The Vince Carter Sanctuary, a private drug rehabilitation center, in Bunnell, Florida offers a safe and effective treatment environment to individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, offering the latest comprehensive programs, Medically Supervised Detox, Residential, Partial/Day and Intensive Outpatient Programs.

In the past, crystal meth was cooked or manufactured in remote rural locations. The labs used to create the drug were often in trailer homes or residences outside of metropolitan areas. Not so anymore, Crystal Meth has become more prevalent in urban areas and more populated regions bringing the labs closer to the consumer/addict. There has been a two-fold increase in meth labs seized in major metropolitan cities.

Also, the criminals have designed a new manufacturing technique for making crystal meth in a single plastic bottle. Now a batch of dope can be turned out in 30 minutes using a 2 liter soda bottle in a way similar to a cocktail shaker. But shaking a volatile mix of pseudoephedrine and other ingredients is inviting an explosion and can result in fires and death. Drugs can be made in vehicles, backpacks and in apartments.

Methamphetamine lab seizures in North Florida are 70% higher this year than in all of 2010. Whenever a lab is seized law enforcement treats the area as a Hazmat area. Basically, the apartments, homes or vehicles where the manufacturing process took place is condemned or destroyed. The fumes and toxins are absorbed by the carpets and drywall. Nationally, 6,768 meth labs were seized in 2010, compared to 6,032 the year before, according to the National Drug Threat Assessment by the Department of Justice.

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive drug. The users of the drug can stay up for days and have high levels of energy followed by deep paranoia and making them fearful of everyone. Methamphetamine users have been known to dismantle TV’s, stereo’s and computers to thwart the extreme paranoia. The drug is ravaging on the addict.

The drug replaces the reward system in the brain, causing the release of large quantities of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which produces sensations of pleasure, hunger, energy and sexual arousal. Abuse of methamphetamine causes decayed teeth, skin lesions (acne), stroke, heart attack as well as paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety and irritability (anger).  Aggressiveness, violence and isolation are some behavior symptoms.

Users are buying pseudoephedrine, an over the counter medication, in groups and it is called "smurfing”. Two states Oregon and Mississippi have reclassified pseudoephredine and ephedrine as prescription only drugs. In both states, there has been a significant decrease of meth lab seizures.

 Should we reclassify these medications to Prescription Only?

Here at the Vince Carter Sanctuary we offer a medically supervised detox, Residential Treatment, Partial/Day Treatment followed by our Intensive Outpatient Program. If you know someone suffering from a Methamphetamine addiction please call 800 478 0331 or go to www.vincecartersanctuary.org and fill out the contact box for more information.

The Vince Carter Sanctuary, a private drug rehabilitation center, in Bunnell, Florida is pleased to announce the addition of a new program, OutPatient Day Treatment, for the treatment of addictions and psychiatric disorders.  This program is designed to deliver intense care for those unable to be away from home. Most major insurance companies provide benefits in recognition of the importance of this level of care.

Jeremy Mirabile MD, Director  of  Vince Carter Sanctuary, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Florida, is proud to announce “The addition of this program completes the Sanctuary’s goal of having every level of care available to a patient on one campus, thus ensuring continuity of care and maximum cost effectiveness.  Under the direction of Dr Jerry Gropper, Clinical Director, these programs and the expertise of the staff allow VCS to address the patients’ needs no matter how advanced the addiction might be

The Campus also has a medically managed and supervised detoxification program for both in-patients and out-patients.  Nurses are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week under the supervision of VCS Physicians. 

Unlike most apartment or hospital based residential programs, VCS has a true Residence Program where treatment facilities are often in the same buildings as the living quarters under the direct observation of clinical and security staff at all times.  Insulated from the distractions and temptations of commuting to treatment, the campus becomes a safe home where healing can occur.

For more information about the drug and alcohol rehab center in Florida, please visit www.vincecartersanctuary.org or call 800 478 0331.

Since the Vince Carter Sanctuary is an adult substance abuse and treatment center fighting dependencies, we thought it was only fitting to share a recent article, as featured in a NEWSWEEK, titled “Excellence in Dependency and Addiction Treatment – Breaking the Cycle,” on newsstands today.

The article focuses on the use of substances and how millions of Americans struggle with dependency issues on a daily basis. Overcoming dependency is a difficult task, especially alone. Since many individuals who wish to no longer thrive on the intake of substances, support is well sought after. Treatment methods for combating dependency vary greatly and may include drug and alcohol rehab, counseling, and or behavioral therapy and medication.

Back in 2008, 38-combined studies indicated that 67% of people relied on behavioral treatment for dependency. As depicted in 2009, approximately 21.8 million people older than age twelve claims to be involved in drug abuse and only one in ten have sought treatment. Surprisingly, eating disorders diagnosed in American Women are one of the most likely disorders to be treated.

To view the full article featured in NEWSWEEK, please click here.

The accredited drug and alcohol treatment center in Florida announces a new, 10-bed, medically supervised detox unit.

Bunnell, FL (February 15, 2011) – The Vince Carter Sanctuary, offering drug rehab, detox, and alcohol treatment, announces a new medically supervised detox unit in their current location, minutes away from Daytona Beach.

The Vince Carter Sanctuary, a division of Stewart-Marchman-Act (SMA) Behavioral Healthcare offers patients safe detoxification for overcoming physical, emotional and psychological challenges in early recovery. The new, 10-bed, private detox center and 24-hour nursing staff, offers clients detox, as well as treatment at the state-of-the art facility.

“The new detox unit allows us to treat up to 10 patients “ states Dr. Jeremy Mirabile, Director of the Vince Carter Sanctuary and  Deputy Director of Addiction Services for Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Health Care. “We can greater ensure patient satisfaction and reduce fear or stress associated with the detoxification process.”

The Sanctuary offers this new detoxification program for those experiencing withdrawal symptoms or other difficulty when battling the physical dependency associated with drugs and alcohol. The detox program is specifically designed around the client’s individual needs, ensuring the best possible start to recovery.  This new component is complimented by an outstanding residential treatment program at the same location.  The highly competent health care professionals working at the Vince Carter Sanctuary offer one of  the most comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab treatment programs in the country.

For more information about the Vince Carter Sanctuary please visit www.vincecartersanctuary.org.     

The Vince Carter Sanctuary 

The Vince Carter Sanctuary, a division of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare System (SMA) Behavioral Healthcare, is a state-of-the-art, private drug rehab, detox, and alcohol treatment center located 20 miles north of Daytona Beach Florida. The 100-bed facility was designed for the purpose of serving clients with substance abuse and dual-diagnosis or co-occurring issues.  For more information call (386) 254-1151 or (800) 478-0331 or visit www.vincecartersanctuary.org. 

OBAMA DECLARES

DECEMBER NATIONAL IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH

President Obama declared December National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. 

According to Obama's proclamation, thousands of Americans lose their lives to "drunk, drugged or distracted driving" every year. Obama described drugged driving as a "growing problem" and specifically pointed to the danger of driving under the influence of prescription drugs as well as illicit drugs. He referred to distracted driving -- texting or using electronics while driving -- as "life-threatening," and recommended the Distraction.gov website as a prevention tool.

Obama said the federal government had taken several steps to prevent impaired driving. The government has banned its employees from texting while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with law enforcement nationally to increase identification of drunk drivers during the holidays, and the ONDCP will be educating the public about the increased incidence of drugged driving. 

Spice is not Nice: The Danger in Synthetic Marijuana

By Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp

There's a drug becoming increasingly popular with teens in Florida that many parents have never heard of - and worse yet, it is legal. The drug is known as "Spice," "K2", or "fake weed," and mimics the effects of marijuana.

Spice is a psychoactive, intoxicating drug that poses a real hazard to public health and public safety. This legally sold drug is laced with chemical compounds that are actually synthetic cannabinoids. Indeed, Spice was originally developed in laboratories for the express purpose of mimicking THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component of marijuana.

Spice is often sold as incense through "head shops" or over the Internet. Purveyors of this drug package it under the words, "Not for human consumption," but that is exactly what people do with it. Spice looks like a pile of dried up herbs or spices, hence its name, and it is totally unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Spice is also a nightmare for law enforcement because it is sold and used openly as a so-called legal alternative to marijuana. Currently there is no way to test for the use of Spice, making it that much more attractive to would-be users.

Many people may be led to believe that Spice is a safe alternative to marijuana because it is legal. Spice is, in fact, more potent and more dangerous than marijuana. Nationwide this year, poison control centers have received over 1,300 calls due to synthetic cannabinoids. In Florida, from December 2009 through October 2010, the Department of Health's Bureau of environmental Public Health Medicine documented nearly 50 cases of synthetic cannabinoid use that have required medical intervention. These adverse events involved victims as young as age 13 with reported symptoms including vomiting, unconsciousness, depressed respiration, and altered mental states.

Spice is illegal in many European countries because it has a track record there dating back to the 1990s. Spice however remains legal in the U.S. because we have less experience with it (some Spice derivatives containing the chemical HU-210 are however treated as a controlled substance scheduled under Federal law).

While the Drug Enforcement Administration does currently list five synthetic cannabinoids as "Drugs and Chemicals of Concern," and is considering federal restrictions on Spice, 13 other states - to include three of our border states - have taken action to ban Spice products and synthetic cannabinoids.

Just two weeks ago, I was speaking with our community anti-drug organizations gathered at the annual drug prevention conference and they asked for help to stop this new drug from infiltrating their neighborhoods. I therefore look forward to the upcoming legislative session, when we will have an opportunity to enact a statewide ban that protects Florida's most vulnerable and precious resource - our youth - from these harmful products.

Florida needs to ban this drug as soon as possible. It is harming our citizens, and there is no redeeming value in allowing it to remain legal.

Let's take concerted action now, before this new drug causes more damage to our youth.

Heroin is making a comeback and this time it's hitting the suburbs.

Heroin is hitting the "burbs"

Prescription painkiller drug abuse is now one of the leading killers of middle-aged Floridians. And, with painkiller abuse on the rise,  a coalition of Florida health organizations is launching an awareness campaign called The Pain Truth.

The Pain Truth is a 3-month public education program, which will include public service announcements, education, awareness, Internet, and community events across the state.  This offensive will canvas the state and reach people at home, workplaces, schools, churches and more, leading up to a Dec. 1 event when
Florida, the Sunshine State, ”Goes Dark for a Day.”

  The event is meant to recognize lives lost, by offering an official day of mourning for families and friends of thousands who have died.

The Pain Truth is the brainchild of the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (FSIPP), with endorsements from the Florida Medical Association (FMA), and the Florida Society of Addiction Medicine (FSAM).  The program is also supported by the Florida Office of Drug Control’s 2009 Drug Control Strategy regarding prescription drug abuse and diversion.

 Recent statistics demonstrate the importance of growing awareness of prescription drug abuse throughout the state:

• Nearly 3,000 Floridians died from prescription drug use in 2009.
• Prescription Oxycodone was responsible for more deaths in Florida in 2009 than cocaine, heroin and morphine combined.  The increase is up 25.9% over 2008.

The Vince Carter Sanctuary, a division of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare System (SMA) is a world class, private drug rehab, detox and alcohol treatment recovery center located near Daytona Beach, Florida.  The 100-bed facilities at the Vince carter Sanctuary are designed for the purpose of serving clients with substance abuse and dual-diagnosis or co-occurring issues. Please visit at www.VinceCarterSanctuary.org.

Jeremy Mirabile, M.D.  has been named Director of the Vince Carter Sanctuary and Deputy Medical Director for Addiction Services at Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare.

Read about this announcement here Press Release.