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Quote of the Week
A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need. ~Sidney Carroll, A Big Hand for the Little Lady If you like the Quote of the Week you can see a new one everyday at The Treatment Center Blog Treatment Center Daily Blog |
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Alcoholic beverages popular with youths are more likely to be advertised in magazines with high youth readership than alcoholic drinks consumed mainly by adults.
Researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Virtual Media Resources say their findings show the strongest evidence that alcohol companies are targeting youths through magazine advertising. They note that three major trade associations - representing the alcoholic beverage industry - the Wine Institute, the Beer Institute, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States - have publicly said that they do not advertise to underage youths.
"Alcohol companies are deceiving us," said Dr. Michael Siegel, professor of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health and a co-author of the study. "Contrary to their public statements, they are targeting youths through their advertising. They are saying one thing, but doing another."
The study compared alcohol ads in 118 magazines from 2002 to 2006, being advertised in each magazine. The research found that magazines with the highest levels of youth readership, youth alcoholic beverage types (e.g. premium beer, low calorie beer, rum, vodka and flavored drinks) were more than four times more likely to be advertised than non-youth types (e.g. gin, brandy, whisky and scotch). As youth readership increased in a magazine, so did the number of youth alcoholic beverage advertisements.
Melissa Tarling
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From the Desk of our Clinical
Director
The Treatment Center of the palm beaches is looking forward to our annual holiday party this Friday. It's a very special time of year for our staff and for our patients. Happy holidays!
Marcie McMaster, LCSW CAP
Clinical Program Director
The Treatment Center of The Palm Beaches, LLC |
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A Word from Dr. Baker
The Changing Chemistry of the Brain
The signs and symptoms of acute intoxication or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol often mimic those of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. For some, an underlying psychiatric condition may exist prior to the use of drugs and/or alcohol. This condition may be undiagnosed or untreated and the person may use substances as a means of coping with the unrecognized mood disturbance. For others, prolonged chemical use may cause a change in brain chemistry that results in depression, anxiety, etc. These changes may be short lived and spontaneously resolve in 1-18 months as the post-acute withdrawal period diminishes. However, some mood disorders may extend beyond the post acute withdrawal period and psychotropic medications may be prescribed to alleviate some of the symptoms. The brain is capable of amazing things, including healing itself once the chemical use has stopped. The longer one continues to use the brain becomes increasingly damaged and the changes in brain chemistry become more significant.
Dr. Paige Baker |
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TGIF
Alcoholic beverages popular with youths are more likely to be advertised in magazines with high youth readership than alcoholic drinks consumed mainly by adults.
Researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Virtual Media Resources say their findings show the strongest evidence that alcohol companies are targeting youths through magazine advertising. They note that three major trade associations - representing the alcoholic beverage industry - the Wine Institute, the Beer Institute, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States - have publicly said that they do not advertise to underage youths.
"Alcohol companies are deceiving us," said Dr. Michael Siegel, professor of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health and a co-author of the study. "Contrary to their public statements, they are targeting youths through their advertising. They are saying one thing, but doing another."
The study compared alcohol ads in 118 magazines from 2002 to 2006, being advertised in each magazine. The research found that magazines with the highest levels of youth readership, youth alcoholic beverage types (e.g. premium beer, low calorie beer, rum, vodka and flavored drinks) were more than four times more likely to be advertised than non-youth types (e.g. gin, brandy, whisky and scotch). As youth readership increased in a magazine, so did the number of youth alcoholic beverage advertisements. |
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Derek
Today I was thinking about something interesting - how much time I wasted finding, getting and using drugs in my relatively short lifetime. There was a time in my life when I was nothing more than a slave to drugs. I can remember telling my family some life to get out of the house around the holidays, and going somewhere and sitting in my car waiting for hours to meet someone to bring me dope. This was almost an everyday occurrence. Around the holidays it was especially hard, so I always dreaded the Christmas season. In the years since I have been sober one of the things that I'm most thankful for is the freedom I have. Not having to search for a fix every day is the biggest weight that has ever been lifted off my back, and anyone out there can feel the same thing with one phone call to The Treatment Center. We can be the only fix you will ever need for the rest of your life. |
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COOP'S CORNER
Tis the Season...Maintaining Recovery during the Holidays
As the holiday season begins, many struggle with various types and degrees of addictions. Addiction in many individuals is a symptom of great loneliness or emotional distress. The holidays and family gatherings can be quite overwhelming to those with a substance abuse, and at the holidays, it increases tenfold. When family bonds are affected and they try to hide or ignore the person that has the addiction, the barrier and disconnect increases.
It can be a family affair and "not using" is considered crazy. Family situations can cause stress, triggers of increased use and guilt. If someone is in recovery, the old triggers of emotions and life can sneak up on the addict and begin an unexpected relapse. Family members often times ignore the addict or the hard work of the recovery because of their own active addiction and continue to drink or use around that family member during family events. Almost daring the recovery to end...jealousy, guilt and anger may play a part in this behavior. "How dare my brother get sober?", "Who does he think he's kidding?","Does he think he's better than we are now?".
Some helpful tools for the recovering addict to use during the holiday season. It is important that the addict has a solid support system throughout any and all stressful times. A sober, dedicated friend that will answer the phone 24/7 to fight off a crisis can be the best gift during the holidays. Someone that knows what the addict is going through. If a plan is in place before entering the holiday situation, many unwanted stressors will be avoided. Attending AA meetings regularly and running the 12 steps is the core of a successful recovery. Reading the Big Book and devotionals for a daily routine......breathe, remain hydrated and get plenty of rest. It is imperative that the focus is taken off the alcohol or drug so it doesn't become an obsession.
Happy Holidays: May It be Filled With Peace & Joy
WE'RE HERE IF YOU NEED US 24/7 877-392-3342
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CEO'S DESK
Friday night December 11th will be our First Annual Employee Holiday Party! We believe the excellent care and support our employees provide to our patients is the cornerstone of the treatment we provide. I am looking forward to personally thanking each of our employees and their guests at the party. Please join me in thanking them as well. If you have a story or comment about a particular employee I'd love to hear it (brussell@thetrreatmentcenter.com).
Bill Russell
CEO
The Treatment Center
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ALUMNI NEWS
I often find myself taking on too much at any given time. I overcommit myself and put entirely too much on my plate. In doing this, I end up feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, panicked and frustrated. I've gone from spending the better part of my day trying not to do anything, to overwhelming myself with tasks, deadlines, appointments, commitments, etc. By speaking with other addicts, I've learned that I am not alone. Many of our lives were so chaotic for so long, that we now subconsciously crave the chaos. As addicts, we are prone to taking on too much because we, by nature, are not the best at practicing patience, moderation, and pacing ourselves.
In early recovery, it is important to do our best to keep our stress levels down. Overwhelming ourselves with working too much, taking too many classes, overcommitting ourselves, and taking on too many tasks can lead us to familiar unhealthy feelings and situations. Handling things one at a time and putting together a game plan is the key to keeping this simple. Just because we are clean and sober does not mean we are Superman all of a sudden. Slow down, take your time, and keep it simple.
Tony Martino
Alumni Coordinator
215.896.7859
Tmartino@thetreatmentcenter.com |
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MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to restore hope. At The Treatment Center we recognize
the value of every person, and are guided by our commitment to deliver
the highest quality of treatment to addicted and dual-diagnosed individuals.
We accomplish this by providing exemplary physical, emotional and
spiritual care for each of our patients and their families. Our goal is
to provide the highest standard of personalized patient care possible
to those suffering from drug addiction, alcoholism, and co-occuring
mental health disorders. The Treatment Center is a place of healing;
we restore the diminished spirit using a holistic multi-disciplinary
approach to treatment in a loving and supportive environment. | |
