Archive for December, 2006

Ecstasy Addiction in New York

December 27, 2006 at 7:53 am · Filed under

Ecstasy use is a serious problem in New York. Although ecstasy is not considered as addictive as other drugs it can become a dangerous problem for many individuals who abuse the drug. Many find that they are unable to stop using ecstasy no matter how hard they try. There are several helpful resources in New York to assist you. By calling 1-800-511-9225,a national drug rehab helpline,  we will be able to help you locate the right drug rehab program to recover from ecstasy addiction. There are a variety of different types of drug rehab programs available in New York. The top three are inpatient, outpatient, and residential programs. Each of these types of New York programs is unique and approaches drug rehab differently. If you are looking for a gay friendly drug rehab program try www.gay-rehab.com.

When considering which type of drug rehab program is right for you take into account the severity of your drug addiction and the length of time you have been addicted to ecstasy. Individuals who have been addicted to ecstasy for an extended period of time may choose an inpatient drug rehab to help them recover. These types of New York programs are more structured and provided additional one on one care while removing the addict from their New York using environment.

Receiving help for your ecstasy addiction is vital. Research done on the duration of stay at a drug rehab has shown that those who attend a drug rehab longer than four weeks have a higher success rate than those who a lesser amount of time. Drug rehabs located in New York as well as across the country can help you recover from your ecstasy addiction. They can guide you in learning how to live drug free once again and obtain your goals in life. Recovery from ecstasy addiction is possible. Contact us now and we will help you find drug addiction treatment in New York or wherever is most appropriate for you.

If you are looking for a gay friendly addiction treatment program go to www.gay-rehab.com.

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Deadly Aids Strain Might Have Crystal Meth Link

December 27, 2006 at 7:41 am · Filed under

Researchers are looking into whether a rare strain of the HIV virus recently identified in New York could be related to a spike in crystal methamphetamine use among young gays and other high-risk groups.The New York Times reported Feb .22 that not only does meth lower inhibitions — leading to more high-risk sex — the drug also seems to hurt the immune system, raising the risk of getting HIV.

“There seems to be something about crystal meth amphetamine that predisposes people to HIV infection,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, co-director of the HIV epidemiology biostatistics and intervention department at the AIDS office of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. “When we look at why crystal meth-amphetamine is increasingly responsible for the HIV epidemic, I do think we need to look more closely at whether it is somehow suppressing immunity and increasing viral loads.”

The New York man found to be carrying the rare version of HIV is thought to have been a crystal meth user. Studies have shown that meth use raises the risk for HIV infection, even when subjects are controlled for other factors. Meth seems to suppress killer T cells, which fight infection. the drug also tends to dry out mucous membranes, raising the likelihood of abrasions that could lead to infection.

If you are looking for an gay friendly addiction treatment program go to www.gay-rehab.com or call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225. 

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Surfing the Web To Prevent Crystal Meth Use Among Gay Men

December 27, 2006 at 7:36 am · Filed under

 Outreach workers from the group Positive Health Project spend their nights surfing gay websites in an attempt to intervene with black and Latino men looking to “party-n-play” — use crystal meth and have sex — the New York Times reported Feb. 21.

“Not everyone’s happy with the bait-and-switch, but there aren’t many ways to get people’s attention,” said outreach worker Terry Evans. “Sometimes a guy will get hostile, but then he’ll come back later to ask me questions.” Evans has succeeded in getting several men to join a support group for black and Latino gay men who are using crystal meth and are at high risk of contracting HIV.

Crystal meth is a popular party drug in the New York gay community, blamed for an increase in HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Use of the drug was once associated with white men, but has gained popularity among blacks and Latinos, as well. “The problem has been brewing for the past year, but now it’s beginning to boil,” said New York University researcher Perry N. Halkitis.

Interventions are challenged by the fact that crystal meth use is even more stigmatized in the black and Latino community than among white gays. The New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has put Spanish-language ads on the radio targeting gay crystal meth users and has sent volunteers into bars and clubs popular with gay Latinos, while groups like Harlem United have formed support groups for black men.

Besides going online, Evans brings his anti-meth and safe-sex messages to private sex parties. Sometimes he demonstrates condom use or talks about meth; other times, he gets ignored. “I don’t judge people,” he said. “I know I can’t stop them from doing drugs, but at least I can make sure they’re safe when they’re doing them.”

If you are looking for a gay addiction treatment program for the treatment of crystal meth addiction go to www.gay-rehab.com or call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225.

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Gay Bishop Goes To Alcohol Rehab

December 26, 2006 at 7:07 pm · Filed under

 In an e-mail written from an alcohol treatment center, the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, said he is receiving treatment for alcoholism.For years, Robinson said in the e-mail sent to clergy, he considered it “a failure of will or discipline on my part, rather than a disease over which my particular body simply has no control, except to stop drinking altogether.”

The news, made public Tuesday, caught many Episcopalians by surprise. Robinson, 58, said he checked into the undisclosed center Feb. 1 with the support of his partner, daughters and colleagues.

“I never saw it in any way impact his ministry in the diocese,” said Robinson’s assistant, the Rev. Tim Rich.

Robinson was his predecessor’s top assistant for years and was elected to replace him when he retired in 2003 by clergy and lay people in the diocese. He was confirmed by the national church, causing an upheaval not only in the Episcopal Church, but the worldwide Anglican Communion of which it is part.

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Florida’s Gay Population and a florida Gay Alcohol Rehab

December 26, 2006 at 5:01 pm · Filed under

Florida’s Gay Population Florida’s gay and lesbian population is growing daily and with it is a growing need for gay and lesbian services. For the purpose of this article we are concerned with gay drug rehab, gay dual diagnosis and gay alcohol rehab services. Regardless of where a person is from, they bring their personal history with them. In the case of the gay and lesbian, the personal histories of which I speak are related to prejudice, discrimination, internalized hompohobia and shame. Growing up gay and having to deal with the attitudes of the general public and family, have led many gay and lesbians to the world of drug addiction and alcoholism. Unfortunately, what happens is the attitudes of the heterosexual population become worse as the gay man or woman becomes drug dependent and their ability to cope with their feelings diminish even more.

Florida Gay Alcohol Rehab Now imagine that we ask a gay or lesbian to check into an alcohol rehab run by a group of heterosexual men and women. It is like asking an anorexic to check into an addiction treatment program for compusive overeaters. This could be their worst nightmare. Don’t misunderstand me, this doesn’t mean that the alcohol rehab has to be run by all gay men and women. That is not the real world. The alcohol rehab must, as a minimum, have a gay alcohol rehab component, within the alcohol rehab itself. This will provide the gay or lesbian with a “safe space” in which to express their feelings and thoughts without thinking they are being judged. Their are many other clinical benefits derived from a gay alcohol rehab run in this fashion, such as being able to eal with internalized homophobia, but it also allow for the heterosexual to deal with their own homophobia. Everybody wins!

For additional information on an alcohol rehab program that has a gay alcohol rehab component call 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.gay-rehab.com. If you are not concerned with whether the alcohol rehab is gay focused, then go to www.steppingstonecenter.org.

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Impact of Substance Abuse on Different Populations

December 26, 2006 at 11:17 am · Filed under

Ethnic Minorities

Compared to the total population, alcohol-related motor vehicle fatality rates are particularly high for Native Americans.

African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives have higher death rates for cirrhosis of the liver relative to the total population.

Alcohol mortality rates are highest for African-American men, even though alcohol use tends to be more moderate for African Americans than for whites or Hispanics.

African Americans are more likely to report using illegal drugs on a weekly basis than any other ethnic group.

Hispanics are most likely to engage in alcohol abuse, followed by whites and African Americans.

Among smokers, whites smoke more cigarettes per day than any other racial or ethnic group. They are also more likely to smoke on a daily basis.

Among high school seniors, 36 % of whites are heavy alcohol users compared to 29 % of Hispanics and 12 % of African Americans.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community

Reliable information about the size of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community is not available. However, available studies indicate that GLBT people are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs than the general population.(1)

The prevalence of tobacco use among gay men and lesbians is dramatically higher than among the general population. In a household-based survey, 41.5 percent of gay men were identified as smokers – compared with 26.6% of men in the general population. Two times as many lesbian women as heterosexual women smoke.

Recent data suggest alcohol use among gay men and lesbians, which had been at alarmingly high rates, has declined over the last two decades. However, both heavy drinking and illicit drug use appear to be prevalent among young lesbians and gay males; gay men and lesbians of all ages report alcohol problems nearly twice as often as heterosexuals; and alcohol consumption rates do not seem to decrease with age, as they do in the heterosexual population.

Few substance abuse studies have looked at bisexual and transgender individuals, so reliable data are not available.

Senior Citizens

Surveys indicate that six to eleven percent of elderly patients admitted to hospitals exhibit symptoms of alcoholism as do 20 percent of elderly patients in psychiatric wards and 14 percent of elderly patients in emergency rooms.

The prevalence of problem drinking in nursing homes is as high as 49 percent in some studies. Late onset alcohol problems also occur in some retirement communities, where drinking at social gatherings is often the norm.

For American women age 60 and over, substance abuse and addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and psychoactive prescription drugs are at epidemic levels. One report found that women over 59 are susceptible to abuse and addiction to these substances because they get addicted faster when using smaller amounts than any other group.

1.8 million older women are addicted to or abuse alcohol; 2.8 million abuse or are addicted to psychoactive prescription drugs; and 4.4 million smoke cigarettes.

Gay drug rehab can be found at www.gay-rehab.com, as well as, a gay friendly drug rehab at www.lakeviewhealth.com.

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Gay Men and Alcoholism

December 26, 2006 at 11:10 am · Filed under

The five-year study will involve 400 gay and bi men and women.  The research will include alcohol use and interpersonal violence, “including childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence” said Dr. Amy Hequembourg who will lead the study.

There are a range of risk and protective factors associated with alcohol use and victimization among individuals who face stress associated with social stigmatization of their sexual identities, according to Hequembourg. 

She will investigate social support systems, involvement in GLBT community activities, and relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.

“Understanding risk and protective factors for this population could greatly enhance the effectiveness of alcohol and victimization prevention, early intervention and addiction treatment efforts,” Hequembourg said.

Her team will include researchers in addiction treatment and psychology and will involve victimization studies, and advanced statistical analyses.

The study is being funded by a $579,325 grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The Research Institute on Addictions has been regarded as a leader in the study of addictions since 1970. The University at Buffalo is part of the State University of New York

If you are looking for a gay friendly drug rehab call 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.gay-rehab.com.

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GLBT Individuals Succeed Less In Recovery

December 25, 2006 at 10:11 am · Filed under

It should be noted from the start that recovery in itself is quite an ambiguous concept in that it truly means whatever the individual says it means. For some, recovery signifies a formal drug rehab treatment with rigid structure and a definitive process. Others identifying as being in recovery might make a general promise to themselves to cut back on their substance usage.

GLBT students have two strikes against them. On the one hand, students in general may seek recovery even less as their very lives revolve around this social atmosphere where AOD is present. This is then compounded further by the fact that many researchers conclude that GLBT individuals seek and succeed less than heterosexuals in their process of recovery. There are a few reasons why this proves to be the case.

Many structured drug rehab programs speak of a higher power, putting faith in whatever the individual’s higher power may be to advance through the program. For GLBT students this may be especially difficult. Vivian Cass, in her fantastic student development theory, speaks of a stage in developing a positive GLBT identity when the individual “may isolate themselves from mainstream values and activities”. A direct result of this may be a disconnect between the GLBT student and any form of religion or higher power, concepts to which “mainstream” society holds true. Thus, recovery becomes difficult for the GLBT student as they may not possess the anchor that many recovery programs recommend that you cling to.

Another key concept of recovery is that of “People, Places and Things.” Simply stated, “People, Places and Things” holds that when the individual seeking recovery makes a change in the people that they hang out with, the places that they go, and the things or activities that they do, the recovery process can progress. For example, if someone who has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol stops hanging out with friends who get drunk nightly, stops going to the bar, and stops playing drinking games, they may begin to decrease their amount of alcohol consumption. The equation is not a complicated one.

Let’s now apply this math to our focus group. Take the GLBT student. Subtract the people with whom he associates, the places he goes, and the things that he is doing. For many GLBT students, you have taken away his gay friends, the gay bars and clubs that he is frequenting, and the same-sex socializing in which he partakes. Essentially, you have just subtracted his entire gay identity.

Suggesting ways to deal with this issue of GLBT recovery is not as clear-cut as our earlier examples. First, one must look around for GLBT specific recovery programs. Here, the World Wide Web can be an extremely helpful asset. or an GLBT specific anonymous group are a great place to start. The trick is to find one in your area. Go to, www.gay-rehab.com

Second, we again go back to the importance of having an GLBT organization on campus or a wide range of substance-free programming. We must challenge “People, Places and Things” by giving the GLBT student on your campus evidence that there is more to being GLBT than AOD, that there are a host of activities that have zero to do with AOD, and that the GLBT student can construct a positive, healthy identity without every stepping into a gay bar or club. Only then, can we begin to address that strong link between LGBT and AOD and truly start to construct a healthy campus climate for our gay students.

If you have a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and are looking for a gay friendly drug or alcohol rehab program go to www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225

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All About Gay Alcohol Rehab and Gay Drug Rehab

December 25, 2006 at 8:09 am · Filed under

What will happen in rehab?

Due to the progressive nature of drug and alcohol addiction, detox and drug rehab or alcohol rehab should take place as soon as possible. Drug rehab and alcohol rehab is never an easy process. GLBT patients must come face to face with a part of their life they are probably not proud of. They must learn new methods of dealing with stress to replace the old methods that included drugs or alcohol. They must cope with cravings and deal with many different aspects of their life in new, healthier ways.

Many patients participate in gay support groups or 12-step programs for an indefinite amount of time to help prevent relapse. Some learn new skills so they will be able to get (and keep) a job and return to the community. Gay drug rehab or gay alcohol rehab can be difficult, but it is worth it to achieve a life free of drug and alcohol dependence. Please call (800) 511-9225 to take the first step.

What is the objective of gay alcohol rehab?

The objective of drug rehab or alcohol rehab is to eliminate drugs or alcohol from the patient’s body and provide them with information on healthy behaviors to achieve long-term control over the addiction and abstinence from the addictive substance.

Are there different types of gay rehab?

There are different types of gay alcohol rehab or gay friendly drug rehab. Short term alcohol rehab and drug rehab lasts less than three  months. It may include medication therapy, residential therapy, support groups, or counseling. Long term drug rehab or alcohol rehab  lasts longer than six months but includes the same elements. Outpatient therapy does not require the client to live in the treatment center but successful programs like Lakeview Freedom Rings offer gay drug rehab programs and gay alcohol rehab programs where clients can create a foundation of recovery.

For additional information on gay friendly alcohol rehab programs or gay friendly drug rehab programs go to www.gay-rehab.com or www.lakeviewhealth.com.

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Alcoholism Treatment and Denial

December 24, 2006 at 7:57 am · Filed under

 Gay Alcoholism Treatment

Gay alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence is a treatable illness, but successful gay alcohol treatment requires the active participation of the employee, a professional alcohol counselor, the employee’s supervisor, and family members or friends. Alcoholism treatment may involve one to four weeks of intense alcohol rehab at an outpatient alcohol treatment program or inpatient alcohol rehab program following by six to twelve months of “aftercare” consisting of periodic individual, group, or family counseling. The recovery process typically requires the employee’s regular participation in a community-based self-help group such as Gay Alcoholics Anonymous.

One key to a successful gay alcohol treatment program is admission of the problem and motivation to beat it. Studies of U.S. military treatment programs show that completion of the full aftercare program is the strongest predictor of treatment success.

Relapse is a common occurrence after all addiction treatment or alcoholism treatment, but the risk of relapse diminishes with the passage of time and continued abstinence. The first relapse occurs most commonly during the first three months after completion of treatment. One study of gay alcohol treatment outcomes for military personnel found that if one gets through the first three months without relapse, the chances for long-term abstinence improve dramatically, and the chance of a relapse that affects work performance is small.

Remission of drinking problems without alcohol treatment is common as young drinkers mature and the lifestyle, stress, or other circumstances that prompted the drinking change. The likelihood of spontaneous remission without treatment is relatively high among young men in their 20s, but relatively low among men in their 40s or older.

 Alcoholism and Denial 

Most alcohol abusers and alcoholics deny they have a problem. As they develop dependence on alcohol, they also develop “blinders” –a defense system that allows them to ignore the problem. They want to blame their problems on something or someone else — bad luck, a misunderstanding spouse, a supervisor who doesn’t like them, etc.

Recognizing and accepting that an alcohol problem exists is the first, crucial step toward solving the problem. If you have an alcohol problem, it is important to keep the following in mind. If you are concerned about a family member, friend or co-worker who has a problem, share these thoughts with that person.

  • Alcoholism is an illness, not a moral weakness. Blaming yourself, blaming others, or feeling ashamed about your drinking are all stumbling blocks to receiving help.
  • You are not alone. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates 14 million Americans — one of every 13 adults — either abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. Each year about 600,000 patients enter treatment for alcoholism.
  • Don’t push away the messengers. People who worry or complain about your drinking can be a key to your recovery. They care enough about you to be concerned. If you are an alcoholic, you’ll need their support.
  • The earlier the alcohol treatment, the more successful it is likely to be. Don’t wait until the health effects are irreversible, you have lost your job, or your marriage has suffered to the point of breaking up.
  • Heavy drinking has serious health consequences.  It increases the risk of cancer and causes liver damage, immune system problems, brain damage and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. It also increases the risk of accidents and mental problems.

If you are looking for an alcohol rehab program or alcohol treatment program, go to  www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national alcoholism treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225

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