The Legacy of Cory Monteith

The hit TV show “Glee” regularly depicts real-world issues within the confines of William McKinley High School. The episodes only pale in comparison to the recent death of star Cory Monteith.

The actor passed away this past July at age 31 due to a toxic combination of alcohol and heroin, according to the Canadian coroner’s report.

On “Glee”, Cory played a singer/clean-cut quarterback on his way to college. However, the actor was quick to let fans know just how different his own story really was.

Cory freely discussed details of his past with the press: drinking and drug use at age 13, high school drop out and stealing to account for the next high. Following an intervention from family and friends, Cory decided to seek help for his drug addiction at age 19.

Over time, Cory was able to clean himself up, begin acting, and in 2009, shot to stardom with the cast of “Glee”. By all accounts, Cory was a beautiful individual inside and out.

However, like many recovering addicts, Cory struggled with sobriety. Reports confirm that the actor voluntarily re-entered a rehabilitation facility in March of this year, successfully completing a 30-day program. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough.

Cory’s death is but another reminder of the perils associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Athlete or artist, poor or rich, old or young, struggling or successful – nobody is safe.

When one star overdoses, fans mourn by the millions. The sad fact is that drug and alcohol abuse takes hundreds of thousands of wonderful people each year, with little to no attention from the general public.

It’s important to view Cory’s struggle as an example for families to follow. His addiction and demise do not make him a hypocrite. They make him a human being.

Surely, Cory Monteith would prefer that his fans and friends do more than mourn another celebrity death. When “Glee” returns to living rooms this coming season, the producers will likely pay tribute. They may even present a story to help fans avoid the same pitfalls.

Here’s hoping that Cory’s story motivates each of us to take a stand for the generations to come. 

Handling Free Time During Recovery

Boredom is perhaps the biggest threat to sobriety for recovering drug addicts. The transition back to real life following rehabilitation can be a difficult one. Without a solid game plan in place, the risk of relapse is multiplied exponentially. In this entry, we will discuss some tips and idea on how best to utilize your free time as a recovering drug addict. 

Start a new hobby

1 – Seek out employment. This is not meant to be a lecture on laziness or wasting time. Rather, an opportunity to apply yourself in a positive manner. Steady employment can keep you busier than most other activities, offering rewards, financial security and the potential for new, positive relationships.

2 – Dive into a hobby! If you’re one of the many who find difficulty seeking out employment during the initial recovery stages, a hobby can be a wonderful way to spend your free time. Start a comic book collection, learn an instrument, take up knitting! Whatever activity you choose, make sure you have fun with it!

3 – Exercise your mind! Throw your head into a good book, take a class at the local community college, or keep a daily journal. These types of activities can provide hours of positive amusement while offering the potential to better yourself long-term.

4 – Exercise your body! Mental stimulation is one thing, but tackling pain and stress through physical exercise can just as (if not more) rewarding. Grab a gym membership or start jogging around the neighborhood. Set some goals and track your progress!

Need Help?

If you or someone you love is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction, Above it All treatment center is the place to call! Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy and productive lifestyle you’ve been missing. 

OxyContin – What You Don’t Know Might Kill You…

OxyContin is a substance plagued by myth, rumor and lore. What follows below are some of the more common OxyContin myths, and the facts behind them. 

Myth: OxyContin is not addictive.

Fact: Though manufactured by a legitimate pharmaceutical corporation, OxyContin is extremely addictive. OxyContin is riddled with opiates – a highly addictive class of drugs found in a variety of prescription painkillers and street drugs, including heroin. 

Myth: Injecting or snorting OxyContin isn’t any worse than ingesting it orally.

Fact: Users who inject or snort OxyContin are much more likely to overdose than those who take it orally. OxyContin was initially designed as a time-release substance. When used as directed, intended and orally, it offers relief over a period of hours to combat excessive pain. Users who crush and snort or inject OxyContin experience a full release, resulting in an effect that is unmanageable for many; often times overdose or even death.

Myth: OxyContin is illegal in the U.S.

Fact: OxyContin is often prescribed by physicians to those suffering from extreme chronic pain due to injury or illness. Legality comes into question when physician signatures are forged, prescriptions are stolen and medicine cabinets are raided in an effort to obtain the pills illegally.

Myth: OxyContin withdrawal is no big deal.

Fact: OxyContin withdrawal is as severe as any opiate. Common symptoms of OxyContin withdrawal include:

-          Anxiety

-          Depression

-          Body aches

-          Nausea

-          Suicidal thoughts

For many users, the most serious OxyContin withdrawal symptom lies in relapse. More recovering OxyContin addicts fall off the wagon than any other addict type.

Myth: There is no hope for me.

Fact: Quite the contrary! If you’re seeking drug abuse help, the addiction specialists at Above it All treatment center are available to take your call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of counselors help you back on track towards the healthy, happy lifestyle you’ve been missing. 

Generic OxyContin Ban – What Are The Side Effects?

Though banning less expensive, generic Oxycontin may seem like a “win” in the fight against drug addiction, there is much debate as to the side effects yet to be seen.

Critics of the FDA’s decision to ban generic forms of Oxycontin argue that it may ultimately promote the use of less effective substances without eliminating addiction risks. Oxycontin went off patent this past April.

In most cases, the end of a drug patent will usher in an era of generics. Following the FDA’s decision, drug-makers must now work to create abuse-resistant versions of the substance in order to compete in the market.

The number of deaths associated with prescription opiates more than tripled from ’99 to ’06. In 1997, Purdue Pharma LP – the maker of Oxycontin - pleaded guilty to federal charges of misbranding the substance as a less addictive and safer alternative to narcotic drugs such as Percocet and Vicodin. By 2010, Pharma had developed an abuse-resistant version of the drug to help diminish the risk of overdose and death.

The new “abuse-resistant” Oxy includes an ingredient that makes it difficult to crush and inject or snort to achieve the desired effect - one similar to that found in heroin use.

But just because a drug is “abuse-deterrent” doesn't make it harmless…

In fact, nearly one third of users polled say they've figured out how to beat the system. Those who have not, still stand the risk of procuring or maintaining an addiction by swallowing the pills to excess.

Moral of the story: Where there’s a pill, there’s a way. 

Need Help?

Considering rehabilitation? Pick up the phone and call Above It All Treatment Center! With a team of seasoned addiction specialists available to assess and address your individual needs, you can count on Above It All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call now!

Just the Facts – Substance Abuse Counseling

A twofold process, substance-abuse counseling takes the patient through physical withdrawal before immersing them in psychological rehabilitation and therapy. This approach is commonly used with patients struggling with alcohol, street drug and prescription drug addiction. 

Criteria

Substance abuse counseling is suitable for patients struggling with all levels and types of addiction. Substance abuse problems are often placed into two similar but separate levels: Substance abuse and substance dependence. Though both levels affect an addict’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis, they differ by way of the impact on the user’s mental, physical and emotional health.

A patient struggling with dependence to a substance has developed an emotional and physical need for the drug. Many experience withdrawal symptoms after only a short period of abstinence. Tolerance to the substance also plays a role in how much the individual must use in order to achieve the desired affect. 

Both abuse and dependence often result in health and legal issues. Friends and family may show concern and become frustrated with the on-going use. When an individual meets these criteria, counseling is often recommended. 

Types

Counseling for substance abuse commonly occurs in one of three ways: group counseling, outpatient counseling and inpatient counseling.  Group and outpatient counseling offer patients the ability to attend therapy sessions and return to normal life. The inpatient format requires patients to reside at the designated facility throughout treatment. 

Purpose

People take drugs for an array of reasons, including pain relief, recreation and escape. Substance abuse counseling explores the reasoning behind use to an effort to help them develop alternative means to cope. Patients are typically asked to share their feelings surrounding substance abuse, while being offered guidance and support. Group counseling provides addicts with the ability to relate to others with similar experiences, while building support and camaraderie along the way.