Video: Kids' author Munsch continues drug recovery, will do rare reading this …
… a public reading in Toronto Sunday for Family Literacy Day. TORONTO – Beloved children's author Robert Munsch says he has no regrets about going public with his addiction issues nearly four years ago, and still attends support meetings almost daily …
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Heroin becomes an increasing problem on LI
Parents would often store the pills in medicine cabinets, where their children could steal them to use or sell. Some addicts unable to get the drugs from doctors turned to home invasions and pharmacy robberies to obtain pills, with sometimes …
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Local Support Groups
Alzheimer's/other dementias support group, 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, Horizon Bay Assisted Living of Concord, 1501 Zion Church Road East, Concord, for families dealing with Alzheimer's or other dementias. … Celebrate Recovery, Christ-centered 12-step …
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E-cigarette ban for under-18s
The law, which will be introduced next week as an amendment to the Children and Families Bill, will also ban 'proxy purchasing' – knowingly buying tobacco on behalf of someone under 18. Adults caught breaking the law, which ministers hope will come …
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Clean Slate recovery meetings funded through June
STERLING — — Family Resource Center recently received funding to continue local efforts to provide support for those in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. The center has been facilitating monthly meetings for a recovery coalition since March …
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Local Support Groups
Alzheimer's/other dementias support group, 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, Horizon Bay Assisted Living of Concord, 1501 Zion Church Road East, Concord, for families dealing with Alzheimer's or other dementias. … Celebrate Recovery, Christ-centered 12-step …
Read more on Salisbury Post

Nancy Grace says pot users 'shoot each other' and 'kill families'
She argued about whether the drug is "highly addictive" with Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Mason Tvert, who suggested Grace is against legalization because "she does not like the people that use marijuana." … And while there is evidence that …
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Martin County Support Groups: Updated Jan. 22
Celebrate Recovery: A Christ-centered 12 step recovery program. 7 p.m. Stuart First United Methodist … Addiction Program “Friends & Family”: 6-8 p.m. Just Believe Recovery Center, 1475 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Age 13+. 772-252-1235 …
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Daily Planner: January 23
Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center and Med Clinic: 11 a.m.-4 p .m. computer lab; 1 p.m. arts & crafts; 2:15 p.m. writing group. 492 Rio … Celebrate Recovery Christian 12-Step Program: 6:30-9 p.m. East Avenue Community Church, 1184 East Ave., Chico.
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Question by Liza Shevchuk: Natural Remedies For Brain Damage After Drug Abuse?
My older brother has done many drugs from about 16-21. Its been a year since his last use, and he’s been having some serious problems. He has high anxiety and he’s been having frequent episodes of “weird” (as he calls it) feelings. He doesn’t label it as feeling sick. During these episodes he feels jittery, emotional (even cry’s sometimes) out of control, his heart rate goes up. This also causes him to have insomnia. Maybe they’re panic attacks, but the thing is, what triggers it? This occurs randomly on a normal day. We believe its typical withdrawal symptoms, because he abused quite a few drugs. (Marijuana, cigarettes, ecstasy, crystal meth, shrooms, hookah, cocaine, inhalants, “uppers” (as he calls them))
He has gone to see his doctor several times to get treatment, and his doctor said he has migraines.
-____-
He prescribed him anti depressants and that didn’t help my brother AT ALL.
He does this herbal drop treatment (echinacea, other oils, etc) That help him sleep.
Now we’re trying to find him herbal remedies that would help repair his brain damage from all of the abuse he has done to it.
Thank you very much.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
I’m not sure that there will be repairing of the brain damage (presuming that he has that as I’m not a medical doctor :), but researchers believe that the brain is very “plastic” and may form new nerve pathways to *help* compensate for the injured areas.

With regard to inhalant use, my friend actually has a severe Brain Injury from huffing at the age of 12, now in her 30s. The chemicals in products used for huffing are actual *poisons* that were never meant to go through the bloodstream.

Please be *very* careful with herbal supplements or “remedies” (e.g., echinacea, ginkgo biloba, chamomile) as they can result in side effects and/or drug (medication) interactions. It’s best to check with a licensed pharmacist before taking any of them. Not everything that is “natural” is safe 😉

Regarding the panic attacks, some people have generalized anxiety (to know specific event) or other types of anxiety. The antidepressants may help to lessen the intensity and/or frequency of the anxiety symptoms. Such medications tend to take about 6-8 weeks before possibly noticing results. A caveat (warning) is that some antidepressants may cause insomnia (trouble getting to and/or staying asleep). However, there are medications that one may take to help counteract the insomnia.

Even though benzo’s (e.g., ativan, valium, xanax, klonopin) may be prescribed to help with sleep, they’re not always recommended as a medication due to their physical addictiveness. (Some withdrawal symptoms from benzo’s may include seizures, psychosis/mental break from reality, or even death.) Some psychiatrists (it’s best to get medication for mental health issues from a board-certified psychiatrist as opposed to “just” a family doctor) prescribe seroquel (or other medications), which is classified as an antipsychotic but in smaller dosages may help with sleep.

You’d mentioned that he’s gone to the doctor several times, and I’m wondering if he’s gone to a neurologist which is medical dr who can help rule out disorders of the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves. I’m just thinking that to help “cover all the bases” (not trying to give false hope though, know what I mean).

I’m not sure that he’d still be going through withdrawal symptoms a year after stopping the drugs, but it’s a good idea to ask a doctor about that as well.

Pertaining to the anxiety, please show him this government site which may have some local counseling agencies: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and can click the second link. Then one can click “near you” on the left-hand side of the page under “find facilities” and can type one’s city and state of residence into search. Their toll-free 24/7 referral helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Just an fyi that the first link is for those looking for substance abuse counseling/treatment, and that may be an option if he’s still “using” or having cravings for substances.

A 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), may have some local support groups. The only requirement is having a desire to get sober. One may attend an “open” AA meeting if there is no drinking problem: http://www.aa.org

This site has some common mottos pertaining to those 12-step programs, including “One day at a time”, “First things first” and “People, places and things”: http://www.royy.com/toolsofrecovery.html

Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the *friends and family* of the problem drinker, but one may attend an “open” Al-Anon meeting if the loved one doesn’t have a drinking problem: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

Drug settlement funds to benefit recovery centers
In addition to the $ 500,000 to build the new Recovery Kentucky facility in Ashland, Independence House in Corbin and Chrysalis House in Lexington will share $ 1 million to offer substance abuse treatment to pregnant women. The plan also provides $ 2.52 …
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Weymouth gets set to launch support network for addicts
Now, firefighters are hoping a new safety net spearheaded by the fire department can reduce the number of overdoses by connecting addicts and their families to rehab programs, support groups and access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, also …
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Special Report: Area doctors seeing increase in heroin addicted babies
Overdoses, deaths and property crimes by heroin users to support their drug habit are the most visible signs of the heroin abuse sweeping northeast Wisconsin, but the smallest signs of the toll the drug is taking on the community remain largely unseen.
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Support Groups are plentiful in the area to help in many ways
FRIENDS & FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: Big Stone Gap, Va., Behavioral Health Services, behind Powell Valley High School, hosted by Frontier Health; offers tools, friends and families needs to assist people with addiction, move toward recovery; Tuesdays, 6:30 …
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Gathering gives hope over drug addiction
The annual event, set for 6 p.m. Sunday, features a candle-lighting ceremony in remembrance of people who have lost their lives to drug addiction or are struggling with addiction, and to support families who are struggling with such problems. The event …
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Stigma Of Mental Illness: Families Are Often Embarrassed By Mentally Ill …
Specifically, the research suggests that mental health conditions such as alcoholism and depression are more likely to be accompanied not by familial support but by family shame and embarrassment. The study, which … The study estimates the degree to …
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