Tag Archives: Recovery

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pacifica Resource Center Events July 31-August 3, 2013

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  • Wed. July 31st, 2013 @ 6PM: LifeRing meeting @ the PRC
    • LifeRing is a network of support groups for people who want to live free of alcohol and other addictive drugs.
    • Contact liferingscott@gmail.com for more information.
  • Wed. July 31st, 2013 @ 6-9PM: Coastal 5K Fun Run and Walk Packet Pick Up
    • Early race packet pick up at A Runner’s Mind running store, 1199 Howard Ave., Burlingame, CA 94010.
  • Thu. August 1st, 2013 @ 2:30-5:30PM: Coastal 5K Fun Run and Walk Packet Pick Up
    • Early race packet pick up at the Pacifica Resource Center, 1809 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica, CA 94044.
  • Fri. August 2nd, 2013 @ 10AM-12:30PM: Coastal 5K Fun Run and Walk Packet Pick Up
    • Early race packet pick up at the Pacifica Resource Center.
  • Sat. August 3rd, 2013 @9AM: Coastal 5K Fun Run and Walk
    • Coastal 5K and Kid’s 100 yard Beach Dash.
    • Registration is still open!

For more information about the course, fundraising, parking, timing, and race divisions, click the image below.

Runners and walkers of all levels are welcome! The event is hosted by and benefiting the Pacifica Resource Center. Registration is $35 before race day and $40 on race day. For ages 6-17, registration is $20. Ages 5 and under are FREE and registration is not required.

There is also a Special Stroller Division and Pet Division, Special Kid’s 100 yard Beach Dash (ages 1-8 years), and Special 5 yard Beach Baby Diaper Dash (ages 0-1/crawlers).

Click here to register!

NEWS: Penn Medicine Study Finds that Topiramate May Help Curb Cocaine Addictions

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Researchers in the department of Psychiatry at Penn Medicine conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and found that the drug topiramate may help people addicted to both cocaine and alcohol. Because cocaine and alcohol addictions often go hand in hand, therapies that target both may be the best method for treatment. 170 alcohol and cocaine dependent people were tested in the 13-week clinical trial. The results showed that people with more severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms seemed to benefit the most from the drug. The drug also reduced alcohol cravings, but did not reduce drinking.

Topiramate is believed to reduce the dopamine release associated with cocaine and alcohol use, reducing the drugs’ euphoric effects.

“This study further supports topiramate as a promising medication for people who are both alcohol and cocaine dependent,” said Dr. Kampman. “Future studies are planned in which topiramate will be combined with other promising medications for the treatment of cocaine dependence in the hope of achieving even higher levels of cocaine abstinence than were achieved with topiramate alone.”

Topiramate is commonly used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures, prevent migraine headaches and decrease how often you get them, and aid in weight loss. Some side effects of topiramate include tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, tingling of the hand/feet, loss of appetite, bad taste in mouth, diarrhea, and weight loss. Topiramate may also decrease your ability to sweat, making you more likely to get heatstroke. Those who use topiramate are advised to avoid activities that may cause them to overheat.

For more information about the Penn Medicine Study, click here for the Penn Medicine News Release.

Information about topiramate is from WebMD.

JOBS: Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center Now Hiring

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Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, located in San Francisco, CA 94109 (730 Polk Street), is now hiring. Click on the links below to access the PDF containing the position description, qualifications, and other information.

Click here to become a volunteer or a peer leader at Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center!

Click here if you are interested in a Clinical Internship Position.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pacifica Resource Center Events July 22-26, 2013

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  • Wednesday, July 24th, 2013, 3:15 PM
    • Family Harvest – 100-120 pounds of free groceries once per month for Pacifica families with children under the age of 18. Food includes fresh fruit and vegetables, poultry, eggs, bread, pasta, and an assortment of canned, packaged, and frozen items. Families must pre-register for Family Harvest and meet income guidelines.
  • Wednesday, July 24th, 2013, 4:45 PM
    • “Singles” Harvest – Free groceries once per month for Pacifica households without children under the age of 18. Individuals must pre-register for “singles” Harvest, live in Pacifica, and meet income guidelines.
  • Wednesday, July 24th, 2013, 6 PM
    • LifeRing meeting at the PRC: Empowering Your Sober Self – For more information, email liferingscott@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pacifica Resource Center Events July 16-19, 2013

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  • Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 @ 6:30PM : My Money & Me Financial Support Group
    • Topic: Budgeting and Saving
    • English and Spanish monthly financial support groups to learn about your relationship with money, develop a personal spending plan, share money saving tips, and learn how to clean up (or build) your credit.
    • Refreshments are provided, as well as supervision of children under 12 during the group when requested.
    • Open to anyone wanting to make a personal financial change.
  • Wednesday, July 17th, 2013 @ 6PM: LifeRing Meeting @ the PRC: Empowering Your Sober Self
    • LifeRing is a network of support groups for people who want to live free of alcohol and other addictive drugs.
    • LifeRing offers a complete abstinence philosophy in a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere, with the freedom to create the sobriety program that works for you.
    • The fundamental principles of LifeRing are Sobriety, Secularity, and Self-Help.
    • Email liferingscott@gmail.com for more information.
  • Thursday, July 18th, 2013 @ 10AM: Mi Dinero Y Yo Financial Support Group: Identity Theft
    • Refreshments available for group members.
  • Friday, July 19th, 2013 @ 7PM: “A Place at the Table” Screening
    • Summer means that 1 in 3 local students who rely on free and reduced-price school meals are struggling to eat. This documentary investigates incidents of hunger experienced by millions of Americans and shows how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for the United States. It also proposes solutions to the problem. A representative from San Mateo County’s local food bank, Second Harvest Food Bank,will be on hand to answer questions about local issues. Rated PG. 84 min.
    • There will also be a food drive – Fill the Barrel. Please bring non-perishable items to the movie screening or to Sanchez Library. The Pacifica Resource Center will speak about a local view of hunger in our community.

Location: Pacifica Resource Center, 1809 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica, CA 94044

Phone: 650-738-7470

Fax: 650-359-2053

 

NEWS: “Targeting Impulsive Adolescents May Reduce Drinking Problem” and information about addiction

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In a recent research study at the University of Liverpool, scientists have shown that young people who show impulsive tendencies are more prone to drinking heavily at an early age. The research team tested inhibitory control, the ability to delay gratification, and risk-taking in more than 280 youth aged 12 to 13 for two years. Those who were more impulsive in the tests went on to drink more heavily or have problems with alcohol later on. Although there is a link between impulsive behavior and adolescent drinking, there is insufficient evidence to support how alcohol could lead to increased impulsive behavior in the short run.  Because of this research, they believe that targeting impulsive personality traits could possibly be a successful approach to preventing alcohol problems in adolescents later in life.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, “addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences”. Drug and alcohol use is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in the United States and is also associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and injection drug use.

Alcohol, a legal drug, can produce dangerous effects such as reckless behavior (a leading cause of serious injury and accidental death) when consumed in large quantities.  Besides recklessness, excessive drinking may lead to alcoholism, an illness that is often associated with depression. Although alcoholism can cause serious damage to our bodies, abruptly ending alcohol use in a person who is alcohol dependent can be dangerous. A person who is dependent on alcohol should consult a physician when he or she wants to stop the use of alcohol.