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Monday, April 25, 2011

Fwd: Treatment Solutions Network Articles: Substance Abuse Among Inmates



Treatment Solutions Network Articles: Substance Abuse Among Inmates

Link to Treatment Solutions Network Drug Treatment and Recovery Articles

Substance Abuse Among Inmates

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 02:03 PM PDT

A big problem in our criminal justice system is the number of inmates who go back to their illegal activity after being released from custody. Recidivism rates across the country average about 43%. Some states, such as Wyoming and Oregon, have rates around 25%, while Alaska, California, Illinois, and Vermont are above 50%. Minnesota topped the list in 2007 at 61%. (1)

Substance Abuse and Prison

Of course, things would be a lot simpler and less expensive if sending someone to jail or prison meant they would learn their lesson and stay crime-free for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, many ex-convicts only make it a year or two at the most before getting caught for another crime. In particular, inmates who are drug users are likely to go back to drugs once they get out. Without treatment they do not have the tools, knowledge, or resources to stay clean on the outside. The biggest threat for an ex-inmate in the community is getting back to their old life, old friends, old contacts, and old drugs.

Some inmates even find a way to keep using or selling drugs in jail. A New Jersey corrections officer was recently charged with racketeering and official misconduct for smuggling drugs and cell phones into the prison where he worked. Other inmates find a way to get drugs delivered to them in prison from relatives or friends willing to sneak them in. Allowing a substance-abusing inmate back out on the streets is dangerous, and most can be expected to be caught doing the same kinds of things that landed them in jail in the first place.

Focusing on Treatment

Many programs aimed at lowering recidivism rates focus on substance abuse treatment. Utah is one state that has actually decreased the number of inmates going back to jail, lowering their recidivism rate from 65% in 2002 to 53.7% in 2007. Their success stems from improving treatment for mentally ill and drug-addicted inmates. "Instead of putting the mentally ill in jail, we have teams of social workers and psychiatrists that help them," Jean Nielsen, director of Salt Lake County's Department of Human Services, said. "With education, training, substance abuse programs, various treatment, housing options, and counseling, we want to ensure they have a smooth transition back into society and don't go back to jail." (1)

Other states have begun improving treatment also. A New York jail is putting the finishing touches on a separate wing designated specifically for mentally ill and substance-abusing inmates. The wing has cells designed for greater surveillance for some of these inmates, and prisoners have more access to psychiatric help and doctors that can treat them for both mental illness and substance abuse.

Instead of creating waiting lists for drug treatment programs, we need to find a way to fund programs that help inmates recover from substance abuse. It is important for these people to have the tools needed to succeed in society.

Sources

(1) Study: Utah inmate recidivism rates drop

N.J. corrections officer convicted of smuggling drugs, cell phones to inmates faces 14 years in prison

When jail inmates have special needs

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Fwd: Treatment Solutions Network Articles: Ending Alcohol Abuse




Treatment Solutions Network Articles: Ending Alcohol Abuse

Link to Treatment Solutions Network Drug Treatment and Recovery Articles

Ending Alcohol Abuse

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:48 PM PDT

As Alcohol Awareness Month comes to a close, it is important that we not let down our guard against alcohol abuse. Many of us, if we examine our lives closely enough, would have to admit that we are guilty of alcohol abuse. We may not be physically dependent on alcohol, but we do depend on it to fill a void or accomplish some purpose in our life.

Reasons for Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol Awareness Month is a good time for everyone to evaluate their life and their drinking habits. Many people believe that if they have the control to stop drinking for a time, they are not an alcoholic and therefore do not need help. Many people, however, abuse alcohol because of unhealthy reasons. Some people binge drink to fit in with the crowd because they are too insecure to have fun in their own way. Other people drink to get drunk because they are lonely and can't stand the thought of being alone anymore. Others drink heavily after a long day of work because they feel entitled to a little indulgence. Still others drink because they can't handle the stress or responsibility of their life.

Whatever the reason, alcohol abuse can be shown in different ways, with different consequences. Binge drinking is unhealthy and dangerous. Drinking and driving endangers many lives. Relying on alcohol to fill a void causes emotional damage that can have lasting effects.

Drink in Moderation

This spring, take a close look at your life, and the priorities you have established. If you rely on alcohol to calm down, or feel better, seriously consider the steps below. If you can successfully carry these steps out, great! Keep it up! But if these are a struggle, consider seeking help.

The following is a partial list is taken from Moderation Management, a group that helps people with alcohol abuse problems learn to modify their drinking so that it isn't a problem. These are not suggestions for alcoholics, who need more intense treatment.

Steps Toward Moderation:

1. Attend meetings or on-line groups and learn about the program of Moderation Management.

2. Abstain from alcoholic beverages for 30 days and complete steps three through six during this time.

3. Examine how drinking has affected your life.

4. Write down your life priorities.

5. Take a look at how much, how often, and under what circumstances you had been drinking.

6. Learn the MM guidelines and limits for moderate drinking.

MM Guidelines:

Strictly obey local laws regarding drinking and driving.

Do not drink in situations that would endanger yourself or others.

Do not drink every day. MM suggests that you abstain from drinking alcohol at least 3 or 4 days per week.

Women who drink more than 3 drinks on any day, and more than 9 drinks per week, may be drinking at harmful levels.

Men who drink more than 4 drinks on any day, and more than 14 drinks per week, may be drinking at harmful levels.

Sources

(1) Moderation Management

Moderation: Some find alcohol abstinence isn't the only solution

Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Fwd: Baby First Year




Baby First Year


Baby Bottle Warmer Cooler

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 04:11 AM PDT

Baby Bottle Warmer Cooler. The first year's day/night bottle warmer product is the Baby bottle warmer cooler. The first years are one of the top most companies that manufacture the baby bottle warmer. At the rear of the unit, an insulated compartment keeps two 8-ounce bottles cool for up to eight hours. It keeps bottles [...] Related posts:
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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Fwd: Baby First Year




Baby First Year


How to Demand Respect from Your Children without Force

Posted: 25 Apr 2011 04:43 AM PDT

Many parents are mourning about their children's misbehavior and lack of respect to them. Some parents manage to tackle the problem even before the problem arises. Developing respectful relationship between parent and children is as important as developing good relationship with others. Yet, many parents are struggling to earn some respect from their children. Here [...] Related posts:
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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Fwd: April 24 issue




In this week's issue of Dr. Mirkin's e-Zine:

http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine042411.html
Caffeine: Good When You Exercise, Bad When You Rest
What can prevent dementia in older people?
Do you recommend calcium pills to prevent osteoporosis?
Reports: Lyme disease, alcoholism, asthma inhalers

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Cellulite
http://www.drmirkin.com/women/8525.html

How much exercise for weight loss?
http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/exercise_to_lose_weight.html

Insomnia
http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/7601.html

Chronic sinusitis
http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/1254.html

Tick bites
http://www.drmirkin.com/archive/6832.html

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