Friday, November 13, 2009
David More ran away from home at 9. He experimented with drinking at 13. When he turned 17, his brother, after getting into a scuffle with him, committed suicide with their father's pistol.
By the time he was 21, the Independence, Mo., man said he was pretty much an alcoholic.
"That's when my experimenting went into overdrive," Mr. More said. It got even worse in his 20s, when his son was killed in a car wreck.
For 37 of his 50 years on earth, Mr. More said he's had troubles with the bottle. Only a few stints in prison kept him sober. That was until after he came to Family Guidance Center's addiction treatment services in August, and he began taking a new drug to help curb his alcohol cravings.
Mr. More received his first shot of Vivitrol five weeks ago. He's now looking forward to his second, he said.
"I don't have cravings. Every time before, I always went back," Mr. More said. "This time around, there is absolutely no craving."
Vivitrol is a new, extended-release, injectable form of Naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol dependence. It works by blocking the opiate receptors and pleasure centers in the brain, which in turn makes alcohol use less rewarding. One Vivitrol injection lasts 30 days.
Family Guidance Center's addiction treatment services began offering Vivitrol for its clients in September. Currently, 12 of their treatment center clients are voluntarily taking the medication, said Myra Trickey, Family Guidance Center vice president. Clients wishing to try Vivitrol have to undergo a physical exam, urinalysis and lab work to be sure they're able to take the drug.
"Vivitrol is not right for every person," Ms. Trickey said. "If you've got liver disease or hepatic failure of any type, this is not for you. You also cannot have any opioids (narcotic pain medication) in your system, because it could kill you."
Of the 200 clients enrolled in the treatment program, half are there for alcohol dependence.
According to a 2004 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study, alcohol dependence is a growing problem in Missouri.
The study showed there were 13,266 admissions in Missouri where a person's primary drug of choice was alcohol. That figure was higher than in Kansas, with 6,761 admissions, Iowa with 13,250 and Nebraska with 10,871.
Leo Hammel, treatment services program manager, said Vivitrol has an excellent success rate. The focus date is for six to 18 months of use, but some people have been on the medication for four years and have not had any side effects.
"I've had clients use alcohol while on Vivitrol, and they said they just fall asleep. They don't get any pleasure whatsoever," Mr. Hammel said.
Mr. More said the Vivitrol, plus the classes at the Family Guidance Center and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings all contribute to his sobriety. His goal is to eventually become an alcohol treatment counselor.
"If you abuse alcohol, there is no other choice," Mr. More said. "With Vivitrol, active AA sponsorship and counseling, you stand more than just a chance."
Alonzo Weston can be reached
at alonzow@npgco.com.
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NancyB says...
Learn the facts about Alcohol Dependence. For evidence-based information on Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism) and Alcohol Abuse, please visit us at AlcoholAnswers.org
There are comprehensive sections for the Alcohol Dependent and the Families and Friends along with information on evidence-based treatment modalities - including medicated-assisted treatment Resources, an extensive Alcohol & Health section, and Discussion Communities for support and information at AddictionSurvivors.org
AlcoholAnswers.org
November 13, 2009 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Yeah but smokers are just disgusting, rude people who have no compassion for those around them.
The hipocrasy is unbelievable when it comes to smokers' addictions.
They are told to simply deal with it. That being said you are your own boss - I've never bought into the whole "disease" thing. If one is a smoker by choice (don't see how anyone isn't) then the others are drunks by choice.
Good for the goose, good for the gander.
November 13, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
...... and some are just arrogant judgemental cretins who appear to enjoy spewing hate and misery.
strength and blessings to all who recognize and are working towards conquering their own demons and to those who have not yet begun to realize their need to do so.
November 13, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alonzo (Alonzo Weston) says...
There is a similar drug for smokers called Chantix.
November 13, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
I'm aware of Chantix. Is it being passed out at clinics? Is it making the paper? No, the only mention of it is an article about bingo.
Sarah, calling someone a "cretin" in print is unbecoming of your political ambitions, isn't it? Go read my rebut to your comment about storing guns in the home. I'm interested to hear your response (or lack thereof).
November 13, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
donaldo says...
alcoholics, they do have a choice to put the plug in the jug. the thing is they drink for , the buzz, much different then the guy that can drink a beer or two then relax. versus, staying at the bar till closing . i am recovering from alcohol and have for 24 years now. don't have the urge anymore but i know i cant. it was a problem for me so i quit. i too hope Sarah that the one's that are out there find some help for their affliction,i also think it is a disease. some don't, so be it, it isn't a hole lot of fun regardless. don't worry about lod's vote Sarah, he doesn't count for much.
November 13, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StJoeMoe says...
Cures come and cures go, I'll not believe this to be a valid "cure" until someone has years and years of sobriety and it can be proven that they have become a contributing member of society again, not just a medicated dry drunk.....
November 14, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
LOD,
You are just a self centered egotistical individual.You never have anything good to say about anything do you?
November 14, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Am I wrong?
Once again, you fault me, and not my points. I can live with that.
Will you speculate on why Chantix is not more widely covered by the media or offered at local clinics? C'mon, I know you got it in ya - let 'er rip!
November 15, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
do people abandon their children for days to go on a cigarette binge? does cigarette smoking cause intoxication which would prevent a user from driving safely? the article is on alcohol addiction and alcoholism, not nicotine addiction.
these drugs are simply tools in an arsenal to fight addiction...... in the end it usually requires multiple layers of therapy, meetings, family/friend support, and most important, the will to quit. some never make it, despite their best efforts.
November 15, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
No but people smoke in the house with their children. Aren't you a proponent of smoking bans in public places for the exposure risk?
Cravings can "make" people do some pretty disturbing things. Ever seen someone pick a butt off the ground or a public ashtray to get a puff or two? I wouldn't call that good decision making.
I'm aware of what the article is about, Sarah. My point, that I made clearly, was that once again alcoholics are given sympathy and smokers are simply obnoxious, careless people in society that should be shunned.
Where's the government sanctioned help for the smokers? C'mon, I know it's in there, lemme hear it!
November 15, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
i am not a proponent of smoking bans as a whole.
November 15, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Well that's a fantastic reply. I waited an extra day assuming you had more to say, apparently not.
Enjoy your political career.
November 16, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )