Tag Archives: Alcohol Abuse

4 Celebrities That Could Have Benefited From Florida Addiction Recovery Programs

Celebrity gossip magazines are full of stories of celebrities suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. While these stories speak of addiction in an entertaining light, these issues should not be taken lightly. Many celebrities have lost their lives far too soon due to substance abuse issues that have resulted in an overdose.

Michael Jackson’s Painful Addiction

While the news of Michael Jackson’s death came as a surprise to fans around the globe, people closest to Michael likely noticed an on-going problem. Jackson’s death may have been blamed on the doctor who was providing the medication that killed him but, the real problem was his unfortunate dependency on the drugs. The drug Propofol is not a typical sleep aid but, being Michael Jackson allows you access to medications the average person may not have access to. As with any drug, the longer it is used the more tolerant your body becomes causing you to need more in order to get the same effect.

Heath Ledger’s Mixed Prescription Story

While his death was ruled an accident caused by unknowingly mixing medications that were prescribed to him; his reliance on medications to sleep and function during the filming of The Dark Knight undoubtedly caused his death. Ledger stated in an interview that the film was dark and caused him to suffer from anxiety as well as trouble sleeping. He was then diagnosed with a sinus infection and prescribed additional medications to relive the symptoms. The combination of the medications ultimately took his life.

Chris Benoit And Roid-Rage Heartbreak

While Chris did not die of an overdose of drugs or an alcohol related accident, his death was still related to an addiction. Benoit was a famous wrestler in the WWE until his anabolic steroid use caused a severe case of roid rage. He killed his entire family before taking his own life. The loss of the wrestler hit fans and wrestlers hard and caused many changes to the way the WWE is run.

Amy Winehouse’s Alcohol Tragedy

While many celebrity deaths are caused by drug overdoses, Amy Winehouse’s death was caused by alcohol poisoning. She had turned to alcohol after giving up her previous drug usage. At the time of her death she had begun a pattern that was very harmful to her health. She would go weeks without drinking and then relapse into binge drinking. The pattern ended on July 23, 2011 when she died after a night of binge drinking.

Florida Addiction Recovery Programs

Each of these celebrities could have benefited greatly from a Florida addiction recovery program. You can’t help but wonder if they would still be alive today if they had received the treatment they so desperately needed.

If You Or A Loved One Is Suffering From Addiction
Call Us Now! We Are Here To Help! 888-840-5189

How Ignoring Hepatitis C Can Be Deadly

Recently I had a close friend pass away. He was 58 years old. When he died he was in liver failure and we all wondered how this could have happened so quickly. Actually it ended up that it wasn’t that quickly. I spoke with one of his brothers who is a Pathologist in CA. He told me that approximately 6 years ago his brother had some lab work done and that it showed liver problems. His brother chose to ignore the results because he didn’t believe the blood work was correct. He denied having any liver problems. Here we are six years later now with my friend gone. All of his friends began talking and I realized that not that many people are educated about liver disease, Hepatitis C and or liver cancer.

Hepatitis C results from the infection with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use and bacterial and viral infections can all cause Hepatitis.

What Is Hepatitis C?

How Ignoring Hepatitis C Can Be Deadly | Hepatitis C Treatment Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious lifelong illness that attacks the liver. It results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus, which is spread primarily through contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C can either be “acute” or “chronic”. Acute Hepatitis C infection is a short term illness that occurs within the first six months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.

Chronic Hepatitis C infection is a long term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis C virus remains in a person’s body. Hepatitis C can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer. Approximately 75-80% of people who become infected with the Hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection. An estimated 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C virus infection.

How Is Hepatitis C Spread?

Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from an infected person with Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.

Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs is a common cause. Needle stick injuries in healthcare settings can also be a cause. Lastly, those born to a mother with Hepatitis C can infect the newborn child. Lesser common causes would be sharing personal items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood such as razors or toothbrushes, sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus.

The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days.

Possible Signs Of Acute Hepatitis C

Approximately 70-80% of people with acute Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms. Others can have mild to severe symptoms soon after infection such as:

Fever
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite

In persons without symptoms, Hepatitis C is often detected during routine blood tests to measure liver function and liver enzyme level. Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long term health problems, including liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. Approximately 15,000 people die every year from Hepatitis C related liver disease.

How Is Hepatitis C Treated?

Acute Hepatitis C can be treated. When diagnosed, treatment does not reduce the risk that acute Hepatitis C will become a chronic infection. Acute hepatitis C is treated with the same medications used to treat chronic hepatitis C. In the treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C there are several medications available to treat chronic hepatitis C. The FDA maintains a complete list of approved treatments for Hepatitis C.

In conclusion, Hepatitis C is a serious illness and should not be taken lightly. A Physician consult with the appropriate lab tests should be completed. Once the results are back there should be a conversation between the doctor and patient discussing the treatment options.

Sadly with my personal friend, he chose to disbelieve the lab results and deny his liver issues. Please do not follow in his footsteps. Life is precious. There is treatment and it is lifesaving.

5 Tips To Choose The Best Alcohol Treatment Center

When a friend or family member is struggling with alcoholism so severe that it warrants residential treatment, the task of locating the right facility can be overwhelming. If you’re in charge of making the decision, it’s important to research your options. Choosing the wrong facility can increase an addict’s relapse risk. Choosing the right facility will place them on track to a long and happy sobriety. In this entry we will offer tips and insight to promote an informed decision.

5 Tips On Choosing Alcohol Addiction Treatment

5 Tips To Choose The Best Alcohol Treatment Center | Alcohol Addiction 1.) Search for alcohol treatment centers in your area via the web or through the U.S. Department of Health. Take digital tours, check out reviews and read up on each program to gain a better understanding of the services they offer.

2.) Make sure that each prospective facility is accredited. Though a non-accredited facility may offer similar services, you can that ensure proper treatment is provided by choosing an accredited option. At New Beginnings Recovery Center, we are fully licensed and accredited.

3.) Determine which facilities offer detoxification programs. Alcohol detox treatment is a vital step in the rehabilitation process, involving the complete cleansing of alcohol from the body. When an alcoholic stops drinking or reduces their intake, serious withdrawal symptoms may occur. An alcohol rehab program that offers detoxification can offer medication to help ease these symptoms.

4.) Request a tour of the facility. Check to ensure that all areas of the center are clean while taking time to familiarize yourself with the staff. Make certain that the facility is staffed adequately with seasoned professionals.

5.) Determine which option is best suited to your needs and budget. Avoid sacrificing quality for cost. Rehabilitation is not an area to “skimp” on. If the facility appears to meet your needs, it is probably worth the extra investment.

Are you or a loved one ready to start a new beginning of life-long sobriety? Or have questions? Contact the addiction specialists at New Beginnings Recovery Center today! We offer some of the most comprehensive and personal recovery programs available!