iw 04.08 Addiction - inbusiness executives, stay-at- ... in the news, prescription drug abuse and...

P O W E R over A D D I C T I O N 1

Take an honest look atyour use of alcohol anddrugs. Are these sub-

stances necessary for you torelax, cope or escape fromeveryday life?

Repeated use of addictivesubstances, such as alcohol,some prescription drugs andcertain illegal drugs, depletescertain “pleasure” chemicalsin your brain.

There comes a point whenyou may become addicted dueto this chemical imbalance.

It’s as if a switch in thebrain is flipped, and you nolonger have the ability tomake free choices about thecontinued use of the drugs oralcohol. You may need themjust to feel “normal.”

You are not alone. Manypeople from all walks of life— including successfulbusiness executives, stay-at-home parents and teens —can fall victim to addictions.

The good news: You canlearn to compensate for thesechanges in your brain. You canlive a life of recovery. P O W E R

over

AddictionPresenting Sponsor:

As published in the April 2008 issue of Indianapolis Woman magazine

2 P O W E R over A D D I C T I O N

Compassion and aggressive treatment can change the face

of addiction Dear Reader,

My knowledge of addiction came early in childhood. My uncle was analcoholic, and I saw how the addiction tore his family apart. Later, whileworking in a hospital, I witnessed how alcohol had destroyed his liver in the

horrible end-stage consequences of an untreated addiction. Too soon, his life ended. Over the course of my career, the health of people from all walks of life has been

severely affected by the sadness and pain of drug and alcohol abuse. Addictiondestroys lives, shatters families and threatens the safety of our neighborhoods.Preventing addiction is not only important, but we all can play a role in prevention.Parents, please talk with your children and stay alert to the signs of drug abuse.

The 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data shows: >> 75.2 percent of Indiana high school students have tried alcohol, and >> 43.9 percent are current users of alcohol >> More than 37 percent of our youth have tried marijuana >> 18.9 perecent are current users>> 8 percent have tried some form of cocaine

These statistics should tell you that your children or grandchildren and theirfriends are at risk. Get involved in your community and school and encourageindividuals with substance abuse problems to seek help.

One of my favorite patients, a woman in her 80s and a cancer survivor, failed tocome in for a scheduled appointment. We called to check on her only to learn shehad been killed in an automobile accident. A 16-year-old driver ran a red light whilelegally intoxicated. Don’t let this be your child or grandmother.

Many Hoosiers who are dependent on drugs and alcohol are not receiving thetreatment they need. More needs to be done to support research and education

efforts to eliminate the stigma often attached to addic-tion. We must aggressively promote compassionatetreatment for those suffering from addiction.

I hope you better understand addiction after readingthe following stories and expert information. Then takeit to the next level –– use your influence to fight thechallenge of addiction that causes suffering in so manylives. Take the important first step toward your ownrecovery –– seek treatment to regain your dignity andhope. Or, encourage someone within your circle ofinfluence who can’t control alcohol, tobacco or drug useto get the help he or she needs.

JJuuddyy MMoonnrrooee,, MM..DD..

State Health Commissioner

T A B L E O F

CONTENTSUnderstanding Addiction ................3

Quiz: Addiction: Alcohol, drugs and tobacco ........................................3

Prescription Sleeping Pills ..............4

Prescription Drug Abuse..................4

Now “Blessed” ................................5

Women and Alcohol ........................6

Notes From the Field ......................7

Know the Terms ..............................7

For Health Care Providers................7

Nicotine: An Addictive Drug............8

Motivation to Stop ..........................9

Help Hoosiers Quit Smoking............9

Damaged Before Birth ..................10

Not So Invincible ..........................10

Know the Limits ............................11

Kids and Drug Abuse ....................11

Adolescents and Addiction............12

Treating Addiction..........................12

The End of the Tunnel....................13

Blood Alcohol Concentration for Women ................................13

Finding Hope ..................................13

About Addictions ..........................14

Setup for Failure ............................14

Making a Connection ....................15

Quiz Answers ................................15

Resources ......................................16

Thank you to our Sponsors ............16

Understanding

AddictionIdentifying the disease early can prevent

long-term health issuesby Timothy J. Kelly, M.D., Addictionologist, Fairbanks

Addiction is a chronic diseaserooted in genetic, psycho-logical and environmental

factors. The disease is characterized by:>> Impaired control over drinking

or using prescription or illicit drugs>> Continued use of the substance

despite adverse consequences >> Preoccupations with the drug or alcohol use >> Distortions of thinking, most notably denial >> Strong hereditary susceptibilityScientific research has identified the regions of the

brain affected by, and involved in, substance abuse andaddiction. The common denominator in the acuteeffects of all drugs of abuse is the activation of thebrain’s dopamine system, or the “fun center” of thebrain.

This kind of research helps us move away fromconsidering addiction a moral weakness and allows usto see it as a chronic medical condition, though theAmerican Medical Association defined alcoholdependence as a disease as early as 1954.

Between 20 percent to 50 percent of alcohol-dependent individuals are ever identified by theirattending physicians or emergency room physicians ashaving a drinking or drug problem. If you recognize thesigns of alcohol or drug abuse in yourself or a loved one,seek the advice of your health care provider. Researchhas proven that treatment for addiction is as successfulas treatment for diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

Seeking medical treatment of addiction candecrease the prevalence of associated health conditionssuch as:

>> Brain damage>> Liver disease >> Gastrointestinal problems>> Pancreatitis >> Cardiovascular disorders >> Cancer >> Nutritional deficiencies Early diagnosis and treatment are important pieces

in the puzzle of creating a long-term recovery supportsystem. *

“That addiction is tied to changes in brain structure andfunction is what makes it, fundamentally, a brain disease.A metaphorical switch in the brain seems to be thrownas a result of prolonged drug use. Initially, drug use is avoluntary behavior, but when that switch is thrown, theindividual moves into the state of addiction ...”— Alan I. Leshner, Addiction is a Brain Disease, and It Matters, CEO,

American Association for the Advancement of Science and former director of the

National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Addiction: Alcohol, drugs and tobacco

How much do you really understand?

11.. TTrruuee FFaallssee Everybody reacts to alcohol the same way. 22.. TTrruuee FFaallssee You’ll get drunk a lot quicker with hard liquor than with

a beer or wine cooler. 33.. TTrruuee FFaallssee More than anything else, drug addiction is a character

flaw. 44.. TTrruuee FFaallssee In addition to highly addictive nicotine, there are 27

harmful chemicals in cigarettes.55.. TTrruuee FFaallssee No one voluntarily seeks treatment until he or she hits

rock bottom. 66.. TTrruuee FFaallssee The liver has great restorative power and often is able to

repair some of the damage caused by alcohol. 77.. TTrruuee FFaallssee Addiction to nicotine is only physical. 88.. TTrruuee FFaallssee There is a connection between heavy alcohol consumption

and increased risk for cancer. 99.. TTrruuee FFaallssee Women are the fastest-growing segment of substance

abusers in the United States. 1100.. TTrruuee FFaallssee Most people addicted to drugs and alcohol are unemployed. 1111.. TTrruuee FFaallssee First use of alcohol typically begins at age 12. 1122.. TTrruuee FFaallssee Teenagers abuse prescription drugs more than any illicit

drug except marijuana.

(Answers on page 15)


Timothy J. Kelly


Prescription drug abuseMedical treatment can become an addiction

by Deb Wezensky

OxyContin, Vicodin orother opioid painkillers.And worse, monthslater, you may be takingthe drug more often,with less time betweendoses, Brenner says.Now the pain of injuryis compounded by the discomfort of with-drawal from the prolonged use of painmedication. Now you are experiencingintensified pain levels that beg for moreprescription drugs. Perhaps you tell yourdoctor that some of the pills met with ademise so you need more. Without propermonitoring from your doctor, you may befilling your prescription sooner than if youwould have taken the drug as prescribed.

SSlleeeeppiinngg ppiillllss oorr sseeddaattiivveess

Perhaps the demands and stresses of yourlife have kept you from sleeping enoughhours each night. Our busy lifestyles causemany of us to have a sleep deficit. Lack of sleepmay begin to affect your job performance.

You may find you almost fall asleep atwork or while driving, or you just can’t stopthinking about concerns you have aboutfinances, your marriage, your divorce or yourchildren. You seek the advice of your doctorand you get a prescription for a sleeping aid,such as Halcion, Sonata or Lunesta.

TTrraannqquuiilliizzeerrssMaybe stress and anxiety have caused

disruptions in your ability to function in

Though stories about increased use ofthe stimulant methamphetamine arein the news, prescription drug abuse

and addiction problems are not new. In the1960s and early ’70s, the prescription ofmethamphetamines, especially for womenwith an unhealthy fixation on physical image,was rampant, says George Brenner, licensedclinical social worker and director ofAddiction Services for Community HealthNetwork. Instead of a focus on nutrition andexercise to maintain a healthy self-image, ourculture promotes the “quick fix.”

We live in a time of instant gratification.The temptation is to take a pill to look andfeel good, instead of doing the work tocreate healthier lives. This shortcut approachoften causes more threatening health issueslike abuse and possible addiction when drugsare the only treatment sought as solutions tohealth issues. Some prescription drugs thatnegatively affect many women are painkillers,sleeping pills and tranquilizers.

PPaaiinnkkiilllleerrss oorr ooppiiooiidd ddrruuggss

You may have chronic pain from a caraccident or a fall, or you pulled a musclewhile working out. Or, perhaps, you arerecovering from surgery, suffer from achronic disease, such as fibromyalgia orsevere arthritis, or are undergoing cancertreatments. Your health care provider is likelyto prescribe a painkiller to help you manageyour pain.

But long after you have recovered from yourinjury, illness or surgery, you still are taking

PrescriptionSleeping Pills Safe use requires a doctor’s careand monitoring

THE MAYO CLINIC OFFERS THESEtips for taking prescriptionsleeping pills:

GGeett aa mmeeddiiccaall eevvaalluuaattiioonn..Before taking sleeping pills, your doctor can help you identify reasonsfor your insomnia. Sleeping on a regular schedule, exercising regularly,avoiding caffeine and daytime naps,and keeping stress in check are helpful foundations to an effectivetreatment. You may want to considerbehavioral therapy as an effectivealternative to taking prescriptionsleeping pills on a longer-term basis.

Only take a sleeping pill whenyou’re going to bed. Taking a sleeping pill, then trying to do thingsmay lead to dangerous situations inwhich you’re not aware of whatyou’re doing.

AAvvooiidd aallccoohhooll.. Alcohol alonecan cause insomnia. Never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. Alcoholincreases the effects of the pills.Even a small amount of alcohol combined with sleeping pills canmake you feel dizzy, confused or faint.

QQuuiitt ccaarreeffuullllyy.. When you’reready to stop taking sleeping pills,follow your doctor’s instructions;read the directions on the label.Some medications must bestopped gradually to avoid unpleasant withdrawal effects.

KKeeeepp aann eeyyee oonn ssiiddee eeffffeeccttss..If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day, talk to your doctor aboutchanging the dosage or discontinuingthe pills. *

George Brenner


Iam blessed” were the first words out ofTonya’s mouth when asked about her formerlife of addiction. “It’s an honor to tell my

story,” she says. “I hope my words caninspire someone today who is walking in aplace where I once was.”

Tonya’s life is very different now than it wastwo years ago when she took the first step towalk away from her addiction to cocaine.

While growing up, Tonya’s childhood wasless than ideal. Her mother worked multiplejobs to support her family — often leavingTonya with the burden of cooking, cleaning,doing laundry and caring for a younger sibling.

After doing homework and caring for aneighbor’s two boys at night, Tonya had littletime for herself.

By the time she was 25, Tonya already hadexperienced the deaths of three of her fourchildren. Her youngest son died at the age of6 months. Her mother died two months later.

Calmly, she says, “Life goes on. It goteasier, time heals, but some things arenever forgotten.” When the love of her lifethen died, she “couldn’t take it any more.” Itseemed that everyone she loved died. Tonyalay down on the couch and didn’t get up.

““RReelliieeff”” ffrroomm aa rreellaattiivvee

Seeing Tonya’s depression, a close relativestopped by with cocaine and said, “Here, trythis.” From that day on, she was addicted;the euphoria of the drug numbed all her uglyfeelings, recalls Tonya, who asked that herlast name remain confidential.

It was “a way to deal with all the pain andsorrow that consumed my entire life,” she says.As long as she used, she didn’t have to think,remember or deal with her heartache.

While her career as a patient care technicianprovided Tonya a successful life, it alsosupported her uncontrolled cocaine use.Eventually, her work suffered, her patientload diminished and she lost her job. She nolonger cared about her family, friends, thedog — or herself, she recalls.

What she did care about was when shewould use cocaine next. Tonya resorted to anincreasingly regrettable lifestyle to continueusing. Her weight dropped to 98 pounds.Any money she could make paid for her

Now “Blessed”Walking away from the poison of addiction brings new life

by Deb Wezensky

cocaine use. Sliding into the very bowelsof addiction, an arrest rescued her.

AA mmoommeenntt ooff ttrruutthh

The day of her rescue came none too soon.From repeated and intensified use, Tonya’sblood level was saturated with cocaine. Theaddiction brought her close to death. Oneparticular officer arrested Tonya one moretime. He was the man who continued tointervene in her broken life; this man who was“doing his job” became her “angel,” she says.

On that day, she was rescued from hersubstance use addiction, and a sense of peaceenfolded her. From that day on, she becamestrong. A critical three-day hospital stay gaveTonya the chance to think seriously abouther recovery.

Today, Tonya works with a counselor atMidtown Community Mental HealthCenter to heal past wounds. She never hastaken time to truly care for herself. She isbeginning to acknowledge the pain that hasbeen buried inside her. She shares how somepeople may say she is making an excuse forher addiction. She now feels valued andrespected as she shares what has been hiddenso long by denial and drug use.

Tonya looks forward to her future whenshe has recovered enough to provide supportto others.

AA nneeww wwaayy ttoo lliivvee

Tonya knows a person has to want to changeand, if she is willing, there are answers. TheAlcoholics Anonymous book has given her away to live healthier. She says emphatically,“It works — just follow the 12 steps.”

She also advises people suffering fromaddiction seek a support system that canshow you the way to change your destructivethought patterns and habits. Relating to otherswho “have been there” is extremely helpfulwhen walking away from addiction.

People “were there when I was ready. Myteachers appeared when I was ready,” saysTonya, as she reflects on her recovery. If just oneperson who hears her story realizes what itmeans to be poisoned by addiction — and thentakes that first step toward recovery for new life,Tonya says, her life is blessed once again. *

daily life. You consult your doctor, and he orshe prescribes a tranquilizer such as Xanax. Ithas a shorter “half life,” which means it getsin and out of your system more quickly tohelp you avoid feeling anxiety. But it ishighly addictive. The problem is thatwhenever the triggers for your anxiety occuragain, you are quick to take another dose ofXanax to get “instant” relief. Anything thatprompts “going to the well over and overagain” and quickly alleviates symptoms ismore addictive, Brenner says.

Brenner recommends talking to yourphysician to see if an antidepressant is anoption for treating anxiety.

TTaakkiinngg ccaauuttiioonnSo, while properly used prescription

painkillers, sleep aids and tranquilizers havea valuable role in maintaining our health, theabuse of them often can lead to additionalmedical problems and even addiction. Researchshows 2 million Americans use opioidpainkillers a year. In some communities, abuseof prescription painkillers has overtaken cocaineand marijuana use, according to the 2002National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.

How can the prevalence of prescriptiondrug abuse and addiction be reduced?

Careful screening and monitoring bydoctors is key. Screening for prescription drugabuse can be a routine part of medical visits.Your doctor should ask about any substanceabuse history, your current prescription andover-the-counter use, and reasons for use tohelp determine if you are at risk for abuse ofprescription drugs, Brenner advises.

Take medications according to your doctor’sadvice. Understand the need for eachmedication. Take them correctly at the rightdosage and time. Inform your doctor andpharmacist if you feel your medications areworking differently than prescribed.

Your doctor should check to see if youstruggle with alcohol use. Doctors shoulduse the CAGE questionnaire (see page 7),Brenner says, to determine if you have analcohol dependency. Your doctor also shouldask if you have tried to cut back on alcoholuse and have not been able to. He or sheshould ask if people have annoyed you bycriticizing your use. Let your doctor know ifyou have felt guilt because of your use.

And last, let your doctor know if you feelthe need for an eye opener first thing in themorning to steady your nerves or get rid of ahangover. *


Studies indicateabout 5.3 mil-lion American

women drink alcoholto excess — four ormore drinks per weekas defined by theAmerican Society of

Addiction Medicine.Heavy drinking can result in conse-

quences that affect health, safety andgeneral well-being.

Women are more susceptible thanmen to many of these adverse effects dueto factors like lower body weight, lowerpercentage of body water (in which alcoholis transported) and the absence of anenzyme system present in the digestivetracts of men. This enzyme breaks downsome of the alcohol before distribution tothe brain, liver and other organs.

The result is higher blood alcohol levels

Women and AlcoholAlcohol’s negative effects harm females disproportionately

by Rebecca H Kelly, MD, president of the Indiana Society of AddictionMedicine, Medical Director of Women’s Program, Fairbanks

in women causing them to become moreintoxicated than in men when equalamounts are consumed. Women also areknown to develop cirrhosis at an averageage of 35, compared with an average ageof 45 for men.

Alcohol has been implicated in thedevelopment of serious diseases likecancers (breast, liver and others) and inaccidents, suicides, homicides and domesticviolence.

The adverse effects of alcohol on theunborn have been well documented.What is not known is how much alcoholis required to cause this damage known asFetal Alcohol Syndrome. Therefore,pregnant women are advised not to drinkalcohol at all.

For more information and an assessmentof your personal risk, discuss your concernswith your doctor as you would anyhealth question. *

“Substance use is the most

common chronic disease and

public health issue in pregnancy

affecting 12 to 18 percent of

pregnant women in Indiana.

Unfortunately, less than 5

percent of users are ever

identified. Health care providers

must overcome misconceptions

that drug abuse in pregnancy

is limited to rural crystal meth

users or urban crack smokers.

It is just as common in middle

and upper class women living

in the suburbs. The most

important hurdle to overcome

is the failure to use a simple

and effective screening

approach to detect substance

abuse during pregnancy. When

identified, 50 percent will

‘clean up’ if their doctor simply

tells them to stop, and with a

little encouragement, 85

percent of our patients were

clean at delivery. Moreover,

pregnancy enhances recovery;

65 percent of women who

recover during pregnancy are

clean one year after delivery. — James J. Nocon, M.D., J.D., chairman,

Indiana Prenatal Substance Abuse

Commission; director,

Prenatal Recovery

Clinic, Wishard

Memorial Hospital

Rebecca J. Kelly

James J. Nocon


Notes From the

FieldProject Home delivers hope to

women struggling with addictionsby Deb Wezensky

tudies have shown one drink a daycan be healthy for a woman.

However, many of us don’t take intoconsideration another fact: Though that onedrink may be fine for one woman, it couldbe the first step toward addiction for another.

No one takes a drink or uses drugs thinking,Today, I’m going to become addicted.

But some brains react differently to alcoholand other addictive substances, experts say.And that difference can lead to addiction.Then cravings for the substance or substances ofchoice take precedence over other pursuitsand goals. One day, you wake up and realizeyou have lost your life.

The hopes and dreams for many womenthroughout our community are drained bysubstance use disorders. Though addictionaffects women across all social and economicallevels, a local center has stepped in to assistsome of the most vulnerable.

At Project Home, which offers substanceabuse services as part of MidtownCommunity Health Center, staff membersnoticed substance use often became a meansof coping for many pregnant women whocame to the center.

The center, which has evolved to meetthat specific need, is now an outpatient sitethat provides treatment for women carryingan unborn child who have substance usedisorders. The majority use cocaine, alcoholand marijuana. Many cases are supportedthrough Medicaid or Wishard Advantage.

Licensed clinical social workers TanyaThompson and Stephania Lovell, who workwith Project Home clients, say women donot have to be alone in their struggle withaddiction.

By counseling women to stop denyingtheir addiction, they offer tools andresources to enable their clients to help themlearn a new way of life — one free fromaddiction. *

For health care providers:THE CCAAGGEE QUESTIONNAIRE CAN HELP HEALTH CARE PROVIDERSdetermine whether a patient is alcohol dependent, according to J.A. Ewingfrom the Journal of the American Medical Association.

11.. Have you ever felt you should CCuutt ddoowwnn on your drinking? 22.. Have people AAnnnnooyyeedd yyoouu by criticizing your drinking?33.. Have you ever felt bad or GGuuiillttyy about your drinking?44.. Have you had an ““EEyyee ooppeenneerr”” first thing in the morning to steady

nerves or get rid of a hangover?Scoring: Count one point for each positive answer.A score of 1 to 3 should create a high index of suspicion and warrants

further evaluation.Score of 1 — 80 percent are alcohol dependentScore of 2 — 89 percent are alcohol dependentScore of 3 — 99 percent are alcohol dependentScore of 4 — 100 percent are alcohol dependent

S

Know the Terms

AAddddiiccttiioonn —— Uncontrollable, compulsive substance seeking and use — even in theface of negative health, legal and social consequences.

BBiinnggee ddrriinnkkiinngg —— Having five or more drinks on the same occasion on at leastone day within 30 days. For women, it’s three or more drinks on the same occasion.

HHeeaavvyy ddrriinnkkiinngg —— Binge drinking on at least five days within a 30-day period.IInntteerrvveennttiioonn —— The process in which a group of prepared, concerned parties

intervene to encourage a person to get help for a substance use disorder.PPhhyyssiiccaall ddeeppeennddeennccee —— A state of adaptation that often includes tolerance

and is manifested by a specific withdrawal syndrome produced by abrupt cessation orrapid dose reduction. This can include nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety.

RReeccoovveerryy —— Abstinence from abusing substances plus a return to physical, mentaland social health.

RReeccoovveerryy ssuuppppoorrtt ggrroouuppss —— Groups that gather to help themselves andsupport one another in their recovery.

RReellaappssee —— The recurrence of symptoms and behaviors of substance use disorders,following a period of abstinence.

RRooaaddss ((oorr ppaatthhss)) ttoo rreeccoovveerryy —— The use of multiple paths, like clinicaltreatment, 12-step programs, medication-assisted recovery and faith-based recovery, toachieve successful recovery.

SSuubbssttaannccee ddeeppeennddeennccee —— A cluster of cognitive, behavioral and physiologicalsymptoms that indicate the individual continues use of the substance despite significanthealth, social and psychological problems.

SSuubbssttaannccee uussee ddiissoorrddeerr —— Includes misuse, dependence and addiction totobacco, alcohol and/or legal and illegal drugs.

TTrreeaattmmeenntt —— Planned, intentional intervention in the health, behavior, personaland/or family life of an individual suffering from substance abuse so he or she no longerabuses drugs, alcohol or uses tobacco so that physical and mental health can berestored.

Source: Substance Use Disorders: A Guide to the Use of Language, 2004, U.S.Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse and Mental Health ServicesAdministration

Nicotine: An Addictive DrugIt’s never too late to stop the cycle of tobacco addiction

by Deborah M. Hudson, B.S., R.R.T, program manager, Clarian Tobacco Control Center


Of the 4,000 chemicals and toxins intobacco, 63 are known to causecancer, and one is highly addictive.

That chemical, or drug, is nicotine. Theamount of nicotine found in most tobaccoproducts (cigars, pipes, cigarettes, chewingtobacco) doesn’t cause heart disease, canceror even lung disease. It does, however,leave people wanting more. That’s becausenicotine results in a number of pleasurablefeelings after it is used. It gives the user moreenergy, relaxes them, alters their mood, helpsrelieve stress, suppresses the appetite, and thelist goes on. This is why it can be difficultto quit.

Nicotine addiction is complex. It is athree-part addiction: physical, psychologicaland behavioral/social. The visual image ofa three-link chain helps to conceptualizethe complexity of nicotine addiction.Additionally, each person’s nicotine addiction isdifferent and has different intensity levels aseach of these links can vary in intensity fromperson to person.

Tobacco or nicotine addiction is similarto many other drug addictions. It has beendetermined nicotine is more addictive thancocaine or heroine. Unlike cocaine andheroine, though, tobacco users becomeaddicted as young as age 10 and usually haveonly smoked occasionally.

As with other drugs, nicotine use leads toa “cycle of addiction.” It begins when thedrug first is taken into the body, with nineout of 10 women smokers before 19 yearsof age.

Cigarette smokers inhale the smoke andwithin seven to 10 seconds, nicotine hits thebrain. After a while, the effects have “wornoff,” and the individual is left wanting more.

After repeated use, the individual needsmore and more to get the same effect. This iscalled tolerance. In turn, the individual mayfind he/she is increasing the amount oftobacco used. He/she may become irritable,experience a “craving” for a cigarette (dip,cigar, etc.), have difficulty concentratingor become restless after going for periods oftime without a “nicotine fix.” These are all signsof withdrawal. To avoid this uncomfortablefeeling, another cigarette or dip is used. Andso the cycle continues.

So, if nicotine doesn’t cause heart disease,lung disease and cancer, what’s the harm insmoking? The harm comes from the 3,999other chemicals and gases in the tobaccosmoke, or tobacco juice for smokeless users,such as acetone, benzene, cyanide, arsenicand formaldehyde. These chemicals areinhaled into the lungs with the rest of thesmoke. From the lungs, the smoke goes tothe heart and is pumped through the rest ofthe body, bathing the entire body in cancer-causing and harmful chemicals.

Cigarette smoking plays a major role inthe deaths of women in Indiana and acrossthe world. Approximately 90 percent of alllung cancer deaths among women areattributable to smoking. Though the numberof lung cancer deaths in women surpassesthe number of breast cancer deaths, manyother health consequences among women

are related to tobacco use:>> Cancers of mouth, bladder, pancreas,

kidney, breast, larynx, esophagus, liver, colonand cervix

>> Cardiovascular disease>> Stroke>> Lung diseases, like emphysema, chron-

ic bronchitis, asthma, resulting in increaseddeath rates among women for the past 20 to30 years

>> Menstrual problems, like painfulmenstruation, absence of menstruation,irregularity, menopause at younger ages,more severe menopause symptoms

>> Reproductive problems, like difficultygetting pregnant, infertility, ectopic pregnancyand spontaneous abortion

>> Lower bone density and increasefracture risks

>> Rheumatoid arthritis>> Cataract and age-related macular

degeneration

In Indiana, 4,125 women die each yearfrom smoking. These women leave behind260 children younger than 18 and 1,800older than 18.

It’s likely many of these children have orwill experience health effects themselvesfrom the secondhand smoke (SHS) theybreathed. SHS has been determined toincrease the chances exposed children willsuffer from:

>> Coughs and wheezing >> Pneumonia>> Bronchitis >> Ear infections>> Asthma >> SIDS

Health effects related to the smokeencountered inside their mother’s wombinclude:

>> Still births>> Low birth weight, meaning sicker

babies, not just smaller babies>> SIDS>> Respiratory problems>> Ear and eye problems>> Growth and mental retardation>> Attention deficit disorder >> Other learning and developmental

problems. *

Deborah M. Hudson

Lisa White smoked for 15 of her 31years. She always had wanted to quitsmoking, but whenever she tried, she

says, it never happened. She found herselfcoming up with every excuse in the book:She was “too stressed at work,” or shewould reason “I’ll quit next week.”

White knew smoking not only causedmajor health issues but also wrinkles. Yetshe continued to smoke. Then somethingmade her commitment to quit smokingunshakeable.

Her father, a state trooper, was diagnosedwith throat cancer. He underwent all sortsof treatments to stop the disease, includingchemotherapy and radiation — but it justdidn’t going away. He was miserable. Hecouldn’t eat, had no saliva in his mouth andcould barely talk, White recalls.

When White’s 8-year-old son saw what

Motivation to StopA son’s plea makes his mother’s good intentions to quit smoking

turn to actionby Deb Wezensky

his grandfather experienced, his anguishedresponse hit home. He implored her,“Mom, don’t you see what Papa is goingthrough? What if that happens to you? Iwant you to quit smoking!”

White’s heart sank when hit with therealization she really needed to quit. Shedidn’t want her children to see her die orexperience such pain and suffering fromsmoking. She started thinking more clearlyabout her addiction to tobacco.

“I still have the rest of my life aheadof me, and I want my future with myhusband and two children to be a healthyone,” she says.

So, while White’s mind told her shewanted just one cigarette, her heart toldher to be strong and say “No.” Thoughshe found breaking her tobacco habitextremely tough, White reminded herselfit was “mind over matter.”

White quit cold turkey. Though shecraved cigarettes in the early days, hersupport system of family and co-workershelped her successfully stay smoke free.Looking at her life ahead, her family, herloved ones and her father’s fight withcancer, made White proclaim, “I amdoing this!”

And she did. White has triumphed overher addiction to tobacco. *

Help HoosiersQuit Smoking

by Karla Sneegas, ExecutiveDirector, Indiana Tobacco Prevention

and Cessation

Resources are available to help youbreak your addiction to tobacconow.

Research shows when smokers combinethe use of health coaching or counselingtogether with some type of stop-smokingmedication the rate of quitting jumpsfrom a mere 3 percent (cold turkey) tomore than 20 percent.

Indiana offers access to such assistancethrough its toll-free Indiana TobaccoQuitline, a free service for Hoosiers whoare ready to quit. It offers free healthcoaching.

While supplies last, free nicotine patchesor gum also are offered to callers to assistthem in the first two weeks of their effortsto quit.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669.

The Indiana Tobacco Quitline is fundedby the 2007 increase in Indiana’s cigarettetax. Research shows higher cigarette taxesare one of the most effective ways to reducesmoking among youth and adults.

The rising number of smoke-freecommunities also supports these smokerswanting to quit and protect nonsmokersfrom breathing harmful secondhandsmoke.

The 2000 U.S. Surgeon General’sReport on Reducing Tobacco Use foundsmoke-free laws “have been shown todecrease daily tobacco consumption andto increase smoking cessation amongsmokers.”

With these effective strategies, thetobacco addiction can be broken. *


“Addictions are brain diseases to which adolescents and thementally ill are particularly biologically vulnerable. Unfortunately,society and the health care industry still do not recognize addictionsas biomedical illnesses that should be treated as a cornerstone ofpreventative medicine. Until we support the development of astrong, scientifically informed and widely available psychiatric andaddictions treatment infrastructure that can provide evidence-basedcare to both adolescents and their parents, the cycleof addiction will continue at its present pace ...” —

Andrew Chambers, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Indiana

University School of Medicine; Director, Laboratory for Translational

Neuroscience of Dual Diagnosis and Development

Lisa White with her sons and father

Andrew Chambers


One of the leading preventable causesof poor birth outcomes, includingstillbirths, miscarriages, mental

retardation, fetal alcohol syndrome andrespiratory problems in Indiana is the use ofalcohol, tobacco and other drugs duringpregnancy.

Education, treatment and support dohelp women decrease or stop substance useduring their pregnancies. Helping themlocate these programs is each person’sresponsibility.

The Prenatal Substance Use PreventionProgram (PSUPP), is administered by theIndiana State Department of Health andfunded by the Indiana Division of MentalHealth, the Indiana Tobacco Prevention andCessation Program and Maternal and Child

Health Services. The goal is to preventpoor birth outcomes by ensuring babies inIndiana are born to women who decreaseor eliminate alcohol, tobacco and otherdrug use during pregnancy.

The PSUPP program has 18 clinicsthroughout the state and collectivelyserves, but is not limited to, constituentsfrom 25 Indiana counties. They are Allen,Clark, Dearborn, Dubois, Delaware,Elkhart, Franklin, Grant, Jennings, Lake,LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Ohio, Owen,Pike, Putnam, Ripley, Spencer, St. Joseph,Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh,Vigo and Warrick.

The program supports three objectives:>> Identify high risk, chemically depend-

ent pregnant women, promote abstinenceand provide referrals for treatment/follow-up.

>> Facilitate training and educationfor professionals and para-professionalswho do not provide substance abuse treat-ment, but do work with women of child-bearing age.

>> Provide public education on the pos-sible hazards to a fetus when ATOD areused during pregnancy.

RReeaalliizziinngg ssuucccceessss

Quarterly and annual reports showimproved birth outcomes; a reduction/termination in substance abuse; increasedcommunity awareness about the hazardsof substance use during pregnancy;increased involvement from serviceproviders and physicians to assist preg-nant women to stop using alcohol,tobacco and other drugs; and increasedcommunity and professional networkingto capitalize on programs in place alreadyserving the PSUPP target population.

The following is a trend analysis fromall the PSUPP clinics:

DamagedBefore Birth

Various programs target substanceuse during pregnancy

by Carolyn S. Waller, Ph.D., IndianaState Department of Health

Not So InvincibleA teen learns the hard way about

the consequences of addiction by Deb Wezensky

Kelsey, who askedthat her last namenot be disclosed,

was only 13 when shefirst started using alcoholand drugs. Like mostteens, she felt invincible,says Kelsey, who gainedaccess to the substancesthrough a friend’s parents.

She tried to disregard what the drugs andalcohol did to her life. She dropped from a size11 to a size 2 and wore heavy makeup toconceal her gray, sallow skin. Fights with familymembers constantly disrupted her home life.

At one low point, her mother, Sharrie,was called to her high school when Kelseyand her brother fought in the school cafeteria.

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When Kelsey turned 16, she and her friendstook a drive just for fun. The thrill ride endedwhen the group became involved in a seriouscar accident. Kelsey suffered a head injury. Thedriver suffered life-threatening injuries.

Though her head injury was a majorconcern, the accident also revealed otherhealth problems for Kelsey.

“I was devastated,” Sharrie recalls. “We werein the emergency room, and the doctors beganto name off all the substances they found inher system — Xanax, cocaine, marijuana… It was unbelievable that she had beenusing all those drugs.”

Though Sharrie knew of Kelsey’s pastmarijuana use, she thought her daughter’sdays of using drugs had passed.

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Kelsey’s parents took her to an in-patienttreatment site for people with addictions.

“I was completely bruised from the caraccident,” Kelsey says. “Initially, I was scaredthat I could have died, but as the bruisesfaded, so did my fear.”

She made progress in her recovery fromaddiction. But the lessons learned soon faded.Kelsey again used drugs and alcohol. This time,it was a much different experience for her.

Year Total Reduction at Delivery Reduction 3 months

Percentage Screened Smoking Alcohol Drugs Smoking Alcohol Drugs Full Term

2003 3606 44.2 87.8 66.7 34.8 67.6 52.0 90.9

2004 3561 51.0 92.3 79.4 29.0 57.1 56.6 90.0

2005 3894 49.5 84.6 69.0 34.5 65.3 64.5 87.5

2006 4004 47.8 82.1 38.9 37.6 68.4 54.5 87.8

2007 4540 48.2 86.3 69.2 43.4 62.8 84.4 91.8

Kelsey and Sharrie


treatment for the child. “Do as I say, andnot as I do” really doesn’t work.

If you think your child may have aproblem with drugs:

Consult a health care provider to examineyour child and rule out physical causes.

Talk to other adults who know your childwell. Are they seeing the same changes inyour child that you do?

Talk to your child. Remember youngpeople may not be truthful about drug use,and you may have to have a professionalevaluation by an addictions health careprofessional, such as a psychologist.

Get treatment referrals from trustworthyagencies or individuals like your doctor.

Examine your child’s mental health. Achild with emotional or social problemsmay use drugs for self-medication.

Don’t deny that there is a problem. Yourchild needs your help and parental support.

Avoid blaming yourself or any other familymember for the problem — focus on gettingwhatever help is needed as soon as possible.

Your entire family can be affected whenyour child abuses drugs. Keep the lines ofcommunication open with all your children,and get family counseling if recommended.

Limit access to drugs in your home. Getrid of any excess prescribed medications thatare not used regularly. If there are sedatives,painkillers or any other such substancesused on a regular basis, consider lockingthem up, Chambers suggests.

Your child can recover from the effects ofdrug abuse. Early diagnosis and treatmentfrom addiction or other health careproviders can improve her or his chances fora more complete and timely recovery. *

Experimenting with self-expression is apart of growing up. However, suddenand extreme changes in your child

may signal drug use. According to theSubstance Abuse and Mental HealthServices Administration, be alert if your child:

>> Becomes disrespectful or verbally andphysically abusive

>> Expresses a great deal of anger, actsparanoid or confused

>> Seems depressed and less outgoing>> Is secretive and lies about what she is

doing and where she is going >> Steals or “loses” possessions she used to

value >> Seems to have a lot of money or is

always asking for money >> Withdraws from family and family

activities >> Physical appearance >> Not practicing good hygiene>> Not sleeping or sleeping too much >> Loss of appetite; weight loss or gain >> Too hyperactive or too little energy >> Social activity and school performance >> Drops old friends and activities >> Loses interest in schoolwork and is getting

low grades; skips school; or sleeps in class>> Loses concentration and is having trouble

remembering things A leading risk factor for adolescents in

acquiring substance use disorders is a parentwith an untreated disorder, whether itinvolves alcohol, nicotine, marijuana orother substances, says R. Andrew Chambers,M.D., director, Laboratory for TranslationalNeuroscience of Dual Diagnosis andDevelopment. He says in such cases, it iscritical the parent model participation in

Kids and Drug AbuseKnow the personality, physical and social warning signs

compiled by Deb Wezensky

Kelsey says she had a glimpse of ahealthier way to live. Her constant lies tocover her addiction also took a toll on herconscience. She became aware of how heraddiction caused pain in her own life andin the lives of those around her.

Eventually, she talked more openly withher mother. Kelsey’s treatment finally helpedher realize how much drugs and alcoholaffected her life. With continued treatment,she learned to embrace her recovery goals.

Kelsey believes switching schools alsohelped in her recovery process. Her newschool, Hope Academy, is a charter publichigh school specifically designed for studentstrying to maintain sobriety.

“I feel like this new environment helpedme get back on track with my recovery,”she says. “I can talk about my recovery inschool with my peers. When talking aboutit, it gives you the chance to carry the message,and you don’t have to keep everything inside.”

After graduation, Kelsey plans to pursuenursing and, possibly, addiction counseling. *

Know the Limits STANDARD SERVING OF ALCOHOL:

>> 5 ounces of wine>> 1.5 ounces of liquor>> 1 12-ounce bottle of beer or

wine coolerStandard drinks also include wine

coolers, aperitifs, and fortified wines.According to Dietary Guidelines

from the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services, moderatedrinking is one drink a day forwomen and no more than twodrinks a day for menYOU SHOULD NOT DRINK ANYALCOHOL IF YOU:

>> Cannot control your drinking>> Have a history of drug problems>> Take certain medications that

may interact with alcohol>> Plan to drive, use machinery

or are participating in any activity that requires attention, skill or coordination

>> Are pregnant or plan to getpregnant

Adolescents and

AddictionKnow the signs to prevent

downward spiral in brain functionby Sigurd Zielke, Clinical Specialist,

Fairbanks and Hope Academy

Adolescence is the time of metamor-phosis from child to young adult andoffers our youth very real possibilities.

But it also presents very real hazards thathave the potential to derail young lives. Theabuse of alcohol and other drugs is one ofthose hazards.

According to a recent Indiana study,almost half of all Indiana high school seniorsreported drinking in the past month, with 28percent reporting binge drinking (drinkingto get drunk) in the previous two weeks. Oneout of 20 drinks alcohol daily, with comparablenumbers for daily marijuana smokers.

These facts become especially sobering,considering recent data from the field ofbrain science. For example, chronic abuse ofalcohol has been strongly associated withreduced memory, learning, visual and spatialprocessing, and the mental capacity toexercise self-command and control. All ofthese are necessary for an adolescent’s bestperformance at school.

From the young person’s perspective,substance use is seen as part of the excitement ofstepping out of adult norms and taking risks.For most youth, alcohol and drug use stopswith experimentation. Yet, for others, beingintoxicated becomes a desired end.

The most important thing you as a parentcan do is keep your eyes and ears open. Lookfor and recognize any changes in your child’sfriends, grades, appearance, activities andattitude.

It’s important to understand all you canabout addiction. Read everything. Seek theadvice of professionals in the field ofaddiction. Treatment designed especially foradolescents and matched to the severity ofthe disease interrupts the downward spiral.

There is hope in recovery. It happensevery day for millions of people across ourcountry. Consistent participation in recoveryand wellness activities is linked to sobrietyand to the restoration of young lives. *


ecause of societal stigmas aboutsubstance use disorder and a lack ofknowledge about treatment options,

those who need to be diagnosed and treatedseldom get the care they need. Thosefactors may render you, or a loved one,silent behind a veil of denial.

Many people use substances to selfmedicate. But it’s a short-term “fix” that cancause negative long-term consequences foraddiction, says Paul Riley, M.D., MedicalDirector for Chemical Dependency, St.Vincent Stress Center. Through therapy,healthier ways to cope can be learned tohelp you deal with stress and anxiety.

You can deal with your dependence onalcohol, illicit drugs like cocaine and meth-amphetamine or prescription medicationslike sedatives and pain killers. With propertreatment by an addictions professional, youhave a 50 to 70 percent chance of recoveryfrom this relapsing disease, Riley says. “Thinkabout it; this prognosis is much better thanother medical diseases such as diabetes.”

Be motivated to change. Recognize andaccept you have a problem.

Riley suggests you ask yourself, “Whatdo I want to do about my life falling apart?”Then seek the advice of your family doctor.He or she can advise you where to get help.

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Several dangerous detoxifications arerelated to alcohol, sleeping pill andtranquilizer addictions, says Riley, who hastreated people with substance use disordersfor 40 years.

Don’t make this critical decision alone.An addictions expert can determine if you

need an inpatient medical detox treatmentin a hospital or treatment center setting.

Outpatient therapy sessions, offered atplaces like Fairbanks, St. Vincent StressCenter and Cummins, provide education onaddiction, and behavioral and group therapy.

Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous andNarcotics Anonymous, and faith-basedrecovery groups provide additional supportby linking you to others who share acommon difficulty with addiction.

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Various medications are available thatcan increase the effectiveness of treatmentfor substance use disorder. They include:

Campral. Works by blocking glutamatereceptors (excitatory receptors). The effective-ness of treatment is promising compared toprior treatment methods with few side effects.

Revia. This medication works in the brainto decrease cravings that are the result of theabuse of narcotics used to relieve pain. It is anopiate blocker that doesn’t allow narcoticslike OxyContin or heroin to provide thedesired effects of getting “high.” It alsois used to treat alcohol addiction.

Vivitro. Like Revia, Vivitro reducescravings for opiates. It is injected once amonth to block opiates from reacting with thebrain’s receptors.

Using Campral, in combination withRevia or Vivotro, increases the success rate fortreatment and recovery by 30 to 40 percent.

Suboxone. A medication used fordetoxification without painful withdrawalsymptoms from opiate dependencies. Whileyour body detoxifies, Suboxone fools thebrain into thinking the opiates are still there.*

Treating AddictionVarious options are available for a successful recovery

by Deb Wezensky

B

Blood Alcohol Concentration for Women

he disease of addic-tion often affects theentire family.

Melinda, who asked herlast name remain confidential,found that to be the casewhen her mother, Adell,battled alcoholism.

Melinda struggled withfeelings of hopelessnessduring that period. “Beforemy mother embraced treatment andrecovery, I felt certain her addiction andway of life was going to kill her,” she says.

“I’d moved her into my home, but shewas so sick, and I knew she needed help.”Melinda reached out to Fairbanks, anaddiction treatment center, to see howshe could help her mother.

“I came to Fairbanks because I didn’tknow what else to do or where else to go,”she says. “I just knew that we needed help.”

Melinda wasn’t sure Adell would bewilling to seek help since they had triedtreatment once before without success. ButMelinda was both surprised and relieved

when her mother agreed. Adell recalls coming to

Fairbanks feeling very sick. Attimes she was too weak to walk,but she remained hopeful.

“I wasn’t totally in control, andI didn’t know what to expect,”Adell recalls. “I made up mymind to do whatever I was told todo to make recovery work.”

Melinda and Adell learnedtreatment was only the beginning of therecovery process. Through programmingand recovery management services, thepair learned how to manage the disease ofaddiction and how to recover as a family.

Melinda says Adell has made significantchanges in her life by sharing her story andvolunteering at Fairbanks. She attributesAdell’s changes to Fairbanks’ programs,including the supportive living apartments,recovery coaching and volunteering.

“Recovery means bringing life back to aloved one, and it has truly been a blessingfor her, our family and me,” Melinda says.“I’m indebted to Fairbanks forever.” *

T

Recovery fromalcohol and drugaddiction is a

lifelong process that canproduce extraordinaryresults for individualscommitted to their sobriety. Seeking a life inrecovery means a person has made a consciousdecision to stop hurting and start healing byabstaining from drugs and alcohol.

Treating a person in recovery requires aholistic approach to produce tremendoustherapeutic results. Treatment professionals aremaking strides in supporting the recovery processby transitioning from the acute model of care toone that accurately treats the disease as lifelong.

Experience shows individuals who stayconnected to a recovery community find theirtreatment more successful than those who leavetreatment without support. A recoverymanagement philosophy empowers theindividual to restore balance in his or her life.

Recovery coaches are at the heart of theprogramming. They work with individuals torestore aspects of life lost during their activeaddiction. Mending relationships, restoringhealth and positive coping mechanisms, likemeditation, art therapy and nutritional

guidance support a soberlifestyle and are incorporatedinto the program.

Recovery coaches alsowork with the individual’ssupport system within hisor her community and

family. For many, workingtogether toward the commongoal of lifelong recovery means

life finally has comeback into bal-

a n c e .

*

The End of the

TunnelRecover and maintain sobrietythrough a holistic approach

by Ashley English, Recovery Coach, Fairbanks


Ashley English

Melinda and Adell

Finding HopeA family’s journey to recovery starts through Fairbanks program

by Erica Petty, Communications Coordinator, Fairbanks


Set up for FailurePolicies perpetuate cycle, includinginadequate treatment and relapse

by Linda Chezem, J.D.

Laws and policies governing alcohol,addictions and other drugs have lackedclarity, consistency and effectiveness

throughout recorded time. From the Code ofHammurabi in ancient Mesopotamia setting a fairprice for beer to the 18th and 21st amendmentsto the U.S. Constitution, societies have soughtto impose law and policy around alcohol.

Indiana, under pressure from the federalgovernment (as a condition for the use of taxes),has been forced to apprehend and jail theaddicted and drunk. With moral and legalarrogance, communities have ignored the needfor treatment improvement for alcohol use disordersand other drug addictions. “Three strikes andyou are out” legislation makes a policy choice forimprisonment over treatment.

The systemic injustice in taking guilty pleas tofelony offenses in order to get treatment is moreglaring when the treatment needed actually may notbe available. Make no mistake. Adequate treatmentand continuing research for better treatment areessential public health and justice services.

The burden from alcohol use disorders is farlarger than from illegal drug use. Alcohol usedisorders — the oldest puzzle in human legalhistory — are not impossible to solve.

Solutions lie in the following recommendations: >> Fund individually appropriate treatment

based on research. >> Fund research and more rapid translation and

dissemination of that research by the NationalInstitute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

>> Build public health law and policy aroundalcohol and other drugs using the core functionsof public health.

>> Fight health disparities to provide publichealth screening and brief intervention foralcohol use disorders at the local levels. *

QQ:: WWhhaatt aarree tthhee ccoossttss ooff aaddddiiccttiioonn??

AA:: Addiction results in significant health, legal, social, familial, spiritualand economic problems. The overlap of addiction and other mental illness is between45 to 65 percent. About 8 percent of deaths in Indiana are attributed to alcohol.Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Nationally, thesocial costs of addiction are estimated at more than $294 billion.

QQ:: WWhhyy iiss eeaarrllyy ddiiaaggnnoossiiss aanndd ttrreeaattmmeenntt ssoo iimmppoorrttaanntt??

AA:: Addiction starts in childhood. Studies show that 90 percent of all individuals withdependence started using before age 18, and 50 percent started using before age 15.Research shows that genetics play a critical role in addiction. We already know whois at the highest risk. Also, the use of drugs and alcohol changes the brain, especiallythe developing brain. The new science bears out how damaging addiction can be.One in four high school students, and 50 percent of high school seniors, drink atbinge levels. Studies also indicate that routine alcohol screening, brief interventionand treatment are effective. The earlier the intervention, the better.

QQ:: WWhhaatt iiss tthhee bbiiggggeesstt bbaarrrriieerr ttoo aaddvvooccaaccyy ffoorr tthhoossee wwiitthh

aaddddiiccttiioonn??

AA:: First, there is the stigma associated with having an addiction. Also, well-organizedefforts to advocate for addiction issues are relatively new as compared with otherillnesses. We are making progress, but more people need to speak out to have theirvoices heard.

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ssuubbssttaannccee uussee??

AA:: Numerous organizations are making a difference, like the Indiana AddictionIssues Coalition, Indiana Association of Addiction Professionals, and theGovernor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana. Every article, public serviceannouncement and phone call makes a difference. Call or e-mail your legislator.Lawmakers need to hear from citizens affected by substance abuse. The work of theNational Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network also is important.

QQ:: WWhhyy iiss oovveerrccoommiinngg ssttiiggmmaa ssoo iimmppoorrttaanntt??

AA:: Stigma, often due to a lack of understanding, keeps people from enteringtreatment, results in poor funding and impedes recognition of the illness. Addictionis a brain disease and should be thought of, and treated, like any other chronicmedical condition. Compliance rates for addiction treatment are very similar to otherillnesses like hypertension and diabetes.

QQ:: HHooww wweellll aarree aaddddiiccttiioonn pprrooggrraammss ffuunnddeedd??

AA:: It is estimated that for every dollar spent on treatment there is a return of $4to $7 in crime-related costs. Savings related to health care costs can exceed $12 forevery one dollar spent on treatment. There simply is not enough funding to meetthe needs of addicted Hoosiers. Seventy percent of addiction treatment in Indiana issupported by public funds. And, studies indicate less than 20 percent of people whoneed treatment receive it. *

About AddictionsYour Questions Answered

by Dean Babcock, MSW, LCSW, Associate VicePresident, Midtown Community Mental Health Center,

Wishard Health ServicesDean Babcock


Making aConnection

Hope Academy provides a freshapproach to education and recovery

by Helene M. Cross, CEO, HopeAcademy; President and CEO,

Fairbanks

Adolescents on ajourney to findrecovery from

alcohol and drug addictionface many obstacles. Forthem the “good times” inlife were often the “hightimes.” They see treatmentas loss of pleasure, peersand places to hang out. What’s left? Often,it’s low self-esteem, few friends, failing gradesand emotional immaturity. It’s no wondermore than 50 percent of our nation’s teensrelapse during the first 90 days after treatmentwith an added number who also leave school.

With a focus on long-term recovery as ourmission, Fairbanks wanted to offer somethingmore for young people in recovery. In 2006, wecreated a charter high school, Hope Academy.

We provide a challenging academicexperience for students who share a commit-ment to sobriety, education and personalgrowth. Our teachers and staff recognizethe physical, emotional and spiritualeffects of addiction. Through brain researchwe know that as the “clean” brain rejuvenatescells, the first renewed area providing stimulusfor learning is the visual part of the brain.Hope Academy incorporates teachingtechniques that support those learning needs.

The first year’s class achieved more than91 percent attendance; five of the six graduatesare attending college or employed. This yearthere are 40 students enrolled representing12 Indiana counties; together they celebratenearly 6,000 days clean and sober.

With the constancy of caring teachers,counselors and volunteers offering support, weexpect our students to achieve personal growthin all areas of their lives. We know their abilityto learn and to achieve has advanced in theenvironment of Hope Academy.

For more information about HopeAcademy, log on www.fairbankscd.org.Applications are available online. *

Helene M. Cross

11.. FFaallssee.. Not everyone reacts toalcohol the same way. Alcohol affectseveryone differently. In fact, an individual’sreaction to alcohol can vary depending onbody weight, gender, body chemistry,tolerance and your genetic predispositionfor addiction.

22.. FFaallssee.. You will not get drunk a lotquicker with hard liquor than with a beeror wine cooler. Alcohol is alcohol. Instandard amounts, beer, wine coolers,wine and hard liquor all have equivalentlevels of alcohol and will make youequally intoxicated.

33.. FFaallssee.. Drug addiction is not acharacter flaw. Drug addiction is a braindisease. Every type of drug of abuse has itsown individual mechanism for augmentinghow the brain functions.

44.. FFaallssee.. There are more than 27harmful chemicals in cigarettes. Inaddition to highly addictive nicotine,there are 4,000 chemicals and toxins incigarettes –– 63 are known to causecancer. Though nicotine doesn’t causecancer, it is the drug that causes theaddiction to tobacco.

55.. FFaallssee.. Some people do voluntarilyseek treatment before they hit rock bottom.Many things that can motivate a personto enter and complete treatment beforethat happens.

Pressure from family members andemployers, as well as personal recognitionthat they have a problem, can be powerfulmotivators. For teens, parents and schooladministrators often are driving forces inseeking treatment.

66.. TTrruuee.. The liver has great restorativepower and often is able to repair some ofthe damage caused by alcohol. The goal oftreatment is to restore some or all of theliver’s normal functioning. In most cases,the only damage it cannot reverse isscarring from cirrhosis.

Quiz Answers: (From page 3)

77.. FFaallssee.. Addiction to nicotine is physicalbut also social and psychological. Nicotineaddiction is powerful. But with the help ofNicorette gum, medication and expertcounseling you can successfully break youraddiction. When you identify triggers thatproduce cravings, you can learn strategies toprevent these symptoms and urges and improveyour chances to stop using tobacco, accordingto the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

88.. TTrruuee.. There is a connection betweenheavy alcohol consumption and increasedrisk for cancer. With an estimated 2 percentto 4 percent of all cancer cases thought to becaused either directly or indirectly by alcohol,3.6 percent of all cancer cases worldwide arerelated to alcohol drinking, resulting in 3.5percent of all cancer deaths.

99.. TTrruuee.. Women are the fastest-growingsegment of substance abusers in the UnitedStates. About 2.7 million American womenabuse alcohol or drugs, or one-quarter of allabusers, according to the Center forSubstance Abuse Prevention.

1100.. FFaallssee.. Many people addicted todrugs and alcohol are employed. Of thecurrent alcohol and drug users ages 18 orolder, 13.4 million (or 74.9 percent) areemployed either full or part time.

1111.. TTrruuee.. The first use of alcohol typicallybegins at age 12. Age of drinking onsetstrongly predicts development of alcoholdependence over the course of a lifespan.About 40 percent of those who start drinkingat age 14 or younger develop alcoholdependence at some point in their lives.

1122.. TTrruuee.. Teenagers abuse prescriptiondrugs more than any illicit drug exceptmarijuana. The abuse of prescription drugsby teens is more than their use of cocaine,heroine and methamphetamine combined.Many teens wrongly believe abusing prescriptiondrugs is “safer” than using illicit drugs. Teenabuse of prescription drugs is drastically onthe rise. *


Alcoholics Anonymous — Makes referrals to local AAgroups and provides informational materials on the AA program.Log on www.aa.org or call (212) 870-3400.

American Academy of Family Physicians —Provides the resource Drug Abuse: How to Break the Habit. Log onhttp://familydoctor.org/.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention —Provides the resource Questions and Answers on AlcoholConsumption. Log on cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm.

Drug Free Marion County — Coordinates communityefforts to prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drugabuse. Log on to www.drugfreemc.org or call (317) 254-2815.

Fairbanks — Helps people move toward a better lifethrough addiction recovery. Call (317) 849-8222 or log onwww.fairbankscd.org.

Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana— Links resources, advocacy, collaboration and coordinationamong agencies and individuals to create a safer, healthier place tolive. Log on www.in.gov/cji/drugfree/about.html.

Indiana Addiction Issues Coalition — Promotes advocacyand education for individuals, organizations and legislators aboutaddiction. Log on www.mentalhealthassociation.com/IAIC.htm.

Indiana Association for Addiction Professionals— Provides resources for substance abuse counseling and addictionscounseling professionals throughout Indiana. Log on www.iaapin.org

Indiana Family & Social Services Administration— Provides addiction and mental health services to uninsured andunderinsured Hoosiers. Log on www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/index.htm.

Indiana Family Helpline — Provides resources andsupport to quit smoking. Log on www.in.gov/inshape/2275.htmor call (800) 433-0746.

Indiana Minority Health Coalition — Enhances thehealth of racial/ethnic minorities through education, research,advocacy and the provision of community-based services. Call(317) 926-4011 or log on www.imhc.org.

Resources to prevent and treat addictionIndiana Tobacco Quitline — Provides free one-on-one

phone counseling service that helps Indiana smokers quit. Log onwww.indianatobaccoquitline.net or call (800) 784-8669.

Indiana Tobacco Prevention & Cessation — Worksto reduce the number of tobacco users in Indiana through providingresources, education and support for public policies for preventionand cessation. Log on www.in.gov/itpc/ or call (317) 234-1787.

Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis— Provides education, advocacy and service through programsdesigned to promote health. Log on www.mhaindy.org.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Indiana — Log onwww.madd.org.in or call (317) 781-6233.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics— Works on behalf of children of alcohol- and drug-dependentparents. Log on www.nacoa.net or call (888) 554-2627.

National Council on Alcoholism and DrugDependence — Provides educational materials on alcoholism.Log on to www.ncadd.org or call (800) 622-2255.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and DrugInformation — Provides information on substance abuse andtreatment. Log on ncadi.samhsa.gov or call (800) 729-6686.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse andAlcoholism — Offers a video on Alcohol: A Women’s HealthIssue. Log on www.stopalcoholabuse.gov or call (301) 496-8176.

National Institute on Drug Abuse — Providesresources for the prevention, treatment and policy as it relates todrug abuse and addiction. Log on www.drugabuse.gov.

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator —Provides a directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs thattreat alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems. Log onfindtreatment.samhsa.gov or call (800) 662-4357.

Voice — Helps Indiana youth speak out against tobacco use.Log on www.voice.tv.

White Lies — Hoosiers taking action against tobacco useand working for smoke-free air. Log on www.whitelies.tv.

Reprints of Power Over Addiction are available by calling 317.585.5858 or by mail:Weiss Communications, 6610 N. Shadeland Ave., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46220.

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