Could Stahl’s Case be Drug Related?

Nick Stahl, of Sin City and Terminator 3 fame, has been reported missing. The LA Times states Stahl’s wife told police that she has not seen him since May 9^th. Stahl has allegedly been spending a lot of time in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, an area known for its homeless and drug using communities. His wife requested during their separation this year that he take a drug test within 24 hours of seeing his daughter. This is making people wonder whether Stahl’s disappearance was drug-related.

Detective Sasso of the LAPD told PEOPLE Magazine that “Of the 14,000 missing persons cases [he’s] handled over the past 4 years, there’s a very good percentage of those involving drug issues and a separation from families.” This is another reason why people should seek drug rehabilitation. People using drugs may become paranoid and run away, get kicked out of their homes and become separated from their communities or make themselves vulnerable to abduction and other violent crimes. In 2008, Stahl told The San Francisco Chronicle that being a child star “warps your ability to find a certain identity” and might cause people to put “on a good face even though you might be in pain.” Hiding substance abusing behaviors and denial can contribute to worsening of drug abuse and alcohol abuse, leading to addiction and a need for drug rehabilitation. Stopping drug and alcohol abuse before it is too late with intervention and treatment can stop devastating consequences such as the destruction of relationships or, in cases like this, missing people.

Detectives are looking for Stahl and staying optimistic about his return. If his disappearance was drug related, it sends a powerful message. If you are concerned about your alcohol or drug use or a loved one’s substance abuse, there is no time like the present to seek help. Getting your substance abuse or addiction under control at a drug rehabilitation facility can help you, your family and your friends avoid the devastation of a missing person or something worse.

Cee-Lo Green’s song lyrics inspire a former crystal meth addict.

Jamar Rogers, contestant on the Voice, continues to soar through the competition being a fan favorite. The audience learns more and more information about Rogers as more episodes air. He is coached by Cee-Lo Green, one-half member of the group Gnarls Barkley, who Rogers’s reports were influential in his new outlook on life.

During last week’s episode, Rogers thanks Green for writing the lyric, “It’s even dark in the daytime,” from the Gnarls Barkley song, “Just a Thought”. Rogers tells Green that he was able to really connect to that lyric.

Rogers is in recovery from a crystal meth addiction and has just celebrated his 30^th birthday, a number he thought he’d never live to see. The emotional connection to Green’s lyric and the vast opportunity that he has now is all because of his ability to find recovery.

Exploring the song further, the lyrics depict the inner thoughts of someone who suffers from depression. It is difficult to manage a mood disorder and when it is coupled with addiction, it can seem like an uphill battle. Rogers is an inspiration to others about not giving up, even when it’s dark in the daytime.

Dual diagnosis is common in those who suffer from chemical dependency. It is hard to say which came first, addiction or the mood disorder, but it is safe to say that the relationship is a volatile one. In order to stabilize both mood and addiction, addicts should attend treatment centers with a track for dual diagnosis.

Newborns addicted to drugs because of their drug addicted mothers.

Withdrawal symptoms in newborns can begin anywhere from 48-72 hours up to 8 days after birth. NAS has a scheduled system of reporting symptoms based upon severity for an accurate diagnosis. Tiny bodies are ravaged with tremors, fevers, muscle cramps, vomiting and diarrhea as well as additional withdrawal symptoms that most addicted adults go through. In every drug classification, except stimulants, SIDS is a risk.

These moms, unfortunately, receive negative feedback from a society who has no understanding about the true nature of addiction. Many times, these moms have a history of sexual and physical abuse which has led them to a life of drug addiction. Interviews with some moms show the remorse and guilt they feel for damaging their unborn child. In many cases they report a strong desire to break the pattern of family addiction.

Unfortunately, many of these children will grow up to have neurological, developmental and emotional disorders. Some researchers predict as many as 70% of these newborns will become drug addicts themselves. In addition to this prediction most medical professionals are concerned about the increasing cases of NAS and the implication that this will have 15-20 years from now. It would be interesting to see if there was any correlation between location of pain clinics and prevalence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Gabapentin is reported to help marijuana addicts quit.

Researchers published a request, in application form, for those who want to quit marijuana and participate in their study. They needed at least 50 people for their study but over 700 addicts responded. This overwhelming outpour of addict volunteers confirms that marijuana dependence is difficult to stop. In this study, 25 addicts received gabapentin while the other 25 addicts received the placebo pill. Over a 12-week period, the addicts were monitored with urine tests, paper testing and interviews. Attention, impulse control and other cognitive functioning tests were given to both groups. Findings suggested that the gabapentin group scored higher than the placebo group in these areas.

Marijuana substance abuse has a negative impact on cognitive functioning, which causes increased stress during the day. Eliminating the deficits in cognitive functioning, such as poor concentration, can also decrease stress and decrease the chances of a relapse.  It seems that the psychological symptoms perpetuate the cycle of addiction and marijuana which is used to alleviate symptoms actually creates them too.