Numbing The Pain: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse
“NUMBING THE PAIN: POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
PROFESSOR LISA M. NAJAVITS.
The Alcohol & Drug Foundation - Queensland, presents this unique opportunity to attend a full-day practical workshop with Professor Lisa M Najavits, author of the Seeking Safety program.
The goal of this workshop is to describe current state-of-the art knowledge about the treatment of patients with the dual diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, a population that is typically considered “difficult to treat”.
The workshop will cover background on PTSD and substance abuse (including rates, the “typical case”, models and stages of treatment, clinical dilemmas, and ge nder issues) and clinical Interventions for PTSD and substance abuse (including demonstration of specific treatment strategies, assessment tools, and community resources). In-depth description of the Seeking Safety psychotherapy for PTSD and substance abuse will be a major focus.
REGISTRATION FORM AND MORE INFORMATION WWW.WINTERSCHOOL.INFO
PLEASE CONTACT DINIE ON (07) 3834 0214
More information on the workshop and Lisa Najavits can be found at www.seekingsafety.org. “
Grapefruit interacting with prescription medications?
I saw this interesting email this week:
“Does Grapefruit affect the drugs you take?
If you look at the average breakfast table you’ll find many potential health hazards: coffee, breakfast cereals loaded with sugar, greasy bacon and fried eggs. So most of us would think grapefruit is a welcome nutritious addition.
But if you’re taking certain medications then you should steer clear of grapefruit. That’s because grapefruit contains a substance that interacts with a long list of drugs regularly found in medicine cabinets across the country.
Geraldine Moses, a senior pharmacist from the Adverse Medicine Events Information Line, says there is evidence that an average 200 ml glass of normal strength grapefruit juice (straight from the fruit) can cause “a clinically significant interaction with a list of drugs as long as your arm”.
ABC Health & Wellbeing story:
http://www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2008/01/23/2123319.htm
Listing of affected medications:
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/25/2/artid/797”
The list of medications this may be an issue with is of concern: Amiodarone, Atorvastatin, Carbamazepine, Cisapride, Diazepam, Simvastatin and Triazolam are just a few where the link is being queried.
Fighting the Drugs War: The role of prohibitionist groups in Australian illicit drugs policy
The title of this post is also a seminar coming up in Melbourne at Turning Point:
“Prohibitionist lobby groups appear to be exerting an increasing influence on Australian illicit drugs policy. Yet remarkably little is known about their history, membership, sources of funding, political and ideological agenda, and employment of empirical evidence. Dr Mendes will discuss the key activities and objectives of these groups, drawing some conclusions about their current and likely future influence on national drugs policy.
Friday 8 February
1-2 pm
142 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
The seminar is free.
All welcome, bookings essential, ring 03 8413 8413 or email info@turningpoint.org.au
For information about the February - June program, please visit the Turning Point website: http://www.turningpoint.org.au/service_information/si_talkingpoint.html
Launch of the National Cannabis Information and Helpline - 1800 30 40 50
Here’s a noteworthy addition to Australian telephonic support in ATOD:
“National Cannabis Information and Helpline - 1800 30 40 50
Do you need information on cannabis?
Do you know someone concerned about their own cannabis use, or that of a friend or family member?
Does a client need support and advice around their cannabis use?
Does someone you know want to stop using cannabis and needs help to do so?
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) mission is to reduce the use of cannabis in Australia by preventing uptake and providing the community with evidence-based information and interventions.
One of the most important services that NCPIC offers is the National Cannabis Information and Helpline which commences operation on Monday 14th January 2008. The Helpline will be launched formally later in the year.
The aim of the line is to provide a national free call telephone service to the general community on all issues relating to cannabis. Trained telephone counsellors can provide callers with evidence-based information on cannabis as well as targeted advice and brief intervention for cannabis users, their families and concerned others.
The call is free nationally.
For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Dillon on (02) 9385 0226.
Paul Dillon
National Communications Manager
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC)
UNSW
SYDNEY NSW 2052″
Co-occurring disorders - new resources available
For those interested in Co-occurring disorders may find the following interesting:
“The USAs Federal Co-occurring Disorders Centre for Excellence has just released 3 new publications in their Co-occurring Disorders Overview Papers Series.
The new overviews are:
1. Services Integration
This overview paper defines and explains services integration and differentiates services integration from systems integration.
Services integration refers to the process of merging previously separate clinical services at the level of the individual to meet the substance abuse, mental health, and other needs of persons with co-occurring disorders (COD). The paper examines issues concerning the context, content, approaches, and processes that promote and inhibit services integration.
2. Systems Integration
A growing body of research demonstrates that integrated services produce better outcomes for individuals with co-occurring disorders (COD), particularly those with more serious or complex conditions. Systems integration supports the provision of integrated services. In addition to distinguishing between systems integration and services integration, this paper describes the organizational structures and processes that can promote or inhibit systems integration. The paper encourages the use of creative thinking to obtain and effectively use funding and provides examples of successful initiatives in systems integration at the local and State levels. Although evaluation of the process of systems integration is still in its infancy, one measure of systems integration outcomes is discussed.
The Epidemiology of Co-occurring Disorders
The paper is presented in two parts. Part 1 is intended for non-scientists and explains what epidemiology is and how it can be used by practitioners, administrators, and policymakers. Part 1 also presents some highlights from past epidemiologic studies of co-occurring disorders (COD) (see Literature Highlights) and introduces three major national studies that are regularly used as sources of information on the nature and extent of COD problems in the United States.
Part 2 presents some detailed technical information on these three studies and is intended for audiences who have some familiarity with epidemiologic methods.
Earlier Overview papers (also downloadable) include:
1. Definitions and Terms Relating to Co-Occurring Disorders
2 Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Planning for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders
3. Overarching Principles To Address the Needs of Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders
4. Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Non-Traditional Service Settings
5. Understanding Evidence-Based Practices for Co-Occurring Disorders”.
I feel very old and ill-informed as I was unaware that dual diagnosis was now co-occurring disorders…… Thanks to Gary Croton for posting this info to the ADCA Update list,
Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships
I came across this new scholarship opportunity I thought worth passing on:
“COMORBIDITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS:
FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS
?
The Australian Government has allocated $17.9 million over seven years from 2003-04 to 2009-10 for the National Comorbidity Initiative (NCI).
The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) has $1.9 million in funding to be awarded for Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships as part of this initiative.
The Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships are open to Alcohol and Other Drug and Mental Health workers employed in non-government organisations. The initiative aims to enhance workers professional skills and knowledge across the comorbidities of AOD and Mental Health by providing funding to support eligible workers to undertake relevant professional development and/or training.
Round 2 scholarships for 2008 are scheduled as follows:
Round Opens Application Closing Date Announcement of Awards
Monday 5 February 2008
Monday 3 March 2008
Monday 5 May 2008
Please refer to the enclosed Flyer.
Application forms and further information can be obtained from
http://www.nceta.flinders.edu.au/projects/comorbidity.html
Please feel free to distribute this email to your NGO networks.
Thank you!
Paula Wilson
Project Officer
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
======================
Phone: (08) 8201 7565
Fax: (08) 8201 7550
WWW: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au
United Nations Drugs and Crime Site gets a revamp
UNODC is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and their website has had a facelift and contains a lot more information and information that’s current. It showcases some interesting initiatives in a range of countries and jurisdictions. Worth a look.