PANEL RELATES ADDICTION ISSUES AT HOSPITAL AUXILIARIES CONFERENCE

While there may not be a cure for addiction, there is treatment
available for people in need.

The nature of addiction, the variety of substances and behaviours that
people become addicted to, community treatment programs and outpatient
services were topics addressed by the Addiction Problems Today panel
at the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario Region 12 East and
Region 12 West spring conference in Kenora on Saturday.

Approximately 80 members from the two regions, representing community
hospital auxiliaries from Kenora to Manitouwadge, attended the conference.

"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."

Alcohol remains the drug of choice for 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, can also become addictive.

Elder addictions are also a growing concern, Dr. Reed-Walkiewicz
related. She noted the elderly comprise 11 per cent of the population
but account for 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 tend to be more vulnerable
to future addictions.

"The pleasure centres in the brain don't forget even when the rest of
the brain does," she said.

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.

Dryden-Holmstrom note the recent and significant increase of 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."

Eva Fleury, the 90-year-old past president of the LaVerendrye Hospital
Auxiliary summed up the thoughts of many in attendance in expressing
her appreciation to the panel for their presentation.

"You presented a complex issue with vitality, enthusiasm, clarity and
detailed information which makes for a memorable presentation," she
said. "It's very encouraging to hear what the district has done."