Flight, a movie about an alcoholic airline pilot premiered in Los Angeles last night. Denzel Washington plays the main character who is a manipulative and dishonest alcoholic pilot. Despite this, he is able to land a plane in the midst of a brutal storm successfully and is coined a hero until later when the media gets wind that he was drunk while landing the plane.
In an interview, Denzel Washington explains that his character attempts to be abstinent from alcohol but then ends up drinking after he learns he may face prison time. Denzel says he hopes that the film will touch anyone who has been impacted by alcoholism or addiction.
The choice of an airline pilot struggling with alcoholism and addiction is a stark reality for thousands of US airline pilots, as the most common mental health problem amongst pilots is alcoholism. By 2004, there were 2700 reported incidences of pilots in the US seeking treatment for alcoholism, a relatively low number considering there are nearly 150,000 pilots in the US and The National Institute for Alcoholism Research estimates that alcoholism affects five to eight percent of all pilots.
However, the number of pilots seeking alcoholism treatment have increased since the creation of a special FAA program known as the HIMS Program (Human Intervention Motivation Study). This program was created because few pilots would self identify as alcoholics out of fear of losing their licenses and ultimately their careers. In order to fix this significant safety problem for the airlines industry, the FAA prompted co-workers, flight attendants and co-pilots to identify flight crewmembers with potential substance abuse problems without fearing that they would be ending their colleagues’ careers. It also incentivized pilots to seek help without fear of losing their licenses or jobs. Without a program that allows pilots to seek inpatient addiction treatment and holds their positions until they can return to work, their substance abuse would likely remain hidden and impede upon the safety of airlines.
Once pilots are identified or self-identify as having substance abuse problems, they take a medical leave of absence and spend a minimum of 28 days in an inpatient residential facility. An intensive outpatient program follows inpatient treatment along with daily participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an AA sponsor and a pilot peer sponsor. The pilot may return to flying after the FAA medical division has issued a special medical certificate verifying treatment and evaluation.
This program has had high success rates. For example, United Airlines reports a 76% recovery rate amongst their recovering pilots. In 2004, 1,875 special certificates were approved for pilots treated for alcoholism in the HISM Program and the relapse rate among program participants was approximately 10 percent over a three-year period - far lower than average relapse rates, which are 40-60% According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Harmony Foundation in Colorado offers specialized addiction programs for professionals seeking treatment. Our alcoholism treatment program and drug addiction programs can help airline pilots, among other professionals seeking addiction treatment, begin their journey into recovery.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Current Generation Said to Have the Highest Addiction Rate
The current generation has the highest addiction rate than any other group - ever. And painkillers are the culprits, as oxycontin addiction, codeine addiction, opana addiction and vicodin addiction are all on the rise.
According to Richard Miech, a professor of sociology at the University of Colorado, Denver, the current generation's abuse of prescription pain medications is "higher than any generation ever measured.” In fact, it is 40 % higher than the previous generation.
Here are some alarming statistics from a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health:
With greater availability of prescription drugs comes a greater propensity for addiction and accidental overdose. The current generation’s access to oxycodone, and similar highly addictive opiate products, is unprecedented and they are often getting them from friends and family members. Miech warns that accessibility of these prescriptions is underestimated, asserting, "Most people recognize the dangers of leaving a loaded gun lying around the house. What few people realize is that far more people die as a result of unsecured prescription medications."
The current generation is comprised of adults and young adults referred to as “generation X” and “generation Y.” Although many are filling up emergency rooms, the good news is that they are also seeking addiction treatment. Reputable addiction treatment centers like Harmony Foundation are responding to these admissions by creating specific programs catering to young adults and adults with opiate addictions. Through specialized programs including detox, therapy and support groups, young adults and adults addicted to pain killers have a real chance at sustaining life long sobriety - and potentially lowering the historically high rate of accidental overdoses.
According to Richard Miech, a professor of sociology at the University of Colorado, Denver, the current generation's abuse of prescription pain medications is "higher than any generation ever measured.” In fact, it is 40 % higher than the previous generation.
Here are some alarming statistics from a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health:
- Emergency room visits related to prescription painkiller abuse have increased by 129% between 2004 and 2009
- There have been 3 times as many accidental overdoses resulting in death between the 1990s and 2007
- There has been a 500% increase in those seeking addiction treatment in drug rehab centers, especially addiction rehabs for young adults, between 1997 and 2007
- The number of hydrocodone, oxycodone and similar legal prescriptions in the US have increased from 40 million in 1991 to 180 million in 2007.
The current generation is comprised of adults and young adults referred to as “generation X” and “generation Y.” Although many are filling up emergency rooms, the good news is that they are also seeking addiction treatment. Reputable addiction treatment centers like Harmony Foundation are responding to these admissions by creating specific programs catering to young adults and adults with opiate addictions. Through specialized programs including detox, therapy and support groups, young adults and adults addicted to pain killers have a real chance at sustaining life long sobriety - and potentially lowering the historically high rate of accidental overdoses.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Dangers of Drinking: University of Colorado Graduate Shot After Tresspassing
Zoey Ripple, a recent University of Colorado graduate has been in headlines recently after she was shot in the hip by the owners of a multi-million dollar home she broke into while drunk last May.
Ripple's sentencing was held last week where she pleaded guilty to first degree criminal trespassing. Ripple got into the house through an open screen door at around 3:30 am on May 23rd. After homeowners Doreen Orion and Timothy Justice screamed at Ripple to leave, they fired a shot into her hip when she ignored them and continued to walk into the room.
Ripple's attorney Colette Cribari told the judge last week that she may have been under the influence of a date rape drug like rohypnol because she had no recollection of the event or even how she got to the house. Rohypnol is considered a date rape drug because of high potency and its ability to cause strong amnesia once ingested. While Ripple wasn’t tested that night for drugs, she was for alcohol which was 3 times the legal limit according to authorities.
Taking this into consideration, the judge deferred Ripple's sentence and her entire charge could be dropped if she abstains from alcohol and out of trouble for the duration of her 18 month probation. According to Boulder County District Attorney, there are about 12 to 15 cases each year of college students under the influence of alcohol wandering into someone's home, but not all have a bullet wound as a constant reminder of their drunken mishaps.
Reflecting on the incident in court last week, Ripple said, "Really scary things can happen and it's important to keep your bearings about you.” She also asserted that she has abstained from alcohol since the incident and plans to move to Peru after probation. "I need to continue to remind myself that this doesn't define me. I know who I am," she said.
It is true that “we are not our behaviors” when we drink. In other words, what we do while drunk is often not who we are authentically. But the behaviors that come out, like Ripple’s break-in, are examples of why over consumption of alcohol can be so dangerous. The number of deadly accidents that occur each year because of alcohol consumption are astronomical. Sometimes that extra drink someone takes while already tipsy or drunk is enough to push them into a blackout or dangerous situation. While many have setbacks, like Ripple, some can have more dire, lifelong and life-threatening consequences.
This is especially true of the untreated alcoholic. While Ripple has abstained from alcohol because of the incident, some are unable to abstain and continue to drink despite negative consequences. If you or a loved one has suffered negative consequences from drinking and yet continue to drink, the affordable Colorado addiction treatment and alcoholism treatment programs at Harmony Foundation in Colorado can help.
Ripple's attorney Colette Cribari told the judge last week that she may have been under the influence of a date rape drug like rohypnol because she had no recollection of the event or even how she got to the house. Rohypnol is considered a date rape drug because of high potency and its ability to cause strong amnesia once ingested. While Ripple wasn’t tested that night for drugs, she was for alcohol which was 3 times the legal limit according to authorities.
Taking this into consideration, the judge deferred Ripple's sentence and her entire charge could be dropped if she abstains from alcohol and out of trouble for the duration of her 18 month probation. According to Boulder County District Attorney, there are about 12 to 15 cases each year of college students under the influence of alcohol wandering into someone's home, but not all have a bullet wound as a constant reminder of their drunken mishaps.
Reflecting on the incident in court last week, Ripple said, "Really scary things can happen and it's important to keep your bearings about you.” She also asserted that she has abstained from alcohol since the incident and plans to move to Peru after probation. "I need to continue to remind myself that this doesn't define me. I know who I am," she said.
It is true that “we are not our behaviors” when we drink. In other words, what we do while drunk is often not who we are authentically. But the behaviors that come out, like Ripple’s break-in, are examples of why over consumption of alcohol can be so dangerous. The number of deadly accidents that occur each year because of alcohol consumption are astronomical. Sometimes that extra drink someone takes while already tipsy or drunk is enough to push them into a blackout or dangerous situation. While many have setbacks, like Ripple, some can have more dire, lifelong and life-threatening consequences.
This is especially true of the untreated alcoholic. While Ripple has abstained from alcohol because of the incident, some are unable to abstain and continue to drink despite negative consequences. If you or a loved one has suffered negative consequences from drinking and yet continue to drink, the affordable Colorado addiction treatment and alcoholism treatment programs at Harmony Foundation in Colorado can help.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Alcoholism and Even Moderate Drinking Can Cause Arrhythmia
During an arrhythmia the heartbeat becomes irregular, beating too slow or fast. For those with heart disease and diabetes, an arrhythmia can be life threatening as the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. The lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs. Particularly, those with arrhythmia are at higher risk of stroke. The study followed subjects in two research trials who had congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. They found those who drink more, but still moderately, had higher rates of atrial fibrillation, which causes arrhythmia.
This study was published just as the company who manufactures the drink Four Loko came under fire in a lawsuit over a New Jersey man who blamed the drink for giving him an arrhythmia. Four Loko is known for being dangerously intoxicating as each can contains 12% alcohol and was once caffeinated. The beverage contained four ingredients - alcohol, caffeine, taurine and guarana until the FDA forced the manufacturer to drop the stimulants from the product. The man pursuing a lawsuit claimed that the 2 and ½ cans of Four Loco he consumed caused his heart arrhythmia.
Often, when people (like the New Jersey man) consume more than the recommended amount of alcohol, health consequences follow. Sometimes it is hard to determine if the abuse of alcohol is the root cause of health problems or just exacerbated by consumption. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the US have a drinking problem. One of the greatest indicators of problematic drinking is continuing to drink despite health consequences or drinking despite current health conditions, like diabetes and heart problems, that contraindicate drinking.
Ten other signs of alcoholism, alcohol abuse and problematic drinking include:
1. Drinking despite harmful consequences to one’s health, work, social and family relationships
2. Drinking alone
3. Becoming violent or depressed when drinking
4. Becoming hostile or dishonest when asked about drinking
5. Having an inability to control drinking - being unable to stop or reduce alcohol intake
6. Making excuses to drink or manufacturing dramatic situations to have an excuse to drink
7. Missing work or school or having inhibited productivity in work or school as a result of drinking
8. Stopping activities like going to the gym or church because of alcohol consumption
9. Trying to hide alcohol from friends, family and even health care professionals
10. Neglecting to eat or eating poorly - rationalizing spending money on alcohol but not on food or other necessitates
If any of these behaviors resonate with you or a loved one or your health has been impacted by drinking, the alcoholism treatment program at Harmony Colorado can help.
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