Depressed people who are in treatment for alcoholism may benefit from being treated for both disorders at once, according to a new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Alcoholism and depression often appear together. In one study of over 43,000 adults, about 21% of those who were dependent on alcohol were also clinically depressed. Among the alcoholics in treatment, the percentage with both conditions was over 40%. Traditionally, patients go through alcohol detoxification, psychotherapy and residential treatment for alcohol dependencies first, and after that, their doctors and therapists address the problems of depression. The reason for this is that alcoholism can cause depression, and it is easier to diagnose depression once alcoholism is no longer in the picture. Also, medications for depression react with alcohol.

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Many families struggle on their own when someone they love has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol. They may be ashamed or just think they can fix it on their own. Often, the addicted person is simply too determined to continue using drugs and alcohol and will make false promises, outright lie, manipulate, and generally find ways to do so.

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A person’s struggle with addiction is never easy. Worse, admitting that one has a problem and needs help is only the tip of the iceberg. Many trials and tribulations await those who are serious about trying to kick their bad habit for good. But upon entering treatment, addicts should be supported and treated with respect and concern. They should also receive the most up-to-date, current care available to aid in their recovery. Unfortunately, the testimonies of many who leave recovery facilities are not consistent with this type of care.

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The use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes has been increasing over the last decade, and the profile of a typical drug addict is starting to change as well. Now, treatment programs are seeing many over-50 individuals addicted to prescription drugs originally prescribed to treat chronic pain or anxiety problems.

The changes are registering in other ways as well. From 2005 to 2009, there was a significant increase in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older. There were 11,235 visits in 2005 and 16,757 visits in 2009, an increase of 49 percent.

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When you’ve overcome substance abuse and gotten clean and sober, you’re in new phase of your life that’s called recovery.  But recovery isn’t just one path for everyone, and it isn’t time-limited. In fact, once you’ve kicked your addiction through rehab, you’ll actually be in recovery for the rest of your life.

That is, you will be in recovery unless you relapse. Relapse, or falling back into addictive patterns and use, is the greatest risk during the first 90 days or three months of early recovery. It’s during this time that the newly recovered need to be most diligent. Telling it like it is: the truth is that you need to be all in or all out. Halfway measures will only threaten your recovery.

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If you are just beginning your research on drug rehab treatment, you are likely wondering what the differences are between the types of rehabs. Some of the terms you may have seen are:

Long-term drug rehab

Residential drug rehab

Outpatient drug rehab

Holistic drug rehab

Alternative drug rehab

12-step drug rehab

Experiential drug rehab

Luxury drug rehab

Executive drug rehab

Hospital drug rehab

In an alarming trend, people looking for a marijuana-like experience with a seemingly lower risk are turning to K2, a synthetic blend of herbs that is smoked, snorted or eaten in several forms. Experts warn that K2 can have serious or lethal side effects and may be stronger in effect than marijuana or other drugs. It’s also difficult to detect the synthetic narcotic in drug tests, leading to higher numbers of use in the U.S.

K2, also called Spice, is legal in some states and is sold at boutique smoke shops. The substance is often referred to as a type of manmade marijuana, and is increasing in popularity across the U.S. It can be purchased online, in boutique shops or convenience stores – often alongside products like incense. The active ingredient in K2 is THC, a compound with psychoactive properties like marijuana. Despite misleading packaging, many users have become seriously ill and some have needed professional and medical assistance to stop using the substance.

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When we think of the words ‘addiction’ and ‘drug abuser,’ images of grandma and grandpa don’t come to mind. The elderly are often overlooked when it comes to the subject of drug misuse and abuse. However, as the baby boomers age and take various medications to counter aches and pains, the likelihood of prescription drug misuse increases.

Because aging can be hard on the body, those over the age of 65 account for 33 percent of all prescription medications dispensed in the United States. Also, since aging individuals usually take a variety of medications together to treat various ailments, the potential for dangerous or even fatal side effects increase. This combined with the fact that many elderly also suffer from memory lapse, can make the potential for overdose even worse.

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