This engineered painkiller works like an opioid but isn’t addictive

What if there were a drug that did the job opiods do best — relieve pain — without prompting many of their negative side effects, especially addiction?

A researcher from the University of Michigan Medical School may have done just that.

Sometimes forgotten in the spiraling U.S. crisis of opiate abuse is a clinical fact about narcotic pain medications: addiction is basically an unwanted side effect of drugs that are highly effective at blunting pain.

Addiction, of course, is a particularly dangerous and disruptive side effect, since it hijacks a patient’s brain and demands escalating doses of opioid drugs to hold withdrawal symptoms at bay.

This week, Tomas Joaquin Fernandez described a process for designing opioid-like drugs that would act on pain receptors in the brain while blocking the receptors responsible for fostering dependence and building tolerance.

Using pain-relieving peptides released by the brain as models, Fernandez and his colleagues developed a library of “peptidomimetics.” These agents were small enough to get into the brain, and they worked on different opioid receptors in different ways.

When they tested one such compound in mice, they found that it not only relieved pain, it also induced less build-up of tolerance and less physical dependence than morphine. In other words, it was less addictive.

Read more at the LA Times here 

The FDA Approved an Opioid Addiction Treatment Device

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National Prescription Take Back Day

The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Every day 115 people die from overdose – and misuse of prescription painkillers is a large contributor to this crisis. Thankfully, there is something we can do. Proper disposal of expired or unused medications can help reduce the potential misuse of drugs.

April 28th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has identified more than 5000 locations across the nation to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs.

 

 

 

Find a drop location near you

Take back your unused prescription drugs between 10am and 2pm. You can find take back locations by either typing an address or zip code in the map’s search box or by clicking on the circles to zoom in and see more locations.

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source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/national-prescription-take-back-day/

10 key reasons to maintain your recovery

The post 10 key reasons to maintain your recovery appeared first on Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc..

source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/10-key-reasons-maintain-recovery/

Experts Warn of Emerging ‘Stimulant Epidemic’

With the nation still reeling from the opioid crisis, drug forecasting experts say a new wave of addiction is coming and the United States isn’t ready for it.

Abuse of stimulants like methamphetamine, cocaine, and even prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin is surging across the country, fed by cheap, potent, and plentiful supplies.

“No one is paying attention to this,” said John Eadie, coordinator for the National Emerging Threat Initiative, which provides research to the government’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.

“Everyone, correctly, is focused on opioids and should be because of the known problem there. But this other problem is catching up with us very rapidly.

“We’re now facing a very significant stimulant epidemic,” said Eadie, who spoke this week at the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta.

For every kilogram of heroin — a commonly abused opioid — seized over the last 5 years, Edie says, drug enforcement agents seized 15 kilograms of stimulants.

“We have to pay attention to this one. It’s very big, and it’s growing very rapidly,” he said.

Data from government surveys on drug use show that stimulant use is climbing and in some cases outpaces opioid use. In 2016, for example, an estimated 2.3 million people started using opioids to get high for the first time, while 2.6 million people started using stimulant drugs for the same purpose. In 2016, an estimated 3.8 million people said they used opioids to get high within the last month, while 4.3 million said the same about stimulants.

Read more at Medscape.com

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source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/experts-warn-emerging-stimulant-epidemic/

More than 5 drinks a week could shorten lives by years, study finds

Current guidelines for drinking alcohol could be too high, a new study shows.

People who follow government guidelines to have a drink or so a day could be drinking themselves into an early grave, researchers said Thursday.

Any more than five drinks a week on average can take years off a person’s life, the new study of more than half a million people around the world shows.

That’s less than what’s recommended in many countries. For instance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association both say men can safely drink up to two alcoholic drinks a day and women up to a drink a day.

From NBC News .. read more here .. 

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source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/5-drinks-week-shorten-lives-years-study-finds/

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. achieves accreditation from the Joint Commission

Joint Commission Accreditation – Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. is one of only 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs that have earned the coveted JCAHO accreditation.

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations only gives this prestigious stamp-of-approval to the highest quality providers of healthcare in the nation. JCAHO is the standard-bearer in healthcare facilities, which assures the consumer that the accredited facility has achieved and continually maintains clinical and professional practices, which are superior in its specialized field of treatment.

JACHO Quality Report

The Press Release:

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. ACHIEVES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE
ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

Mission Viejo, CA – April 10, 2018 – Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. underwent a rigorous onsite survey on (date). During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. Onsite observations and interviews also were conducted.

Established in 1969, The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services within a variety of settings across the care continuum for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, and/or child-welfare related needs.
“Joint Commission accreditation provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families,” said Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ, executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.”

“Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. is pleased to receive Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Jeff Benon, President of Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for those in our community.”

The Joint Commission’s behavioral health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, quality improvement measurement experts, and individuals and their families. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

The post Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. achieves accreditation from the Joint Commission appeared first on Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc..

source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/turning-point-treatment-center-inc-achieves-accreditation-joint-commission-2/

California Lawmakers Advance Measures to Curb Opioid Crisis

California lawmakers have advanced 10 opioid-related bills in an effort to curb drug addiction in the state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers advanced 10 opioid-related bills Tuesday in an effort to address the drug abuse crisis in the state, including a proposal that would let California share prescription records with other states.

Half of the bills passed by a legislative committee would increase monitoring or make it easier to track opioid prescriptions to help police and doctors spot problematic prescriptions. Others would place limits on doctors prescribing the addictive drugs to children or increase access to addiction treatments.

Tens of thousands of Americans die every year as a result of opioid addiction. In California more than 2,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2016. Lawmakers say the problem is particularly bad in rural areas.

Assemblyman Evan Low, a Campbell Democrat who led the committee meeting, said the opioid crisis has been “devastating” in the state.

Read more at the US News and World Reports

Flea Shares His Struggle With Opiates In An Open Letter

The post California Lawmakers Advance Measures to Curb Opioid Crisis appeared first on Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc..

source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/california-lawmakers-advance-measures-curb-opioid-crisis/

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. achieves accreditation from the Joint Commission

Joint Commission Accreditation – Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. is one of only 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs that have earned the coveted JCAHO accreditation.

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations only gives this prestigious stamp-of-approval to the highest quality providers of healthcare in the nation. JCAHO is the standard-bearer in healthcare facilities, which assures the consumer that the accredited facility has achieved and continually maintains clinical and professional practices, which are superior in its specialized field of treatment.

JACHO Quality Report

The Press Release:

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. ACHIEVES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE
ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

Mission Viejo, CA – April 10, 2018 – Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. underwent a rigorous onsite survey on (date). During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. Onsite observations and interviews also were conducted.

Established in 1969, The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services within a variety of settings across the care continuum for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, and/or child-welfare related needs.
“Joint Commission accreditation provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families,” said Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ, executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.”

“Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. is pleased to receive Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Jeff Benon, President of Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for those in our community.”

The Joint Commission’s behavioral health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, quality improvement measurement experts, and individuals and their families. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

The post Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. achieves accreditation from the Joint Commission appeared first on Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc..

source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/turning-point-treatment-center-inc-achieves-accreditation-joint-commission/

Joint Commission Accreditation

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc.is one of only 6% of the nation’s behavioral health treatment programs that have earned the coveted JCAHO accreditation.

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations only gives this prestigious stamp-of-approval to the highest quality providers of healthcare in the nation. JCAHO is the standard-bearer in healthcare facilities, which assures the consumer that the accredited facility has achieved and continually maintains clinical and professional practices, which are superior in its specialized field of treatment.

JACHO Quality Report

The Press Release:

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. ACHIEVES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE
ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

Mission Viejo, CA – April 10, 2018 – Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.

Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. underwent a rigorous onsite survey on (date). During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. Onsite observations and interviews also were conducted.

Established in 1969, The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services within a variety of settings across the care continuum for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, and/or child-welfare related needs.
“Joint Commission accreditation provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families,” said Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ, executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.”

“Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. is pleased to receive Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Jeff Benon, President of Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for those in our community.”

The Joint Commission’s behavioral health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, quality improvement measurement experts, and individuals and their families. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

The post Joint Commission Accreditation appeared first on Turning Point Treatment Center, Inc..

source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/joint-commission-accreditation/

Addiction Treatment for Couples

Call Turning Point Treatment Center’s at 949-383-4439 #CouplesDrugRehab

Seeking addiction treatment together in a rehab for couples can be beneficial for a number of reasons, especially when both partners are committed to the relationship and to becoming clean and sober. Providing that both partners are willing to start the recovery process, couples rehab can help not only break the cycle of addiction, but also fortify the relationship by helping the couple examine and change the issues that led to their addiction in the first place.

Turning Point Treatment Center is Pet Friendly

Couples who are addicted to drugs or alcohol often experience difficulties with setting boundaries, expressing feelings, making decisions, parenting, and handling finances. Couples rehab provides education, skills, training, and counseling to help partners achieve improved ways of handling these difficulties. Even if just one partner has an addiction, the other partner can benefit from couples rehab by learning to manage specific triggers and helping the other stay sober. Whether one or both partners require addiction treatment, specialized couples rehab teaches the tools needed to overcome obstacles, prevent relapse, and achieve long-term recovery.

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source https://www.turningpointtreatmentcenter.com/couples-addiction-treatment-2/