed to, as well as any pre-existing vulnerabilities to depression and anxiety they had before the event,” she explained. “The issue with a lot of these teens is their problem solving, perception, and coping skills are still immature and underdeveloped, so they’re already at a disadvantage.”

 

And it is apparent that the survivor’s pain can manifest itself in multiple ways. Addiction is a common occurrence for those who have gone through traumatic incidents. People often turn to drugs and alcohol to “numb pain,” though, in reality, these habits only add fuel to the fire.

 

As more of these stories have gone public, other high-profile survivors have spoken out and offered public support. 37-year-old Zach Cartaya, for example, went through the horrific Columbine shootings in 1999. Since then, he has become an outspoken advocate for survivors’ mental health.

 

Cartaya was quoted for the NBC article as well, explaining how his grief turned to anger and later addiction. Now, he works to connect those in similar situation to outreach centers and suicide prevention resources.

 

“It’s so easy to feel isolated after something like this,” Cartaya told the site. “You don’t have to be alone.”

 

If this sounds like a familiar scenario to you, please reach out and let one of our trained professionals help.

 

The ‘Drunkorexia’ Phenomenon

They often say that one disorder can feed into another. And that apparently is the case with a newer issue called “drunkorexia.” Covered in outlets like The Washington Post, this alarming trend involves purposely avoiding food throughout the day in preparation for a night of binge drinking. Worse yet…purging is also commonly linked, as a way to consume heavy cocktails without gaining weight.

Apparently, this is a growing phenomenon among primarily females. As the article explains…many young women do get caught up with body image concerns, while also getting enticed by the party-like atmosphere of college.

“Drunkorexia addresses the need to be the life of the party while staying extremely thin, pointing to a flawed mindset about body image and alcoholism among college students, mostly women,” Post journalist Cara Rosenbloom writes in her article. “But drinking in this manner is dangerous, particularly because the lack of food in the stomach means a faster absorption of alcohol.”

Indeed, it is common knowledge that drinking on an empty stomach can do a lot more damage on organs like the liver. It also lowers the immune system and puts people (especially with low weight counts) at a much greater risk for alcohol poisoning.

And when you think about young women on a college campus, the idea of being blackout drunk can raise many other concerns. Sadly, we are all aware of the sexual assault risks that can happen at those wild parties. Not to mention the drunk driving dangers and the possibility of fights and physical violence.

In an earlier article on The Fix website, drunkorexia was called out as a major concern. For one thing, it was reported that as many as 16 percent of U.S. college students engage in this practice. Plus with the advent of social media, airbrushed supermodels and glorified Instagram icons, “perfect” looks and body sizes are often thrust in front of these 20-somethings’ faces.

Dr. Douglas Bunnell, former president of the National Eating Disorders Association, was interviewed for the piece and believed that anorexia and alcoholism make for a very dangerous combination. He also mentioned that it was easy to see the allure of both from the eyes of a vulnerable young coed.

“Both disorders are behaviors that are glorified and reinforced,” Dr. Bunell told the site. “Binge drinking is almost cool and hip, and losing weight and being thin is a cultural imperative for young women in America. Mixing both is not surprising, and it has reached a tipping point in terms of public awareness.”

Why Are Women Drinking More?

Recently, some stats were released that sent shockwaves through the recovery community. In a span of roughly 10 years, female alcohol consumption has shot up dramatically. In fact, from the period of 2002 to 2012, the percentage of U.S. women who drink more than once a week went from 45 percent to 67 percent. Obviously this begs the question, “why are women drinking more?”  And that’s something that The Fix.com has aimed to answer.

In a piece published this month, the recovery news site broke down the “social” reasons more women are choosing to indulge in wine and spirits. This includes everything from work happy hours, to online dating, to TV and movie stereotypes. Sadly, it does seem as though there are more societal pressures than ever before.

Quoting writer Ginny Hogan, the site touched upon some unique circumstances surrounding females today.

“The reality is that women often drink for different reasons than men do, and it’s not a stretch to think that those reasons often stem from social pressures that women face but men don’t,” Hogan explained. “When we put social pressure on women to not ever appear stressed or anxious, I worry that we instead make alcohol a more appealing option.”

Hogan also cited the “work hard, play hard” mentality that encompasses corporate America. In order to blend in to the executive boys club, many female vice presidents find themselves at company events surrounded by beer and hard alcohol. Though they might not feel inclined to drink, “fitting in” with senior leaders may push them down that path.

Rising the corporate ladder also incurs quite a bit of anxiety. Similar to men, female business leaders may find themselves “needing” a glass of wine (or two) after work. This has often been mistakenly viewed as a way to relax or unwind, but too much alcohol can do quite the opposite.

Other callouts included the “strong” female characters portrayed in the media. Lead actresses on shows like The Good Wife, Scandal and Killing Eve all regularly consume booze, often with a signature drink like a whiskey sour or brandy tumbler.

Dating was the other big factor pointed to in the article. With more online meet ups occurring at bars and restaurants, it is not uncommon for alcohol to be ordered as part of an introductory evening out. Though these may not turn into binge nights, the more frequent they occur the more frequent the female will be consuming alcohol…which could lead to the start of a very bad habit.

Addiction May Raise Stroke Risks

 

Tragically, the death of actor Luke Perry has stirred up many conversations about deadly strokes and what can be done to prevent such an incident. Now Perry, thankfully, did not appear to be battling an addiction problem, but that doesn’t change the fact that people who drink and smoke excessively could be prime candidates for some form of aneurysm.

 

Perry died at just 52 years old, but studies have shown that these fatal attacks can occur at much younger ages. So what are the symptoms and the causes? CBS News recently addressed that topic, bringing dependencies to the forefront of the conversation.

 

For starters, it was revealed that over 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. And of those, roughly 140,000 will die. These occurrences account for 1 out of every 20 fatalities in the United States, making them the fifth leading cause of death among Americans.

 

There are a variety of factors that can increase a person’s chance of experiencing a stroke, with heavy alcohol use labeled at the top of the list. Specific drugs were also called out as contributors, such as cocaine and methamphetamines.

 

And it is worth noting that mental health struggles could put you in the danger zone as well. We all know that depression can often lead to overeating and obesity. Well, those who are overweight or sedentary have a much higher probability of undergoing a stroke. And people who may smoke because of anxiety should be warned, as cigarettes were listed as a major risk factor.

 

As far as warning signs go, CBS correspondent Dr. Tara Narula listed off some key signals that everyone should pay attention to.

 

“If you were to feel like you couldn’t feel one side of your body or you couldn’t move one side of your body, those are major warning signs,” Dr. Narula explained. “A quick acronym that people can remember to help them is F.A.S.T., which stands for Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty and Time To Call 911.”

 

Though we are sad that it took a tragic event to bring this story to the top of the news, it is an important thought starter (especially when it comes to addiction). If you or someone you are close to is battling health issues because of a dependency, they may be at risk for a stroke. Please take preventative measures and reach out.

 

Lawmakers Aim To Punish Addicted Moms-To-Be

 

For the record, we completely understand what a difficult topic “pregnancy and addiction” can be. On the one hand, it seems unfathomable that an expectant mother would put her unborn baby at risk by using. But it is also important to comprehend just how powerful some of these dependencies can be (particularly when you consider America’s opioid crisis) and the sincere struggles these moms are facing. Whatever side you’re on, it is worth noting that a new law may be put it in place to punish women in these types of situations.

 

Tennessee Representatives Lynn Weaver and Janice Bowling recently introduced House Bill 1168, which tacks on an assault charge to any woman who uses an illegal narcotic while pregnant. Particularly harsh sentences could be incurred if the child is born harmed or drug dependent. In fact, the term “addicted babies” appears frequently throughout the bill.

 

Not surprisingly, the opioid epidemic was brought up frequently by Weaver and Bowling. Both women point to the fact that drug dependent infants are on the rise. The hope would be that this law could work as a deterrent, encouraging these women to get into treatment before any type of pregnancy occurs. To its credit, the law also states that if an addicted expectant mother enters and completes a treatment program, her charges may be lessened.

 

“This bill’s intent is to protect babies, period,”Rep. Weaver said in a statement. “The number of babies born addicted to drugs, it has not decreased. It has exponentially increased.”

 

On the other side of the argument, there are people who have spoken out against the law. Erika Lathon, who works as a public relations rep at a high profile recovery firm, believes it could actually do more harm than good. For one, she claims the bill’s funding would be better spent on public treatment programs. She also emphasized that jailed moms could lead to additional problems for the newborns, such as foster care. The fear factor among this group was also brought up.

 

“A pregnant woman who is battling an addiction is already facing a tremendous amount of stigma and has a number of problems to deal with,” Lathon told the press. “Then you add on top of that the possibility of her being prosecuted and thrown into jail, we believe that is going to push them further away, make the woman less likely to say, ‘Yes I have a problem, yes I’m addicted, yes I need help.’”

 

Obviously, we are talking about a tremendously difficult topic. But the truth of the matter is, pregnant addicted mothers is not as uncommon as people might think. If you or someone you are close to is caught up in this type of situation, please reach out for help immediately.