Counselor Magazine, the Magazine for Addiction Professionals

SUBSCRIBER LOGIN

News Briefs

Continued Decline in Youth Substance Abuse

Current illicit drug use among teens is continuing to decline, according to a new report by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released today. The study also shows positive signs that teens are seeing the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and methamphetamine and are pushing back. Among youth ages 12-17, the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the Nation's largest substance use survey, shows that the significant decline in overall past month illicit drug use that began in 2002 continued through 2007, from 11.6 percent to 9.5 percent.

The survey, released at the start of the 19th Annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, shows that the reductions in youth drug use occurred for nearly every type of illicit drug including marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, LSD, and Ecstasy. The survey also shows dramatic declines in meth use, down by 67 percent (from 0.3% to 0.1%) and prescription drug abuse among teens, which declined overall by 18 percent, from 4 percent to 3.3 percent between 2002-2007.

Polls

Can Recovering Drug Addicts Drink?

	Yes
	No
	I don't know

Special Offer

Letter from the Editor October 2007

Written by Stephanie L. Muller

Friday, 04 January 2008

Dear Readers,

We are quickly approaching that time of year where things seem to go into overdrive – summer is over, the kids are back in school and the holiday season will be upon us before we know it. Given our busy schedules, sometimes we need to remind ourselves to relax, take a deep breath and not become too caught up in the frenetic rat race our society has come to accept as normal. With that, I hope you will take the time to sit down and look at this issue of Counselor Magazine, which includes some features and columns that examine the importance of achieving some balance and control in our busy lives.

In the lead feature article, “Yoga: An Excellent Therapeutic Adjunct for Outpatient Recovery,” Katie Tandon, CACD discusses an important adjunct therapy for persons who are recovering from addictions. Many of us are aware of, and may even have firsthand experience with the potential physiological and emotional benefits of yoga. For recovering persons, who often experience physical imbalances, as well as emotional stress and anxiety, the practice of yoga can be a very practical approach to mind and body wellness, and could even help sustain long-term recovery and prevent relapse.

I am very pleased to introduce our next feature, in which Counselor Magazine continues its partnership with the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, with the common goal of bridging the gap between research and clinical practice in the addiction field. In their article, “A Model for Successful Medical Methadone Maintenance Programs,” Kenneth A. Harris, Jr., MD, PhD, Julia H. Arnsten, MD, MPH, Herman Joseph, PhD, Joe Hecht, RPh, Ira Marion, MA and Marc N. Gourevitch, MD, MPH, discuss their findings from a study in the Bronx, N.Y., that involved treatment of 127 patients using an office-based medical methadone maintenance (MMM) program to treat opioid dependence, rather than the standard treatment, administered at specially licensed methadone maintenance treatment programs. Previous studies in other countries indicate successful outcomes with the office-based MMM programs for selected patients.

Turning back the clock, author William L. White, MA, takes us on a trip through time to explore the rich history of the City of Philadelphia, and its prominent role in the history of addiction treatment and recovery in America. In his article, “A Recovery Revolution in Philadelphia,” White briefly reviews the creation of the city’s first treatment centers, and discusses some of the more recent innovative developments that has placed Philadelphia at the forefront of the recovery revolution.

Our next feature introduces a useful tool in teaching recovering people and their families about the progressive symptoms of addiction. In his article, “Symptoms of Addiction: Incorporating the New Brain Science,” author Terence T. Gorski provides a list of symptoms that support the science-based understanding that addiction is a brain disease.

The final feature in this issue looks at the stages of recovery, and provides insight to counselors and clients on developing personal recovery plans. In his article, “Firewall for Recovery,” author Michael Galloway, MEd, MA introduces us to the firewall strategy, for achieving and sustaining recovery.

Also in this issue, I am pleased to bring you an article by Carey Sipp, author of The TurnAround Mom: How an Addiction and Abuse Survivor Stopped the Toxic Cycle for Her Family, and How You Can, Too. In her article, “The TurnAround Mom Tells How She Neutralizes “Toxic Intensity – The Mother of All Addictions,” Sipp tells how she manages her anxiety, or “toxic intensity,” and offers some helpful advice on how others who grew up in addicted families can cope with their anxiety and break the cycle of addiction in their households. The book is available at www.hcibooks.com.

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns regarding the content of Counselor. You can reach me by phone (800) 851-9100, ext. 258, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Stephanie L. Muller
Editor
Counselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals
A Health Communications, Inc. Publication