Lucida Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Center Opens in Florida
Elements Behavioral Health opens Lucida, a substance abuse and mental health treatment center that blends evidence-based and alternative therapies, exceptional clinical and medical staff, personalized care, and resort-style amenities in a safe, private …
Read more on PR Newswire (press release)

Lakeview Health, a Florida-based drug and alcohol rehab center, has hired Chef …
Chef Marco is a recognized expert in this expanding culinary discipline and has worked to develop other recovery-focused menus for addiction treatment centers nationally. This marks the latest expansion by Lakeview Health under its new leadership in 2013.
Read more on DigitalJournal.com

Question by Exhilarating, isn’t it?: Texas “Drug Policy”: What is likely the sentence for this crime?
My boyfriend was arrested for possession of marijuana (less than two ounces) and possession of a controlled substance (5 capsules of Zoloft). This is his first offense so what will his sentence likely be? We live in Texas.

Best answer:

Answer by Spanky
here is the laws in texas about marijuana

Possession
2 oz or less* class B misdemeanor 180 days $ 2,000
2 to 4 oz* class A misdemeanor 1 year $ 4,000
4 oz to 1 lb* state jail felony 180 days – 2 years $ 10,000
1 to 5 lbs state jail felony 180 days – 2 years $ 10,000
5 to 50 lbs felony of the third degree 2 – 10 years $ 10,000
50 to 2,000 lbs felony of the second degree 2 – 20 years $ 10,000
More than 2,000 lbs felony 5 – 99 years $ 50,000
Sale
Gift of 1/4 oz or less class B misdemeanor 180 days $ 2,000
Sale of 1/4 oz or less class A misdemeanor
1 year
$ 4,000
1/4 oz to 5 lbs state jail felony
180 days – 2 years
$ 10,000
5 to 50 lbs felony of the second degree 2 – 20 years $ 10,000
50 to 2,000 lbs felony of the first degree 5 – 99 years $ 10,000
2,000 lbs or more felony MMS 10 – 99 years $ 100,000
To a minor felony 2 – 20 years $ 10,000
Within 1,000 feet of a school or within 300 feet of specified areas misdemeanor or felony increased penalty increased penalty
Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc…)
Paraphernalia possession class C misdemeanor none $ 500
Paraphernalia sale class A misdemeanor 1 year $ 4,000**
Details

* With no prior felony convictions, if convicted of possession of less than one pound of marijuana a judge must impose a sentence of probation with mandatory drug treatment. If no treatment center exists within the jurisdiction, the judge may waive the treatment requirement. They judge can also waive all fines.

** Unless previous conviction of paraphernalia sale or possession (if previous conviction, 90 days to 1 year). Paraphernalia sale to a minor at least 3 years younger than actor- State Jail Felony = 180 days-2 years; $ 10,000

Possession of two ounces or less of marijuana is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $ 2,000. Possession of greater than two ounces is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $ 4,000. For greater than four ounces the penalty increases to 180 days – two years in jail and a fine up to $ 10,000. Possession of greater than five pounds carries a penalty of 2 – 10 years in prison and a fine up to $ 10,000. For greater than 50 pounds the penalties increase to 2 – 20 years in prison and a fine up to $ 10,000. For any amount greater than 2,000 pounds the penalty is 5 – 99 years and a fine up to $ 50,000.

The penalty for delivery, without remuneration, of one-quarter of an ounce or less is up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $ 2,000. For delivery or sale of one-quarter of an ounce or less the penalty is up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $ 3,000. For delivery or sale of amounts greater than one-quarter ounce of marijuana the penalty increases to 180 days – 2 years in jail and a fine up to $ 10,000. Sale or delivery of greater than five pounds is punishable by 2 – 20 years in prison and a fine up to $ 10,000. The penalty for delivery or sale of greater than 50 pounds is 5 – 99 years in prison and a fine up to $ 10,000. For any amount of 2,000 pounds or greater, the penalty is a mandatory minimum 10 – 99 years in prison and a fine up to $ 100,000.

Any sale to a minor is punishable by 2 – 20 years in prison and a fine up to $ 10,000. Sale within 1,000 feet of a school or within 300 feet of a youth center, public pool or video arcade increases the penalty classification to the next highest level.

Repeat Misdemeanor Offenses:

* If charged with a Class A misdemeanor and defendant has been before convicted of a Class A misdemeanor or any degree of felony = 90 days-1 year; $ 4,000
* If charged with a Class B misdemeanor and defendant has been before convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or any degree of felony = 30 days-180 days; $ 2,000
* If charged with a Class C misdemeanor and defendant has been before convicted under one or a combination of the two above three times and the prior offense was committed within 24 months of incident = > 180 days; $ 2,000

Repeat Felony Offenses:

* If charged with a state jail felony punishable and defendant has previously been finally convicted of two state jail felonies, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a third-degree felony.
* If charged with a state jail felony punishable and defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felonies, and the second previous felony conviction is for an offense that occurred subsequent to the first previous conviction having become final, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a second-degree felony.
* If charged with a state jail felony or of a third-degree felony and defendant has been once before convicted of a felony, on conviction he shall be punished for a second-degree felony.
* If charged with a second-degree felony and the defendant has been once before convicted of a felony, on conviction he shall be punished for a first-degree felony.
* If it is a first-degree felony

Add your own answer in the comments!

Todd Trenchard celebrates 15 years of sobriety
AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALDTodd Trenchard entered Home of Grace Christian Drug and Alcohol Recovery Center in December 1998 for his addiction to alcohol and cocaine. He's been sober 15 years and has become the senior … was an alternative to marijuana is …
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Problems remain with state's four-drug policy
Janice Gambach, president of Springfield-based Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, said she would like to see the four-drug policy repealed because there's little evidence that it saves money in the long run, and there's anecdotal evidence that …
Read more on The State Journal-Register

Legal pot is imminent in Colorado and Washington. Are they ready?
Christian Thurstone, a child psychiatrist and the medical director of a Denver substance abuse treatment center for adolescents, is one such skeptic. Since medical marijuana became commercialized in Colorado in 2009, the number of patients approved for …
Read more on Alaska Dispatch

Question by Epi E: How long and how often do you have to drink to get addicted?
I mean like. Is it a change to get addicted if you drink 2 days/week forever? And how long would you have to drink; everyday in order to get addicted?

Best answer:

Answer by paul
it does not matter how long or how much. its more like you have to have it then you have a problem..good luck

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by all you need is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE: How long can you live in a coma WITHOUT TREATMENT?
okay, so i was writing this story ( something i do often :D) and this girl was in a coma. i am wondering how long its possible to remain in that state, just so i can make it seem more plausible.

real thorough answers please, and maybe a couple websites with information? Thanks!
What about the vegative state of a coma? How long can you live in that state without treatment, if at all?

Best answer:

Answer by Steve L
Coma is an extended period of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be aroused even with the most painful stimuli. Coma is not a disease. It is a symptom of a disease or a response to an event, such as a severe head injury, seizure or metabolic problem. Most comas do not last longer than four weeks. Some people in a coma shift to a persistent vegetative state, in which breathing, maintaining normal blood pressure, digesting and eliminating foods continues without the patient’s awareness. The vegetative state can last for years or decades. The outcome of a coma ranges from full recovery to death. Whether a person recovers, and to what extent, depends upon the cause of the coma and the type and extent of the brain damage.

A coma involves two different concepts: Reactivity and perceptivity.

The perceptivity concept refers to responses of the nervous system to learned stimuli. These types of stimuli may be learned through language or communication skills.
The reactivity concept refers to the inborn functions of the brain. These functions include the eyes, ears, responses to pain, wakefulness and turning ones head toward a sound of movement. These movements are also called reflexive movements.
A person in a coma does not experience reactivity or perceptivity. The patient can not be aroused by calling their name or experiencing pain.

Symptoms of a Coma

The main symptom of a coma is the inability to be aroused to consciousness. Other symptoms are: Lack of self-awareness, Lack of a sleep-wake cycle, Lack of purposeful movements, Lack of suffering and Impaired breathing.

What Causes a Coma?

A coma can be caused by a variety of things. The most often cause of coma is severe head injury. Other causes are: consumption of a very large amount of alcohol (toxic or metabolic coma), diabetes, morphine, shock or hemorrhage. Treatment varies depending on the cause. Overall, in coma cases, damage to the brain’s “thinking, and life support centers” have occurred. When damage has occurred, bleeding in the brain, swelling and congestion of the damaged tissue is present. In extreme cases, brain swelling is so great that portions of the brain must be forcible squeezed out of the skull. This dead or “dying” tissue is then surgically removed. An alternative to squeezing portions of the brain out of the skull is to saw off the skull and place it in a cold storage to better accommodate the swollen brain.

What happens during a coma?

There are different stages of a coma. Most people believe that a person in a coma is in a deep sleep. This is not entirely true. Some stages of coma resemble a deep sleep but not all. The progress of coma is measured by the patient’s increasing awareness of external stimuli. There are many levels of coma which the patient will pass through as functionality increases. Depending on the stage, a person in a coma may make movements, sounds and experience agitation. Coma patients may also have reflex activities that mimic conscious activities. Sometimes, coma patients must be restrained to prohibit them from removing tubes and IVs.

Emerging from a Coma

When a person begins to emerge from a coma, they begin to react to certain stimuli. However, to regain consciousness, both reactivity and perceptivity must be present. Reactivity and perceptivity are necessary for a state of awareness. It is often the case that some parts of perceptivity such as speech and self care must be relearned.

A beneficial Coma

Sometimes a coma may be chemically induced by a doctor to aid in medical treatment and recovery. This usually happens during a head injury.

Coma Statistics

Every ten minutes head injury claims the life of another child.
Head trauma is the number one cause of death and disability among people between the ages of 1 and 44.
About 5% to 10% of all coma patients are incapable of conscious behavior, and end up vegetative, which most of the public think of as prolonged coma.

What do you think? Answer below!

Addiction Rehab Center Could Close
With an annual budget of $ 400,000–less than half of what it was only a few years ago, the rehab center could close its doors for good in February. Officials say many of the current patients can't afford to receive treatment, since health insurance …
Read more on East Idaho News

Fremont County Bulletin Board
7 a.m. The Royal Gorge Amateur Radio Club meets at Mr. Ed's restaurant for a Dutch treat breakfast. For more information … 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Holiday Art Classes will be offered to children, ages 5 to 12, in the Bell Tower Cultural Center …
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Collaborative efforts fighting NKY Heroin epidemic
No one knows the pain heroin causes more than the mothers who have bury their children who die from an overdose, like Rosie Christian. As FOX19 reported earlier this year Rosie's son, James Barton, died of a heroin … "If we don't help the kids that …
Read more on WXIX