CAADE Newsletter featuring Dr. Geeta Brown

CAADE Newsletter

Geeta Brown, President/CEO of InterCoast Colleges

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Born in Yuba City, Geeta Brown is the middle of five children, with two older twin sisters and two younger sisters. Her mother was an immigrant from India, and her father’s side had been in California only a few generations longer. Her father was originally a farmer in Northern California, but had suffered some significant losses during Geeta’s childhood. Though she and her siblings grew up fairly poor, there was never a lack of love and support from her parents and sisters, and together they saw each other through all of life’s challenges. She left home at age 18 to attend nearby Yuba Community College to continue the college course she had started taking while still in high school. During her first year at Yuba Community College, she was the Director of Student Activities and did a number of events that supported nonprofits, raising money for children and other various charities. In the following year, she became the Student Body President and was active in all aspects of student government. After graduating with her associate’s degree, she transferred to California State University, Sacramento, where she majored in Government and Journalism. Geeta continued being active in student government at CSU Sacramento, where she served as Chair of Associated Students and presided over meetings with State government official such as Senators as well as the executive team.

Industry News

New Research Finds Gene Mutation That Raises Risk for Addiction

11-26-19 | BY MARCEL GEMME

Addiction & Recovery News

Science has peeled back the layers of substance abuse disorders to a significant degree in the past few decades, providing ample insight into the mechanisms of chemical dependency and the biology of addiction. One question persists, however, and some might call it the question: Why do some people become addicted more easily than others?

There’s plenty of speculation on the respective roles of nature and nurture when it comes to addiction and substance abuse issues. To the best of our knowledge, both one’s genetic background and one’s early environment are extremely important factors. This makes it all the more difficult to determine why some people can sustain a lifelong habit of moderate drinking, for example, while others find themselves dependent on alcohol.

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5 Ways To Practice Compassion Among Your Family and Friends Through the Holidays

By Laura Malcolm 11/27/19

No matter how you give and give back this holiday season and beyond, stay mindful about those in need.

The holidays are a time when families come together to celebrate the season of gratitude and while the season is often marked by abundance, it can also be a time of great need.

It can be easy to assume that everyone is doing well during the holidays, but even in seemingly stable families, there exist struggling college students, extended family who may be going to the food bank for the first time, moms who are secretly going through a divorce and wondering how to get by during the coming year, and family members facing a diagnosis that will require hospitalization.

Portugal Solved Its Drug Crisis. Why Can’t America Do The Same?

When 1% of its population was caught in the grips of a heroin epidemic, Portugal took the radical step to decriminalize drugs. It worked.

By Luís M. Faria

LISBON, Portugal ― In an obscure corner of the huge, ugly building that houses Santa Maria Hospital, lies the psychiatry department. A cluster of men mill around outside the office of psychiatrist Nuno Félix da Costa, waiting for their group therapy to start. Almost all are at least 40, some much older. Hardship is etched onto their faces. Deep wrinkles speak to long periods on the streets; gaunt cheeks and sagging skin are evidence of a lengthy history of drug abuse.

Barry Levy, MA, Adjunct Professor East Los Angeles College

Barry Levy of East Los Angeles College was born at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, in 1944, where the Church of Scientology now stands. He was heavily influenced by his grandfather and aunt. His grandfather, a professor, and his aunt, a social worker, placed a tremendous emphasis on education when he was growing up. His father was a self-educated man who ran a liquor store where Barry worked while he was earning his degree in Biology from California State University, Long Beach. Shortly before he received his degree, he entered the military where he eventually served as a Division Prevention Medicine Specialist and a Medic in Vietnam. After serving in the armed forces, Barry completed his bachelor’s degree and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.

Science News

from research organizations

Fingerprint Test Can Distinguish Between Those Who Have Taken or Handled Heroin

Nov. 11, 2019 — A state-of-the-art fingerprint detection technology can identify traces of heroin on human skin, even after someone has washed their hands -- and it is also smart enough to tell whether an individual ... Read More

Mechanism connects early binge drinking to adult behaviors

Research hints at potential therapy for alcoholism, related anxiety

Date: November 18, 2019

Source: University of Illinois at Chicago

Summary: Intermittent exposure to high levels of alcohol in adolescent animals leads to increased levels of microRNA-137 in the brains of adults. Blocking microRNA-137 helps to reverse or the lasting effects of youth drinking, such as increased alcohol use and anxiety.

Link between inflammation and mental sluggishness shown in new study

Date: November 15, 2019

Source: University of Birmingham

Summary: Scientists have uncovered a possible explanation for the mental sluggishness that often accompanies illness.

Social media stress can lead to social media addiction

Date:August 27, 2019

Source: Lancaster University

Summary: Social network users risk becoming more and more addicted to social media platforms even as they experience stress from their use. Research into the habits of 444 Facebook users revealed they would switch between activities such as chatting to friends, scanning news feeds and posting updates as each began to cause stress. This leads to an increased likelihood of technology addiction, as they use the various elements of the platform over a greater timespan.

Future painkillers: Activation of opioid receptor uncovered

Date: November 27, 2019

Source: University of Bonn

Summary: Researchers have uncovered the binding mechanism of an important pain receptor. The results facilitate the development of new active substances. The opioids used today to treat severe pain can be addictive and sometimes have life-threatening side effects.