Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | May 22, 2012

Drug abuse in early childhood

What every parent needs to know – Drug abuse in early childhood.

Our children are under siege. They are being subjected to a constant stream of negative messages about drugs. Their world is teaching them that drug use is not only normal, but risk-free. They are being taught that they can put illegal drugs into their bodies and suffer no apparent consequences.

Recent studies have shown that media’s influence on children in regards to drug use phenomenal. This studies found:

MUSIC- 63% of all Rap songs refer to illicit drugs in some manner.

TELEVISION- TV shows and music videos constantly bombard our children with the idea that drugs are cool, drugs are fun, and drugs are harmless.

ROLE MODELS- Rock Stars, Movie Actors, Models, and Professional Athletes are constantly being arrested for drug use, and because of their immense wealth, they suffer very little consequences for their actions.

All of these factors send the wrong message to our children about drug use, but they are not the greatest threat. The greatest threat is Peer Pressure. Children want to fit in, and they want acceptance from their classmates. When they buy or use drugs for the first time, it is likely that they will get them from their friends.

The children were asked how difficult it would be to obtain drugs if they wanted some.

More than 1 in 5 kids that have not used any drugs in the past year said heroin was easy or fairly easy to obtain.

Of the children that admitted that they had used drugs in the last year, that number jumps to 1 in 4.

These children are not getting drugs from strangers standing on street corners. They are getting them from their friends at school.

And they don’t have to ask for drugs, because their friends are asking them.

The percentages of children that said someone had approached them in the last 30 days and offered to sell them drugs.

Anywhere from 1 out of every 8, to 1 out of every 5 children has been approached by somebody selling drugs.

It doesn’t really seem to matter whether they are male or female, where they live, or what ethnic group they belong to. The people that sell drugs are everywhere.

So – if our kids are watching movies and TV shows that are telling them that drugs are OK, and their music is constantly referring to drugs, and their friends at school are offering them drugs, what effect is that having on them?

It is sad to say, but the result of all of this is that kids are using drugs earlier than ever before. The next statistic paints the darkest picture of all. It shows the average age that kids start using particular drugs.

The average starting age for hard, addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin is only 14. And that is the AVERAGE. Many kids are starting at only 12 years old.

We know that these are some very scary statistics, but there is hope out there.

[These figures came from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) .]

We all hope that is doesn’t happen to my child

If your children decide to experiment with illegal drugs, they will eventually find someone to supply them – regardless of where you live. That is a hard but all too often true fact that raises questions like:
Why would my child experiment with drugs?
How can I tell if my child is taking drugs?
At what age are children exposed to drugs?
How can I keep my child safe from drugs?
Where can I go to get help?
We hope to provide you with information to answer these questions and more.

Preventing the Problem

- Parental Guidance

Start talking to your children at an early age about drugs and related issues. Give them a chance to participate in the discussions and find out what they already know about drugs (you may be surprised). Good communications patterns with your children will makes it much easier to deal with drug problems that may arise later.

Family Drug and Alcohol Policy

One plan many parents establish is to make a family drug and alcohol policy with their children.

The policy should include:

- Drug education
- A statement of expectations
- A listing of specific restrictions if the policy is not followed
- Most of all, the potential for drug testing.

The threat of drug testing is a risk that most children understand. It gives your child an acceptable “excuse” to say no and may take some peer pressure off of them to experiment.

Addressing the Problem

- Home Control

If teens and preteens do use drugs, they often deny it to their parents. This can lead to a multitude of conflicts within the family unit. Drug testing can help bring the issues into the open so they can be addressed. This is the first step towards finding a solution to the problems caused by the use of drugs by our children. With today’s technology, home drug testing is simple, inexpensive and very accurate. Our Instant Home Drug Test Kit can test for amphetamines, methamphetamine (crystal), cocaine, opiates and marijuana.

Looking For Help

A major problem with the war on drug abuse is the stigma that society has placed on the problem. As such, many people are too embarrassed to discuss drug related issues with their doctors, ministers, family counselors and other people you traditionally turn to for advice.

Open discussion of family drug problems, accomplishes two things:

- First, it provides a psychological uplift to find out that you are not alone in your battle.

- Second, it provides an opportunity to exchange ideas to help you figure out how you are going to help your children.

Parents working together will become more informed on drug issues and will be better prepared to fight the forces that are out there providing drugs to our children. There are hundreds of associations and neighborhood groups that have formed to fight the problem of teen drug abuse.

“Just Say No” (sponsored by your local police department)
are just a few of the many places you can turn too.

Signs That Your Child MAY Be On Drugs

When children start using drugs, they often exhibit signs which parents need to watch for. Unfortunately, many parents often write-off these signs as normal adolescent behavior and as a result do not realize that their child is into drugs.

So how can you, as a parent know for sure whether or not your child is in danger? There is no simple answer to that question – but the best way is to know your child and understand that all children will be exposed to drugs at some time in their life. The parent who says “not my kid” is the same parent who will miss the signs that their child has started experimenting with drugs. So what should you as parents be looking for as signs that your child is experimenting with drugs or alcohol.

Dramatic changes in style of clothes, hair, music

- Has your child started listening to radically different music?
- Is your kid coloring their hair some weird color just to fit in?
- Is your child dressing down to fit in with friends at school?

All of these are signs that your child is succumbing to peer pressure. Your child could be in danger of falling into the same kind of peer pressure when it comes to drugs. Everyone has a need to “fit in” – especially children. To succumbing to peer pressure in itself is not a bad thing. The problem is that children don’t have a wealth of experience to draw upon when making decisions and as a result it is easy for them to succumb to peer pressure can lead to trouble.

Hanging out with a bad crowd

Your child might tell you that his/her friends are cool kids – and they may be. But you need to take a close look at the kinds of kids your child is hanging out with. Chances are that the way their friends behave is the way your child behaves when you’re not around. Do some of your child’s friends smoke cigarettes? If so, odds are your child is smoking too. Your child’s friends are like a mirror for your son or daughter. Look at that mirror and try to see your child. One of the best ways to get a good idea of what your child is like is to look at their closest friends.

Tardiness and/or truancies

You need to stay in touch with your child’s school. Never assume that their school will contact you if there is a problem. If your child is getting into drugs, odds are he/she will start ditching classes or school all together. Kids tend to take off during the middle of the school day and get stoned somewhere near the school’s grounds. Don’t assume that their school will let you know about this kind of behavior. You need to realize that kids are great at coming up with good excuses.

Every kid knows how to forge their parent’s signature – no joke. Call your child’s school from time to time and ask about your child’s attendance record. Please don’t assume anything – find out for yourself.

Lack of motivation in school

- Does you child seem not to care about how he/she does in school?
- Does your child seem to put very little effort into homework assignments?
- Does your child come home from school to do his/her homework or is he/she just hanging out somewhere?

Your child should show a healthy interest in school. If your child doesn’t, then something is wrong and drugs are just one possibility. One of the first things that goes when your child is experimenting with drugs will be their interest in school. Now keep in mind that no one likes school every day of every week, when you were a child did you? Studying is hard work and everyone needs a break once in a while. But breaks need to be earned by putting in hard work first.

Isolating from family

- Does your child act distant?
- When you ask your child what he/she has been up to, does your child give you a vague reply?
- Does you child want to eat in their room all the time instead of with the family?

Children are smart – they know that the easiest lie to tell is the one they can avoid having to tell. If you child doesn’t tell you what he/she has been up to, there’s a good chance your child is hiding something.

Dramatic changes in attitude and personality

- Does it seem like your child is suddenly a different person with a new personality?
- Has your child suddenly developed a tough guy/girl attitude?

If your child is experimenting with drugs, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing these kinds of attitude changes. Often parents just see this as normal teenage behavior – which it may be. But on the other hand don’t make the mistake of simply ignoring your child’s personality change, otherwise you might overlook one of the most obvious signs of your child’s drug problem

Changes in sleep patterns

- This change should be fairly obvious:
Does your child stay up late (or even all night) and refuse to get up in the morning at a decent time?

Does your child sleep way too much or way too little? If your child isn’t sleeping much, there is a chance he/she is using some sort of stimulant.

If your child is sleeping too much, there is a chance that he/she is using some sort of depressant. Everyone likes to sleep in once in a while, but be on the look out for excessive sleep behavior.

Excessive use of foul or obscene language

- Has your child suddenly developed a filthy mouth?

This might indicate that your child is giving into peer pressure from their friends and should be a warning sign to you. If your child is trying to fit in with their friends by cursing, your child may look for other ways to gain acceptance into his/her peer group. One of these ways could be drugs.

Eating way too much or way too little

- Here’s an obvious sign of drug experimentation that can be overlooked as normal teenage behavior:
- Does your child come home in the afternoon after hanging out with their friends and devour every sweet in the refrigerator?
- Smoking pot gives a person the munchies and your refrigerator is a ready source of snacks to satisfy your child’s cravings.

Does your child skip quite a few consecutive meals?

Use of stimulants will suppress a person’s appetite – that’s why they are the main ingredient in diet pills. An unusual loss of appetite, especially by young girls who want to look thin, may be a sign that your child is using stimulants.

Paranoia – everyone is out to get me

- Does your son or daughter treat everybody as if they were the enemy?
- Do they tend to express the idea that everybody is out to get them?
- Do they seem overly paranoid to you?

This is not normal teenage behavior and is one of the most common signs of drug abuse.

Dilated eyes – red eyes – glazed eyes

- Has your child developed a violent side?
- Is he or she prone to sudden, uncontrollable fits of anger?

This doesn’t have to mean physical violence but can also be a teen who is always yelling or threatening people.

Any of these behavior patterns should be a warning sign to you that your child could be experimenting with drugs

Lies!

If your child is experimenting with drugs, he/she will be telling lots of lies to cover up their actions. If you suspect that your child is not telling you the truth on an on-going basis, there is a good chance that your instincts are accurate. Be persistent and learn what it is that they are trying to cover up. Drugs are always a possibility.

Dramatic mood swings

- Does your child seem real happy one day then terribly depressed the next day?
- Do your child’s emotions go up and down constantly?

This is often identified as normal teenage behavior – and it may be, but it can also be a sign of drug abuse.

Excessive money requirements or money disappearing

Drugs cost money – lots of money. If your child keeps coming to you needing money, or if money keeps disappearing from your purse or wallet, you need to have a serious talk with your child. Do they always seem to need round amounts such as $5, $10,$20 or more – that is often the price that drugs sell for.

Talking too slow or too fast

- If your child is smoking marijuana, he/she will probably speak very slowly or will express ideas that are completely out of context.

- Pot tends to put a person in a stupor and affects a person’s thought process.

- If your child is using stimulants, they will speak very fast and act very hyper.

Look for dramatic changes in your child’s pattern of speech. If one day he/she speaks normally and the next afternoon he/she is running a million miles a minute, drugs are a real possibility.

In Conclusion

What you have just read are possible signs that your child may be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Or they may be signs that your child has other problems. Or they may be signs that your child is completely normal. There is no one right answer all the time. Be on the look out for drastic changes in your child’s behavior. You are the person best equipped to spot the warning signs of your child’s problems – drug related or otherwise – because you are the person who knows your child the best.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | May 15, 2012

Learning the effects of Alcohol – Part II

How the Body Responds to Alcohol

Alcohol acts primarily on the nerve cells within the brain. Alcohol interferes with communication between nerve cells and all other cells, suppressing the activities of excitatory nerve pathways and increasing the activities of inhibitory nerve pathways.

For example, University of Chicago Medical Center: Alcohol and Anesthetic Actions talks about the ability of alcohol (and inhaled anesthetics) to enhance the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Enhancing an inhibitor would have the effect of making things sluggish, which matches the behavior you see in a drunk person. Glutamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that alcohol weakens. By making this excitatory neurotransmitter less effective, you also get sluggishness. Alcohol does this by interacting with the receptors on the receiving cells in these pathways.

Alcohol affects various centers in the brain, both higher and lower order. The centers are not equally affected by the same BAC — the higher-order centers are more sensitive than the lower-order centers. As the BAC increases, more and more centers of the brain are affected.

The order in which alcohol affects the various brain centers is as follows:

Cerebral cortex
Limbic system
Cerebellum
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Medulla (brain stem)

How Nerve Cells Talk

Nerve cells talk to each other and to other cells (such as muscle or gland cells) by sending chemical messages. These messages are called neurotransmitters.

An electrical signal travels down one nerve cell, causing it to release the neurotransmitter into a small gap between cells called the synapse. The neurotransmitter travels across the gap, binds to a protein on the receiving cell membrane called a receptor, and causes a change (electrical, chemical or mechanical) in the receiving cell. The neurotransmitter and receptor are specific to each other, like a lock and key. Neurotransmitters can either excite the receiving cell to cause a response or inhibit the receiving cell from stimulation.

High Times
Cerebral Cortex
The cerebral cortex is the highest portion of the brain. The cortex processes information from your senses, does your “thought” processing and consciousness (in combination with a structure called the basal ganglia), initiates most voluntary muscle movements and influences lower-order brain centers. In the cortex, alcohol does the following:

Depresses the behavioral inhibitory centers – The person becomes more talkative, more self-confident and less socially inhibited.
Slows down the processing of information from the senses – The person has trouble seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting; also, the threshold for pain is raised.
Inhibits thought processes – The person does not use good judgment or think clearly.
These effects get more pronounced as the BAC increases.

Limbic System
The limbic system consists of areas of the brain called the hippocampus and septal area. The limbic system controls emotions and memory. As alcohol affects this system, the person is subject to exaggerated states of emotion (anger, aggressiveness, withdrawal) and memory loss.

Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex is the highest portion of the brain. The cortex processes information from your senses, does your “thought” processing and consciousness (in combination with a structure called the basal ganglia), initiates most voluntary muscle movements and influences lower-order brain centers. In the cortex, alcohol does the following:

Depresses the behavioral inhibitory centers – The person becomes more talkative, more self-confident and less socially inhibited.
Slows down the processing of information from the senses - The person has trouble seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting; also, the threshold for pain is raised.
Inhibits thought processes - The person does not use good judgment or think clearly.

These effects get more pronounced as the BAC increases.

Limbic System

The limbic system consists of areas of the brain called the hippocampus and septal area. The limbic system controls emotions and memory. As alcohol affects this system, the person is subject to exaggerated states of emotion (anger, aggressiveness, withdrawal) and memory loss.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum coordinates the movement of muscles. The brain impulses that begin muscle movement originate in the motor centers of the cerebral cortex and travel through the medulla and spinal cord to the muscles. As the nerve signals pass through the medulla, they are influenced by nerve impulses from the cerebellum. The cerebellum controls fine movements. For example, you can normally touch your finger to your nose in one smooth motion with your eyes closed; if your cerebellum were not functioning, the motion would be extremely shaky or jerky. As alcohol affects the cerebellum, muscle movements become uncoordinated.

In addition to coordinating voluntary muscle movements, the cerebellum also coordinates the fine muscle movements involved in maintaining your balance. So, as alcohol affects the cerebellum, a person loses his or her balance frequently. At this stage, this person might be described as “falling down drunk.”

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that controls and influences many automatic functions of the brain through actions on the medulla, and coordinates many chemical or endocrine functions (secretions of sex, thyroid and growth hormones) through chemical and nerve impulse actions on the pituitary gland. Alcohol has two noticeable effects on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which influence sexual behavior and urinary excretion.

Alcohol depresses the nerve centers in the hypothalamus that control sexual arousal and performance. As BAC increases, sexual behavior increases, but sexual performance declines. This observation has been known for a long time.

Medulla- Warning … Danger Ahead

The medulla, or brain stem, controls or influences all of the bodily functions that you do not have to think about, like breathing, heart rate, temperature and consciousness. As alcohol starts to influence upper centers in the medulla, such as the reticular formation, a person will start to feel sleepy and may eventually become unconscious as BAC increases. If the BAC gets high enough to influence the breathing, heart rate and temperature centers, a person will breathe slowly or stop breathing altogether, and both blood pressure and body temperature will fall. These conditions can be fatal.

For more information on the parts of the brain and their functions, see How Your Brain Works.

Alcohol’s Effects on Other Body Systems
In addition to the brain, alcohol can affect other body tissues. It has the following effects on other systems in the body:

Irritates the linings of the stomach and intestine – This can lead to vomiting.
Increases blood flow to the stomach and intestines – This increases secretions by these organs, most notably stomach acid secretion.

Increases blood flow to the skin – This causes a person to sweat and look flushed. The sweating causes body heat to be lost, and the person’s body temperature may actually fall below normal.

Reduces blood flow to muscles - This can lead to muscle aches, most notably when a person recovers from the alcohol (the “hangover”).

All of alcohol’s effects continue until the ingested alcohol is eliminated by the body.

Alcohol Abuse

In the United States, approximately 8 percent of people aged 18 and older suffer from alcohol abuse and/or dependence. This abuse or dependence costs upwards of $1.7 billion in medical treatment, lost earnings, casualty damages and criminal/legal costs.

Alcohol abuse has been a rising problem over the past three decades. With the continued exposure to alcohol, how does the human body respond or adapt? The body’s increased tolerance to alcohol involves the following changes:

Increase in level of liver’s enzymes that are used to break down alcohol
Increase in activity of brain and nervous-system neurons
These bodily adaptations change a person’s behavior. The levels of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver increase in response to long-term alcohol exposure. This means that the body becomes more efficient at eliminating the high levels of alcohol in the blood. However, it also means that the person must drink more alcohol to experience the same effects as before, which leads to more drinking and contributes to addiction.

The normal chemical and electrical functions of nerve cells increase to compensate for the inhibitory effects of alcohol exposure. This increased nerve activity helps people to function normally with higher BAC; however, it also makes them irritable when they are not drinking. Furthermore, the increased nerve activity may make them crave alcohol. Most certainly, the increased nerve activity contributes to hallucinations and convulsions (e.g. delirium tremens) when alcohol is withdrawn, and makes it difficult to overcome alcohol abuse and dependence.

Long-term Effects

In addition to the adaptations mentioned on the previous page, there are many adverse physical effects that result from long-term exposure to alcohol:

The increased activity in the liver causes cell death and hardening of the tissue (cirrhosis of the liver).

The brain cells in various centers die, thereby reducing the total brain mass.
Stomach and intestinal ulcers can form because the constant alcohol use irritates and degrades the linings of these organs.

Blood pressure increases as the heart compensates for the initially reduced blood pressure caused by alcohol.

Male sex-cell (sperm) production decreases because of decreased sex-hormone secretion from the hypothalamus/pituitary and, possibly, direct effects of alcohol on the testes.

Poor nutrition decreases levels of iron and vitamin B, leading to anemia.
Because alcoholics lose balance and fall more often, they suffer more often from bruises and broken bones; this is especially true as they get older.

Finally, alcohol abuse and dependence cause emotional and social problems.

Because alcohol affects emotional centers in the limbic system, alcoholics can become anxious, depressed and even suicidal. The emotional and physical effects of alcohol can contribute to marital and family problems, including domestic violence, as well as work-related problems, such as excessive absences and poor performance.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | May 8, 2012

Learning the effects of Alcohol

Educating on Alcohol Abuse and Effects on the Human Body

In 1997, Americans drank an average of 2 gallo­ns (7.57 liters) of alcohol per person. This translates roughly into one six-pack of beer, two glasses of wine and three or four mixed drinks per week (see MMWR: Apparent Per Capita Ethanol Consumption for details). About 35 percent of adults don’t consume alcohol, so the numbers are actually higher for those who do — alcohol is an amazingly popular social phenomenon.

If you have ever seen a person who has had too much to drink, you know that alcohol is a drug that has widespread effects on the body, and the effects vary from person to person. People who drink might be the “life of the party” or they might become sad and droopy. Their speech may slur and they may have trouble walking. It all depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, a person’s history with alcohol and a person’s personality.

Even though you have seen the physical and behavioral changes, you might wonder exactly how alcohol works on the body to produce those effects. What is alcohol? How does the body process it? How does the chemistry of alcohol work on the chemistry of the brain?

What is Alcohol?

In order to understand alcohol’s effects on the body, it is helpful to understand the nature of alcohol as a chemical, so let’s take a look…

Here are several facts:

Alcohol is a clear liquid at room temperature.
Alcohol is less dense and evaporates at a lower temperature than water (this property allows it to be distilled — by heating a water and alcohol mixture, the alcohol evaporates first).
Alcohol dissolves easily in water.
Alcohol is flammable (so flammable that it can be used as a fuel).

Alcohol can be made by three different methods:

Fermentation of fruit or grain mixtures (See How Beer Works for details). This is often followed by distillation of fermented fruit or grain mixtures (Spirits such as whiskey, rum, vodka and gin are distilled.)
Chemical modification of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas or coal (industrial alcohol)
Chemical combination of hydrogen with carbon monoxide (methanol or wood alcohol)

Ethyl Alcohol

The alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol).

In this structure, C is carbon, H is hydrogen, O is oxygen and the hyphens are the chemical bonds between the atoms. For purposes of clarity, the bonds between the three hydrogen atoms and the left carbon atom are not shown. The OH (O-H) group on the molecule is what gives it the specific chemical properties of an alcohol. For the remainder of this article, when we say “alcohol,” we mean ethanol.

You will not find pure alcohol in most drinks; drinking pure alcohol can be deadly because it only takes a few ounces of pure alcohol to quickly raise the blood alcohol level into the danger zone. For various types of beverages, the ethanol concentration (by volume) is as follows:

Beer = 4 to 6 percent (average of about 4.5 percent)
Wine = 7 to 15 percent (average of about 11 percent)
Champagne = 8 to 14 percent (average of about 12 percent)
Distilled spirits (e.g. rum, gin, vodka, whiskey) = 40 to 95 percent. Most of the typical spirits purchased in liquor stores are 40 percent alcohol. Some highly concentrated forms of rum and whisky (75 to 90 percent) can be purchased in liquor stores. Some highly concentrated forms of whiskey (i.e. moonshine) can be made and/or purchased illegally.

In most U.S. states, you must be 21 years or older to buy alcoholic beverages, and there are penalties for serving or selling alcoholic beverages to minors.

Alcohol Effects: Men vs. Women

When you compare men and women of the same height, weight and build, men tend to have more muscle and less fat than women. Because muscle tissue has more water than fat tissue, a given dose or amount of alcohol will be diluted more in a man than in a woman. Therefore, the blood alcohol concentration resulting from that dose will be higher in a woman than in a man, and the woman will feel the effects of that dose of alcohol sooner than the man will.
How Alcohol Enters the Body

When a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, about 20 percent of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and about 80 percent is absorbed in the small intestine. How fast the alcohol is absorbed depends upon several things:

The concentration of alcohol in the beverage – The greater the concentration, the faster the absorption.

The type of drink – Carbonated beverages tend to speed up the absorption of alcohol.

Whether the stomach is full or empty – Food slows down alcohol absorption.
After absorption, the alcohol enters the bloodstream and dissolves in the water of the blood. The blood carries the alcohol throughout the body. The alcohol from the blood then enters and dissolves in the water inside each tissue of the body (except fat tissue, as alcohol cannot dissolve in fat). Once inside the tissues, alcohol exerts its effects on the body. The observed effects depend directly on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which is related to the amount of alcohol consumed. The BAC can rise significantly within 20 minutes after having a drink.

The Breakdown of Alcohol

The breakdown, or oxidation, of ethanol occurs in the liver. An enzyme in the liver called alcohol dehydrogenase strips electrons from ethanol to form acetaldehyde. Another enzyme, called aldehyde dehydrogenase, converts the acetaldehyde, in the presence of oxygen, to acetic acid, the main component in vinegar.

The symbol is a double bond between the atoms. When ethanol is oxidized to acetic acid, two protons and two electrons are also produced. The acetic acid can be used to form fatty acids or can be further broken down into carbon dioxide and water.

How Alcohol Leaves the Body

Once absorbed by the bloodstream, the alcohol leaves the body in three ways:

The kidney eliminates 5 percent of alcohol in the urine.
The lungs exhale 5 percent of alcohol, which can be detected by breathalyzer devices.

The liver chemically breaks down the remaining alcohol into acetic acid.
As a rule of thumb, an average person can eliminate 0.5 oz (15 ml) of alcohol per hour. So, it would take approximately one hour to eliminate the alcohol from a 12 oz (355 ml) can of beer.

The BAC increases when the body absorbs alcohol faster than it can eliminate it. So, because the body can only eliminate about one dose of alcohol per hour, drinking several drinks in an hour will increase your BAC much more than having one drink over a period of an hour or more.

The Effects of Alcohol

If you have seen someone who has had too much to drink, you’ve probably noticed definite changes in that person’s performance and behavior. The body responds to alcohol in stages, which correspond to an increase in BAC:

Euphoria (BAC = 0.03 to 0.12 percent)
They become more self-confident or daring.
Their attention span shortens.
They may look flushed.
Their judgement is not as good — they may say the first thought that comes to mind, rather than an appropriate comment for the given situation.
They have trouble with fine movements, such as writing or signing their name.

Excitement (BAC = 0.09 to 0.25 percent)
They become sleepy.
They have trouble understanding or remembering things (even recent events).
They do not react to situations as quickly (if they spill a drink they may just stare at it).
Their body movements are uncoordinated.
They begin to lose their balance easily.
Their vision becomes blurry.
They may have trouble sensing things (hearing, tasting, feeling, etc.).

Confusion (BAC = 0.18 to 0.30 percent)
They are confused — might not know where they are or what they are doing.
They are dizzy and may stagger.
They may be highly emotional — aggressive, withdrawn or overly affectionate.
They cannot see clearly.
They are sleepy.
They have slurred speech.
They have uncoordinated movements (trouble catching an object thrown to them).
They may not feel pain as readily as a sober person.

Stupor (BAC = 0.25 to 0.4 percent)
They can barely move at all.
They can barely move at all.
They cannot respond to stimuli.
They cannot stand or walk.
They may vomit.
They may lapse in and out of consciousness.

Coma (BAC = 0.35 to 0.50 percent)
They are unconscious.
Their reflexes are depressed (i.e. their pupils do not respond appropriately to changes in light).
They feel cool (lower-than-normal body temperature).
Their breathing is slower and more shallow.
Their heart rate may slow.
They may die.

Death (BAC more than 0.50 percent) – The person usually stops breathing and dies.

Next Article – Part II Alcohol on the Brain

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | May 1, 2012

Performance-enhancing Drugs

Facts on How Performance-enhancing Drugs Work and Dangerous Side Effects

“If I could give you a pill that would make you an Olympic champion — and also kill you in a year — would you take it?” Dr. Gabe Mirkin asked competitive runners that question in advance of a Washington, D.C., road race in 1967. Of the approximately 100 athletes who returned Mirkin’s questionnaire, more than half responded that they would take the pill.

The prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs in sports has increased in the 43 years since Mirkin, a physician and sports medicine expert, handed out his survey. The desire to win is, naturally, ever present while, at the same time, new research and technologies have expanded the number of options for cheating your way onto the podium. For example, today’s performance-enhancing drugs come in many forms other than a pill (“the cream and the clear,” a testosterone-based ointment described by accused athletes in court testimony, comes to mind), but the results they produce are still highly sought after. Professional cycling has been repeatedly rocked by revelations and allegations of drug use. Every two years as the Olympic Games begin, we hear about athletes using or at least being tested for performance-enhancing drugs. Major League Baseball is still trying to repair its image from the steroid era. And the list goes on.

Some athletes get away with using drugs; others wind up suspended from their sport or even in jail, and still others die prematurely. It’s a risky and complex game within a game that plays itself out on a public stage. In this article, we’ll discuss why some athletes take drugs, what the major classes of drugs and their side effects are, and how people test for drug use.

Why Some Athletes Use Drugs

Athletes face enormous pressure to excel in competition. They also know that winning can reap them more than a gold medal. A star athlete can earn a lot of money and a lot of fame, and athletes only have a short time to do their best work. Athletes know that training is the best path to victory, but they also get the message that some drugs and other practices can boost their efforts and give them a shortcut, even as they risk their health and their athletic careers.

As far back as ancient Greece, athletes have often been willing to take any preparation that would improve their performance. But it appears that drug use increased in the 1960s. The precise reason for the increase is uncertain, but we do know that anabolic-androgenic steroids were made available for sale during this period and the East German government began giving drugs to its athletes in an attempt to excel on an international level . Athletes may also misuse drugs to relax, cope with stress or boost their own confidence.

Athletes may have several reasons for using performance-enhancing drugs. An athlete may want to: build mass and strength of muscles and/or bones; increase delivery of oxygen to exercising tissues; mask pain; stimulate the body; relax; reduce weight or hide the use of other drugs.

The classes of drugs used for these purposes are shown above. Most of the drugs shown are banned outright in Olympic competitions. However, some of these drugs, such as cortisone and local anesthetics, are allowed with certain restrictions in Olympic competition because they have legitimate clinical uses. We’ll look at each major class of drug and tell you about the dangerous side effects.

Building Mass and Strength
Mass- and strength-enhancing drugs used by athletes include:
Anabolic steroids
Beta-2 agonists
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Human growth hormone (HGH)
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
Insulin

Anabolic Steroids

A steroid is a chemical substance derived from cholesterol. The body has several major steroid hormones — cortisol and testosterone in the male, estrogen and progesterone in the female. Catabolic steroids break down tissue, and anabolic steroids build up tissue. Anabolic steroids build muscle and bone mass primarily by stimulating the muscle and bone cells to make new protein.

Athletes use anabolic steroids because they increase muscle strength by encouraging new muscle growth. Anabolic steroids are similar in structure to the male sex hormone, testosterone, so they enhance male reproductive and secondary sex characteristics (testicle development, hair growth, thickening of the vocal cords). They allow the athlete to train harder and longer at any given period.

Anabolic steroids are mostly testosterone (male sex hormone) and its derivatives. Examples of anabolic steroids include: testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione (andro), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), clostebol, nandrolone.

These substances can be injected or taken as pills. Anabolic steroids have a number of possible and well-known side effects, including: jaundice and liver damage because these substances are normally broken down in the liver; mood swings, depression and aggression because they act on various centers of the brain.

In males, the excessive concentrations interfere with normal sexual function and cause baldness, infertility and breast development.

In females, the excessive concentrations cause male characteristics to develop and interfere with normal female functions. The drugs can stimulate hair growth on the face and body, suppress or interfere with the menstrual cycle — possibly leading to infertility; thicken the vocal cords, which causes the voice to deepen, possibly permanently; interfere with the developing fetus in pregnant women.

Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists

When inhaled, beta-2 agonists relax the smooth muscle in the airways of asthma patients by mimicking the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine, substances that are secreted by sympathetic nerves. However when injected into the bloodstream, these drugs can build muscle mass (anabolic effect) and reduce body fat (catabolic effect). The anabolic effect appears to directly affect building proteins in the muscles, which is independent of nervous or cardiovascular effects.

Some examples of beta-2 agonists include:

Clenbuterol
Terbutaline
Salbutamol
Fenoterol
Bambuterol
Some of these substances are permitted in inhaler forms with written medical consent.

The major side effects include: nausea, headaches and dizziness because these substances constrict blood vessels in the brain; muscle cramps because they constrict blood vessels in muscles; and rapid heartbeats or flutters because they stimulate heart rate.

Human Growth Hormones
Human growth hormones include human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), luteinizing hormone (LH) and human growth hormone (HGH), insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
HCG is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the developing fetus and detected in most home pregnancy kits. HCG stimulates the development of natural male and female sex steroids. The increase in testosterone levels in males by the use of HCG would stimulate muscle development as with anabolic steroids. HCG is not banned in female athletes because it would not lead to muscle development and might naturally occur in high levels if the athlete is pregnant. The side effects of HCG in males are the same as those of anabolic steroids.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
LH is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. LH is important for maintaining normal levels of testosterone in the male and estrogen in the female. In women, a surge of LH during mid-cycle is the signal for ovulation. In men, excess LH or artificial LH derivatives (tamoxifen) would increase testosterone levels and have the same effects as anabolic steroids. Although no general side effects exist, any possible side effects might be similar to those of anabolic steroids.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
HGH is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland and is important for normal human growth and development, especially in children and teenagers. Low HGH levels in children and teenagers result in dwarfism.

Excessive HGH levels increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis, strengthen bones by stimulating bone growth and reduce body fat by stimulating the breakdown of fat cells. Use of HGH has become increasingly popular because it is difficult to detect.

Side effects include:

Overgrowth of hands, feet, and face (acromegaly) because of the increased muscle and bone development in these parts
Enlarged internal organs, especially heart, kidneys, tongue and liver
Heart problems
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1)

IGF-1, which is also called somatomedin-C, is a naturally occurring protein that helps in the action of HGH. It also stimulates protein synthesis and reduces fat. Excessive IGF-1 would increase muscle and bone mass as HGH does. Side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and other side effects similar to HGH.

Insulin

Insulin is a natural protein hormone produced by the pancreas, which is important for metabolism of sugars, starches, fats, and proteins. It is necessary for the treatment of juvenile (Type 1) diabetes. In athletes, insulin combined with anabolic steroids or HGH could increase muscle mass by stimulating protein synthesis. Side effects are mainly low blood sugar associated with shaking, nausea and weakness, but excessive hypoglycemia can lead to coma and death.

Increasing Oxygen in Tissues

In addition to taking drugs that build mass and strength, some athletes take drugs and engage in practices that increase the amount of oxygen in tissues, including protein hormones, artificial oxygen carriers and blood doping.

Protein Hormones

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a naturally occurring protein hormone that is secreted by the kidneys during low-oxygen conditions. EPO stimulates the bone marrow stem cells to make red blood cells, which increase the delivery of oxygen to the kidney. Endurance athletes, such as those who compete in marathons, cycling or cross-country skiing, can use EPO to increase their oxygen supply by as much as 7 to 10 percent. EPO is difficult to detect. The increased red cell density caused by EPO, however, can thicken the blood. The thickened blood, which is more like honey than water, does not flow through the blood vessels well. To pump the thickened blood, the heart must work harder, which increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.

Artificial Oxygen Carriers

Artificial oxygen carriers are man-made substances that can do the work of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in your blood. Doctors use them to treat breathing difficulties in premature infants, patients with severe lung injuries and deep-sea divers. They include substances such as perfluorocarbons, synthetic- or modified-hemoglobins and liposome-encased hemoglobins (artificial red cells). It is not clear how they benefit athletes. Possible side effects include immune-system problems, cardiovascular problems, iron overload and kidney damage.

Blood Doping

Blood doping is the practice of infusing whole blood into an athlete in order to increase oxygen delivery to the tissues. A similar effect can be achieved by training at high altitudes. An athlete who infuses his own blood may cause infection or cardiovascular problems because of the increased blood volume (high blood pressure, blood clots, heart failure and stroke). An athlete who uses someone else’s blood runs the risk of acquiring viral infections such as HIV/AIDS.

Masking Pain

Along with training and performing to be a world-class athlete comes the pain of injuries. Sometimes, athletes try to mask their injury pain with drugs, including narcotics, protein hormones and local anesthetics.

Narcotics

Narcotics are used to treat pain and include substances such as morphine, methadone, Vicodin, Percocet and heroin. Narcotics are highly addictive, and the “high” associated with their use can impair mental abilities such as judgment, balance and concentration. Also, athletes who continue to compete with an injury run the risk of further damage or complications.

Protein Hormones

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a naturally occurring protein hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of hormones from the adrenal cortex. These adrenal cortex hormones are important in reducing inflammation in injuries and allergic responses. So, by using ACTH to stimulate internal adrenal cortex hormones, an athlete could mask an injury. Possible side effects include stomach irritation, ulcers, mental irritation and long-term effects (weakening bones and muscles).

Local Anesthetics

Local anesthetics, like those your dentist or doctor use, are used to mask pain in the short-term without impairing mental abilities. They include novocaine, procaine, lidocaine and lignocaine. Athletes may use them so that they can continue to compete while injured. The major problem with their use is the possibility of further aggravating an injury.

Masking Drug Use

As previously mentioned, diuretics can be used to reduce the presence of drugs in urine samples. Other compounds, including epitestosterone, plasma expanders and secretion inhibitors, can be used to reduce the presence of banned substances in blood samples.

Epitestosterone

Epitestosterone is a biological form of testosterone that does not enhance performance. Drug tests for testosterone typically measure the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E ratio). An athlete can inject epitestosterone, lower the T/E ratio and hide the use of testosterone. By itself, epitestosterone has no real harmful side effects.

Plasma Expanders

Plasma expanders are substances that are used to increase the fluid component of blood. They are used to treat victims of shock, trauma and surgery. Athletes can use these substances to dilute the concentration of banned substances (EPO) in their blood. Most side effects include moderate to severe allergic reactions.

Secretion Inhibitors

Many drugs and foreign substances have structures that are shaped like organic acids. In the body, these organic acids are removed by a protein in the kidney that transports organic acids. If this protein can be blocked, then these drugs or foreign substances would not appear in the urine. Doctors use these inhibitors to treat gout. However, the drugs can be used to manipulate the results of urine drug tests. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and kidney problems.

Testing Athletes for Drug Use

The majority of drugs that can be used by athletes can be detected in samples of urine. An athlete is told by a drug control officer to submit a urine sample for testing. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis and the results are reported back to the governing athletic agency. For some substances, blood samples may be required.

Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry are the most common methods of chemical analysis. These tests can be done on urine and blood samples. In gas chromatography, the sample is vaporized in the presence of a gaseous solvent and placed through a long path of a machine. Each substance dissolves differently in the gas and stays in the gas phase for a unique, specific time, called the retention time. Typically the substance comes out of the gas and is absorbed on to a solid or liquid, which is then analyzed by a detector. When the sample is analyzed, the retention time is reported or plotted to create a chromatogram. Standard samples of drugs are run, as well as the urine/blood samples, so that specific drugs can be identified and quantified in the chromatograms of the urine/blood samples.

In mass spectrometry, samples are blown apart with an electron beam and the fragments are accelerated down a long magnetic tube to a detector. Each substance has a unique “fingerprint” in the mass spectrometer. Again, standard samples are run for identification and quantification of drugs in the urine/blood samples.

Immuno-Assays
Some substances (such as HCG, LH, ACTH) can be measured in urine samples using an immuno-assay. In this test, the sample is mixed with a solution containing an antibody specific to the tested substance. An antibody is a protein that binds only a specific substance and is how the body recognizes foreign substances. The antibody in the test is usually tagged with a fluorescent dye or radioactive substance. The amount of fluorescent light or radioactivity is measured and is related to the concentration of the tested substance in the sample.
Tests for Performance Enhancing Drugs

Tests for EPO have been recently developed. One EPO test looks at the size of red blood cells. It has been noticed that synthetic EPO produces red blood cells that are smaller and bind more iron then natural EPO. So, the size and iron content of red blood cells from a blood sample are analyzed to determine whether an athlete has used EPO.

In 2008, the International Cycling Union introduced a blood passport practice. The anti-doping procedure monitors the characteristics of an athlete’s blood over a period of time. For example, hematocrit levels (the percentage of red blood cells to the total volume of whole blood) are tracked for abnormal spikes. Red blood cells carry oxygen — a spike in hematocrit levels would, therefore, enhance a cyclist’s performance and indicate doping.

Until approximately 2010, there were no reliable tests for HGH. But a blood-testing innovation proved to be effective enough to lead rugby officials in Britain to suspend an athlete for violating the ban on Human Growth Hormone in February of that year. The National Football League is now advocating HGH testing, though the NFL Players Association has voiced its opposition .

Although there is little statistical evidence on how widespread doping is, athletes and coaches stress that most competitors do not take drugs. Nonetheless, drug testing is becoming an increasingly integral part of sports competitions. As new performance-enhancing drugs are developed, new tests are developed to detect these drugs, and the struggle to keep sports clean continues indefinitely.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | April 24, 2012

DNA Testing for Immigrant Visa

Overview – US State Department – DNA Testing, Immigrant Visa Applications

Genetic testing is a useful tool for verifying a stated biological relationship when no other form of credible evidence is available in conjunction with an immigrant visa (IV) application. Commonly tested relationships that utilize DNA testing include paternity, maternity, full-siblingship, or half-siblingship. More distant relationships cannot be proven reliably using DNA testing. DNA technology is the only non-documentary method accepted for proof of a biological relationship. However, due to the expense, complexity, and logistical delays inherent in parentage testing, genetic testing should be used only if no other credible proof (documentation, photos, etc.) of the relationship exists.

When genetic testing appears warranted, a Consular Officer may suggest visa applicants undergo DNA testing to establish the validity of the relationship(s). Please note that such testing is entirely voluntary; and that all costs of testing and related expenses must be borne by the petitioner and/or beneficiary and paid to the laboratory in advance. In addition, submitting to testing does not guarantee the subsequent issuance of a visa.

Below, you will find the process to follow if a Consular Officer has suggested DNA testing to establish the claimed biological relationship.

What Type of DNA Sample Method Is Used?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing is the most accurate and widely available technology to test a biological relationship. The preferred specimen collection technique for DNA testing is by buccal (cheek or mouth cavity) swab. When buccal swabs are taken, cells are collected from the inside cheek or mouth using a long cotton swab. While there are different types of DNA tests, buccal cheek swabs are used rather than blood samples because they are easier to collect, non-invasive, painless, and easier to ship.

Accuracy of DNA Testing
DNA testing reliability has advanced to the industry-accepted standard of 99.5 percent. The accuracy of a DNA test conducted with a cheek swab is equivalent to a test conducted using a blood test. Consular officers may only accept test results reporting a 99.5 percent or greater degree of certainty with respect to paternity/maternity as sufficient to support a biological relationship between a parent and child in visa cases.

The Petitioner’s DNA Sampling Process
Step 1: Locating an Accredited Facility

If a DNA test is recommended the petitioner (you) will initiate the process by selecting a laboratory where the DNA sample will be collected. The laboratory you select must be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). To find the laboratory in the U.S. nearest you, visit their list of Accredited Facilities. Note: The list of laboratories is based on the physical location of the lab’s headquarters. To find the most convenient location, you should be able to choose from the full list of AABB laboratories that conduct DNA testing. After you have located a facility it is your responsibility to both set an appointment and pay the required fees. Under no circumstances should a third party be involved in the process of selecting a lab, scheduling the appointment, or any other process outlined in the next steps.

Note: Fraudulent DNA Labs - Beware of labs that claim to be accredited by AABB, or to be affiliated with an AABB lab, but are not. We only accept testing kits and results from AABB-accredited labs. If a lab is not listed on the AABB’s website, then you should not use it for the purposes of an immigration DNA test.

Step 2: Petitioner DNA Sample Collection

Petitioners must not directly receive test kits for themselves or their beneficiaries.

At your appointment you will submit DNA by a buccal swab. After the sample is provided, the AABB collection site or clinic must submit the test kit (sample) directly to their main AABB lab testing site.

Test Kit for the Visa Applicant – Under no circumstances should you receive the DNA test kit for yourself or relative. The AABB testing site which the petitioner selects, will forward the test kit along with a pre-addressed, pre-paid envelope to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your relative(s) will be tested.

The Visa Applicant’s DNA Sampling Process
Step 3: The Embassy Contacts the Applicant

Once the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad receives a DNA kit from an accredited laboratory in the U.S., they will contact the visa applicant who needs to provide a DNA sample, and provide him or her with an appointment to come to the Embassy.

Step 4: DNA Sampling Fees PRIOR to the Applicant’s Appointment

Before your family member’s appointment, they must arrange payment for the collection directly with the the panel physician that will conduct the DNA sampling. When they pay the fee a receipt will be given to them that they must bring to their appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If your family member fails to bring the receipt to the appointment they will be required to reschedule the DNA collection appointment.

Step 5: Appear at the Embassy for the Collection Appointment

All DNA collection for visa applicants is done in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate by a designated physician or medical technician and witnessed by Embassy officers managing the process. The day of your DNA collection appointment, the applicant must come to the U.S. Embassy with the following documents:

*The visa applicant’s passport
*A photo of the applicant
*A receipt from the panel physician showing payment for the DNA collection

After the collection has been taken the Embassy will use the pre-paid and pre-addressed envelope to send the test kit back to accredited lab testing site in the U.S. Under no circumstances will the test kit be released to the beneficiary, lab technician, or other party for return to the AABB lab.

Receiving the Test Results and Next Steps
Once the analysis is complete, the AABB laboratory in the U.S. will send the results directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Once the Embassy or Consulate receives the results, the visa applicant will be contacted in order to continue processing his or her visa application to conclusion. Only results sent directly to the Embassy or Consulate by the AABB lab will be accepted. Submitting to DNA testing does not guarantee visa issuance.

For copies of the results either the petitioner or beneficiary may contact the AABB laboratory directly. Please note that the Embassy will not provide the petitioner or applicant with a copy of the laboratory results.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | April 17, 2012

Seniors Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse in the Elderly – How the Elderly Become Addictied to Their Medications

An advancing number of drug abusers are addicted to, not illegal drugs, but to medically prescribed drugs. An even more startling fact is that among those abusing prescription medications are the elderly. Incorrectly following the instructions on the medication bottle, mixing medications, forgetting to take medicines, and an inhibition to ask for assistance are all common attributes amongst elderly people that contribute to the abuse of prescription medications.

Although this kind of abuse is common in the elderly, it is frequently misdiagnosed by physicians and goes unnoticed by family members. Prescription drug abuse is present in 12% to 15% of elderly individuals who seek medical attention. Health problems related to substance abuse cost Medicare two hundred thirty three million dollars per year in 1989, and probably account for much larger expenditures today. Although 60% of substance abuse is recognized in patients under the age of 60, only 37% is recognized in patients over the age of 60. Physicians often fail to recognize elderly substance abuse for many different reasons.

1. Lack of awareness by the physician

2. Embarrassment by the physician at the idea of suggesting that his/her elderly patient be screened for abuse.

3. Failure to perceive the importance of substance abuse in the elderly

4. The idea that, “he is old, let him have his small pleasure.”

Elderly substance abuse can be divided into to categories, prescription abuse and non-prescription abuse. The elderly population accounts for 14% of our population, they consume as much as 25% of prescription medications taken in this country. Many drugs are inappropriately prescribed for older people and 25% of prescriptions lack appropriate indications for the patient and their illness.

Benzodiazepines (Valium) and narcotics (Librium) are two of the most commonly prescribed drugs of abuse by the elderly. Over the counter sleeping medications are the most common non-prescription drugs abused by the elderly. Like younger patients who abuse prescription drugs, the elder abusers have a high rate of psychiatric problems due to the addiction. Unlike younger addicts though, the elderly patient is more likely to have physical and neurological complications due to the addiction als.

Screening for drug abuse in the elderly can be difficult because most will deny symptoms and usage. Surveys of elderly community based individuals indicate from 17% to 20% are receiving psychotropic medications that are highly addictive. Almost half indicate use beyond the prescribed levels of these medications. Most elderly patients will try and hide inappropriate prescription drug usage by visiting several physicians and obtaining numerous prescriptions for Valium and narcotics. Normally when an elderly patient goes to the doctor they are on so many different kinds of medication that it requires the use of a shopping bag filled with bottles. Most physicians will ask their elderly patient to bring all medications with them on each visit, both prescription and non-prescription.

If the physician finds redundant prescriptions for narcotics, benzodiazepines or sedative type medications then it should be taken for granted that the patient is probably abusing the medications.

Determining whether or not an elderly patient is abusing his/her medications takes a bio-medical approach by the physician. It has to be determined whether the patient has a biological disease, such as depression that is producing the abuse or whether the abuse has produced a biochemical brain disorder such as dementia or delirium. There must be an examination of the medical complications caused by the abuse as well as medical problems that may have been made worse due to the abuse. Psychological distress amongst the elderly can cause addictive behaviors but to fix the medical condition that is causing the distress the physician will need to prescribe the same types of medications that the patient has been abusing.

Elderly patients have a mixture of social and functional dependencies that encourage addictive behaviors. After a certain age, when they are unable to do the social things they have taken for granted and then begin to have problems doing the things we all need to do daily just to function in life it is easy for them to just pop a pill, any old pill, as long as it helps them continue to live independently. This need to remain independent plays a large role in complicating any medical plan that is put into place when it comes to helping an elderly patient who is abusing their medication.

The long-term treatment and management of an elderly patient who has been abusing their medication will include a mixture of medical, psychiatric and family involvement. If the abuse is acute it may require treatment as an inpatient at a drug rehab facility. It will definitely require family intervention and a willingness by family members to monitor the patient’s medications and schedules. There will have to be continued medical assessment of any medical complications caused by the abuse.

The road back to health can be long and filled with anxiety for elderly patients who have found themselves addicted to prescription medications. Combinations of proper medical treatment, counseling and family support will make it a smoother journey back to a healthier lifestyle. One in which they can be alert, functioning and independent without the need to abuse prescription drugs.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | April 10, 2012

National Take-Back Day

Find a National Take-Back Day Site Near You


America is facing an unprecedented drug abuse epidemic fueled by prescription medications found in homes across the country. According to the CDC, prescription drug overdoses claimed the lives of more than 15,500 Americans in 2009 – nearly four times the number of people who died from these drugs in 1999. With more people dying from drug-induced deaths than car accidents in America, it is vitally important that we do what is necessary to prevent drug abuse.

In 2010, about 2,100 young people per day abused prescription drugs for the first time, and the majority of these pills came from friends, family, or in the home. Teens aren’t the only ones abusing medication; in 2010, Americans began using prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at a rate of about 6,600 people per day.

Three out of four prescription drug overdoses involve opioid pain relievers, and, as we mentioned earlier this week, more than 65 percent of people who abuse medication obtain the drugs—for free, or without asking—from friends or family . With prescription drug abuse now at epidemic levels, it is more important than ever to remove unused and or unwanted prescription drugs from your home.

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 28, Director Kerlikowske will participate in the fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, with scheduled visits to four collection locations in the Seattle area. For the event, organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), collection sites around the country will allow residents to safely dispose of unneeded or unwanted prescription drugs in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible way.

Approximately 377,086 pounds of unwanted or expired medications were turned in at more than 5,000 sites during DEA’s most recent Take-Back event in October 2011. In all, state, local and tribal partners have collected nearly 500 tons of pills during Take-Back events in 2010 and 2011.

For more information about Take-Back Day, go here. To locate a take-back site near you, please use the DEA’s site locator. To learn more about the Administration’s strategy for combating prescription drug abuse, see the 2011 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | April 3, 2012

Teen Pregnancy

Teen Pregnancy: Medical Risks and Realities

Do you have the facts about teen pregnancy — the statistics and the way teen pregnancy affects health? Do you know the common early signs of pregnancy? How about how to have a healthy pregnancy at a young age? Here’s information that will help you understand teenage pregnancy. It can also help you get through it if you are a teenager who is pregnant.

Teen pregnancy: The facts

About 40 teenage girls get pregnant for every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19.

The CDC’s latest statistics showed a recent 3% rise in teen pregnancies. That means about 42 births for every 1,000 girls in 2006, up from 40.5 births in 2005. In real numbers, that translates to about 20,000 more births among teens in the U.S. in 2006. At the same time, teen pregnancies are still at their lowest level in 30 years. The high was 61 births per 1,000 girls in 1991.

Teen pregnancy: The signs

Missing one or more menstrual periods is the classic sign of pregnancy. But this can be tricky for teenage girls whose periods aren’t yet regular. It can also be tricky for girls whose cycles are off as a result of excessive dieting or exercise or low body fat from sports or anorexia.

The full list of pregnancy signs includes:

a missed menstrual period
nausea or vomiting — called “morning sickness,” though it can happen throughout the day
sudden, intense aversion to certain foods, especially meats or fatty, fried foods
sore nipples or breasts
unusual fatigue
frequent urination
unusual mood swings
Of course, a positive pregnancy test is another sign of pregnancy. Today’s home pregnancy tests are generally considered accurate. These simple kits can be bought over the counter in drugstores.

Teen pregnancy: Medical risks and realities

Pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks.

Lack of prenatal care

Teenage girls who are pregnant — especially if they don’t have support from their parents — are at risk of not getting adequate prenatal care. Prenatal care is critical, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Prenatal care screens for medical problems in both mother and baby, monitors the growth of the baby, and deals quickly with any complications that arise. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid — ideally taken before getting pregnant — are key in helping to help prevent certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects.

High blood pressure

Pregnant teens have a higher risk of getting high blood pressure — called pregnancy-induced hypertension — than pregnant women in their 20s or 30s. They also have a higher risk of preeclampsia. This is a dangerous medical condition that combines high blood pressure with excess protein in the urine, swelling of a mother’s hands and face, and organ damage.

These medical risks affect the pregnant teen, who may need to take medications to control symptoms. But they can also disrupt the unborn baby’s growth. And, they can lead to further pregnancy complications such as premature birth.

Premature birth

A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. A baby that delivers before 37 weeks is a premature baby, or “preemie”. In some cases, premature labor that begins too early in pregnancy can be stopped by medications and bedrest. Other times, the baby has to be delivered early for the health of the mother or infant. The earlier a baby is born, the more risk there is of respiratory, digestive, vision, cognitive, and other problems.

Low-birth-weight baby

Teens are at higher risk of having low-birth-weight babies. Premature babies are more likely to weigh less than they should. In part, that’s because they’ve had less time in the womb to grow. A low-birth-weight baby weighs only 3.3 to 5.5 pounds (1,500 to 2,500 grams). A very-low-birth-weight baby weighs less than 3.3 pounds. Babies that small may need to be put on a ventilator in a hospital’s neonatal care unit for help with breathing after birth.

STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

For teens who have sex during pregnancy, STDs such as chlamydia and HIV are a major concern. Using a latex condom during intercourse helps prevent getting an STD — which is especially critical during pregnancy. It’s critical because STDs can rise up through the cervix and infect the uterus and growing baby.

Postpartum depression

Pregnant teens may be at higher risk of postpartum depression (depression that starts after delivering a baby), says the CDC. Girls who feel down and sad, either while pregnant or after the birth, should talk openly with their doctors or someone else they trust. Depression can interfere with taking good care of a newborn — and with healthy teenage development — but it can be treated.

Feeling Alone and Isolated

Especially for teens who think they can’t tell their parents they’re pregnant, feeling scared, isolated, and alone can be a real problem. Without the support of family or other adults, pregnant teens are less likely to eat well, exercise, or get plenty of rest. And they are less likely to get to their regular prenatal visits. Having at least one trusted, supportive adult — someone nearby in the community, if not a family member — is invaluable in helping them get the prenatal care and emotional support they need to stay healthy during this time.

How to lower the health risks of teen pregnancy

If you are a teenager who is pregnant, here is how to ensure a healthy teen pregnancy:

Get early prenatal care. Call your doctor for your first prenatal visit as soon as you think you might be pregnant. If you can’t afford to see a doctor, ask your school nurse or counselor to help you find a low-cost clinic and other resources. For example, they can help you find state Medicaid or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs.

Stay away from alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. These harm a growing fetus even more than they harm a growing teenager. If you’re not able to quit by yourself, ask for help from someone you trust.

Take a prenatal vitamin with at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day to help prevent birth defects. Ideally, this should start before you get pregnant.
Ask for emotional support. Being a mother brings untold emotional and practical challenges — especially for teens still in school. Reach out to others — your friends, family, the baby’s father — for emotional and practical support.
For teenagers who are healthy and strong, chances are good of delivering a healthy, strong baby — especially with early prenatal care and a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | March 29, 2012

Moms and Drinking:

Secret After-Hour Addictions of Working Mothers

Is it “wine-o’clock” yet?” is a cry heard among many moms after a rough day with the kids, the boss and, in many cases, both.

But a new study says a startling number of working mothers are shifting from imbibing in an occasional glass of Cabernet to downing drinks and popping borrowed Xanax to take the pressures off work and family life — and they are hiding these addictions.

This drinking in the dark phenomenon is on the rise, according to a series of reports from Working Mother magazine, which found that 5.3 million women in the United States drink in a way that threatens their safety and that the number of women ages 30 to 40 who abuse alcohol has doubled over the past decade. What’s more, one in four children has an addictive parent, according to the research.

The survey also showed that 40 percent of the respondents drink to cope with stress and 57 percent of working moms reported they have misused prescription drugs. And both of these figures look set to rise.

“The biggest shock was that these women are successful at hiding their addictions,” “One woman we profiled hid hers for 20 years. But they have these secret lives where they are addicts. It’s a subject no one talks about and most of them thought they were all alone.”

The problem is more widespread than we think. “Everybody Knows Somebody,” says fueling this rising health threat is the recession and the fact that more moms are the family breadwinners now than ever before.

“They don’t know how to handle that stress. We’re not saying that a glass of wine a night means you’re in trouble, but we are talking about women who are dependent on alcohol or drugs and cannot make it through the day without them.”

The impetus for the Working Mother series was a 36-year-old Long Island mother who, in July of 2009, drove down the highway the wrong way after 10 drinks and smoking marijuana. The accident took her life and the lives of her 2-year-old daughter and three nieces who were riding in her van, as well as three men who were in the SUV she hit. Her 5-year-old son was the sole survivor.

“We wanted to look more into these secret addictions and the secret lives of women who work right next to most of us in the workplace.”

At the same time, a growing number of working moms who collectively experience “one of those days,” have found a way to vent with a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek Facebook group called “OMG I so need a glass of wine or I’m gonna sell my kids.”

With 110,000 members strong, working mom of two and founder Christine Trice of Sacramento, Calif., says the group was born out of “one of those mommy moments,” and is meant to be a place where stressed-out moms can feel they are not alone and find solace in the fact “that we can laugh at ourselves and joke that we’re having a bad day and need a glass of wine.

“It’s kind of a sisterhood of moms who can laugh at themselves and admit for a moment that it isn’t easy to be a mom or a working mom.”

“My father was an alcoholic and I know all about the severed relationships and damage that can be done in a family from drinking,” she says. “But I also know what happens when you stuff down that stress and feel like you are all alone and are a bad mom because you had a challenging day. That’s why we’re here to help moms know it’s OK to say ‘I’m having a horrible day.’ “

So, what are the warning signs for when a glass of wine to take the edge off stress has turned into a full-on addiction? Women who drink eight or more drinks a week or four or more drinks a night are at a risk for addiction. Working Mother has created a quiz to help working moms assess their drinking habits, or give clues to suspicions about co-workers and friend’s you are concerned about.

“The bottom line, though, is that if you are worried that you have a problem, you probably do.

The problem is compounded because women are more likely to hide addictions than men

“They’re also less likely to seek treatment than men because they worry about the people who depend on them.” “They can’t lose their job, their home and their children.”

The secrecy shrouding this growing health risk was one of the biggest challenges in creating the series of reports.

“When we started doing this story, we could not get women to give their real names and we didn’t want to do it that way,” she says. “We are proud that we found courageous women to come out and start talking about this. Our hope is that women who are suffering silently will know they are not alone and that there is hope for recovery. They can get help and they can get better.”

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Posted by: ARCpoint Labs | March 26, 2012

6 Parenting Practices

Help Reduce the Chances Your Child will Develop a Drug or Alcohol Problem

No one ever said parenting would be easy. When children hit the teenage years, the challenges are great. There are more significant threats that can affect their health and safety, like drugs and alcohol. And, unfortunately, helpful and reliable resources are scarce.

So when you are nervously sitting on your couch at 1 a.m. waiting for your 17 year old to come home, please know that you are not alone. Most parents go through this angst.

One very common complaint from parents is, “We didn’t know where to go for help” or “We were too ashamed to ask.” An Internet search can provide thousands of websites offering parenting advice, but the information across these sites is not consistent or consistently good. So how do you know what advice to follow?

When raising a teenager, it is natural to feel that there is little you can do to change his or her behavior. But there is scientific evidence showing which parenting tips are most effective (and which are not).

Parents often think that friends are more important to their teenager than they are. But studies and clinical experience suggest that parents can influence their teens.

Here we share with you our expert opinions on parenting behaviors that are important in preventing your teenager from using drugs and alcohol. These recommendations are based on a sound review of scientific research. However, there are no guarantees — even the smartest, best-skilled, most caring parents in the world have problems with their children.

Information alone is unlikely to solve complicated problems and nothing takes the place of a good clinical opinion for serious issues. But getting reliable information is an important first step.

Despite how powerless you may feel, we want to encourage you: Don’t give up on your teenager or your power as a parent

Read the entire Article here: partnership_components_tool_revised_031612

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