Survey Finds That Many Recover From Alcoholism

More than one-third of U.S. adults with alcoholism that began more than one year ago are still in recovery, according to an article in the current issue of Addiction . These individuals show no symptoms of either alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse and either abstain or drink at levels below those known to increase relapse risk. The analysis is based on data from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a project of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

"Results from the latest NESARC analysis strengthen previous reports that many persons can and do recover from alcoholism," said NIAAA Director Ting-Kai Li, M.D. "

Lead author Deborah Dawson, Ph.D. and her colleagues in the Laboratory of Biometry and Epidemiology in NIAAA's intramural research program released the latest NESARC analysis in an article entitled "Recovery From DSM-IV Alcohol Dependence: United States, 2001-2002." Based on a representative sample of 43,000 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older, the NESARC is the largest survey ever conducted of the co-occurrence of alcohol and drug use disorders and related psychiatric conditions.

The recovery analysis is based on a subgroup of 4,422 adults who met the clinical criteria for alcohol dependence that began more than one year before the 2001-2002 survey. These individuals were primarily middle-aged, non-Hispanic white males. Sixty percent had attended or completed college. More than half had experienced the onset of alcohol dependence between the ages of 18 and 24, and only 25.5 percent had ever received treatment for their alcohol problems.

Dr. Dawson and her colleagues found that the likelihood of abstinent recovery increased over time and with age and was higher among women, individuals who were, and persons who had experienced a greater number of dependence symptoms.

When the authors compared their results with findings from the earlier 1991-1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES), they noted a trend during the past decade toward less rapid remission (that is, the absence of alcohol abuse or dependence symptoms) in persons previously dependent. "There are no obvious explanations for why this might be the case. Data from Wave 2 of the NESARC should provide valuable information to address this issue," they said. The NESARC is a longitudinal study now entering the first stage of followup that should shed light on pathways to recovery.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Federal Bupe Law Cheered

A new federal law that removes the 30-patient limit on buprenorphine treatment for group medical practices is winning raves from people with addictions and their care providers.

"I've been a [heroin] user for 20 years, and it's the only thing that's helped," said Elizabeth Fabiano, 38. "I don't know what it does to you, but you don't even think of [heroin] when you're on it. I've been on a waiting list since May. I can't wait to take it."

The new law should make it easier for hospitals and other group medical providers to provide buprenorphine -- an anti-opiate medication offered in pill form as an alternative to methadone -- and for addicts to get the drug.

The law should have an immediate, positive impact at programs like Harvard Vanguard. "We actually have four certified physicians, so the practical effect of this is we immediately go from a capacity of 30 patients to a capacity of 120 patients," said Dr. Steve Adelman, a psychiatrist with the company. 

Source: JoinTogether Online

What are the medical complications of methamphetamine abuse?

Methamphetamine can cause cardiovascular problems.Rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and irreversible, stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Hyperthermia and convulsions occur with methamphetamine overdoses, and if not treated immediately, can result in death.

Methamphetamine abusers also can have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. Heavy users also show progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.

Production errors may result in methamphetamine contaminated with lead. There have been documented cases of acute lead poisoning in intravenous methamphetamine abusers.

Fetal exposure to methamphetamine also is a significant problem in the United States. At present, research indicates that methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy may result in prenatal complications, increased rates of premature delivery, and altered neonatal behavioral patterns, such as abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability. Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy may be linked also to congenital deformities.

Source: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)