Finding The Often Missed Link in Recovery

            You may know someone who is fighting to rise above a drug addiction.  Or, you may know someone who is struggling to overcome the symptoms of a mental illness. But you probably didn’t know that for more than 10 million Americans, the real obstacle is not one or the other—for many, it’s trying to recover from both.  
            ”The road to recovery is riddled with setbacks,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover President and CEO.  “One of the biggest hurdles for those with drug addictions is identifying and treating a mental illness that they may not even know they have. Likewise, many families do not recognize that their mentally ill family member also has a substance abuse problem.” 

            According to data from the National Co-morbidity Survey, between 41% and 65.5% of people with an addictive disorder also have at least one mental disorder, and 51% of those with a mental disorder also have at least one addictive disorder.

            Flory said, “In many instances, one problem may be discovered while the other issue is missed.  For example, symptoms of depression might first be detected by a parent or a teacher, but a drug addiction might not be revealed.  Or, a meth addiction could be exposed by the police department but bipolar disorder is not suspected.  Symptoms of one issue may overshadow or mask symptoms of the other.”

            One reason it can be so difficult to unravel the symptoms is because so many people simply don’t understand how substance abuse and mental illness work hand in hand.

            ReDiscover Counselor and IOP Coordinator Angie Lewis explained, “Individuals with both issues may wrongly imagine that their drug problem and their mental illness are completely separate from each other. They may compartmentalize their issues and only blame drug abuse for creating a life threatening situation.  Or, they may believe that the mental illness is the only cause of their pain. It’s actually more complicated than that.” 

            Common consequences that are associated with combinations of both substance abuse and mental illness include:

• Family problems
  
• Low self-esteem
  
• Anxiety
  
• Unemployment
  
• Increased emergency room admissions
  
• multiple hospitalizations 
  
• divorce
  
  
• abuse to self and others
  
  
• School problems
  
• High risk behavior while driving
  
• Legal problems
  
• Possible incarceration
  
• Homelessness
  
• Suicide
  
  

            Flory added, “Those who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse face a huge scope of problems.  It’s difficult enough to cope with one problem, but the effects can be devastating on an individual and an entire family when the two issues are at work and only half of the situation is understood. The symptoms of substance abuse and mental illness are intertwined because both issues deeply affect the thoughts, personality, emotions, and behavior of the same individual. That’s why ReDiscover provides integrated treatment for people with addiction and mental illness.”           

            Help is available.  If you suspect that someone you care about is struggling with a combination of substance abuse and mental illness, call ReDiscover’s Crisis & Access Line at 816-966-0900.  ReDiscover provides help, hope, and healing for mental illness and substance abuse.  ReDiscover is helping the community fight its drug problems by expanding its services to provide a new local program to help people in Lee’s Summit who have substance abuse issues.  

For more information, visit www.rediscovermh.org.

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Alarming Trend in Teen Drug Use

    If you guessed that marijuana was the Number One drug most often abused by American teens, you’re right.  But, what about the Number Two drug? You may be shocked to discover that it’s not cocaine, or heroin, or methamphetamines—instead, it’s the drugs found in the family medicine cabinet.           

            “Prescription drug abuse is a serious addiction issue for teens and adults,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover President and CEO.  “Parents need to be aware that some teens experiment with drugs by raiding the medicine cabinet at home, trying prescriptions that belong to other family members.  And, people with addictions may also steal prescription medications—especially pain killers—from medicine cabinets outside their own homes, including from grandparents or neighbors or friends.”

            According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug, except marijuana; more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined. Every day, 2,500 kids age 12 to17 abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time and more people are getting addicted to prescription drugs. Drug treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 300 percent from 1995 to 2005. 

            Some teens mistakenly believe that abusing prescription drugs is safer and less addictive than abusing street drugs.

            “Teens need to know that prescription drug abuse is every bit as serious as street drug abuse,” said ReDiscover Counselor Angie Lewis. “Medications may be accessible in their own home, but prescription drugs are dangerous and can be lethal when taken by people who were not prescribed to take them.”

            What are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs?

            Although many prescription drugs can be abused, The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused are:

• Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain;
  
• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; and
  
• Stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  “Drug abuse is still drug abuse whether people are using illegal street drugs or abusing prescription medications.“ Lewis said.  “Never use someone else’s prescription or allow a friend to use your medications.  It’s a serious health risk and it is also breaking the law.”
  

            Flory added, “Parents can help protect kids from prescription drug abuse by making some changes at home.  Think about what prescription and over-the-counter drugs you have.  Where are medicines kept? Would you know if some medications were missing?  It’s important to monitor and secure medications in any home. It’s also important to realize that not just teens are at risk—adults and older adults can develop prescription drug addictions.”

            Help is available.  If you suspect that someone you care about is experimenting with drugs or has a drug addiction, call ReDiscover’s Crisis & Access Line at 816-966-0900.  ReDiscover is a local leader in drug prevention and drug recovery.  ReDiscover is helping the community fight its drug problems by expanding its services to provide a new local program to help people in Lee’s Summit who have substance abuse issues.   For more information, visit www.rediscovermh.org.

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When Somebody You Love Has a Drug Problem

It may start with a blatant lie that you know is not possibly true.  Or, it could be that money is missing from your wallet…again.  Or, maybe it’s another hushed phone conversation or a constantly locked door that has caused you to realize that something is definitely wrong.

“It’s hard to admit that a loved one may have a drug or alcohol problem even if many signs indicate that it must be true,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover President and CEO.  “As a parent or spouse, you desperately want to believe that if there was a drug problem, you’d know it right away.  But, the truth is not every drug addict or alcoholic is incapacitated by their addiction. People with substance abuse issues can hold jobs, make payments on a car or house, go to school, and even maintain a family life.  It’s even possible for an addict to keep his or her addiction a secret from a caring parent or a loving spouse.”

But, eventually the substance abuse issue begins causing problems. 

ReDiscover Counselor Angie Lewis explained, “Sometimes an individual becomes entrenched in their drug or alcohol habit without realizing that a serious addiction problem is developing. Then, when life starts falling apart, the person may go to great lengths to deny that the use of drugs is the reason for the situation. Life’s problems may be blamed on other people or on other circumstances.”

Friends, co-workers, and family members want to believe the individual. 

According to Flory, “It’s upsetting and hurtful to everyone involved for someone you care about to be caught in a substance abuse crisis. The initial reaction may be ‘it can’t happen here.’  But all types of people in Lee’s Summit abuse drugs.  We see problems with youth, young adults, working people, and the elderly.  The most frequent drugs abused in Lee’s Summit include alcohol, marijuana, prescription drug abuse, opiates, and meth.”

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers these warning signs: if you notice unexplained changes in physical appearance or behavior, it may be a sign of substance use – or it could be a sign of another problem that requires help and attention.

Physical Signs

• Change in sleeping patterns
  
• Bloodshot eyes
  
• Slurred or agitated speech
  
• Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain
  
• Skin abrasions/bruises
  
• Neglected appearance/poor hygiene
  
• Sick more frequently
  
• Accidents or injuries
  
  

Behavioral Signs

• Hiding use; lying and covering up
  
• Sense that the person will “do anything” to use again regardless of consequences
  
• Loss of control or choice of use (drug-seeking behavior)
  
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  
• Emotional instability
  
• Hyperactive or hyper-aggressive
  
• Depression
  
• Missing school or work
  
• Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work
  
• Complaints from teachers or co-workers
  
• Reports of intoxication at school or work
  
• Furtive or secretive behavior
  
• Avoiding eye contact
  
• Locked doors
  
• Going out every night
  
• Change in friends or peer group
  
• Change in clothing or appearance
  
• Unusual smells on clothing or breath
  
• Heavy use of over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye reddening, nasal irritation, or bad breath
  
• Hidden stashes of alcohol
  
• Prescription medicine missing
  
• Money missing
  
• Valuables missing
  
• Disappearances for long periods of time
  
• Running away
  
• Secretive phone calls
  
• Unusual containers or wrappers
  
  

 

Flory said, “Do not ignore a drug or alcohol problem and assume it will go away! It won’t. Parents, get help for your kids. Do not let your teens and pre-teens go to parties without close adult supervision present, and make sure alcohol is not available if youth are underage. People abusing drugs and alcohol rarely stop on their own. Problems usually get worse unless you intervene. A loved one’s addiction usually hurts others as well as affecting everyone’s mental and physical health.’

Help is available.  ReDiscover is a local leader in drug prevention and drug recovery in the area.  In fact, as of July, this nonprofit is preparing to help the community fight its drug problems by providing new local services to people in Lee’s Summit who have substance abuse issues.  For more information, visitwww.rediscovermh.org.

www.rediscovermh.org.

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