 It’s no longer news that opioids have increased to a startling epidemic that have affected many in the U.S. Opioids are a type of drug that work on the opioid receptors and are mainly used as pain relief. Their purpose was to be used for the treatment of a variety of different types of pain, such as headaches and muscle aches, however, the abuse of these very addictive prescriptions lead to what we know to be the Heroin epidemic today. The Opioids epidemic last year became the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 50, estimating 64,000 lives in one year alone.
This Epidemic has had a disproportionally higher adversity in women, and in 2016, hospitalizations involving opioids rose by 75% compared to 55% in men. This crisis, in a way, has affected women more than men due to triggering issues, perhaps more commonly reported by women, mainly related to mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety disorders. When discussing issues around addiction, we know the stigma is by far harsher when women are faced with this disorder. For that women have a tendency to reach out for help often when their addiction has reached a devastating point in their lives. Freedom from addiction starts with professional help. If you are currently dealing with opioid addiction, please contact Helix Counseling Services at 949.214.4018 to schedule an appointment today. NY Times "The Opioid Epidemic: A Crisis Years in the Making,"
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 Substance Abuse Disorder can vary from person to person. One definition of this disease is “when a person is addicted to a substance, such as a drug, alcohol or nicotine, they are not able to control the use of that substance. They continue taking it, even though it may cause harm (the individual may or may not be aware of the potential harm)” (Nordqvist, 2016). While that is true, it does not affect each person in the same way. One alcoholic can portray different signs of his or her problem than another would. Below are common symptoms of this disorder. Experiencing one of those mentioned does not mean you have an addiction, but many together can be a cause for concern.
If you or someone you know has Substance Abuse Disorder, then call Helix at (949) 214-4018. Take into consideration those symptoms, and set up a counseling appointment. It is never too late to change your life for the better. Medical News Today "Signs and Symptoms of Addiction"  It is not unusual for women to share that they added an extra mile to their morning jog every time they decide to indulge in drinking and keep a balanced diet. For some, however, that simply is not enough, and more extreme measures, such as starvation, are used to drink even more. This process is part of being in control of calorie intake. This colloquialism for self-imposed starvation and/or purging, mixed with alcohol abuse is known as “drunkorexia,” and it has become a growing trend especially in young women.
A study published in “Australian Psychologist”, showed that roughly 60% of female undergrads have frequently engaged in, “Various disordered eating, and other extreme weight-control behaviors,” so that they may continue to drink more. Some of the common behaviors included skipping meals, purging after binging on drinks, and even exercising right after a drinking event. The main cause for drunkorexia has been closely associated with today’s body-conscious culture. We live in a culture where women want to stay thin but drink more. Thus, the behaviors of drunkorexia can have a lasting effect on the body. This behavior on a regular basis is associated with higher risk of chronic health harms such as liver and heart disease, says eating disorder specialist Rhiannon Lambert. Australian Psychologist "Drunkorexia: why so man young women are skipping meals to save calories for alcohol"  I cannot begin to tell you how often I hear the argument from my young adults that smoking pot is totally safe and has no harm. Sadly, I know that with my high risk for mental health disorder clients, they are at a much higher chance for an early psychosis, in fact by 10 years.
While I think for many years the jury was out on whether or not marijuana is as harmful as it appears to be for a developing brain, new research has giving validity to the question for the field. Marijuana has its greatest long-term impact on young people whose brains are still super active in building new connections and maturing in other ways. The human brain develops by exposure and experiences. We have a tendency to forget that the human brain develops well into our 20’s and it goes through a major development during our teen years. While this development is taking place, the use of marijuana, which inhibits connectivity and reduced volume of specific brain regions involved in executive functions such as memory, learning, and impulse control has a tendency to show its impact later on in life. Many studies show the different impact this behavior and the continues use has on a developing brain, from lower scores on a test of verbal memory to a more recent study out of New Zealand which found persistent marijuana use disorder with frequent use starting in adolescence was associated with a loss of an average of 6 or up to 8 IQ points measured in mid-adulthood. These changes may still not gain your attention; however, the ones which will are the new forms of psychosis which the medical community has been faced with in the past few years due to higher THC in products. “‘There is no doubt,’ concludes Robin Murray, a professor of psychiatry at King’s College London, that cannabis use in young people increases the risk of developing schizophrenia as an adult.” 
Bullying is not a normal part of a person’s childhood and adolescence. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is treated lightly because many adults think that it is a part of growing up, and children should simply get over it. Well, there needs to be stricter consequences for these bullies. In a study conducted in Los Angeles, Houston, and Birmingham with over 4,000 children, scientists found a correlation between those who were bullied in fifth grade and those who abuse substances starting in the 10th grade. “A child bullied in fifth grade is more likely to show signs of depression in seventh grade, and abuse substances like alcohol, marijuana or tobacco in 10th grade, researchers say” (Miller, 2017). The findings did not vary between genders either. Males and females who were bullied generated the same results. Kids who stand out from others, such as those who are overweight, gay, or dealing with a chronic illness, are more likely to be bullied than those who are not. Their differences lead to negative emotions and feelings of hopelessness. In turn, they use substances to deal with it, even though it is only making their problems worse. Bullying needs to be stopped at a young age in order to counteract the foreseen outcome. Kindness can go a long way. If you or somebody you know is abusing substances in an unhealthy way along with depression or other mental illnesses, contact Helix today. It is time to end the stigma about bullying and Substance Abuse Disorder. U.S. News, "Bullied in 5th Grade, Prone to Drug Abuse by High School"  One of the most difficult things I’ve had to witness is the growing trend of homelessness that has expanded throughout parts of Orange County in these past few years. It is all too common now to see a homeless person on the freeway off-ramp, or placing tents along the Santa Ana river trail. My response is usually the same, I’m filled with distress; how did they end up here? The population of middle-aged and older homeless women in metropolitan cities is on the rise, and 67.6% homeless women are 41-61 years of age with sample showing. When we look at this population it is important to consider frailty and substance abuse as issues that are more common in this population. Recognizing that substance abuse can be the cause of homelessness in some cases or self medicating in others.
An alarming increase in substance abuse among homeless people have also been noted in several studies. Downtown Women’s Action coalition recently reported that “43.9% had abused or been dependent on drugs in their lifetime and 64.2% had used or been dependent on drugs,” in the past year. These results are shocking when you take into consideration that these are elderly women. Their substance abuse can form into a dependency that can cause serious harm them and effect their longevity and overall health. However, there is a possibility to make a positive change. Considering that women are more prone to these issues, to make positive impact by providing simple solutions such as focusing on physical and psychological well-being can reduce drug dependency among this population. If you know of anyone that could use the assistance of a substance abuse and addiction counseling services, please give us a call. Community Mental Health Journal Community Mental Health Journal (2017) "Impact of a Community-Based Frailty Intervention Among Middle-Aged and Older Prefrail and Frail Homeless Women: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial." |