ALCOHOLISM - Sober Solutions

Adaptions of the Alcoholic Brain

May 31, 2018 By Staff

Brain cells rearrange and change themselves every day to accommodate for directions to work in a new city, injury, disease, an abusive environment, a new and prosperous job. So, too, does the brain make accommodations for alcohol dependency. Neuroadaption to alcohol occurs in the same way that adaption of the human brain to any other experience that is repeated. As with all phenomena of the brain, there is no direct alteration that “causes people to crave alcohol.” Instead, the adaptation is very complex, often worsened by preexisting mental conditions. [Read more…]

Fish Oil Protects Against Brain Damage Caused by Alcohol Abuse

May 31, 2018 By Staff

New Study Shows Fish Oil Protects Against Brain Damage Caused by Alcohol Abuse

Among the many harmful effects alcohol has on the body, brain damage and dementia are at the top. A new study shows fish oil protects against brain damage caused by alcohol abuse. This study was published July 16, 2014, in the PLOS ONE journal. The study was conducted by Michael A. Collins, PhD, Edward J. Neafsey, PhD, and additional colleagues at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. They also collaborated with the University of Kentucky and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
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10 Million Alaska-bound Drug Ring Bust Yields Massive Seizures

May 31, 2018 By Staff

10 Million Alaska-bound Drug Ring Bust Yields Massive Seizures and Arrests

A 10 million Alaska-bound drug ring is busted and yields a massive amount of seizures and 8 offenders are arrested so far. This bust enlisted the help and knowledge of many different departments, across many different states. Federal agents from California, Arizona, and Texas helped prosecute this case of a massive amount of drugs heading to Alaska, with some already being sold there. This huge drug ring bust was also investigated by numerous federal agencies ranging from the FBI and the DEA. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement also had a heavy hand in the investigation. As for Alaska, the Alaska State Troopers as well as Anchorage, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport police were also involved with the investigation leading to Alaskaâ€™s huge drug bust.Federal authorities seized around 100 pounds of illegal drugs and arrested 8 offenders so far. More arrests will most likely be made in months to come. Among the nearly 100 pounds of drugs confiscated 50 pounds were of heroin, 38 pounds were of methamphetamine and another 11 pounds of heroin were found in a different location, but were tied to this drug ring. â€œInvestigators found these kilograms of heroin hidden in a storage unit here in Anchorage along with an additional nine kilograms of heroin and various packaging materials,â€ prosecutors stated in a release. The value of these seized drugs total to a value ranging from $2.3 million at the wholesale level, to other drug rings or dealers or over $10 million if these drugs were sold on the street, for street value prices.

This huge drug ring was suspected from operating for at least a year. The drug ring had contacts in Alaska, California, Arizona, and Texas, commanding an extensive amount of collaboration between departments in each of these states. This ring was also tied to Mexico to launder their money outside the country. Authorities state they found a pattern in which location the drugs surfaced from, “As far as the meth side that was definitely California. The Texas side was more focused on heroin.”

Authorities also explained how the bust took place, â€œIn two subsequent transactions, conspirators sold four and seven pounds of methamphetamine respectively to an Alaska undercover agent.â€The offenders face a mandatory, minimum ten year prison term if convicted. With only 8 offenders arrested, they will most likely inform police of other offenders, to lessen their sentences. “This is a very, very substantial seizure, especially for a district like Alaska,” authorities boast. “This is a statement that if you’re going to traffic this amount of drugs in Alaska,â€ authorities warn, â€œwe’re going to do something about it.” With this substantial drug bust under Alaskaâ€™s belt, some are wondering what else will unfold as the case continues.

Problem Gambling is as Much an Addiction as Drugs and Alcohol

May 30, 2018 By Staff

So much has been seen and read in regard to addiction involving alcohol and drugs that gambling is often placed on the back burner. After all it is not something that is sold illicitly, nor can it make anyone but the victim feel its debilitating effects. With that being said, it must still be noted that gambling is as much an addiction as drugs and alcohol.

What many people do not realize is that gambling can have other victims tied into the one that is afflicted. If a person is married with children it is often reported that the hard core addict will spend an entire weeks income at a casino leaving family members without basic essentials such as food and utilities. The gambler is aware of this and will despise the suffering they are putting loved ones through, but the pull to gamble is stronger than their responsibilities. Besides, they have won before and can do so again thereby alleviating these family related problems. The end result is a never ending vicious cycle where much more is lost than what is gained.

Newspapers and magazines have brought this addiction to the forefront and enlightened the general public on the addiction of gambling and its causes. For many it is the adrenaline rush that accompanies the first few wins. That can lead to the feeling that if they can win a little they can win a lot. They are unable to grasp the known fact that casinos are the only real winners in the game of gambling.

Other known factors in the gambler’s personality are those that involve dealing with things such as loneliness, boredom, or lack of social skills. They may have just gone through a divorce, or perhaps the kids have all left home, and gambling fills these voids. Many escape the pain of this distress by entering the world of gambling. The new options of gambling from home via computer allow many to keep their addiction hidden for long periods of time. Yet whether from home or the high of casino activity, the addiction will lead to an abyss of deep despair that many cannot escape from without intervention.

Like all addictions there is no easy solution to the addiction of gambling. As it has been said with other problems, the habit may have to be dealt with on a ‘one day at a time’ basis. They have to find a completely new circle of friends than the ones made at casinos. Perhaps the computer will have to be taken out of the home. These are just a few of the number of things a person can do in the line of self-help but for many the urge is too strong to quit on their own. These people need the assistance of professional aid if they are going to beat the addiction that has been proven to be relentless. Luckily, there are treatment centers which specialize in gambling addiction.

The next time you come across an article that explains the problems associated with gambling addiction do yourself a favor and read that article too. Get as educated about this serious problem as possible. You just may begin to see that a close friend, family member, or even you, have fallen into the intense pull of gambling addiction.

How to Get Help for Someone on Drugs

August 23, 2017 By Staff

How to Get Help for Someone on Drugs: The Essential Steps

The first step to help a drug addict is understanding that addiction is a chronic brain disease. A common myth about addiction is that you can quit at anytime, that it is all about willpower. Some people believe that if you are strong enough, you can quit. While having a strong attitude about quitting helps, it is much more complex than that. Addiction is a brain disease and needs to be treated as one. So before you try to force your loved one into quitting, that the time to learn about the disease. Forcing an addict into quitting is never a good outcome. While tough love can be administered by stopping your loved one from enabling you into providing them with a place to live, giving them food, and even giving them money, forcing an addict to quit will be met with an extreme amount of resistance.
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Muncie Indiana Drug Bust

August 23, 2017 By Staff

Muncie Indiana Drug Bust Leads to $30,000 Drug Seizure

On November 10th, 2014, Muncie Indiana Police Department made a substantial drug bust. This Muncie Indiana drug bust lead to police confiscating over $30,000 in drugs and making an important connection between states. Scott O’Dell of the Muncie Police Department’s narcotics unit stated that their drug bust was completed based on a four-month investigation. This investigation was on “a crew from Detroit dealing out of hotels,” stated Scott O’Dell.

This Detroit crew is crossing the boarder into Indiana, in the east central area, and selling their drugs. Among the drugs confiscated were, $15,000 worth of heroin and around $15,000 of marijuana and prescription drugs. Handguns, one of them believed to be used in an attempted shooting in Muncie on Saturday, as well as a large amount of cash were also found and confiscated.
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