Pubdate: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 Source: Kenora Enterprise (CN ON) Copyright: 2004 Kenora Enterprise Contact: http://www.kenoraenterprise.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2358 Author: Reg Clayton PANEL RELATES ADDICTION ISSUES AT HOSPITAL AUXILIARIES CONFERENCE Alcohol remains the drug of choice for the majority of people with addiction problems, and accounts for about 80 per cent of treatments, locally. People also become addicted to prescription and over the counter medications, pharmaceuticals, street drugs and solvents. However, certain behaviours, such as gambling and sex, can also become addictive. The nature of addiction, the variety of substances or behaviours that people become addicted to, community treatment programs and outpatient services were among the topics at the Addiction Problems Today panel presentation at the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario Region 12 East and Region 12 West spring conference in Kenora, April 17. The conference was attended by approximately 80 members from the two regions representing community hospital auxiliaries from Kenora to Manitouwadge. "There's a difference between addiction and substance abuse," explained Dr. Sherry Reed-Walkiewicz, a physician with the Department of Family Medicine/Psychiatry, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. "With addiction, the main difference is that people will experience tolerance and withdrawal when that substance is discontinued. Whereas with substance abuse they may not necessarily have tolerance or withdrawal but in both cases there are negative consequences on relationships, goals, family, physical and emotional health and finances." Elder addictions are also a growing concern, Dr. Reed-Walkiewicz related. She noted the elderly only account for 11 per cent of the population but 30 per cent of prescription drug sales, including sedatives, stimulants and analgesics for legitimate health reasons. "Abuse occurs when there's deviation from prescribed recommendations," she said. The babyboom generation is also a particularly vulnerable group to future addictions. Dr. Reed-Walkiewicz referred to statistics which indicate that in 1979 approximately 27 per cent of that generational cohort used illicit drugs and five per cent were still using in 2001. People who have had addictions in the past are more vulnerable to future addictions. "The pleasure centres in the brain don't forget even when the rest of the brain does," she said. While there may not be a cure for addiction, there is treatment available for people in need. In Kenora, treatment for addictions is provided through Addiction Services Kenora and the Morning Star Centre, a community program funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Patti Dryden-Holmstrom explained the 40-bed non-medical facility provides treatment for men and women 16 years and older undergoing acute detoxification or withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs. She noted the facility generally operates at 100 per cent occupancy with an average age in the late 40s. Recently, there's also been a significant increase in people seeking help for opiates, especially in the pill form of oxycontons as well as crack cocaine and crystal meth. "Street drugs are changing rapidly and it's difficult to keep up with the trends," she said. "What makes crystal meth so dangerous is that it's produced in home labs so there's no quality assurance and they don't know what they're getting." Addiction Services Kenora counsellor Irene Bergman agreed. She said that in addition to the huge financial cost, coke and crack addiction is a concern due to the low rate of recovery among addicts. "Once they're addicted it's so hard to get out of it," Bergman said. "It has a significant impact on families." Dryden-Holmstrom regards the impending closure of the Norman Hotel to make way for construction of a condominium complex as another critical issue as many clients will be homeless. "The high cost of accommodation in Kenora makes it difficult to find another place to live," she said. "These are individuals with limited resources and housing options. The loss of the hotel is a tragedy to them."