International Archives - Page 108 of 111

Feb012016Apr252025

True or false – alcohol plays no role in violence

Alcohol consumption has been linked to many things, including abusive texts, hangovers, slurred words, loss of vision and most importantly, violence. However, academics are vigorously questioning claims published in a 2015 scientific report, citing the link between alcohol and violence.

In January, 2015, British Anthropologist, Anne Fox, and her research team published a report entitled, Understanding behaviour in the Australian and New Zealand night-time economies. Commissioned by Australian brewery, Lion, the research concluded drinking does not cause violence, but rather, a violent culture causes violence.

In a report by the ABC on March 5, 2015, Fox cited alcohol as a substance does not transform someone’s character and make them act in a violent nature.

“Alcohol – as all of the scientific literature shows, which we’ve reviewed very extensively in the report – cannot be considered a cause of violence. If it was, we’d see uniform levels of violence among all drinkers,” said Fox.

In a very recent report published by the New Zealand Herald on January 13, 2016, researchers Nicki Jackson from Auckland University and Professor Kypros Kypri from the University of Newcastle and Otago, argued Fox’s report lacks sound credibility to exist as independent academic research, and that Dr Fox underplays the role of alcohol in violence.Fox’s research has witnessed further challenge by the recent debate regarding national alcohol laws, following the death of 18-year-old Cole Miller on January 3, 2016 in Brisbane – the third Australian in four years to have succumbed to an alcohol-induced, one-punch attack.

As mentioned in an article published by the Sydney Morning Herald on January 12, 2015 after the implementation of lock-out laws in Sydney’s historically violent Kings Cross, 2014 saw a 40 per cent drop in alcohol-related assaults at licensed premises, demonstrating a clear link between alcohol and violence and the benefits of regulating access to the substance.

Fox’s report is also in stark contrast to long-standing research citing alcohol does contribute to violence. According to The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) published in 2013, approximately 5 million Australians aged 14 and above had fallen victim to an alcohol-related incident, the majority of which involved verbal abuse (22 per cent), while the number of individuals experiencing physical abuse between 2010 and 2013, rose from 1.5 million to 1.7 million.

Given the academic sceptics, a long-standing history of evidence, and the obvious relevance of alcohol-induced harm, Fox’s research seems erroneous. Perhaps Fox and her team should seriously consider conducting any further “independent” research funded by breweries. We welcome your thoughts.

Dec222015Oct032019

Australian Government’s National Drug Strategy

Articles, Australia, International

Australian Government’s National Drug Strategy on illicit drug use shaped by regulation rather than modern forms of rehab – December 11, 2015

A United Nations (UN) 2015 report estimates around 246 million people world-wide aged between 15 and 64 use illicit drugs. Australia is awash with drugs, with 42 per cent of the nation’s adult population acknowledging drug use at some stage in their lives[1]; almost 15 per cent of whom used drugs between 2014-15.[2]

Illicit drug use not only impacts users, but also weighs heavily on the Australian public purse – an estimated $55.2 billion in 2004-05, including costs to the healthcare system, workplace productivity, road accidents and crime.[3]

Notably, tobacco use accounted for $31.5 billion, alcohol for $15.3 billion, and illegal drugs $8.2 billion, with alcohol and illicit drugs together accounting for an additional $1.1 billion.[4]

Since 1985, successive Australian Governments’ have regularly revised the National Drug Strategy, by predominantly focusing on harm minimisation, and the framework for such, including issues of demand, supply and harm reduction.

The demand reduction component of this framework has focused on preventing the uptake of, or delaying the use of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs used personally, within the community, and for helping individuals recover from their dependence, and reintegrate into society.

The supply reduction framework aims to prevent, stop, disrupt and reduce the production and supply of illegal drugs. The framework also touches on controlling, managing and regulating the availability of legal drugs.

The harm reduction framework incorporates strategies and actions designed to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences from an individual’s use of drugs, and their effects on the community.

While this framework has played a pivotal role in helping successive Australian Governments formulate their drug use policy, it fails to account for other, more modern and proven approaches operating successfully world-wide, such as at DARA, Thailand.

Australian Governments have been slow to acknowledge the rise in popularity of high quality, evidence-based, drug care treatment programs. With an average completion rate of 92 per cent and overall treatment rate of 52 per cent, DARA Thailand offers its clientele, a cost-effective customised treatment plan that includes multiple modalities of care to assist with rehabilitation.

Part of DARA Thailand’s unique offering to clientele, is its focus on teaching individuals how to relax and socialise again, without the aid of drugs and/or alcohol, in order to mount an an effective recovery from addiction. In particular, the DARA Koh Chang rehabilitation program focuses exclusively on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatment, combining physical, social, psychological and spiritual components through a variety of individual and group-oriented activities, to aid recovery.

To learn more about DARA Thailand, head to https://dararehab.com/or contact a DARA therapist today, 24/7, for a free, confidential assessment via the following numbers:

Direct to Thailand +66-87-140-7788
Toll-free from United States 1-888-774-8459
Toll-free from United Kingdom 0333-122-9728
Toll-free from Australia 1-800-990-523

[1] United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. 2015. World Drug Report 2015 . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2015/World_Drug_Report_2015.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 15].

[2] United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. 2015. World Drug Report 2015 . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2015/World_Drug_Report_2015.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 15].

[3] United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. 2015. World Drug Report 2015 . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2015/World_Drug_Report_2015.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 15].

[4] National Drug Strategy (Accessed 2015) The Costs of Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse to Australian Society in 2004/05, Australian Government, Canberra

Sep032015Oct032019

Singaporean’s Youth Facing Binge Drinking

Articles, International

When we first become adults and we are learning our limits in the world around us, sometimes we push those limits a little too far. Part of becoming an adult is learning our limits and when to say enough is enough. Unfortunately for many young adults, binge drinking is a dangerous way to test those waters. With the drinking age in Singapore is 18, it is crucial to educate these young adults while they are still being formally educated.

Singapore’s government has debated raising the legal drinking age to 21, but some elected officials state that raising the drinking age would only be a quick fix. Especially with many young citizens serving in the military, it does not make sense for many to raise the drinking age when you dedicate your life to your nation.

Some cultural trends might point to why teenagers and young adults are turning to binge drinking. With college and university schedules being rigorous and time consuming or while embarking on adulthood searching for the right path in life, binge drinking is a way for many to cope with the stress and anxiety of the difficulties of growing up. Drinking is a quick and socially acceptable way to unwind after a long day of classes, homework or job hunting. Yet as with most issues concerning young and emerging adults, they do not know their limits and drink to the point of physical detriment. Binge drinking can cause lifelong liver and kidney damage, peptic ulcers, damage to the esophagus from constant vomiting, and potentially death if not treated properly and immediately.

It is hard growing up and learning your way in the world. The best way to treat youth binge drinking is with a lot of understanding and with outreach. Being a young adult comes with a lot of freedom and learning about how to conduct yourself, but it also comes with the price of responsibility. Self-restraint is probably the most important part of educating the young of Singapore on how to avoid the pitfalls of binge drinking. When young adults learn to control their impulses instead of acting on them often they live happier and healthier lifestyles. For those who become alcoholics and are unable to control these impulses on their own, DARA is here to help you become the healthiest person you can be.

If you, or someone you care about, needs help for a drug or alcohol addiction,
contact us at 1-888-457-3518 US, 0-808-120-3633 UK or 1-800-990-523 AU.
We’re here to help you take that first important step.

Aug072015Apr252025

Need for Addiction Treatment Rising In Middle East

Articles, International, Understanding Addiction

Civil unrest and violence in Middle Eastern countries are having far-reaching effects in terms of rising incidences of drug and alcohol addiction and the need for effective treatment. Our internationally certified staff makes it a point to stay on top of current affairs worldwide. We are prepared to offer needed services to individuals in the Middle East who are suffering from addiction. Reports from Baghdad, Iraq, in particular have shown that the high rate of personal loss among families as the result of war and related violence has contributed to substance abuse. The emotional trauma of grief and loss has caused people to seek solace in drugs and alcohol. Dependence on chemicals to ease the pain has reached alarming rates. Of equal concern is the number of children who are using illegal drugs. When they experience the psychological stress of violence, they, too, are turning to drugs as a way to cope with the loss of family members. Officials have noticed the uprisings that have occurred since 2011 seems to have sparked drug-related problems, including incidences of smuggling and dealing.

DARA Prepared To Help In International Setting

As a highly reputable provider of addiction recovery treatment in the international community, DARA has set processes in motion to help alleviate the repercussions of increased substance abuse in the Middle East. We already are serving clients from these war-torn areas, and we are taking steps to increase our capabilities. We want these people who are traumatized by the violence and upheaval in their countries to understand that we have compassionate solutions to their substance abuse problems. Starting August 1, we will have an Arabic-speaking counselor on our team as part of our recognition of the needs of this growing segment of the population. We also offer Halal foods, in accordance with the spiritual beliefs of many clients from the Middle East.

Jun112015Apr252025

China’s War On Drugs Goes Mainstream

Articles, International

The Chinese government has launched a new war on drugs. As a result, many high profile citizens and celebrities have been paraded around in the media after arrests, and the Chinese government has made it clear: no one can run from their drug program regardless of societal status.

After being arrested for a drug offense, users are sent to state ran detoxification centers. These centers concentrate largely on labor and production instead of medical and psychological care. Those arrested are also enrolled in a drug user registry, and minor of offenses can cost a Chinese citizen quite a bit of money.

Marijuana users are put into the same centers and programs as oxycodone and heroin addicts. As with most countries, there is a diversity in the drug of choice for most populations. For China, 60 percent of the registry consists of heroin users, and heroin users typically see the harshest of societal judgment.

Being added to China’s drug user registry is not only costly and lacks discrimination based on drug and dependency, but it also carries a high stigma that affects people’s ability to safely seek treatment.

Users who may have developed a disease such as HIV/AIDS due to risky behavior associated with drug use, are now hesitant to come forward and seek help due to the stigma associated with the disease. While wanting to clean up drug use is a noble endeavor, treating drug users inside of labor-intensive centers with little to no medical or psychological use can be detrimental to the recovery of an addict.

Stigma is a very weighed emotional concept, one that can send a user into a life of blacklisting and scorn. Individuals suffering from a drug addiction need complete medical, physical and psychological care through a team invested in their success.