Addiction Trends Of The Last 30 Years

By Catherine Cosgrove

By definition, an addiction is described as being abnormally
tolerant or dependent on something that is psychologically
or physically habit-forming. Addictions come in many forms,
from substance abuse addiction to behavior addictions, all
of which may require intervention or professional treatment
to overcome. As addictions have changed and redeveloped over
time, programs have had to progressively change and modify
approaches as well. In fact, while addiction trends have
changed in the last three decades with some becoming more
problematic than others, more help is available for
overcoming addiction than ever before.

Though alcohol dependency has been a constant addiction
recognized for many years, in the mid-1970s, illicit drug
use and addiction peaked to a point almost rivaling that of
alcohol. Illicit drugs, including cocaine, heroine, and
marijuana were the primary source of drug addictions until
the 1990s. At this point, illicit drugs that were more
cheaply made and acquired, like meth, became a growing
trend.

Marijuana dependency and addiction is a source of interest
in both the medical and political sectors today. As more
states explore the legalization and government control of
marijuana for medical purposes and even recreational use,
the potential for marijuana use to peak and become as
problematic as alcohol addiction is possible.

While dependency on illicit drugs continues to be a problem
for some, prescription drug addiction has nearly
overshadowed illicit drugs in the last decade. Narcotic pain
relievers and stimulants top the list of prescription drug
addictions. In 2001, reports indicated that nearly 87
percent of prescription drug addicts were white. Some
reports also indicate prescription stimulates, such as those
used to treat ADHD, are primarily abused by people under the
age of 21. In addition to prescription drug addiction, over
the counter (OTC) drug addiction has seen a rise in the last
decade.

In addition to substance abuse, other addictions that are
behavior oriented have seen rises and falls as well. Some
behavior-based addictions that have existed for years have
only recently become recognized as genuine addictions
requiring intervention. For example, where gambling
addictions were once unacknowledged, 12-step programs for
gambling addicts are now as mainstream as AA. Similar
addictions, including sex addiction, have also seen an
increase in awareness. Certain addictions, like food
addictions, have less social stigma but have come into the
forefront as behavior addictions requiring modification
nonetheless.

For many, an addiction may stem largely from habitual
familiarity but many addictions are both psychological and
physiological. Those who struggle with addiction are bound
not only by the psychological habit but in many cases, a
physical addiction. Substances that cause the body to
respond to an absence, such as caffeine, nicotine, or an
opiate drug, make overcoming addiction that much more
difficult.

With an increase of studies pertaining to the psychological
and physical dependencies created by addiction, programs to
overcome addiction have improved as well. Programs to treat
addiction were once barbaric in some sense, ignoring the
psychological aspect of addiction. Today, programs that
focus on the individual and each aspect of their addiction
make it possible to overcome addiction once and for all.
Through various support and treatment programs that address
an individual's addiction in both traditional and
non-traditional methods, addiction recovery is becoming more
successful.

Addictions of all varieties have seen some resurgence in
different times but the core of addiction and the road to
recovery remain the same. People struggling with addiction
are often depressed and can see their life spiraling out of
control but feel too alone or ashamed to ask for help.
Oftentimes, denial is at the core of addiction, with those
suffering from addiction unable to acknowledge their
dependency. Those who are involved in an addict's life also
feel alone and afraid and may not know how to help.

Thankfully, as addiction at its core has remained virtually
unchanged, the influx of information available through the
Internet and the increase in public awareness and health
education curriculum has improved the way people can find
help. Additionally, this increase in information and
awareness has improved the way recovery and treatment
facilities are able to offer help. Treatment and recovery
centers exist for nearly all types of addictions, in nearly
every part of the country. Substance abuse hotlines and
mental health benefits through insurance companies have also
helped to facilitate addiction help. If you or a loved one
is struggling with addiction, the first step to recovery is
to ask for help.

Catherine Cosgrove is a representative of Heritage Home Drug
and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center. Heritage Home Drug and
Alcohol Rehabilitation Center offers a tranquil and
therapeutic environment to begin your recovery from alcohol
and drug addiction. Our team has worked together in
(http://www.sobriety.ca/) drug rehab centres for many years
and will give you a personal, unique, and individualized
approach to emotional healing and sobriety.

Merck now targeting men with Gardasil, boys weren't enough

UPDATE: 10/17/09
The Risks and Benefits of HPV Vaccination
What your doctor or other health care provider is required to tell you by law, before you get a jab, so you can engage in informed consent.

UPDATE: 10/16/09
We have been covering this issue on NHN since 2008, and of course we are providing the information to alert you to the issues. Today The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the vaccine for use in males ages 9 to 26, Merck said in a statement.
Read an update from Bloomberg News

We do not believe this is a necessary vaccine for any one.
------------------------------
Original post date: 11/13/08

We can't encourage you enough to be very concerned about this vaccine and the mass marketing campaign associated with its promotion and use.

Do the research and get the facts before you get the jab.

Find other Gardasil and vaccine related articles via our search window.

Merck vaccine protects men from wart virus, too
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A vaccine designed to protect women and girls from cervical cancer caused by a wart virus may protect men, too, maker Merck and Co reported on Thursday.

The Gardasil vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing lesions, mostly sexually transmitted warts, caused by the virus in men, Anna Giuliano of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, and colleagues found.

It was about 45 percent effective in preventing infection with the four strains of HPV that it targets.

"We see 90.4 percent efficacy is reducing external genital lesions in males related to these four types of HPV -- 6, 11, 16, 18," Giuliano said in a telephone interview.

"These are the only data evaluating efficacy of any HPV vaccine in preventing disease in males, and were presented for the first time this week at the European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia International Multidisciplinary Conference," Merck said in a statement.

The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. About 20 million Americans currently are infected with HPV, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is the main cause of cervical cancer, which kills 3,870 women a year in the United States and 300,000 globally.

It can also cause other types of cancer, including anal and penis cancer as well as mouth and neck cancer. The CDC estimates that HPV caused 25,000 cases of cancer a year in the United States between 1998 and 2003.

Gardasil and its rival, GlaxoSmithKline's Cervarix, are only approved for use in girls and women, but the companies are seeking new markets and some experts say it should be used in boys and men, to protect them and their future sexual partners.

Merck said it remains on track to submit a U.S. application by the end of the year for the use of Gardasil in males ages 9 to 26.

Giuliano's team tested 4,065 young men ages 16 to 26, giving them either vaccine or placebo, and then checking them every six months. Evidence suggests the vaccine has to be given before a person is ever infected with HPV to be effective.

While it protected fewer than half the cases of HPV infection as detected in the blood, the vaccine appeared to prevent the development of genital warts and a precancerous

condition called penile/perineal/perianal intraepithelial neoplasia or PIN.

"This opens up some really important questions for further research," Giuliano said. "The cancers in men, which are HPV related are really only now being understood."

It will also be important to study whether vaccinating men protects female sexual partners, she said.

(Editing by Eric Walsh and Maureen Bavdek)
Copyright © 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

Fertility Concerns

Several new reports show that the effect of supplements can be very helpful when conception and fertility are concerned.

Read the new news notes...

And do remember that your nutritional status has a great impact on your health, especially when planning for a baby.