You may have heard how individuals who work the night shift are more prone to depression than those who work during the day. This idea has long been associated with the disruption in their biological clock. It may be ethereal to some, but there is hard scientific evidence for the existence of the human biological clock and its importance to an individual’s long-term physical and mental health.
How Does an Individual’s Biological Clock Affect Their Mental Health?
Biological clocks are sets of molecules throughout the cells of the body that coordinate with a central clock in the brain to bring them all into synchronization. Many people use the term “biological clock” and “circadian rhythm” interchangeably; however, they are slightly different. An individual’s biological clock controls their circadian rhythm. These rhythms are the culmination of all of an individual’s physical, mental and behavioral changes within a 24-hour cycle. These changes are greatly influenced in most healthy organisms by the amount of light and darkness they experience. This is why night-shift workers or those living in the extreme north, experiencing months straight without daylight, often have negative effects on their behavioral health.
An Individual’s Circadian Rhythm Genes Play a Role in Alcoholism
A recent study at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center published in the journal of Translational Psychiatry, explored the link between circadian rhythm genes and alcoholism. There are “clock genes,” of which some are known as Per1, Per2 and Per3 that are significant in the proper timing of these rhythms. Current research estimates that approximately 10,000 genes in the human body are regulated by these “clock genes.” In past research, mutations in these genes have been associated with higher rates of addiction, alcoholism, mood disorders and increased stress levels.
Researchers isolated the Per3 gene and analyzed mutations of it to gain understanding of its individual role in stress, anxiety and addiction. They discovered that the location of the Per3 gene on the chromosome and how it expressed itself affected levels of stress, anxiety and addiction by throwing off the body’s clock. When alcohol was present, there was an increase in the Per3 gene activation along with a rise in stress levels.
These findings demonstrate from a genetic standpoint that alcohol use in and of itself is enough to increase rates of addiction. In addition, when you take into account the lifestyle of an addict or alcoholic, they generally are not following typical patterns of sleeping at night and being awake during the day. This throws off the healthy circadian rhythms, which can easily destabilize the individual’s mental health further.
How much do you think mutations in your circadian rhythm genes influence your tendency towards addiction or mental disorders? Do you think mutations have a primary role or are a secondary player? Let us know your thoughts and experiences below.
Matt Lauer from NBC’s Today Show interviewed Bill O’Reilly from Fox’s The Factor and got into a disagreement over the media’s handling of Whitney Houston’s passing. O’Reilly took the position that Houston’s addiction was never covered by the press except for a few sensational stories. In his column he spoke candidly saying, “The media has no bleeping clue how to cover the death of Whitney Houston.” When Lauer questioned him on this statement, O’Reilly further explained he felt all the major news outlets turned a blind eye to Houston’s problem.
Lauer And O’Reilly Debate If News Coverage of Celebrity Addiction Is Sensationalistic
Lauer took the counterpoint and stated that for years there had been coverage “detailing the addiction, the erratic behavior, the denial of addiction on the part of Whitney Houston.” However, O’Reilly responded that any of these stories were for shock value and not as a means to help the flailing star. O’Reilly made the point that he believes stars such as Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg who have openly acknowledged their own regular drug use are treated with a “wink, wink” by the media. He feels this is a form of subtle encouragement and sends a message that substance abuse is acceptable. Lauer felt this was “comparing apples and oranges” and said the confusion comes in when the news covered Houston’s personal troubles, but at the same time “celebrated her talent.”
What Is the Media’s Role in Celebrity Drug Addiction?
Perhaps the conundrum of covering celebrity addiction responsibly is that two opposing aspects of the individual are true – the addict and the amazing talent. Since it is the media’s job to report the truth, they must simultaneously put someone on a pedestal and discuss their weaknesses.
O’Reilly believes that sober celebrities should be taking part in public service announcements in the wake of Houston’s passing (despite the fact no one at this point knows the exact cause of death). He wants stars to come forward and publicly denounce celebrity drug use by saying “to the American public, you know, you don’t want to be like Whitney Houston, don’t be like Elvis, don’t be like Janice Joplin?”
Lauer questioned O’Reilly’s idea by asking if the media is “supposed to be in the position of conducting interventions.” O’Reilly evaded the question by saying they are in “the business of telling the truth.”
The disagreement between the two TV personalities highlights an issue that is ever present in the media nowadays. How do you think the media can handle a celebrity’s addiction responsibly? Do you think the media is responsible for intervening in a celebrity’s personal life if they are worried for their safety?
Someone with a good job and steadily climbing the corporate ladder is not the image that generally comes to mind when thinking of a person in need of drug or alcohol treatment. When a person who seems to have their professional life together admits they struggle with addiction, the reaction is usually one of disbelief. Somehow we tend to think if you are highly successful at work you are also successful in your personal life. This is not always the case. In fact, addiction can strike anyone, no matter how much responsibility they hold at work or how much money is in their bank account. High-functioning alcoholics and drug addicts are much more common in our society than most people know because it is a problem that by its nature is kept hidden.
Signs and Symptoms of a High-Functioning Addiction
There are clues that someone is struggling with an addiction even if many areas of their life appear to be on track. These signs include:
- Erratic behavior. Someone who usually seems to be a stable and hardworking individual starts becoming increasingly irrational, emotional or forgetful.
- Sense of entitlement. The individual feels justified to drink in excess or use drugs. They reason that their behavior is a reward for a job well done or they are doing it because they are under a high amount of stress.
- Frequent trips to the bathroom. A bathroom stall is the perfect place at work or social gatherings to conceal your use of drugs or alcohol.
- Constant excuses. A high-functioning addict will try to explain away any abnormal behavior that is due to their drug use, such as being late frequently or forgetting important events in their personal life.
Intervening With a High-Functioning Addict
When someone thinks of a drug or alcohol intervention, it is usually for those who have done significant damage to their lives or those they love. Often there have been incidents involving the law such as DUIs, car accidents or even arrests. There can be financial concerns from a lost job or money stolen from family or friends. However, what happens when these things haven’t occurred because, despite the fact that the individual is abusing a substance, they are still managing to keep the major components of their life together?
Trying to convince a high-functioning addict they need treatment is especially difficult because they can always defend themselves by saying, “If I have this terrible problem, how come I am so successful in my career?” Frequently a professional intervention is the only way a high-functioning addict will be able to get the help they need.
If you need help getting through to a high-functioning addict, contact us today. We can provide you with quality treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Don’t wait. Call now.
In 2001, after producing mega-hits since the 1980s that garnered her the nickname the “Queen of Pop,” Whitney Houston reportedly signed a deal with Arista records for $100 million dollars. And there have been guesstimates she earned upwards of $30 million during every year she toured. Many would say the wealth Houston accumulated with her versatile vocal chords over the years should have lasted many lifetimes, yet reports are surfacing that Houston died penniless.
Did Whitney Houston Lose Her Entire Fortune to Drugs?
The pop star was recently embroiled in a year-long lawsuit with her stepmother over a million-dollar life insurance policy. It would seem that type of money would not be worth the time, effort and legal bills to someone with Houston’s past earnings unless she was currently in financial trouble. In addition, rumors abound that Houston was barely staying afloat and avoiding foreclosure on her home from the kindness of close wealthy friends, such as record mogul Clive Davis. If this was indeed the case, many are citing Houston’s rampant drug use for the alleged loss of her pop music riches.
How Could a Mega-Fortune Vaporize So Quickly Due to Drugs?
The largest ramifications for Houston’s pocketbook most likely were not from the price of the drugs themselves, but from years of making little income. For nearly a decade now, Houston was unable to find regular work due to her undependable reputation. She rarely made it into the recording studio because drugs had overtaken her life. After Houston’s last rehab stint in May, Clive Davis told the media, “Whitney has admitted that she’s had to conquer a drug addiction. That takes all of her energy… we’re not going to make another record or an album until that golden voice is there and is fully capable to knock everyone out.”
For the average American with an addiction, who is without the fortunes of a megastar, the price of buying drugs themselves may be enough to produce financial ruin without even considering the additional cost of lost work and potential legal bills. We may not know for sure yet what Houston’s financial status was at the time of her death, but we can learn from the possibility. If a superstar with deep pockets has the potential to lose it all due to drugs, then the rest of us with average incomes are especially vulnerable.
If you are worried someone you care about is headed towards financial and emotional devastation due to their substance abuse, we can help. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Pick up the phone and discuss the possibilities of a better future today.
Season 2 Reunion of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has wrapped, and Kim Richards, aunt of Paris and Nicky Hilton, has returned from rehab. During this season, it became apparent that Kim was having dependency issues as the audience watched her erratic behavior, mood swings, slurred speech, drowsy demeanor and her frequent unexplained absence from group activities.
The audience was kept in the dark as to which substance Kim was abusing; however, her cast mates, namely Brandi Glanville, questioned whether or not Kim was doing harder drugs. Brandi actually accused Kim on camera of doing crystal meth in the bathroom. Kim denies any such thing and is still angry with Brandi for “hurting all the people I love” with her allegations. Kim claims her daughters were devastated by Brandi’s claim.
Kim did not participate in the reunion, although she had completed her rehab at the time of filming. Instead, she admitted for the first time publicly, in a one-on-one interview with Andy Cohen, that she is indeed an alcoholic and just finished a treatment program for the third time.
Kim Richards Admits to Struggling With a Dual Diagnosis
Additionally Kim shared with the audience that she suffers from a dual diagnosis of addiction to alcohol and severe anxiety resulting in panic disorder. She talked about medications prescribed by her doctor for anxiety causing some of the erratic behavior witnessed throughout Season 2. Although she talks about feelings of shame and guilt as a driving force behind her drinking habit, it was the realization that she could no longer look herself in the mirror that led her back to rehab.
Issues With Dual Diagnosis That May Lead to Relapse
For anyone in recovery, especially individuals with a dual diagnosis, stress can be a huge trigger for relapse. In the case of Kim Richards, participating in a high-profile reality show and exposing her private life to public scrutiny may have been too much stress to deal with on top of attempting to manage a mental disorder and maintain long-term sobriety.
Kim may also have run into trouble because certain medications used to treat mental disorders carry their own risk of dependency and addiction. Some of the effects of these medications mimic the actions of alcohol or illicit drugs and may be a trigger to return to abusing them.
These issues are why experienced professional treatment is key to a successful recovery for individuals with a dual diagnosis. If someone you know is struggling to get a handle on a mental disorder and addiction simultaneously, we have programs proven to help. Call us to make a change for the better. Pick up the phone today.
Turning to an exercise regime is a common strategy among individuals who are working hard to stay sober in the face of cravings and often dealing with emotional trauma for the first time in their lives. The fitness industry is so varied these days that almost anyone, even the most unseasoned of athletes can find something that appeals to them. From the yogic practices based on mind-body-spiritually to hardcore kickboxing or triathlete training, there is truly something for everyone. While one person may go for a brisk walk out in nature, another person is tackling a 100-mile bike race and yet another person is dancing up a sweat in Zumba class. Even the video game industry offers opportunities to get your blood and endorphins pumping through games that challenge the player’s physical fitness in a variety of ways.
The concern some people have for an addict in recovery is, “Can exercise become their new addiction?” Did they trade their cocaine high for a runner’s high? Not a bad addiction some may say; after all, it increases the person’s physical fitness, releases endorphins and keeps their mind off of doing drugs. What could be bad about that? If a little bit of exercise is good then a lot will be better. That’s an addiction we should all sign up for. Nothing wrong there, right? Wrong.
Too Much Is Simply Too Much
Anything when done to an extreme is unhealthy. Pushing yourself past your physical limitations can actually end up in poor health consequences, while emotionally an exercise addiction can leave a recovering drug addict extremely vulnerable to relapse. What if the person uses exercise as just another way to run from their feelings? What if they work out so hard that there is no time to process what is really bothering them?
How to Spot an Exercise Addiction
Okay, so it’s clear that too much exercise is not something to strive for, but how do you know when you have reached that point? Here are some clues someone may be relying too much on exercise during their recovery:
- Exercise is constantly chosen over the experiences that are most important in life, such as time with family, friends or involvement in community activities.
- The person will not miss a workout due to injury or illness.
- Any extra free time always goes towards training.
- Resentment occurs if something causes them to miss a workout.
- Anxiety, depression or mood swings arise if a workout is missed.
If you think someone has traded a drug or alcohol addiction for excessive exercise, they may need additional treatment services. Contact us today, and we can discuss all rehabilitation options available to assist someone with a balanced sobriety.
The Committee for Compassionate Medicine (CCM) has found a wealthy backer to help support their push to be part of the ballot in the November 2012 election in Massachusetts. Peter Lewis, head of the auto insurance company Progressive Corp. and reported billionaire, has contributed almost all the funds the group has raised this year. Of the $526,167 they have acquired, Lewis gave $525,000. The hope of Lewis and CCM would be to provide legal marijuana by prescription for patients with painful and incapacitating diseases like AIDS, multiple sclerosis and a variety of cancers.
This is not Lewis’ first venture into the campaign to legalize marijuana that has been a constant undercurrent in the US for decades. In Ohio, as a result of his efforts, signatures are currently being collected to put a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot in 2012 as well. In Ohio, glaucoma and Crohn’s disease are additional disorders that would be covered under the new law. Those with debilitating diseases would be allowed to produce, use and possess marijuana.
How Would the States Ensure Medical Marijuana Stays in the Right Hands?
The ballot question in Massachusetts would permit centers to grow, process and distribute medical marijuana and any related products and paraphernalia. Patients with written doctor approval would receive a card registered by the Department of Public Health certifying they are suffering from one of the authorized medical conditions. Laws would remain the same for driving while under the influence. The ballot question does not discuss insurance coverage nor does it try to force employers to allow employees to use while on the job.
Lewis Also Is Attempting to Legalize Marijuana for Recreational Use in Washington State
On the West Coast in Washington State, Lewis’ strategy is slightly different. Rather than pushing for medical marijuana use, he is attempting to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. In the ballot proposal, the state would license growers, distributors and sellers. In the process, they would impose a hefty 25-percent tax on the sale of the product, which would generate revenue for the state while regulating the safe distribution and sale of marijuana within their borders. This idea has not yet received approval for the November ballot, but many seem to believe it very likely will be there come Election Day.
Do you think legalizing marijuana for pain control related to debilitating medical conditions is a necessary step? What do you think of states making money off recreational use? Do you think legalizing either one or both types of marijuana use will increase abuse and addiction? Let us know your opinion below.
We as a society are so used to child actors being in the news for drug and alcohol use and watching as spectators as they have runs-ins with the law time and again, it is surprising when we find out one of the biggest young stars of the last decade managed to keep his alcoholism relatively quiet. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter for the duration of the epic movie series, was never seen on the L.A. party circuit. We never saw his mug shot plastered across the news for driving under the influence, or watched as he was traipsed in and out of courtrooms for ignoring a judge’s orders. Despite the absence of any negative behavior in the media, Radcliffe struggled with dependency on a daily basis throughout his teenage years.
Now Sober, Radcliffe Recalls the Years Caught in Addiction
The Harry Potter star is now 22 years old and in recovery, so he can look back on his days of hard drinking soberly and honestly. He has come to understand that he has an addictive disposition that he needs to keep in check. Although Radcliffe refuses to share many of the personal details while he was under the influence, he does acknowledge his relationship with alcohol became so unhealthy he was drinking to excess every night. His dependency accelerated to such a degree that he says he was unable to enjoy anything in life unless he was drinking. And to the shock of many fans, Radcliffe confesses that he can remember shooting many scenes in the Harry Potter series while under the influence, though he makes it a point to explain he never drank on set.
As his habit progressed, Radcliffe started blacking out frequently and wasn’t able to recall what he done. By the age of 20, he had become scared to leave the house because in his own words, “I was living in constant fear of who I’d meet, what I might have said to them, what I might have done with them, so I’d stay in my apartment for days and drink alone.” A year later at age 21, Radcliffe decided he needed help and sought out the services of an alcohol treatment program.
Although Radcliffe Is Famous, His Struggle Is the Same as Many Teenagers
Even though Radcliffe dealt with the pressure of being a role model to children the world over and used alcohol to cope, his addiction is similar to the issue faced by millions of teenagers in this country and abroad every day. Luckily for Radcliffe, he was able to perform his job and sought out treatment before his career was affected negatively.
If you or a teen you care about is struggling with drugs and alcohol, then learn from Radcliffe’s example and seek treatment before you lose everything. There is no need to hit rock bottom before you get help. Pick up the phone and discuss all the available rehab options we can offer you today.
The Massachusetts State Senate unanimously voted to pass a bill that calls for tougher regulations on the use of prescription painkillers. The abuse of these medications is causing addiction and criminal behavior across the United States, and the Massachusetts Senate wanted to take steps to reduce the incidents within their jurisdiction. The legislation will help to reduce excess pills floating around that can fall into the wrong hands and it forces doctors to sign up for a prescription monitoring program.
Since its establishment has been voluntary, only 1,700 out of 40,000 prescribes have registered for the prescription monitoring program, leaving it woefully inadequate for its purposes. The program does not aim to control doctors’ ability to prescribe medications; it will just stop patients from being able to receive multiple prescriptions from different doctors for the same painkiller, namely OxyContin and Vicodin. This process, known as “doctor shopping,” feeds many addictions and can easily lead to a deadly overdose.
Senate Bill Changes Vicodin Drug Classification
Currently, drugs in America are classified on a scale that determines their potential for abuse and dependence, and according to the emotional and physical consequences they produce on the body. The decision by the Senate moved Vicodin from a Schedule III drug up to a Schedule II, demonstrating belief that the prescription medication has a greater potential for addiction than its previous classification acknowledged.
Massachusetts Senate Hoping to Reduce Their State’s High Rates of Prescription Drug Abuse
The MA Senate was aware their state has one of the worst records for drug abuse and addiction, especially when it comes to both OxyContin and heroin. Prescription painkiller addictions often become too expensive and lead the user to turn to heroin, which works similarly but is much cheaper.
The state created a special commission that helped the Senate reach their unanimous decision. Over a five-year period, Massachusetts saw 3,265 of its citizens die due to opiate use, and in one calendar year experienced over 23,000 hospitalizations. When all costs associated with these statistics were calculated, taxpayers were out billions of dollars. Senator Wolf, who adopted the amendment stated, “The purpose of my amendment was to bring much needed attention to the fact that Vicodin is a powerfully addicting drug and needs to be recognized as such.”
Do you agree with the steps taken to stop prescription drug abuse by the Massachusetts State Senate? Do you think similar legislation should be adopted nationwide? Or do you have a different solution to the problem? Let us know what you think below.
GW Pharma, a British pharmaceutical company, is well on its way to getting the go-ahead in the US to market a prescription medication obtained from raw marijuana rather than synthetic components. The drug has already received approval in New Zealand, Canada and eight European countries, and many believe it will be on the shelves in America by the end of 2013.
The company is attempting to take Sativex to market, a mouth spray containing the active ingredients THC and cannabidiol, both found in marijuana. The hope is to sell Sativex to ease the muscle pain experienced from multiple sclerosis and for pain suffered by cancer patients. GW Pharma is at the end of advanced clinical trials and if they are able to get final FDA approval, it may turn the medicinal marijuana debate upside down in this country. Seeing as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies marijuana as having no medicinal value, using derivatives from the actual plant in an FDA-approved prescription will give more fuel to activists who question the legitimacy of the DEA’s position.
Complicating an Already Complicated Relationship
The U.S. has a strange relationship with marijuana. Currently, 16 states, including our country’s capitol of Washington, D.C., allow doctors to write medical marijuana prescriptions. Yet the plant is not recognized officially as one with any medical use. This is despite the fact that the FDA, over 20 years ago, approved the use of two prescriptions, Marinol and Cesamet, with synthetic THC as their main ingredient.
Some would argue the synthetic version is safer or more effective because it has been perfected in a lab, but no studies have been done to back up those claims. That is why the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is sponsoring research at the University of California at Davis comparing the effects of smoking marijuana to those of the synthetic Marinol in easing painful muscle spasms. When the results are completed, there may be the beginning of some baseline information in this arena.
Why Does a Pharmaceutical Company Make a Medicine Legit?
With abuse of prescription medications by far the fastest growing drug problem in America, why does it seem the government is willing to bend the rules for these companies who stand to make millions rather than bend them for the cancer patients who for decades have just wanted to legally ease their pain? The argument seems to be they fear rampant addiction if they were to make marijuana legal by prescription. However, haven’t the pharmaceutical companies already contributed to mass addiction problems?
What is your stance? Do you think marijuana should be made legal by prescription across the board? Or do you feel safer knowing a pharmaceutical company has designed the medication? Would you want to see the results of independent studies on effectiveness and safety before making a decision? Do you worry about increased numbers of addiction? Please let us know your thoughts below.
