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After nine years continuous service, our beloved Daily Dose will be closing at the end of this week. Sadly, we have been unable to attract sufficient sponsorship to continue running the service. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all our subscribers for their continued support and we are sorry that we cannot continue to provide you with a service [David Clark, Wired In]
A new version of the book, ‘Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity’, provides the most compelling case yet for fiscal and regulatory measures to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and the importance of not allowing the alcohol industry to set the agenda and propose largely ineffective policies that rely on provision of information alone [Addiction Editorial, UK]
One unintended consequence of current medicines legislation is to leave distributors of ‘legal highs’ unable to disclose the true purpose of their product. General commonsense precautions that apply to any psychoactive drug cannot be given without risking prosecution. The dilemma is what to do between the appearance of a problem, risk assessment and the inevitable but uncertain legislative response [Addiction Editorial, UK]
Survey shows that patients face long waits for psychological ‘talking’ treatments, with children worse off than adults [Observer, UK]
In this special online-only dossier, we bring together some of our key investigations and feature stories on cocaine, including the first reporting of a two-tier market in the drug and the spread of its use to blue collar workers [Drugscope, UK]
Rehab Online is a directory of residential rehabilitation services for adult drug and/or alcohol misusers in England and Wales. It will give you information about these services, whether you are a member of the public, a professional or a service user [NTA, UK]
In the first few months of my recovery I was summonsed to a Dept. of Works and Pensions medical to see whether I really was unfit for work. It was my first real encounter with stigma. My sick line simply said “addiction” as the diagnosis [Peapod, Wired In]
I took my first drink at the age of 13 whilst on my first holiday abroad in Greece. Amstel beer. I remember it well, the feeling, the confidence and exuberance I radiated. People liked me! I was funny! The adults would give me more beer to make them laugh! For a child that had been withdrawn for most of my life, this was amazing [Adam Berry, Wired In]
I have been thinking about Michael on and off for most of the day and just can’t believe that he is dead. I just can’t seem to get my head round the fact (and it is a fact) that I will not see him again, I won’t hear his voice or see his smile of touch his hand – I just can’t believe it [Susan C, WIred In]
I tried to do a home detox off a small dose of subutex. I managed it fine until the day when I was free for four days and the britlofex stopped. I ended up using to self medicate but then binging. Up and down, white and brown, until the money ran out and I’d borrowed from all my friends and family. Now I’ve let all my people down [Mark Burns, Wired In]
We have managed to identify a great location in Preston, Lancashire. the Gujarat Hindu Society Centre. Click on the link for all details. It feels right, in a way, that funds will go back into the community as a result of our conference [UK Recovery Federation]
More drugs panic this week with the Mcat scare hitting the tabloids in traditional style. Rather less publicity was given to the government’s refusal – and the reasons for that refusal – to limit alcohol promotion which would have gone a long way to reducing the huge harm that drug causes [UKCIA, UK]
But it is perhaps not surprising that having discovered the latest ‘new drug scare’, the media should have got many aspects of the story wrong either because it didn’t fit what they wanted to write or because one piece of misinformation is picked up and repeated time and again until is becomes enshrined in ‘the facts’ [Druglink, UK]
Policy Exchange has recently conducted one of the largest independent surveys of prisoners ever undertaken in England and Wales… We discovered that up to 30,000 prisoners (35% of the total population) at any one time could be taking drugs, with 85% of prisoners confirming that they could get hold of illicit substances [Guardian, UK]
Tinkering at the legislative edges every time a new drug emerges, or simply appearing blind when new programmes and potential new solutions are tried, is no longer acceptable [Herald Scotland, UK]
Overall, the strongest, most cost-effective strategies include taxation that increases prices, restrictions on the physical availability of alcohol, drink-driving countermeasures, brief interventions with at risk drinkers and treatment of drinkers with alcohol dependence [Addiction Abstract, UK]
Alcohol is a factor in 35% of all A&E cases and up to 70% at the weekend, placing a huge burden on the health service [Guardian, UK]
The British government’s official drug advisers are expected to recommend that it be banned, but some drugs policy experts say criminalisation could do more harm than good. Now New Scientist cuts through the hype. [New Scientist, UK]
The 9th Annual Association of Recovery Schools Conference, “On the Trail to Freedom”, will provide a wide array of opportunities for those who work with adolescents in the area of substance abuse. This conference will allow participants to share best practices, learn from experts in the field, and connect with colleagues from all over the country [Association of Recovery Schools, USA]
Ambivalence is a striking feature of addiction, particularly when the person has made a rational decision to stop using and makes attempts to do so [Wired In]
