City Of Wilkes-Barre To Decriminalize Some Drug Offenses

The Citizens Voice of Wilkes Barre printed an article yesterday about their plans to reduce minor drug possession charges in the future.  The newspaper opened their story with this line:

"It's not a soft spot in their heart that has city officials pushing to decriminalize a minor drug offense, but rather a soft spot in their wallet."

The new mayor of WB, Tony George, and his staff want to lower the severity of the charge of some possession offenses from misdemeanors to summary offenses.  The penalties in most cases would be a fine with a maximum of $300 for an offense.

When you are convicted of a possession charge in the city of Wilkes Barre, the fines that you pay go into the State of Pennsylvania's general fund.  It is not paid directly to the city.  With this change, the fines that someone pays would go to the city and not the state anymore.  A second vote will be taking place on March 10th 2016.

With this law many people will not have to deal with a crime on the record.  This helps in a wide variety of areas.  Getting a job and things as little as getting insured won't be hampered from a criminal conviction on the person's record.

This law has the potential to help the city and the addict themselves.  We just hope that the judges and the law continue to steer people to treatment and to get help for addiction when they are caught.

You can read the article in the Citizens Voice by clicking HERE.

His Sobriety Date Is February 29th. Director Of Admissions, Mark P.

Driving to work this morning I was thinking about it being "leap day" and wished that I knew someone who had the sobriety date of February 29th.

Then I checked into work and was talking to our director of admissions, Mark P.  He told me that today is his sobriety date.  He got sober 16 years ago on leap day.  Of course all the jokes come out and people tell him, "Wow, so you're sober for four years today?"

All joking aside, we would like to congratulate and thank Mark for his dedication and hard work.  Inside and outside of work, Mark spreads the message of hope on a daily basis.

Black Balloon For Overdose Awareness Day, March 6th, 2016

People have gotten together and formed what they are calling "Black Balloon Day" on March 6th 2016.  They are asking anyone that has been effected by the heroin epidemic, people that have OD'd and died, to fly a black balloon in their remembrance.

It is nice to see that people are joining together in this country to fight this epidemic.  We can put all of our differences aside and join the fight in awareness and solutions to this horrible plague that is ripping people and families apart.

On Sunday March 6th fly a black balloon in front of your house.  If everyone that knows someone, or knows a family that's been through the horrible loss of a loved one from heroin addiction we should see more houses with these symbols up and down residential streets of America.


You can visit the Facebook page by clicking HERE

Nurse Suspected Of Being Under The Influence At Wilkes-Barre Hospital

With all the talk of heroin, opiates, and other illegal narcotics that are being used sometimes we don't hear the horrible effects of alcoholism.  Alcohol has the ability to do the same damage as any other drug.

On February 4th, a nurse at a local hospital in Wilkes-Barre is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol during a surgical procedure.  He admitted that he was drinking while he was on call to local authorities.  His duties during surgery include prepping the patient, monitoring vital signs, and documenting the procedure in their computer system.  The nurse was seen on video surveillance stumbling out of his car and bumping into things.

Whether this particular man suffers from alcoholism is unknown to us.  What we are simply stating is that alcohol, the most abused drug in the country, also has the capability of wreaking havoc on people's lives.

The disease of addiction doesn't discriminate either.  Whether you are a nurse, doctor, lawyer, or unemployed for that matter; alcoholism does not care.  In the medical profession, addiction presents its issues in people that are suffering from talking about it.  We wrote an article (click HERE) about the medical profession and the damaging effects it has.  Many people won't say anything about their addiction because of employment issues.  With licensing an issue, many people will not report that they have a problem until it's too late.  This recent case may be an example of that.

We don't harbor any judgement against this nurse.  If addiction to alcohol is a problem we understand why someone would do this.  It is because the alcoholic while drinking has no choice in whether they drink or don't drink.  It is not someone's intentions to put their life and other's lives in jeopardy.  The problem is that the person isn't the one calling the shots.  Alcoholism is and cannot be fought alone.

Again, it does not matter who you are.  If you are struggling or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism you need help.  Clearbrook has served as a Pennsylvania alcohol rehab for decades.  We operate a Pennsylvania alcohol detox and treatment program that can enable the person drinking a new life. Please call our admissions department 24/7 at 1.800.582.6241.

Police Officer ODs On Heroin

Heroin and drug addiction knows no bounds.  Addiction doesn't care if you are a lawyer, doctor, plumber, or homeless.  The eventual goal of the disease of addiction is to get us alone and kill us.

On Wednesday, February 17th 2016 at 3 am a person flagged down a police officer that was on patrol in Buffalo, New York.  They said that their friend had overdosed on heroin and needed help.  Thankfully that officer was trained in administering Narcan in order to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.  It took more than one dose to save this mans life.

The person that was revived was an off duty Buffalo city police officer.  His life was saved by one of his colleagues.  The chief of the department said it is a first in his tenure.  Other officers have been fired in the past for drug use but he said there has never been an overdose of heroin.

Like so many overdoses, this particular one was no different from the other reports that we are getting around the country.  It was a fentanyl laced batch that did it.  Fentanyl laced heroin has killed tens of thousands across our country.  In the small city of Buffalo, 23 people have died since January 28th 2016.

As always we post these stories to promote awareness and treatment for heroin addiction.  The states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York have a major problem and it is not getting better.  If you or a loved one needs a Pennsylvania drug rehab or live in one of the surrounding states please call Clearbrook for help.

Largest Meth Bust Ever

This is almost like a scene from the television show "Breaking Bad".  The largest meth bust ever was conducted by authorities in Sydney, Australia.   The main chemical that is used to make meth was found hidden in shipping containers.  Inside the containers the drug smugglers hid $900 million worth of the potent chemical methylamphetamine.  In the amounts this drug was found it could have produced over 1100 pounds of "crystal meth".

The meth problem is growing around the world.  There have also been a few labs busted in our backyards in northeast Pennsylvania.  Recently two operations were taken down in Carbon County and also in Luzerne County.

Crystal meth is a deadly addiction.  When someone starts to use meth the addicts life will deteriorate very quickly.  Families get torn apart.  The addict can't do anything but use.  The health problems that the abuser experiences could kill them instantly.  It is like playing Russian roulette every time the person uses.

Crystal meth addiction should be treated by professionals.  Clearbrook has treated the addiction to meth for decades.  If you or a loved one is using this deadly drug please call us for help.  It does not matter how many times or for how long someone has tried to get clean.  This could be the last time someone needs to feel this way and go through these horrible consequences from meth addiction.

Adderall- Is It The Legal Crystal Meth?

Adderall abuse has been around for years and years.  Like any other addiction to chemicals the numbers continue to rise in regards to people abusing this prescription drug.  With the drugs like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana being talked about so much, the prescription drugs like Adderall are not getting the attention they deserve.

Dr. Carl Hart a professor of psychiatry at Colombia University did a study on people that have used the street version of amphetamines (crystal meth) and Adderall.  In short, the study found that these people had no preference between the two drugs.  They both acted the same and produced the same effect.

With the stigma out there about today's drug addict (skin and bones, missing teeth, "death look") when someone is abusing Adderall many professionals overlook the problem.  Adderall can be just as dangerous as crystal meth.  It can be as addictive and the same signs and symptoms can be portrayed as crystal meth.

Adderall was developed to treat ADHD.  ADHD is usually present in younger people, a lot of times in the college years.  Many of your children, college students, are using Aderall to stay awake to study.  When the drug begins to be abused they use this drug for the euphoric high it can produce and addiction takes over.  We have read horror stories about the drug.

If you are someone who is addicted to Aderall, most times you are going to need medical and professional help to stop.  Clearbrook Treatment Centers has treated the addiction to prescription drugs for decades.  With a state of the art medical detox coupled with an inpatient, residential treatment program, the addiction to Adderall can be interrupted and put the addict back on track to a happy, sober life.  Please call us anytime if you need an Adderall drug rehab.

Click the link below to watch the Super Bowl ad that is targeted to start awareness on the epidemic that is crushing our nation.

Watch The Commercial Here

18 ODs in Under A Week- Click To Find Out Where

A small town in Connecticut is experiencing a major problem with heroin.  New London, a town with 25,000 people has had over 19 overdoses in the last week.  Without the use of the new drug Narcan, most of them would have died.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital has treated the majority of these cases over the last week and they are shocked at what is happening to their town.  The hospital administrators said they only are used to seeing one to two overdoses on a weekly basis.

One woman from this town was interviewed and said that the heroin epidemic has crushed this once working class, beautiful place.  She lives across the street from a park where children used to play.  Now she says when you walk through that park you can find needles, baggies, and homeless people.  She says that her son suffers from the addiction to heroin but hasn't seen him in a long time.  She says that people will tell her that they have seen him here or there but she worries every day that she is going to get that phone call to tell her that her son died of an overdose.  She knows the truth though.  He is either going to get arrested or he is going to die.

The probability that this round of heroin overdoses is going to be equated to the powerful opiate called fentanyl.  This drug, 50-100 times more powerful than heroin has caused thousands of deaths over the last few years across America.

Clearbrook wants to help the people who are out there and can't stop using.  We want to help the families of the addicts who are out there.  Please call us 24/7 with questions and concerns.

An Essay From Our President

Medically Assisted Treatment- Who Are We Listening To?

Finally!! Politicians Start Talking About How To Treat Addiction

When Betty Ford was the nation’s first lady, no one knew of her addictions to opiate pain medications and alcohol.  It really wasn’t until after she left the White House that her problem with addiction came out.  Mrs. Ford was one of the first people in the political arena to start a campaign on getting people treatment rather than just throw them in jail. 

Last week in New Hampshire, Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina talked about her step daughters addiction and eventual death due to addiction.  She said that there used to be hope and potential in her daughter’s eyes.  That was until addiction started taking over her life and she was thrown in jail time and time again.  Mrs. Fiorina spoke at a conference on addiction in New Hampshire and said that every time Lori was let out of jail she seemed to sink deeper into the abyss of substance abuse. 

She was speaking about criminalizing addiction.  She talked about why addiction should be treated instead of just thrown into the criminal courts.  Addicts and alcoholics need help, not jail.  Now we do understand that some people don’t take the help that is offered and they continually break the law and are a detriment to society.  But to not give these people a chance at recovery is a crime in itself. 

It is nice to see that figure heads in this country are beginning to open their eyes to addiction and the best way to help.  We have more people in jails and prisons than any country in the world.  The vast majority of these people are there, either directly or indirectly, for addictions.  In our state finding a Pennsylvania drug rehab can be a difficult proposition sometimes.  With the ever changing insurance laws to finding an open bed, people can feel like they are banging their head against a wall.  Please call Clearbrook and we will help you.  If for some reason we cannot take the patient here, we will make sure they get the help they need.

Clearbrook does not endorse any political candidate.  We primarily wanted to point out that finally the people in Washington DC are talking about it.

Scranton/Wilkes Barre Heroin Epidemic Not Slowing Down

Scranton and Wilkes Barre are the two large cities that make up the majority of North East Pennsylvania.  With the population of over 115 thousand people and their close proximity to major east coast cities equates to a major drug epidemic.  Heroin has plagued our country from the northeast to the southwest.  There are many different towns and hamlets in between Scranton and Wilkes Barre where the drug problem has also spiraled out of control.

On Facebook almost every city has a crime report page.  The cities of Scranton and Wilkes Barre each have their own individual pages as well.  Personally I have gone to each one of their pages four times today.  The city of Scranton registered 11 different calls for police due to criminal activity involving drugs.  Whether it was possession, sale, or overdose, 11 reports, mostly about heroin is staggering.  Remember that this is just over a 12 hour period.  The city of Wilkes Barre is a little lower but still very high.

There is a major drug problem in these two cities that are only 15 miles apart.  We are reading about people who are overdosing and dying on a daily basis.  These people that are no longer with us can't be tied to any socio-economic class.  They are wealthy, poor, young and old.

These people need help.  Drug treatment and rehab for Scranton residents  and drug treatment and rehab for Wilkes Barre residents is available right outside your door.  Clearbrook Treatment Centers have been treating the disease of addiction for both the addict and their families for over 40 years.  If you or someone you love lives in the Scranton/Wilkes Barre area and is suffering from addiction please call us.  Our toll free 24/7 admissions line is 1.800.582.6241

Warning- Deadly Fentanyl Being Passed Off As Heroin

A press release was put out last week that directly impacts our community and the suffering addicts that are still out there.  There is a deadly combination of mostly fentanyl being sold and passed off as heroin.

Heroin is usually stamped with a name on the bag.  This particular mix of poison is stamped and being called “Egg Nog”.  Numerous people have overdosed and died over the last ten days as a direct result of using this particular batch.  It has been found mostly in New Jersey, but has now spread to the surrounding states of Pennsylvania and New York.

If you want to stop gambling with your life call us right now.  We offer heroin detox and inpatient heroin treatment to help change your life.

Merry Christmas From Clearbrook

The Alumni Party and staff Christmas parties went great.  From all of us at Clearbrook, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Staying Sober On Christmas

For the newly sober, Christmas and celebrating the New Year can be the hardest times throughout our first years of this new life.  There are so many memories that flood our minds and hearts from previous years.  Many of us have utterly ruined some of the holidays in the past with our drinking. Guilt can plague us every step of the way during the holiday season.  That is addiction folks.  That is the disease sinking its teeth into us and saying "come back".  There are ways of turning that stuff around.

First of all there is one premise that we have seen people live by that can take guilt and shame and cast them out.  Gratitude. That word is one of the best defenses to anything that is negative in our lives.  Especially during the holidays.  Just being grateful for being sober and living a different way can be a good start.

Here are some other ways to ensure you not only make it through the holidays sober but you enjoy them as well.

• The premise of Christmas is the birth of Christ.  You have also had a birth in your life.  Sobriety and the birth of a new life.
• Go to meetings
• Talk to other people in recovery
• Stay completely away from "People, Places, and Things"
• Go help someone else that is struggling
• Remember that this is just one day, anyone can stay sober for just one day

These points if lived every day work.  They especially work over the holidays.

A Christmas Video

Addiction Is A Family Disease

Addiction is a family disease.  Many people don't realize just how debiulitating it is on the entire structure of a family.  Most families have no idea what to do when a loved one is suffering from addiction.  Coupled with that, many families don't understand that even when the sufferer gets clean and sober there is still sickness in the family.

At Clearbrook we have a program specifically designed for family members of our patients.  The quality of our patients recoveries goes up exponencially when their family members participate.  Please visit our "Families Helping Families" page on our website for more information.

Addiction Affects The Entire Family

Babies Born Into Addiction

The information contained in this article is gut wrenching.  It can be painful to read.  What we are talking about today are babies, obviously through no fault of their own, who are born into addiction.   In this country, every 19 minutes a life is brought into this world addicted to opiates.  Over the last ten years, if you averaged it out, 13,000 children are born dependent on drugs.  The staggering fact is that number is just an average.  It is getting worse year after year.  In 2013 there were 28,000 born with an addiction to chemicals.  This can be equated to the explosion of opiate pain medications and its cheap counter part of heroin.

Watching a child detox after birth is among the saddest things to ever witness.  It is worse than watching an adult detox "cold turkey".  Watching an innocent child shake uncontrollably, tremble, and twitch is such a sad fact of the overall problem, ADDICTION.


Thankfully laws have been put into place to protect these children after they are sent home from the hospital.  Please realize that these laws don't protect against the horrible effects a child goes through while in the womb and the weeks after birth.  The "Keeping Children & Families Safe Act" keeps the states responsible to take the steps and install the safeguards for children born into addiction.  Here's the problem though.  There are many times that the hospitals don't tell the agencies responsible, like protective services that they have an addicted child.  The child is then sent home with the mother.  There have been hundreds of children who have died as a result of this.  Many of these children need to be taken away.

Another problem out there is for the mothers who are addicted and carrying a baby.  There is just not enough treatment options out there for them.  It is estimated that three out of four people in this country who want help never get that help.  This is no different for addicted, expectant mothers.

Clearbrook has treated dozens of pregnant women.  If you need a drug rehab during pregnancy, please call us.  There has to be a different and tailor made program for someone who is pregnant.  How much someone is using, what they are using, and how long they are pregnant all factor into the program for that mother.  If you are pregnant and want help, please know that it is never too late.

Clearbrook Manor

1-800-582-6241

Offering Help, Promising Hope

www.clearbrookinc.com

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Videos on Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey drug and alcohol treatement

Suboxone Detox & Suboxone Rehab in Pennsylvania

Suboxone- America's New Addiction

There is an explosion that is taking place on the streets of our country, it's early and we haven't seen anything yet.  Just like the drug companies over the last two decades came out with generic forms of opiate pain medications, the same thing is ringing true with drugs that are comparable to Suboxone.

Suboxone, which is a combination of two drugs, buprenorphine and naloxone, is being prescribed to heroin and opioid users at an alarming rate. In 2014 over nine million scripts were written for the drug.  It equates to being a $1.5 billion industry in our country alone.  Reckitt-Benckiser is the pharmaceutical company that came up with the formula for Suboxone.  It was introduced to the U.S. in 2002 and it took off from day one.  The patent for the combination of drugs that make up Suboxone expired in 2012 and opened the doors to all of Reckitt's competition to come up with a generic form. Today dozens of companies out there are testing various versions of the drug in studies.  One company has even come up with a plan to devise a way to have buprenorphine to be implanted under the skin.  

It seems as if Suboxone and its equivalents are the new wonder drug.  Many people rave about the effects it has had on their opiate addiction.  What seems to not be reported is some of the devastating effects it has when it is prescribed in the wrong way, usually that being using the drug over a long period of time as a maintenance drug.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMSHA) has reported a 100% increase in emergency room visits due to the abuse of Suboxone.  Over half were for non-medical use of buprenorphine.  What we've seen with the over prescribing of the drug that it has now become a "street drug".  The dealers are now not only carrying heroin and opiate pain medications but they also offer Suboxone.  The addict will keep a supply of it so that when he/she runs out of heroin their detox isn't bad.  They are using it in between highs to manage withdrawals.  

Percy Menzias, President of Assisted Recovery Centers of America says, "“Suboxone is a fantastic detox agent.  But you have to use it with great caution as a long term maintenance medication. In my clinic we use a lot of Suboxone, but only for detox.  The Suboxone doctors, many of them have been very irresponsible, because they have no training in addiction.  It is shocking in this day and age that physicians are so incredibly ignorant about the pharmacology of buprenorphine preparations.”

Clearbrook is a believer in the complete abstinence model. Suboxone can and is utilized in a our detox model on a case by case basis.  Long term maintenance programs are not offered here.  In short, treating an opioid addiction with another opioid does not work.  Freedom from all mind and mood altering chemicals offers the best chance at recovery.  We have had hundreds of patients come to us now that were offered long term Suboxone and Methadone programs.  They didn't work and these people now tell us that getting off the drug that was prescribed to treat the initial addiction is even harder.  Please call Clearbrook for help with any addiction.  We are on call 24/7.You can also read more about prescription drug abuse treatment and suboxone rehab here.

Clearbrook Treatment Centers

1.800.582.6241

www.clearbrookinc.com

Thank you to National Pain Report for the information we found in writing this article.  You can read their full article HERE

Heroin Abuse Treatment In PA, NY, NJ

At Clearbrook we will continually push the information the public needs for help with substance abuse.  We have lost the "war on drugs" a long time ago.  Thankfully the local, state, and federal governments are beginning to change the course of action, which is usually incarceration, to actually getting people who are struggling and suffering from the addiction to heroin.  It is estimated that three out of four people in our country that want help with addiction never get it.  Jail sentences, lack of funding, and the shortage of beds in treatment facilities all contribute to why.  People die out there from this debilitating disease and were never offered the chance and the right way to get better.  Please share our video below, you never know who it is going to reach.

                                                                Clearbrook Manor

1-800-582-6241

Offering Help, Promising Hope

www.clearbrookinc.com

Heroin Rehab in PA, NY, NJ