'Under the Influence': Contemporary Challenges of Designer Drugs (Spice/K2/Ivory Wave)
June 20, 2011
Hosted by Mary Woods
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Guest Information
Episode Description
What do you know about Designer Drugs? Spice, K2, Ivory Wave… The list goes on. They’re the latest synthetics to hit the streets and the growth in misuse is alarming. These drugs can be easily purchased at convenience stores, in tobacco shops, and on the Internet. Symptoms of these so-called “legal high” substances range from agitation, paranoia, and hallucinations all the way to hospitalizations and death. There’s a lot to be learned about the current trends with designer drugs, how users appear under the influence, and the behavioral and co-occurring mental impact of use. The rapid increase of new available synthetics, coinciding with legal regulations of distribution and use being established around the U.S., has made it challenging to keep up with the science and develop leading testing technologies to detect synthetics. Dominion Diagnostics is one company that has accepted this challenge and is working to meet the Addiction field’s clinical need.
One Hour AT A Time
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.
Mary Woods
Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.
