Drug Fact Sheet: Ecstasy
Welcome to the first of our monthly drug fact sheets! A lot of us know the names of common recreational and prescription drugs, but do you know where they originated from, how they are produced, or what their effects really are? Each month we will take a look at a new substance and cover a few facts you should probably know about them. To kick off the new year we will be starting with Ecstasy and “party drugs”. While any drug you take while partying could be called a party drug, party drugs are usually substances that lead to loss of inhibition, lost sense of time and judgment, and a dissociative state that allows party goers to rave for hours without realizing a need to rest or nourish themselves. Therapeutic Origins of Ecstasy Ecstasy goes by many names including MDMA and Molly. True to its name, Ecstasy affects the part of the brain that controls mood and can make users feel very loving and happy go lucky. The chemical compound was patented back in 1913 by Merck, but after that they never pursued marketing or even produced it. Dr. Alexander Shulgin has been credited as the father of modern Ecstasy and other party drugs after he started tinkering with hallucinogens in the 1970s. He first synthesized and tried Ecstasy in 1976 and while many blame him for it gaining such traction in the 1980s, he had always intended it to be used therapeutically. He sent samples to therapists to try with their patients and recorded their observations. However, just 10 years after he first experienced Ecstasy, the drug had made its way into so many nightclubs and there were so many bad reactions due to backyard chemists and dealers that the DEA put Ecstasy on its Schedule 1 list of dangerous drugs. Ecstasy, like a lot of other party drugs, may have started out rather innocuously but became potentially very dangerous due to the illegal drug trade. In the original rave days, Molly was supposed to be an even purer form of Ecstasy as it was exclusively MDMA (methylendioxymethamphetamine) the active ingredient in Ecstasy. However, today you can never be sure what your drugs are cut with, and many police seizures of pills show there is no MDMA at all in most pills being marketed as Ecstasy. In the late 2000s, only 13% of the Molly seized by the DEA in New York contained MDMA and even then it was still cut with other toxic chemicals. References: http://www.narconon.ca/drug-information/ecstasy-history.html http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-alexander-shulgin-20140605-story.html https://globalnews.ca/news/1603229/what-is-party-drug-molly/ http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/22/health/9-things-molly-drug/index.html http://www.healthcommunities.com/substance-abuse/drugs.shtml The post Drug Fact Sheet: Ecstasy appeared first on Canada Drug...
Gaming Addiction now a WHO Designated Disorder
The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun 2018 by adding “gaming disorder”, or gaming addiction, to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This comes after years of rumblings by health professionals noting addictive behaviours exhibited in some video gamers. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the “bible” of psychiatric disorders. In 2013, the most recent edition of the DSM listed internet gaming disorder as a “condition for further study”. This shows how much traction this concept has gained over the last five years to now officially list it as a disorder. Gaming is a process addiction, like gambling and sex addiction. This means a person has an addiction to doing something rather than consuming something. A substance addiction is when consuming things like drugs and alcohol becomes a compulsion. The WHO report outlines many specifics that must be considered before a person can be diagnosed with gaming disorder. Their desire to play video games must overtake the need to do other important activities in their daily life. This kind of behaviour should also be observed for at least a year before a diagnosis is given. Emotional signs of video game addiction can look like isolation from friends and family so the person can spend more time gaming, and irritability when unable to play. These kinds of emotional signs are common across addiction types. Gaming disorder also has physical symptoms like carpal tunnel syndrome from overuse of controllers or keyboard and mouse, poor hygiene as they spend more time in the game, and headaches from the artificial screen light. It is hoped by gaming addiction being classified as a disorder, those who suffer can have better access to treatment options. Those with a gaming disorder must not be shamed or laughed off just because it is a new diagnosis. As a society, we have recognized some people’s predisposition for excessive gambling for centuries. Therefore, this process addiction is just a sign of our modern era and the new vices available to people. Even prior to the WHO’s announcement there were countries who had independently declared gaming addiction as a disorder. There are many private treatment facilities that are already operational and aim to treat this disorder. In countries that had not yet added this classification, the WHO declaration will make it easier for public funding to become available and provide avenues for proper medical treatment plans. References: https://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/2015/06/process-addiction/ http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42541404 https://www.psychguides.com/guides/video-game-addiction-symptoms-causes-and-effects/ The post Gaming Addiction now a WHO Designated Disorder appeared first on Canada Drug...
Healthy Goal Setting for the New Year: Avoiding the Shame Game
New Years can be a daunting time, and New Year’s resolutions have the potential to be both exciting and intimidating. Let’s go through some steps to improve one of the most common new year’s goals one so that it will inspire rather than depress you: 1. Make it Positive Rather than “I want to lose weight” try “I want to get healthy”. Being thin isn’t the pinnacle of success, and focusing too much on the external can diminish your internal self worth. Being healthy is a positive goal both for your body and mind, whereas wanting to lose weight for looks frames your body in a negative light. Probably not a great foot to start your healthy journey on, right? 2. Make it Intentional Rather than “I want to get healthy” try “I will be healthy”. Changing the tense sounds little, but can really make a difference in your mentality. Is this something you want to do? Or is this something you WILL do? Saying you will do it means you are prioritizing this achievement of this goal rather than just wishing it would happen. 3. Make it Specific Rather than “I will be healthy” try “In order to achieve my goal of a healthier life, I will eat at least 2 servings of veggies a day”. This gives you something actionable to work on (i.e. SMART goals). What does healthy mean to you? Sitting down and thinking about what your goal means to you and how you will be able to work towards it is very important for your success. Happy New Year! Drop your goals in the comments! If you need help with them, we can work on them there so others can learn as well. The post Healthy Goal Setting for the New Year: Avoiding the Shame Game appeared first on Canada Drug...
What is a “dry drunk”?
If you’ve at all researched anything addiction-related, you’ve probably seen the term “dry drunk” floating around in blogs, articles, forums, self-help books, and other literature. For those of you who don’t know the term, it is one frequently used in the addiction treatment and recovery field and refers to a person who is physically free of substances or alcohol (e.g. abstinent), but still exhibits behaviours connected with addiction and ways that support it. A sober person upholding old thoughts, beliefs, defenses, behaviours, and attitudes associated with addiction is a common example of someone who may have “dry drunk” traits. Depending on the modality, professionals have different ideas on the cause of “dry drunk”. Most commonly, it’s believed that such persons lack spirituality or belief in a higher power/faith. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is most popularly known for a similar description. The reasons a person still maintains addictive behaviours and attitudes while being void of actual substances will vary. Addiction and substance use is a very individual, unique condition. Thus, what motivates them will differ among everyone. Other therapies, see the “dry drunk” identity as someone who may be abstinent from drugs and alcohol, but continues to lack personal meaning and purpose or has unaddressed psychological and mental issues. As a result, these individuals may continue to display qualities such as a lack of interest, frustration from boredom, social issues, and continuing mental and emotional frustration. Depending on the program, therapy will try we focus the cause of addiction to prevent this “dry drunk” condition. AA, for example, focuses on a reconnection with spirituality, psychological program address mental health issues and personal struggles, and meaning therapy adheres to principles of meaningful living to help clients develop a sense of personal meaning that will help him or her excel and flourish in life. The post What is a “dry drunk”? appeared first on Canada Drug...
Your Checklist When Looking for Addiction Treatment
Getting treatment for yourself or a loved one can be overwhelming. There are many options in Canada offering similar, but also very different, addiction services. The treatment you choose depends on a number of very important, personal factors. Here is some information useful for when you’re looking for residential treatment the first time or even the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time. These five factors are important to keep in mind when researching treatment options. These elements together will allow you to determine the most suitable treatment options: Age Location Sex and Gender Budget availability Substance(s) being abused Age, Sex, & Location Most adult treatment facilities require clients be at least 18 years old. Youth under 18 are able to attend youth-specific treatment options. Some facilities are co-ed, but many are also gender-specific. Your home province may have some gender-specific treatment and recovery options, but potentially not many. Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta are home to the majority of Canadian treatment providers. Be open to travelling to another province for addiction treatment as you may find a facility that better suits your needs. Budget Your budget will be a crucial consideration for treatment. Private treatment is more expensive than charitable and public treatment, but sometimes easier to attend right away. All treatment facilities price their programs slightly differently, but most 30-day programs cost around $15,000. Charitable (non-profit) treatment options cost approximately $5000 for 30-day programs. These types of programs include recovery homes, church groups, and transitional living organizations. Government treatment in Canada is covered by our public health care and administered by provincial governments. For some government facilities, there is a small fee per day (around $40). Government treatment may sound more ideal because of its price tag, but wait lists and bed availability may cause you to change your mind. The substances or behaviours you wish to recover from will be important considerations in your budget, too. First, you need to make sure the treatment facility can attend to you. This is especially if you or your loved one requires treatment for two or more substances or is on methadone maintenance. Only a few programs have the resources for treating multiple addictions and supervising methadone tapering and they generally have higher fees. When arranging detox, make sure you access the appropriate type of detox. There are two types: Medical and Social. The type of detox you require will influence your budget as well. Know Your Needs… And Your Wants Another important consideration when selecting treatment are the services provided within the programs. Many individuals with addictions have additional health issues – physical, mental, psychological, past trauma – that need special care. Ensure the facilities you’re considering have the resources and services to support such issues. Left untreated, these problems can impede treatment completion and recovery. Other services like fitness, sports, pool, yoga, meditation, and working privileges are important to consider, too. Not all treatment providers offer extra services outside group and individual therapy. Some won’t even permit communication between clients and their families while in treatment. Important Note:It is common for facilities to embellish their program services to justify higher fees. If one treatment center’s prices go up, other facilities often increase their prices, too, in the belief that they offer the same services and programs. For example, many facilities say they treat mental illness, but only some have the necessary psychiatrists or Masters’ level counsellors. Even if a treatment center does claim to have a psychiatrist, it doesn’t mean clients will be assessed. Often times, individuals are only assessed when they seem unstable. This is the result of poorly educated administrators and uninformed...
Treatment Centers Supporting Methadone Maintenance
Alberta Private Facilities Aventa Addiction Treatment for Women, Calgary. 403.245.9050Simon House Recovery Center, Calgary. 403.247.2050 Government Facilities Bryce House & Logan House, Ponoka. 403.328.0955Henwood Treatment Center, Edmonton. 780.422.9069Lander Treatment Center, Claresholm. 403.625.5200Northern Addictions Center, Grand Prairie. 780.538.5210Southern Alcare Manor, Lethbridge. 403.328.0955 Charitable Facilities Recovery Acres Society, Edmonton. 780.471.2969 or 2996 Alpha House, Edmonton. 780.475.5957 British Columbia Private Facilities Cedars at Cobble Hill, Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island. 1.800.716.2006Edgewood Addiction Treatment, Nanaimo. 250.751.0111LDR Holistic Addiction Wellness Centre, Langley & White Rock. 1.877.529.3293Orchard Recovery Center, Bowen Island. 1.866.233.2299Pacifica Treatment Center, Vancouver. 1.866.446.0668Round Lake Treatment Center, Round Lake (North of Vernon). 250.546.8848Sage Health Center, Kelowna. 250.374.2399 Government Facilities Burnaby Center for Mental Health & Addiction, Burnaby. 604.453.1900 or 604.675.3950Kinghaven Treatment Center, Abbotsford. 604.864.0039 or 1.877.864.0039Peardonville House, Abbotsford. 604.856.3966 Charitable Facilities Raven’s Moon Resources, Abbotsford. 604.855.8322 Nova Scotia Charitable Facilities Crosbie House Society, New Minas. 902.681.0613 or 1.800.628.0613 Ontario Private Facilities Caverhill Manor, Stratford. 519.272.2424 or 1.877.272.2453Homewood Addiction Services, Guelph. 519.824.1010Newgate 180, Merrickville. 613.269.2672 or 1.888.524.8333New Awakenings Wellness Center, Port Perry. 416.477.5553 or 1.855.693.6090 Government Facilities St. Denis Center, Cornwall. 613.933.0412Camillus Center (The Oaks Drug and Rehabilitation Centre), Elliot Lake. 705.848.2652Stonehenge Therapeutic Community, Guelph. 519.837.1470 ext: 226 for women and 227 for menWomenkind Addiction Services, Hamilton. 905.521.9591Maison Renaissance, Hearst. 705.362.4289 or 1.800.766.0657Mission Services of London: Quintin Warner House, London. 519.434.8041North Bay General: Nipissing Detox and Substance Abuse Program, North Bay. 705.476.6240 ext: 221Niagara Health System: Newport Center, Port Colborne.House of Sophrosyne, Windsor. 519.252.2711 or (Toll-Free) 1.877.533.9503 Saskatchewan Private Leipzig Serenity Retreat, Wilkie. 306.658.4767 Note:These listings are frequently updated. If you know of a facility supporting methadone maintenance not listed here or a listed facility that no longer offers methadone treatment, please contact the phone number below. For more information on these treatment facilities, on methadone maintenance, or other addiction-related inquiries, contact us. The post Treatment Centers Supporting Methadone Maintenance appeared first on Canada Drug...
