Substance Abuse

The Silver Boom: More Seniors Seek Treatment, But Fewer Options

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

The Silver Boom: Senior Substance Abuse Grows, Resources Lag

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

In less than 20 years, a quarter of the state’s population will be older than 60. In a series we call “The Silver Boom: Aging in Rhode Island,” we’re looking this week at how the state will take care of this expanding older population, and how it can benefit from it. Here’s an in-depth look at the growing problem of substance abuse and addiction among seniors, beginning at a community recovery center in Pawtucket.

Sam Bynum wasn’t born an alcoholic. But, like many alcoholics will tell you, the signs were there early on.

Mass. docs want tighter controls on medical marijuana

Kristin Gourlay — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:58:54 +0000

In Rhode Island, medical marijuana is already legal, through people who are so-called “caregivers” selling to patients. The state has established three “compassion centers” that haven’t opened yet. In Massachusetts, regulators are still considering how to implement the law. Doctors there want tighter controls.

A place to sober up, instead of ER, for "frequent fliers"

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:14:48 +0000

A proposal is taking shape to divert frequent users of emergency rooms into a substance abuse treatment facility, instead. Rhode Island’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare has pitched a pilot program for Providence that would transport drunk or high people to a sobering center. Staff there could then connect them with more treatment or housing and job services. Dale Klatzker heads The Providence Center, one of the state’s largest community mental health organizations. He says marshaling the resources to address this social problem will be difficult.

New program pairs addiction recovery and exercise

Kristin Gourlay — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:54:23 +0000

A new partnership between The Providence Center and the Greater Providence YMCA launches today to help people recovering from drug addiction lead healthier lives. The second Anchor Recovery Community Center is now open for business.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Lydia Rogers — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:25:35 +0000

Heavy winds, heavy rain, and warmer than usual temperatures. We have an interesting start to the day. State education officials are defending standardized test scores as a requirement for high school diplomas. These stories and more on the RIPR Morning News Podcast.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

Intoxicated "frequent fliers" strain emergency services

Kristin Gourlay — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:56:37 +0000

Recovery news round-up

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Addiction is a debilitating disease. It’s progressive, chronic, and can kill you.

But it’s also treatable. And there’s been increasingly good news on that front. So, I thought it might be a good time to share a handful of recent stories I’ve come across. Plus, September is Recovery Month, sponsored by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.