Is a cure to drug addiction so simple that all that needs to happen is to have the addiction “turned off” in the brain? That is what some American researchers are claiming. A study in rats has found that stimulating a key part of the brain reduces compulsive cocaine-seeking and suggests the possibility of changing addictive behavior generally. As reported in www.ghanaweb.com. The study, published in Nature, was conducted by scientists at the Intramural Research Program of the Natio... [More]

Would you agree that treatment is not a prerequisite to surviving addiction? As a recovering alcoholic and drug addict it took years of treatment and effort for me to break free of alcohol and drugs. I would agree that it is nearly impossible to quit by yourself. Most addicts fee they can stop on their own. Some can – most cannot. As reported in well.blogs.nytimes.com. For most, it is imperative to listen to professional therapists and assumed responsibility for behavior. The reality of... [More]

I often end my blog entries on celebrities and athletes who have been busted for drug-related offenses with a statement about how I hope they get a good Massachusetts drug class and devote part of their lives to helping others from making the same mistake they did. Chris Herren is an example of a young man who is doing just that. Herren, a former professional basketball player, speaks to high schools around the country about the heroin addiction that derailed his life and career with the Boston... [More]

So many famous actors and singers use and abuse alcohol and drugs. Some succumb to their vices, while others overcome their addictions. It is nice to hear that one of my favorite singer’s appears to be one of the success stories. Many of you may not recognize the name Jacoby Shaddix. He is the lead singer for Papa Roach. The name of the band certainly gives one the understanding that this is a band that might partake in the consumption of illegal substances. As reported in www.washingtonp... [More]

Virtually everyone on the planet knows someone who has substance abuse issues. Before I ever started using drugs I sure knew a lot of people who used drugs and drank alcohol. At first I did not recognize they had substance abuse issues. As I started to experiment, I noticed some people had progressed to serious abuse. We made fun of those people. They were weak. It could never happen to us. Believe me folks, it can happen to anyone who ever tries drugs or alcohol. As reported in nationalgeograp... [More]

It is terribly sad to see someone suffering from the ravages of drug addiction. It always causes premature death and always decreases their quality of life while alive. The death of pop superstar Amy Winehouse could have been a wake-up call for her ex-husband. It seems to have been a trigger for his expediting his own demise. Winehouse's ex-husband is fighting for his life after collapsing following an apparent drink and drug binge. As reported in www.dailyrecord.co.uk. The 30-year-old Blake F... [More]

Are you addicted to cocaine? Have you tried to stop many times and never succeeded? There may be something new coming available that may help you finally kick that horrific habit. Here’s the deal – a fine-tuned combination of two existing pharmaceutical drugs has shown promise as a potential new therapy for people addicted to cocaine—a therapy that would reduce their craving for the drug and blunt their symptoms of withdrawal. As reported in www.sciencedaily.com. In laborator... [More]

Russell Brand is one of the Hollywood success stories (at least thus far) for celebrities overcoming serious addictions. He ranks right up there with Robert Downer, Jr. and Ryan O’Neal. Is it ironic that all three have first names that start with the letter r? Less than ten years ago Russell Brand was in the destructive grip of drug addiction. His life was about scoring drugs at all costs. As reported in www.thesun.co.uk. He admits that he was addicted to marijuana alcohol, speed, acid, ... [More]

Can you tell me why heroin is gaining in popularity among all age groups? I mean who in their right mind would start using heroin? As a recovering drug addict I can tell you that this drug will kill you or anyone else who uses it. If not for an overdose, it will kill in a plethora of other ways. So why is it making a comeback? Experts seem to think that our country’s addiction to prescription medication is the key factor. They believe that as the price of prescription meds goes up and the... [More]

Do you remember Charlie Sheen before he was a drug-addicted horses bottom? Do you remember him early in his career? My first recollection of Charlie was as the troubled teen at the police station in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off starring Matthew Broderick. Sheen played the bad boy Garth Volbeck who despite his appearance was a sweet and intelligent guy that wooed Bueller’s sister played by Jennifer Grey. He rocketed to stardom with outstanding performances in Oliver Stone’s Platoo... [More]