UP TO 30 Scottish doctors each year are turning to counselling for addiction to alcohol and drugs.
A leading support group for the medical profession has revealed the extent of the problem of addiction among the country's doctors.
Alasdair Young, of the British Doctors and Dentists Support Group, said the main problem suffered by doctors approaching his group was alcohol but increasing numbers were addicted to illegal drugs including cocaine and heroin.
He said: "Doctors are less likely nowadays to dishonestly prescribe themselves drugs like Valium. There are more checks on these drugs nowadays and a chemist would spot this fairly quickly.
"There is also a lot of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy going on among young people and doctors are human too.
Over the past few years the proportion of doctors coming to our organisation with addictions to street drugs has increased from 1% to 10%. However alcohol is the most common addiction among doctor
s."
Young's support group works in a similar way to Alcoholics Anonymous, organising local meetings for doctors to get together and talk about their problems. It keeps its information confidential and relies on protocols within the NHS to pick up problems with drug or alcohol addicted doctors at work.
But experts said the real prevalence of addictions among the medical profession could be three times higher than known numbers because many doctors would not think their drinking or drug taking was a problem.
Rowdy Yates, an addictions expert in the Scottish Addiction Studies Group at Stirling University, said: "If this group is seeing 30% of problematic cases they are doing pretty well. There will be a proportion of doctors out there who think they are drinking a bit too much but not enough to worry about and there will be some who are using drugs to get them through a bad patch."
http://news.scotsman.com/
Friday, March 21, 2008
Hyslop helped others fight addictions with an open heart
Gerald Albert of Northway is the 17th person awarded the Patti L. Hyslop award in recognition for his leadership in sobriety and commitment to healing.
Leadership and commitment in the sobriety movement was the cornerstone of Hyslop’s life in the years before she was murdered in January 1995, said Faith M. Peters, a friend of Hyslop and a social service Indian welfare agent in Tanana.
Hyslop led the sobriety and healing movement in the village of Tanana after she successfully completed treatment herself, Peters said.
“In addition to sobering up, Hyslop wanted to heal the whole person,” Peters explained. “If anyone sobered up one day, she gave them a gift or a card. She never gave up on them.”
Hyslop was responsible for bringing the Talking Circle into Tanana and held Alcoholics Anonymous meetings there. She started a New Year’s Eve sobriety dinner dance and the Babes puppet program in the elementary school, which builds self esteem and combats drug and alcohol abuse among children.
“She encouraged us to journal, pray and share,” Peters said, her voice breaking at memories of her friend.
Peters said Hyslop was one of the people who was instrumental in her seeking treatment for alcoholism.
“She was willing to accept me for who I was and who I could become,” Peters said in an interview Thursday at the Tanana Chiefs Conference annual meeting. “She helped me into treatment within five days after calling her.”
Peters went to the Old Minto Recovery Camp with her young son 17 years ago.
“I have been clean and sober ever since then,” she said.
In his remarks after receiving the award, Gerald Albert said, “For 15 years, I’ve lived a great life,” attributing his sobriety to his family, his “five beautiful children” and foster children.
“I did it for them to live a healthy life and to go on the right trail. We can all do it together ... no matter who you are. ... One day at a time, that’s what we have to do.”
http://newsminer.com/
Leadership and commitment in the sobriety movement was the cornerstone of Hyslop’s life in the years before she was murdered in January 1995, said Faith M. Peters, a friend of Hyslop and a social service Indian welfare agent in Tanana.
Hyslop led the sobriety and healing movement in the village of Tanana after she successfully completed treatment herself, Peters said.
“In addition to sobering up, Hyslop wanted to heal the whole person,” Peters explained. “If anyone sobered up one day, she gave them a gift or a card. She never gave up on them.”
Hyslop was responsible for bringing the Talking Circle into Tanana and held Alcoholics Anonymous meetings there. She started a New Year’s Eve sobriety dinner dance and the Babes puppet program in the elementary school, which builds self esteem and combats drug and alcohol abuse among children.
“She encouraged us to journal, pray and share,” Peters said, her voice breaking at memories of her friend.
Peters said Hyslop was one of the people who was instrumental in her seeking treatment for alcoholism.
“She was willing to accept me for who I was and who I could become,” Peters said in an interview Thursday at the Tanana Chiefs Conference annual meeting. “She helped me into treatment within five days after calling her.”
Peters went to the Old Minto Recovery Camp with her young son 17 years ago.
“I have been clean and sober ever since then,” she said.
In his remarks after receiving the award, Gerald Albert said, “For 15 years, I’ve lived a great life,” attributing his sobriety to his family, his “five beautiful children” and foster children.
“I did it for them to live a healthy life and to go on the right trail. We can all do it together ... no matter who you are. ... One day at a time, that’s what we have to do.”
http://newsminer.com/
Thursday, February 14, 2008
LECTURE SERIES
Talks to focus on addictions
Horry-Georgetown Technical College will hold lectures that focus on addictions from 7 to 9 p.m. at the college's Burroughs and Chapin Auditorium in Conway. Dinner is served at 6 p.m.
On Feb. 21, Dr. Brian Adler and Harold Brown will discuss current medical treatment for addictions and dependency.
On March 6, faculty, staff and students will talk about their own experiences with addictions and recovery.
For information call 349-5378.
BLOOD DRIVE
Give the gift of life
Loris Healthcare System will hold a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Center for Health and Fitness in Loris.
To sign up call 716-7381.
HEART HEALTH
Classes, seminars offered
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center will offer the following to raise awareness about heart health for American Heart Month, to be held at HealthFinders, the hospital's community resource center at Coastal Grand Myrtle Beach mall:
Friends and Family CPR Training | Classes will be taught Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $15.
"Enjoying the Golden Years: Heart Health and Sexuality" | Dr. Tracey Golden, a gynecologist, will discuss heart health and sexuality for older adults at 6 p.m. today. Golden will discuss various health problems in older adults, including heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes, and what impact they could have on sexuality.
"What's New in Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease" | Dennis Meador, with Grand Strand Regional Medical Center's cardiac catheterization lab, will discuss traditional and new technology to diagnose heart disease at 2 p.m. Feb. 20.
"Heart Disease: Know Your Numbers" | Cheryl Paul, nurse manager at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, will hold a question-and-answer discussion on normal versus abnormal lab work and its relation to cardiovascular disease at 2 p.m. Feb. 27. Individuals who participated in the hospital's health fair on Feb. 2 should bring their results.
To register or for information, call 839-9933.
SEMINAR
Raising heart health awareness
Learn ways to keep your heart healthy at a seminar by Loris Healthcare System at 2 p.m. Feb. 29 at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center in North Myrtle Beach.
Cholesterol screenings will be offered for $10. Blood pressure screenings will be offered at no charge.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/131/story/349661.html
Horry-Georgetown Technical College will hold lectures that focus on addictions from 7 to 9 p.m. at the college's Burroughs and Chapin Auditorium in Conway. Dinner is served at 6 p.m.
On Feb. 21, Dr. Brian Adler and Harold Brown will discuss current medical treatment for addictions and dependency.
On March 6, faculty, staff and students will talk about their own experiences with addictions and recovery.
For information call 349-5378.
BLOOD DRIVE
Give the gift of life
Loris Healthcare System will hold a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Center for Health and Fitness in Loris.
To sign up call 716-7381.
HEART HEALTH
Classes, seminars offered
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center will offer the following to raise awareness about heart health for American Heart Month, to be held at HealthFinders, the hospital's community resource center at Coastal Grand Myrtle Beach mall:
Friends and Family CPR Training | Classes will be taught Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $15.
"Enjoying the Golden Years: Heart Health and Sexuality" | Dr. Tracey Golden, a gynecologist, will discuss heart health and sexuality for older adults at 6 p.m. today. Golden will discuss various health problems in older adults, including heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes, and what impact they could have on sexuality.
"What's New in Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease" | Dennis Meador, with Grand Strand Regional Medical Center's cardiac catheterization lab, will discuss traditional and new technology to diagnose heart disease at 2 p.m. Feb. 20.
"Heart Disease: Know Your Numbers" | Cheryl Paul, nurse manager at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, will hold a question-and-answer discussion on normal versus abnormal lab work and its relation to cardiovascular disease at 2 p.m. Feb. 27. Individuals who participated in the hospital's health fair on Feb. 2 should bring their results.
To register or for information, call 839-9933.
SEMINAR
Raising heart health awareness
Learn ways to keep your heart healthy at a seminar by Loris Healthcare System at 2 p.m. Feb. 29 at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center in North Myrtle Beach.
Cholesterol screenings will be offered for $10. Blood pressure screenings will be offered at no charge.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/131/story/349661.html
'Similarities' between opiate and nicotine addictions
The brain reacts in a similar way to both nicotine and opiates such as heroin, a new study has revealed.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Centre have found that the effects of nicotine and opiates are equally strong in the nucleus accumbens, the brain's pleasure sensor.
A study using rat brain tissue found that within the nucleus accumbens, the release of dopamine - a neurotransmitter central to the body's system of reward and addiction - is almost identical whether the body has consumed tobacco or heroin.
Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, the researchers say there is an overlap in the way the two drugs work, with the brain experiencing pleasure and the release of dopamine instigating a desire to experience the substance again.
"There is a specific part of the nucleus accumbens where opiates have been shown to affect behaviour, and when we tested nicotine in that area the effects on dopamine are almost identical," explained Daniel McGehee, associate professor in anaesthesia and critical care at the University of Chicago.
"It also demonstrates the seriousness of tobacco addiction, equating its grip on the individual to that of heroin. It reinforces the fact that these addictions are very physiological in nature and that breaking away from the habit is certainly more than just mind over matter."End of story
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Centre have found that the effects of nicotine and opiates are equally strong in the nucleus accumbens, the brain's pleasure sensor.
A study using rat brain tissue found that within the nucleus accumbens, the release of dopamine - a neurotransmitter central to the body's system of reward and addiction - is almost identical whether the body has consumed tobacco or heroin.
Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, the researchers say there is an overlap in the way the two drugs work, with the brain experiencing pleasure and the release of dopamine instigating a desire to experience the substance again.
"There is a specific part of the nucleus accumbens where opiates have been shown to affect behaviour, and when we tested nicotine in that area the effects on dopamine are almost identical," explained Daniel McGehee, associate professor in anaesthesia and critical care at the University of Chicago.
"It also demonstrates the seriousness of tobacco addiction, equating its grip on the individual to that of heroin. It reinforces the fact that these addictions are very physiological in nature and that breaking away from the habit is certainly more than just mind over matter."End of story
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/
Share your story of addictions, help others
The Leaf-Chronicle is looking for those willing to share stories about their addictions for a series on addictions and how they can be curbed.
Several interviews have been set up, but The Leaf-Chronicle is still looking for others to share their stories of addiction, no matter how minor they may seem. Examples may be addiction to eating, gambling, drinking, smoking, television or anything else that seems to control ones life.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/
Several interviews have been set up, but The Leaf-Chronicle is still looking for others to share their stories of addiction, no matter how minor they may seem. Examples may be addiction to eating, gambling, drinking, smoking, television or anything else that seems to control ones life.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/
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