White House Aims To Help Addicted Mothers

A while back, we discussed some alarming new stats concerning babies born to addicted mothers. Well after enough headlines, it looks the White House is finally taking notice. This month, President Donald Trump announced that his administration will begin a program to help pregnant women and new moms dealing with dependencies.

Titled “The M.O.M. Model” (which stands for Maternal Opioid Misuse), the program will partner with local Medicaid agencies to implement several services for mothers caught up in these situations. It will also offer assistance for women who are suffering from postpartum depression, in the months after giving birth.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar held a press conference about the topic last week. He made a point to touch upon America’s opioid crisis and the damage it is continuing to cause to new families.

“Too many barriers impede the delivery of well-coordinated, high-quality care to pregnant and postpartum women struggling with opioid misuse, including lack of access to treatment and a shortage of providers in rural areas, where the opioid crisis is especially destructive,” Azar explained. “The MOM model will support state Medicaid agencies, front-line providers and healthcare systems to help ensure that mothers and infants afflicted by the opioid epidemic get the care they need.”

12 different states will be participating in the M.O.M. Model over the next five years and more could be added based on the success of the program. It is expected that those regions hit hardest by the crisis will receive the most attention.

This is certainly an important initiative and one that can save lives. Over the past several years, babies born with opioid dependencies have increased dramatically. Being exposed in the womb has been shown to lead to birth defects, lifelong developmental delays and premature death.

Azar made a point to call out the president’s sympathy for this issue. Towards the end of his press conference, the Secretary emphasized that Donald Trump is aware of the devastation the opioid epidemic is causing and that de-stigmatizing addiction needs to be part of the bigger conversation.

“We [the Trump administration] believe in evidence-based treatment,” Azar concluded. “We also believe in a public-health approach to this epidemic, and we believe in approaching addiction as a disease, never a moral failing,”

Let’s hope the White House holds true to those words. You can find out more about the M.O.M. Model by clicking here.

Alcoholism And Bipolar Disorder

 

We have mentioned many times before how mental health and addiction issues can often intertwine. And according to recent research uncovered by U.S. News & World Report, people suffering from bipolar disorder (also known as “BD”) may be most at risk. Apparently, it is the highest-ranking co-occurring disorder associated with substance abuse.

 

U.S. News specifically called out alcoholism as a common link. Sadly, BD sufferers tend to abuse the bottle the most and are more likely to be hospitalized because of chronic drinking. The research also points out that the reverse may be true. In that scenario, people who are alcoholics and have a family history of mood disorders can quickly develop BD as their addiction worsens.

 

Both of these conditions can quickly escalate into a vicious cycle that U.S. News writer Brook McKenzie aptly labeled, a “tornado.”

 

“For those living with bipolar disorder, this mood disorder is best described as a tornado violently ripping through your life with unpredictable episodes of mania and depression,” McKenzie wrote. “These extreme mood swings and addictive tendencies can interfere with the functions of daily life at work, with family and other interpersonal relationships.”

 

McKenzie went on to list some BD warning signs, as many people are living with this disorder and are undiagnosed. Certain callouts include disorganized thinking (such as clutter across a home or car), crying for no reason, restlessness, euphoria, impulsivity and an increased use of profanity.

 

He also discussed the labels of BD, which include bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 is the most extreme case, where psychiatric hospitalization is necessary and day-to-day functions are impossible. Bipolar 2, however, is the more common occurrence and the one that is associated with alcoholism. It is considered milder and often leads to depression or suicidal thoughts. Research has shown that this is the stage where people often turn to drinking, as a way to numb feelings and ease emotional pain.

 

Of course, as we all know, alcohol DOES NOT lessen a person’s emotional pain and, in fact, increases it. Pairing this with an issue like BD or manic depression can be a very scary combination. McKenzie rightly calls out therapy and professional support as a solution for people suffering from these co-occurring disorders. That type of work is something the team at Inneractions specializes in and we are always available to step in and help at a moment’s notice.

Acknowledging ‘Sober October’

We often keep our eye on interesting recovery events happening around the globe. And over in the United Kingdom, one movement has been gaining quite a bit of traction. Go Sober For October is now several years in across the pond and it has been doing a lot of good in the areas of health and wellness. In fact, it’s even gotten on the radar of several American outlets; including Forbes Magazine.

The concept doesn’t just touch people battling alcoholism (though, of course, that’s a major benefit). It also targets casual drinkers and challenges them to remove all booze from their diet for 31 days. After that period is over, participants are told to step on the scale, check their bank accounts and schedule a physical. Chances are, there will be some very visible improvements.

There is also a UK giving component, which goes to support cancer charities across England. The official “Go Sober” site has active leaderboards and encourages people to “Challenge a Friend” to become a top fundraiser. By the looks of things, this year’s initiative is off to a great start; with over 68,000 “Sober Heroes” a few days into the month.

Forbes published a nice article as well, emphasizing an alcohol-free October. In their piece, several benefits are laid out for those who choose to go sober. Key points that writer Frances Bridges brought up included Increased Energy, Improved Sleep, Weight Loss and Better Eating Habits. She also offered some practical reasons to push away beer and wine this month.

“The holidays are often a time people neglect their diet and exercise regimen, and using the month of October to help reset your body, and prepare it for the holidays is a smart way to mitigate some of the damage that inevitably takes place over the indulgent holiday season,” Bridges wrote. “It also helps clear your mind and reset your body before the winter months, when the “winter blues” have been known to set in.”

One other point that both Forbes and the “Go Sober” site bring up is the mental wherewithal that accompanies this type of commitment. As we mentioned before, getting a friend or family member to join the cause is incredibly inspiring. But, truth be told, there will be others who may choose to judge you or even tempt you as Happy Hours and Halloween parties begin taking shape. Both sites acknowledge that these are usually issues that lie with those people themselves and should not interfere with your progress.

So raise a glass of cold water and join us in Going Sober For October!

Going Public With Addiction

For most people, addiction tends to be a very private affair. Those who are close to someone suffering prefer to “keep it in the family” and avoid discussing their problems with friends and extended relatives. And while that is perfectly acceptable, there is something admirable about a person who shares their story for the greater good; particularly if they’re a public figure. This month CBS news anchor Angela Kennecke decided to do just that, opening up about her daughter’s overdose with millions of viewers across the country.

There is no doubt that it took a tremendous amount of bravery for Angela to come forward. She openly admitted that she is private person, but felt this was an important story that parents needed to know about. As Kennecke explained, the OD happened this past May. Her 21-year-old daughter Emily had been battling a serious opioid dependency, but kept it hidden from her mom and dad. That happened to be a point that Angela emphasized, as she was regretful that she didn’t notice more warning signs.

“I knew that Emily was casually using marijuana, but never imagined that she would be injecting opioids,” Kennecke explained on CBS This Morning. “It was the most shocking thing to me. Needles? Middle-class kid, privileged, all these opportunities and things like that. It’s hard to explain addiction. It’s hard to understand. My child ran out of the doctor’s office once when she was going to get a shot.”

Obviously the shock drove Angela into a deep depression, leading her to step away from her anchoring duties for several months. When the time came to return to the desk, Kennecke decided that she would open up about the loss and work towards becoming a public recovery advocate.

“I thought I can let this loss, this devastation destroy me, or I can do something about it,” Angela continued. “I thought I have to talk about it. I have an obligation to talk about it. My number one reason to talk about it is to erase the stigma around addiction, especially the use of heroin and opioids.”

And true to her word, Kennecke has taken swift action. Most recently she has set up a fund called Emily’s Hope, which helps others afford treatment. She also has taken to the lecturing circuit, speaking to high schools and colleges about the dangers of addictions.

We certainly admire Angela’s outspokenness and are happy to lend our own support to other parents impacted by addiction.

You can watch Angela’s full CBS interview below…

Having ‘The Addiction Talk’ With Your Kids

  Did you know that nearly 21 million Americans over the age of 12 deal are caught up with addictions? That means that kids as young as 13 are facing serious issues with alcoholism and drug abuse. As a parent it may be easy to tell if a pre-teen in your family is struggling, but then question the becomes: How Do You Start That Delicate Conversation?   To their credit, The Huffington Post recently acknowledged this all too common issue and published a helpful article that outlines the ways parents can approach their kids about this topic. Their checklist covered inquisitive approaches (to see if your child may be using) and educational explorations (so they are aware of the substances and the dangers).   Step one involves openness and honesty.  “Kids are much more savvy today,” HuffPo addiction expert John Sovec explained in the article. “And open, honest conversations that take place now can set up the groundwork for keeping substances out of their future.”   That type of honesty may include revealing hard truths about your own past experiences with drugs and alcohol. Sovec added that today’s kids (particularly of the teen set) expect honest answers and don’t like to see their parents lie to them. If you deny experimenting in your younger years, that may actually backfire on you.   Scare tactics are also a no-no, according to the article. If they hear something like drinking beer will get you life in prison, they can easily fact check it and discover it’s a falsehood. At that point, your credibility may be hurt and actual scary stats (about overdoses and relapses) could have less of an impact.   In the same vein, Sovec emphasizes that addiction does not need to be vilified for teens. It is important to acknowledge that it is a disease and that not all people who use are evil.  
“It’s important to emphasize that if someone is addicted, that doesn’t make them a bad person. It means they’re sick,” he added. “Let them know that addiction is an disease, and though it may be tricky to recover from it, people can and do get better. They just need good doctors and support to treat it.”
  Having this difficult conversation is something we, at Inneractions, have had to do many times and we are definitely available as a support system for parents who think their kids may using. Just know that a gentle touch is always recommended and recovery is a reality at any age.

A Warning For Addicted New Moms

We know how it easy it is to fall prey to an addiction. And how that addiction can overpower you, even interfering with parenting and raising a family. New moms who may have put their cravings on hold during a pregnancy can quickly fall back into the trappings after a healthy baby is born. This, however, can be an extremely dangerous time to re-ignite a habit, particularly when issues like postpartum depression creep in.

New data from The Sarasota Herald Tribune is showing that women who use opioids are at much greater risk of an overdose during the first year of their baby’s life. This could relate to moms who restart their dependencies after nine months of pregnancy or those who become first time users after childbirth.

As study rep Davida Schiff told The Herald Tribune, pregnancy can be a time when women feel empowered to kick their addiction. But old habits can easily return, especially during the emotional ups-and-downs that accompany caring for a newborn.

“Pregnancy seems to be a time for change. Women tend to make healthier decisions during pregnancy. So, for women with an opioid addiction, it can be a motivating moment,” Schiff explained. “Where things fall apart is postpartum.”

The study itself monitored 4,000 Massachusetts women who had battled an opioid addiction before pregnancy (and some during). When it came to overdoses, the highest percentage occurred seven to twelve months after their baby was born. Issues listed that caused this group to use again included sleep deprivation, stress and depression.

And for the record, there is a definite increase in pregnant women who abuse opioids. The article goes on to say that the amount of moms-to-be who use has quadrupled in the past 15 years (killing nearly three million).

As far as postpartum is concerned, that stat accounts for nearly 15 percent of all women who give birth. And when it comes to minority moms or those living in poverty, that stat can be as high as 40 percent.

Schiff added that more welfare checks and continued health visits could be a key to overcoming this problem. Coming home from the hospital and feeling a loss of control or safety could easily trigger women who have used in the past.

“We should capitalize on the positive emotions women feel during pregnancy,” Schiff concluded. “I believe it is important to sustain their care or enhance it during the postpartum period, which is arguably the most challenging.”

We at inneractions know how very real postpartum depression and addiction can be for women in America. If either of these issues are plaguing you or someone you care about, know that we are always available to help.

Huge Spike In Babies Born To Addicted Moms

There is no doubt that an addiction can seriously cloud a person’s judgment. And America’s growing opioid crisis is a prime example of that. According to a new article from The New York Times, painkiller dependencies among women have gotten so bad that mothers-to-be are continuing to use, putting their unborn babies at serious risk.

One of the most alarming stats from the article concerns the amount of infants born to dependent mothers. Citing data from The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Times is reporting that there are now 6.5 addicted babies per every 1,000 births (which is quadruple the number from 10 years ago).

Not surprisingly, the blame is primarily being placed on the opioid crisis. CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield sees it as a call to action for political leaders to take stronger action against the growing epidemic.

“The devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on families across the U.S. now includes the very youngest,” Dr. Redfield told the Times. “Each case represents a mother, a child, and a family in need of continued treatment and support.”

Dr. Redfield went on to share the thorough research that went in to the CDC’s analysis. His team dug through 15 years of data from 28 states. Back in 1999, the ratio of addicted newborns was 1.5 out of every 1,000 (a far cry from where it stands today). There was also a specific call out to Vermont, which had the highest spike of all. In that particular state, there were 48.6 cases of opioid use disorder for every 1,000 deliveries.

And keep in mind, these included only the babies who lived. Heavily addicted moms have been responsible for countless miscarriages and stillborn births during this timeframe. The severe cases of live births have also resulted in brain damage, respiratory problems and severe seizures throughout these children’s lifetimes.

One other topic brought up by the study is the fear and embarrassment these dependent mothers may feel during their pregnancies. Dr. Elizabeth E. Krans, a professor of Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, was also interviewed for the piece and expressed concern that these women may be hiding these addictions from their doctors because they’re scared of being arrested.

“Pregnancy is a really important time. Women are often worried that about the health of their baby, but they’re also fearful of judgment,” Krans said. “Pregnant women are fearful that people will treat them negatively or, in the worst cases, remove their babies,”

The important thing to emphasize is that treatment is available during all stages of a pregnancy. Trained professionals from established practices will know what tools can and should be used to help expectant moms ween off their cravings. If this is a situation you or someone you care about is dealing with, please reach out right away for help.

Pets Have Become Unwilling Pawns In The Opioid Crisis

This latest news story was especially hard for us to report on, but we feel that it’s an important message to get out into the public. Tragically as America’s painkiller addiction epidemic worsens, more and more people are purposely injuring their pets to receive prescriptions. Part of this research comes from veterinarians, who have been seeing a spike in suspicious dog and cat injuries.

Based on new data attained from The University of Colorado, 13 percent of vets across the U.S. now claim to have encountered a client who appeared to have purposely injured their pet. Even worse, 44 percent said they were aware of opioid abuse by a regular client. The bottom line is: this crisis has just about hit rock bottom.

It is appalling to think that innocent animals are now being abused to get opioid prescriptions. And keep in mind, the amount given to animals isn’t even substantial (which means these people have reached lowest of the lows with their addiction).

Interestingly, there was another component revealed by this study as well. Not only are patients breaking the law to get their hands on more opioids; apparently veterinary staffers are doing the same. Nearly half of all vets surveyed suspected that someone on their staff was also addicted (be it a technician, office worker or receptionist). 12 percent believed that someone in their office could be selling part of their practice’s supply on the black market.

One big problem that this research addressed was the lack of opioid education among veterinary professionals. Unlike doctors, vets don’t undergo the same type of painkiller prescription training. They also are unfamiliar with how to handle an overdose. And the fact that they have the power to dispense these painkillers, makes this type of learning exercise vital.

“In conversations with these doctors, they often ask: ‘Well, what do we do? We need to treat pets who are in pain but we also need to know how to identify and handle suspicious behavior.’” study author Liliana Tenney told the website, Gizmodo.com. “But there’s not a lot of resources or training right now to direct these veterinarians.”

Well for the record, state laws mandate that any medical provider (including veterinarians) who stocks opioids must disclose their prescriptions to an online reporting system. Tenney believes that vets don’t have the same type of pressure as doctors when it comes to logging these in.

And, of course, any and all suspicious pet injuries need to be examined very closely and reported, if need be.  To help implement a positive change in the industry, Tenney and her team have created an online education course which we recommend sharing with all local vets.

Female Alcoholism May Be On The Rise

Typically, stories of wild drinking debauchery concern men. And historically, studies have shown that the male gender tends to be more prone to boozing. But the tide may be turning, according to data released by WebMD. Their research is starting to show a sharp rise in female alcoholism. Not only that, there are now more documented cases of women binging and suffering from chronic drinking issues, such as cirrhosis of the liver.

Truth be told, this may actually be a longstanding issue that is only now getting the attention it deserves. Recovery advocate (and Instagram influencer) Laura McKowen continues to highlight this problem across her social media profiles. Her stories trail it back several generations and include personal accounts of her own.

McKowen had initially thought of herself as a “casual drinker.” That is, until her habit began to interfere with the welfare of her family.

“I put [my daughter] in danger at a friend’s wedding. I left her unattended for a long period of time. She was 4,” McKowen told the site. “I knew eventually, I would lose custody of my daughter if I kept drinking. It was inevitable. I knew I would lose pretty much everything.”

Since entering treatment and coming clean, McKowen has become a fierce advocate of the recovery movement. She also has made it a point to bring the topic of female alcoholism to her 30,000 followers.

After sharing McKowen’s story, WebMD shared some alarming statistics about this growing trend. “High-risk drinking” among women (equating to 3 or more drinks consumed in 1 day), shot up by 58 percent over the past 15 years. There was also a stat about alcohol-related ER visits for U.S. females. That number increased by 5 percent over the last year, surpassing the growth rate for men.

And these habits are forming at a much younger age than previously thought. A recent study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that teenage girls are picking up the bottle much more frequently now than in decades past.

“Now, by eighth grade, more females than males are drinking,” a researcher told TheFix.com. “Females are now, for the first time in history, more likely to drink in 10th grade than males; and by 12th grade, where there used to be a big gap 10 or 15 years ago, it’s now dead even.”

As always, our hope is strictly to educate people about the facts and erase any stigmas women may have if they’re facing an addiction. If a mom, daughter or sister in your family is experiencing anything like this, get them help before it’s too late.

No Alcohol For New Moms

Alcoholism is obviously a crippling addiction and we all know that it can do tremendous damage to babies in utero. But additional research is showing that new moms need to avoid the bottle too. Just because the baby is born, doesn’t mean you have free reign to continue bad habits; particularly when you look at the serious risks associated with drinking and breastfeeding.

According to a new article in The Daily Mail, alcohol in breast milk can severely impact developing babies’ brain cells. It also reduces their thinking and reasoning abilities, potentially causing permanent damage that can live with these children for the rest of their lives.

There is also the deficiency component, as breast milk tainted with alcohol does not provide the vital nutrients needed for babies to grow and mature. And let’s not forget that being inebriated around an infant creates tremendous risks as well. Not only is your judgment impaired, your cognitive functions are severely impacted; raising the risk for an accident while holding a baby.

The common misconception is that drinking is ok after a baby comes to term. While we will all agree that expectant mothers should NEVER touch harmful substances, often times addicted parents feel that it is ok to resume their destructive behavior after a healthy newborn is delivered. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As the research showed, no alcohol should be consumed during the breastfeeding phase. Even a casual glass of wine could lead to a harmful transfer of alcoholic substances. And sadly, this is a fact that many new parents don’t realize.

“The safest option is to abstain from alcohol completely during both pregnancy and breastfeeding,” study author Louisa Gibson explained to The Mail.  “This study suggests that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, with every extra drink causing a little bit more harm.”

And this research was not conducted lightly. Over 5,000 mothers and babies were analyzed over a course of 10 years. Throughout that time, the development of children exposed to alcoholic breast milk was measured and significant issues were uncovered, from babyhood through middle school age. Further data showed that alcohol affected the daily functions of each of these babies, making it harder for them to focus and fall asleep.

Clearly if you have the urge to drink while nursing a young child, there is a serious problem afoot. If you sense this is happening to you or a new mom that you are close with, please reach out and get in touch with someone who can help.