New Study Reveals Which Months College Students Will Try Drugs

What if we could zero in on exactly when college freshmen would experiment with addictive substances, plunging them into the nothingness of addiction for years? According to ABC 13, a new study may give us that exact insight. Research shows college students are more likely to experiment with stimulant drugs, like adderall and ritalin, for enhanced test performance for the very first time during the months of November, December, and April. These results are derived from 12 years of statistics made available by the government- but analysts didn’t just stop at performance enhancing drugs, they went on to pinpoint the exact months students would try marijuana, inhalants, alcohol, and cigarettes too.

According to the study, college kids will first experiment with marijuana, inhalants (like gasoline and nail polish remover), and alcohol in the summer months of June, July, and August. Conversely, peak use of nicotine occurs in June, September, and October.

Keeping track of prescription medication abuse indicate many will use medications recreationally in December.

ABC 13 quotes an addiction researcher of John Hopkins,

“For most substances, what you’re seeing is a summer peak. Young people may have more time on their hands and less supervision. For stimulants, first use seems to peak around finals. There’s a lot of anxiety and stress around final exams and a push for students to do as well as they can.”

So what does this mean for us, and how can you use this information to the best of your ability for yourself and your loved ones?

Be aware!

The more you know about the dangers of addiction, and the more conscious and self aware you are of your own actions, will help you stave away from potentially habit forming behaviors. Trying out holistic methods of relaxation and exam prep like meditation, visualisation, and yoga can help focus your intent to do well! There are hundreds of tutorials and YouTube videos online.

If you’re a parent fighting the anxiety revolving the dangers of substance abuse for your little-big-one, talk to them. Having open and honest dialogues about drug use and going back to school can mean the world of difference. If your children know they can come to you with anything, they are more likely to be able to open up about the feelings and emotions which may prompt drug use in the first place.

You have more influence than you realize- even with the rowdy ones too. And yes, as a self-proclaimed rabble rouser, I attest to this 100%.

How can we use this new research in our efforts to prevent initial substance abuse?

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Sober Grid: A New Social Network App For Individuals Battling Addiction

There’s exciting news in the world of apps for individuals battling an addiction. We’re surrounded by social media every day. Posts, statuses, tweets, videos, chats, and more are part of many of our everyday lives. A lot of us also use or know of someone that uses a smartphone or other similar device. If you are battling an addiction, there’s a new app out there called Sober Grid. Unlike other addiction recovery apps that only help track your sobriety or keep you motivated, this app goes above and beyond. It’s a sober social networking app that allows you to connect with a global sober community.

What Exactly Is Sober Grid?

Sober Grid is a FREE app that you can download today on your Google Android and/or Apple iOS device. It helps you stay sober no matter where you are in the world. The app also connects you to a social network of other sober individuals. It allows you to communicate and connect with friends or new acquaintances that have also chosen to live a sober lifestyle. It is also a geo-social app that allows you to connect and find (via GPS) other sober individuals in your area or around the world.

It’s a virtual sober community in the palm of your hands. If you have tried other apps but they have not helped you, it’s time to try the new Sober Grid app. It is also rated as the #1 Sober App for both Apple and Android products. Why not join the revolution? It’s free.

What Else Can The Sober Grid App Do?

Not only are you connected to a vast community of sober individuals nearby and around the world, there are also many other great features. Some of the awesome features include:

• The ability to make new sober friends and connect with current sober friends
• Private chats with other sober individuals
• Support from the global community and the ability to be a positive influence for other sober individuals
• Be a member of the sober revolution
• Share items on your news feed
• Being a part of the global sober community
• Individualized profiles. You can choose to stay anonymous or put a picture and description to identify yourself to other sober individuals. You can include your name, bio, location, sobriety date, and gender.
• Locate other sober individuals on “The Grid”. The app contains a GPS user interface that helps locate those surrounding you also using the app and gives their distance from your location.
• Access to the “Burning Desire” button. This button is for when you feel tempted to take a drink or need to reach out to someone whenever or wherever you are. This button lets others know you need help. By pressing the button, it alerts your network by showing a red box next to your profile. The red box means you feel your sobriety is in distress or that you need help. (Or you can simply post in the news feed if you need immediate help).
• Access to “Need a Ride”. This feature is great for those who may have a revoked license or DUI. This could help you get around if you needed a ride to a sober-social meetup.
• Upgrade capabilities. Although you can get the app for free, there is also the option to pay for the premium version. The premium version allows you to have more space for photos and such.
• Blocking capabilities. If you do not want someone to interact with you or view your profile, there are blocking features.
• And many more features to help you feel connected and not alone in your sobriety journey.

Try Sober Grid Today!

Sober Grid is an exciting and fun new app for individuals battling an addiction. Try the app today or research reviews online to see what others have to say. Many people love this app. It’s free, so why not try it? Remember that you should use Sober Grid along with other forms of treatment. Sober Grid is meant to enhance your sober lifestyle, and is not intended as the only method of recovery.

If you have not attended a rehab facility or outpatient program for your addiction, you need to seek professional help first. Contact us at RehabCenter.net today for more information. Join the Sober Grid revolution today.

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Arizona Lobbyist Kevin DeMenna Admits to Drug Addiction Following Arrest: ” I Think it Was Time”

The Arizona Republic reports that lobbyist Kevin DeMenna is finally ready to speak about his troubles with drug addiction and prescription medication abuse.

For those unaware of the story, DeMenna was arrested last October following a police pursuit on Interstate 10. He was reportedly driving recklessly and erratically, nearly crashing into other cars and driving on the shoulder and the median. Arresting officers found DeMenna in possession of 348 pills, marijuana, and a pipe. While arresting officers sought charges of felony narcotics violation, two felony marijuana violations, and two misdemeanor DUI charges, the Pine County Attorney’s Office charged DeMenna with felony possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and two misdemeanor DUI offenses. In May 2015 Kevin then accepted a plea bargain: in exchange for a guilty plea for one of the misdemeanor DUI offenses, all other charges were dropped. The Arizona lobbyist only spent two days in jail.

This type of leniency can only be attributed to the privilege his position has afforded him. As a lobbyist, his firm has represented health care, contracting, and tourism interests in the state of Arizona; his political pull definitely has some influence on the outcome of his legal woes. In a country where drug offenses often carry hefty fines, lengthy probations, and even years in prison, a two day stint in jail for possession of 348 pills, marijuana and drug paraphernalia is less a slap on the wrist and more a charade. Arizona has legalized medical marijuana, yes, but illegal recreational use and possession is still a felony in the state. (And don’t get me started on marijuana’s federal status.) DeMenna is not prescribed for medical marijuana use, but he does offer an explanation.

In an interview with The Arizona Republic, DeMenna explains that his addiction to prescription medication began as a means for dealing with the pain of lingering injuries. Throughout high school and college he participated in several sports including rodeos. DeMenna goes on to explain that he has suffered silently from addiction for years and the marijuana was used to relieve nausea associated with his drug use. He credits the incident as being the catalyst for his decision to finally end his dependency and says he quit cold turkey following his arrest:

“The fact that I was stopped is because I was impaired, and I think I was at the time. It hasn’t happened again. It will never happen again.”

The Pine County police department is receiving criticism for its many errors while processing the case: the extended time frame between arrest and charges being pressed that happened to allow DeMenna to continue his practice uninterrupted is especially troubling to former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley.

“I just do not understand why it took so long to charge this case,” he said to Arizona Republic reporters. “October to April is way too long. I don’t care what the backlog is.”

Romley also questions why Pine County failed to mandate drug rehabilitation as a term for the plea agreement.

That fact brings to question rather DeMenna’s claim of sobriety can truly be trusted by the people of Pine County and Arizona. “The public is not going to have confidence that this was handled the right way. There are too many questions.”

Do you think DeMenna got off easy? Give us your opinion in the comments below.

 

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“WHAT ARE THOSE?!” Meme Creator Is a Drug Dealer?! Arrested for Narcotics Sale

Everyone knows the “What are those?!” guy. You know the one. He sneaks up on an unsuspecting police officer and accosts his poor shoe choice. (Although, I kind of like his shoes.) Since then, Young Busco has been dubbed the “What are those?!” guy. His viral Vine has spurred the reenactment of many derivative works, wherein other people shout at people’s poor shoe choices. (Have you seen the one where a father makes his baby cry by insulting his shoes and screaming “What are those?!” at him? I mean, you dressed him, didn’t you dad?)

It’s not all awkward shoe glory though. Young Busco, whose government name is Brandon Moore, was arrested on July 17th, according to Vice, with the intent to sell controlled narcotics. Busco also violated his parole, which isn’t helping his situation.

I wonder if the officer he initially made fun of got his arresting revenge. . .

But in all seriousness, why Busco, why? The young-ish (28) Vine star said the arrest was all a misunderstanding, and plans to move as close to his parole officer as possible. That still doesn’t clear up the charges against him for attempting to sell a controlled substance. Busco is serving time in Dublin, California, and has been recognized by his fellow inmates.

The Vice quotes him recounting, “They couldn’t believe it was me!”

What does this all mean in the end-all of things? We’ve not quite sure. But it’s not nice to make fun of people’s shoes- and don’t be a drug dealer!

Although, Busco hasn’t actually been convicted of anything yet, so it could all be an unfortunate misunderstanding. For his sake, and whoever was intended to be the customer of the alleged sale, it would all be for the best; that way no illegal drugs are floating around and Busco can remain the “What are those?!” guy, as opposed to the shoe shouting drug dealing guy.

 

Post your favorite What are those?! Videos!

 

Featured Image: Crocs by Mulan licensed under CC by 2.0

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Grab a Beer While You Shop: New Target in Chicago May Feature a Bar

Being able to purchase a 12-pack of your favorite beer for a relaxing weekend or some white wine to pair with dinner while completing the rest of your shopping at Target is nothing new. Being able to sit down and have a stiff one? Now that’s different.

NBC Chicago is reporting that the retail corporation is seeking a liquor license for their new Streeterville location. The location will be a “TargetExpress”- a smaller store geared mostly toward providing basic needs for the surrounding community- though the company is rebranding TargetExpress and CityTarget locations to simply being Target stores. The Streeterville store will feature a “smaller, more flexible format” and the addition of a bar is still pending, though it is slated to open in October. Target has not elaborated on any plans for the bar but has confirmed it is seeking a license to serve alcohol. More news on the status of the Streeterville store and it’s features is expected to be released in the coming months.

If all goes to plan the new Chicago Target will be the first store in the company to serve alcohol to customers outside of the product demonstrations and sampling. Though there has been no talk of regulations or drink limits, the addition of a bar within the store can definitely be a driving force for business.

In hearing of this story, my initial thought (as a former Target Team Leader) was for the possible safety issues introducing alcohol would present. I do not doubt that there will be strict guidelines and the security personnel and team members working with alcohol would be properly trained on detecting drunkenness, but intoxicated people are notorious for their unpredictability. There is no way to determine how one will react to even relatively small amounts of alcohol until it has been consumed.

What happens if a guest is impaired after shopping but decides to drive anyway? Target has no control nor means of preventing this guest from making that decision. Some would argue it is not their responsibility.

If it is determined that the benefits outweigh the risks, and Target decides to add bars to other locations, things will definitely get interesting for the retailer and its employees. There’s the possibility of public intoxication charges during a simple trip, bar brawls can leak over into the toy department, and we may see our first cases of SUI (Shoplifting while Under the Influence).

Black Friday could get a whole lot uglier.

 

What do you think about a Target store featuring a bar? Let us know in the comments!

 

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Josh Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting Checks into Rehab, So Leave Him Alone!

I’m not really one for reality TV, and I didn’t even know who Josh Duggar was until this morning, outside of some questionable antics rumored about an alleged pornography addiction- and other darker secrets. USA Today announced Josh Duggar has checked into rehabilitation to get his life back in order- although, we’re not exactly sure what the 19 Kids and Counting star is in treatment for. What we do know is Duggar is in the midst of family trauma and turmoil after his personal account to a dating website was leaked publicly.

Since Duggar admits to cheating on his wife, and secreting an addiction for pornography, perhaps he’s seeking treatment to remedy this behavioral condition. And yes, you nonbelievers, there is such thing as a porn addiction. The disorder is fomented by the same way as other addictive and behavioral disorders come to light: an escape from reality grown too hard.

(No pun intended.)

It seems Josh will attend a residential rehabilitation program to work out the emotional kinks in his life- and because of his family’s very public Christian beliefs, Josh is expected to “complete repentance” and catalyze “sincere change.” But can we objectively expect this from someone who is in long term recovery? What has he to repent for, and why do we always assume those suffering from substance use disorders or behavioral disorders are in a perennial state of sin?

These conditions are diseases and not an issue of morality.

USA Today quotes Duggar opening up about the recent happenings of his life,

“I have secretly, over the last several years, been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife.”

Duggar has been the object of both his family’s and the media’s ire for his actions. Although the ex-reality star owes his immediate family an explanation of his actions, to hopefully open up the sincere conversation of rectifying his possible behavioral disorder, honestly- Duggar does not owe the media and fawning public any sort of due diligence.

We have grown to scrutinize all who suffer from any type of addiction, and rarely is the public’s reaction incited by compassion, but scorn. While it’s true he was unfaithful, who are we to judge from the outside looking in?

Obviously no one supports nor condones that behavior, but aren’t we only exasperating Anna’s pain and embarrassment by casting stones at their family?

 

So do us all a favor and be nice? Please.

 

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Beating the Urge: 4 Ways to Prevent Relapse

Rather you are a recovering addict or a member of an addict’s support system, the possibility of relapse is a constant threat looming in the back of your mind. No one is immune to the possibly devastating effects of relapse; it can happen even after years of sobriety. Thankfully relapse of substance abuse is entirely preventable. All it requires is the right tools and the right people.

So, how do you prevent relapses?

#1: Recognize the Signs of Relapse Behavior

If you are in recovery or close to someone on a path to sobriety, it’s likely you know the warning signs of an impending relapse. Maybe a stressful situation at work has developed, or a personal relationship has fallen to tethers- emotional distress is a red flag that the person in recovery may need some extra help staying sober. Be cautious of the following signs that they are close to falling over the edge:

• Shifty or shady behavior
• Avoiding direct questions about use
• Sudden changes in mood
• Unaccounted for lapses in time
• Changes in health
• Visible intoxication

#2: Intervene BEFORE Relapse

Clearly in order to prevent a relapse, it is necessary to intervene before the person in question does anything they will come to regret. If you are at all suspicious that a recovery is in danger it is vital that you address it early on. Even if your suspicions prove to be unwarranted, the show of support can be encouraging. You want to be firm and resolute in your approach, but never accusatory, as this will only garner a negative response. It is also best if the intervention is a group effort of those who love and support the recoverer, making them more inclined to listen and see reason.

#3: Offer Alternatives to Relapsing

Sometimes the simplest way to prevent a relapse is to be available. If you are acting as a sober coach or mentor, be sure that the person in risk of relapse knows you are always available to talk about anything and everything. Become a safe place for that person to turn when they feel overwhelmed or low. Let them know you want them to come to you and it is not a burden you are unwilling to bare. Distractions are a great tool for preventing relapse. Throw a sober party, go out to the movies or dinner, try a fitness class at the local gym, or join a book club. Educational pursuits and working toward short-term and long-term goals are also great for staying on track with addiction recovery.

#4: Reinforce that Relapse is NOT Failure

Sometimes relapses happen even with the best effort possible to avoid them. It only takes 0.33 seconds of exposure to the wrong triggers to send someone spirally toward relapse. If it happens, understand and emphasize that it does not mean that person has failed. Relapse is not the end of the journey, just a momentary obstacle and a chance to begin again.

Forgive them and make sure they know they are worthy of self-forgiveness: they are likely much more upset and disappointed by their relapse than you.

If relapse occurs, use it as an opportunity to explore new and perhaps more effective means of rehabilitation: perhaps they were in an outpatient program previously and would benefit from inpatient treatments, or experimenting with medically-assisted rehabilitation rather than abstinence based treatment.

 

Have you ever experienced relapse? What was the cause? Share your story with us below.

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