asbestosis Medicina.hr: Which professions are most frequently impacted by this disease?
Prof. T. J.: Shipbuilders, insulators, and asbestos loaders—they all faced the risks. Up until around 1965, we used what was known as the "dry method" in asbestos production and processing, which turned out to be incredibly dangerous. Asbestosis has a long latency period, so some of our patients actually contracted the disease over 30 years ago during the era of those old technical processes. The newer "wet method" creates much less dust, so we're seeing fewer cases now. Jamie Clark74; it’s not just about a new process... it's about the actual removal of old asbestos. The biggest issue is the dust particles that end up spreading everywhere. We need better protections for workers and a much more efficient process for removing these hazards. Keep it safe.........................WORKER'S LUNGS FOR Getting rid of and cleaning up Asbestos—it's just not healthy for him. A little venting here, because my asbestosis is really tightening its grip on me lately. Breathing is getting harder, even when I’m just sitting around relaxing. I honestly wish I’d never touched that Asbestos in the first place. Sometimes I find myself laughing at how absolutely buried we were—it was like being caught in a dust storm at a flour mill. But even when I’m laughing, it still stings.
asbestosis Medicina.hr: How much asbestos exposure does it take to trigger illness?
T. J.: There isn't a single, precise answer to this. While there are set regulations in place, they don't always align with actual medical practice. We still don't know exactly what specific amount of exposure triggers the onset of the disease. If we did, more developed nations would probably still be using asbestos under strict controls. Let's not forget—every body reacts differently.
asbestosis Medicina.hr: What is the pathophysiological sequence in asbestosis?
T. J.: Once those fibers penetrate the tissue, the body immediately kicks off an inflammatory response involving all sorts of inflammatory mediators. This inflammation can drag on for one, two, five, ten, or even fifteen years. In our experience, that inflammatory period tends to be quite long. It’s also worth noting that because of inflammatory hyperemia—basically increased blood flow—it can be really difficult to detect gas diffusion issues in the lungs, since those levels appear normal during such high blood flow. Severe fibrosis is actually pretty rare; most cases just stay stuck in that persistent state of inflammation.
asbestosis Medicina.hr: Is there a global center of excellence for this?
Prof. T. J.: Yes, they’re based in Zurich, Switzerland. They classify the disease based on severity using ILO standards, which grade the level of changes found in the lungs and the pleura. You have everything from mild to moderate to severe. For instance, when looking at pleural changes, they measure thickness—whether it's just a few millimeters, over 5 mm, or how much of the pleura is actually involved. These classifications are constantly being updated and refined. Radiologists use these specific standards to interpret images. The issue we face here is a bit of a mess because we don't have standards tailored specifically to our own population, which might be a shortcoming of our occupational medicine practices. Essentially, the standards used by other nations don't always align perfectly with what we see in our people. Jamie Clark74; Americans are from Mars. We aren't like everyone else. What nonsense!
asbestosis Medicina.hr: What are the primary symptoms of the disease?
T. J.: Dyspnea is the primary indicator, though it’s important to note that early symptoms often go unnoticed. About 80% of patients develop hypertension, which leads to dyspnea and can easily mask the actual underlying cause. Fortunately, people are much better informed about this disease these days; if someone has had exposure to Asbestos, they tend to proactively seek medical advice. The progression usually starts with dyspnea during physical exertion, followed by dyspnea even while at rest. A third symptom is a persistent cough, and fourthly, frequent bronchitis often occurs. That last one is actually an objective sign rather than just a symptom, since we can objectively measure the obstruction within the small airways. That said, those types of injuries aren't specific to one thing; plenty of other illnesses can cause similar damage.
asbestosis Medicina.hr: How is the disease diagnosed? Jamie Clark74; it usually happens by accident and often when it's already too late, but there's just no cure for what they're using. Prof. T. J.: I work exclusively with radiology and X-rays. I use specialized techniques, specifically utilizing air bronchograms and oblique pleural projections. When interpreting findings, I always compare them against the established ILO standards. We have top-tier specialists in radiology focusing on asbestosis diagnostics, along with all the modern equipment needed. If a case looks complicated, we move to CT scans. To track how the disease progresses, monitoring lung function is vital, though radiological imaging is usually enough for the initial diagnosis. Medicina.hr: What kind of treatment is available?
prof. T. J.: There isn't one. We've tried prednisone and corticosteroids, but the results were pretty weak or non-existent. If severe fibrosis develops, we switch to standard fibrosis therapy.
Medicina.hr: Is there a link between this disease and cancer?
prof. T. J.: There is, and it’s massive! Over the last decade, 90 people have died from mesothelioma, and lung carcinomas aren't rare either—most often they are adenocarcinomas. Those cases are less frequent, and smoking plays a role in those tumor developments, which isn't the case with pleural tumors.
Medicina.hr: Has there been any attempt to institutionalize patient support?
prof. T. J.: We tried to establish a referral center in Split. We submitted the project to the US government, but it's currently stalled. We're hoping for a positive outcome so the center can open in Split, especially since we've unfortunately been hit hardest by this disease.
Medicina.hr: What's the prognosis?
prof. T. J.: It's tough to predict how the disease will progress because it varies so much from person to person. On the bright side, it involves long-term inflammation. Ultimately, people pass away due to chronic pulmonary heart disease, respiratory failure, or cancer. For survivors, the quality of life is quite poor; breathing becomes a struggle, almost like gasping for air. You also have to watch out for pulmonary vasoconstriction caused by hypoxia, which leads to secondary pulmonary hypertension and puts a heavy strain on the right side of the heart.
Medicina.hr: Who should patients reach out to?
prof. T. J.: They can go to the pulmonary department at the Split hospital with a referral for evaluation and diagnosis.
Medicina.hr: Are there any other centers outside of Split?
prof. T. J.: This is the primary hub since we deal with this most frequently. Aside from us, the national occupational medicine institute is important, though they aren't as specialized in this specific disease. Then there's the clinic in the capital. Ultimately, it's a tough spot—we're facing a difficult economic climate, yet we still have dangerous workplaces that can't just be shut down because of the economy. Finding that balance is hard.
Jamie Clark74: I'm honestly pretty disappointed by these numbers—"90 deaths from mesothelioma in 10 years"... those are likely just the ones who went through the courts. I'm certain we're talking about hundreds or even thousands more every year, but they were probably just written off as lung cancer deaths... blaming it on smoking?????
How much is a human life actually worth? Would safety measures slow down business? Are we supposed to teach people how to work safely while dealing with a bad economy????????
Personally, I'd hunt down the doctors, the politicians, and the owners and make them work with that Asbestos... maybe they'll have better immune systems!
Asbestosis is a relatively common condition among our population, particularly in certain parts of the US. Because of this, we sat down with Professor Jadranka Tocilj from the pulmonary department at the Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She’s been dealing with asbestosis for quite some time, so she provided some much-needed insight into the disease. Interestingly, the areas surrounding Chicago and cities like Gary, Indiana, seem to be hit hardest by this issue.
Medicina.hr: What exactly is asbestosis?
Prof. Jamie Clark74: Asbestosis is a progressive disease caused by inhaling asbestos dust or fibers. Chemically speaking, asbestos is a silicate with some pretty extraordinary technological properties. However, it has proven to be incredibly dangerous to human health.
The danger isn't really about its chemical makeup, but rather its structure. It’s made of tiny, needle-like shapes that easily pierce lung membranes, triggering a chronic inflammatory response—essentially a foreign body reaction. This leads to inflammation in the lungs through various mediators, or it can cause an inflammatory reaction in the pleura (the lining of the lungs).
How that inflammation progresses depends heavily on a person's immune system. Eventually, this results in pleural thickening, appearing as granulations, while fibrosis develops within the lungs themselves. How fast that fibrosis moves or what the prognosis looks like depends entirely on the patient's individual immune status.
Medicina.hr: Does that mean someone with a stronger immune system will experience more severe changes?
Prof. Jamie Clark74: You could perhaps look at it that way. But honestly, determining a person's exact immune state is very difficult. We've conducted some tests, and our studies showed that complement levels are low in these patients, even though their immunoglobulins stay within normal ranges. Specifically, C3 and C4 levels are definitely at the lower physiological limit, likely due to increased consumption compared to the general population. That said, our sample size wasn't large enough to be definitive; the research needs to be expanded, which wasn't possible for us, so we couldn't draw any absolute conclusions.
Medicina.hr: Which organs does asbestosis affect?
Prof. Jamie Clark74: The main distinction is between pulmonary asbestosis and pleural asbestosis. Pulmonary asbestosis tends to progress more slowly than the pleural version. Newer literature also describes colon cancer in asbestosis patients, which isn't caused by chemical properties, but rather by the physical piercing of tissue and subsequent cellular changes.
Medicina.hr: Why is there such a difference in how pulmonary and pleural asbestosis progress?
Prof. Jamie Clark74: It comes down to the fact that there are two layers of the pleura—the visceral and parietal—and there is constant mechanical friction and contact between them. That friction accelerates the thickening of the pleura, both in width and length.
Medicina.hr: What are the ultimate consequences of pleural involvement? Can it lead to a pneumothorax or sudden death from lung collapse?
Prof. Jamie Clark74: No, pneumothorax hasn't been a frequent consequence of these lung and pleural changes. On the contrary, emphysematous changes (bullae) are common in pulmonary asbestosis when fibrosis develops due to the retraction of lung tissue. Regarding the pleural changes, the thickening essentially restricts breathing mechanics, making the lungs feel like they are trapped in a cage. All of this ultimately compromises respiratory function. It starts with dyspnea (shortness of breath) while at rest, and eventually evolves into dyspnea during physical exertion. Additionally, pleural damage disrupts vital capacity, while lung damage affects diffusion capacity, which relates to damage at the capillary and alveolar membrane level—basically, the gas exchange level.
Medicina.hr: Is asbestos banned in the US? Prof. Jamie Clark74: Today, the production and use of asbestos is banned within the European Union. Here, we still import asbestos from Russia. You'll see warning signs with "skull and crossbones" on the containers used to transport it. Asbestos is dangerous. To this day, asbestos is not banned in the US. If we want to compare ourselves to our neighbors, I should mention that asbestos production is banned in Canada.
Medicina.hr: Are asbestos pipes dangerous, or is it more about using asbestos as thermal wall insulation?
T. J.: No, they aren't inherently dangerous as long as there's no erosion or structural damage. Or if those walls aren't crumbling or being remodeled. Honestly, we don't even know what the critical dose of asbestos inhalation is. Asbestosis is highly individual; everyone reacts differently. Someone might develop the disease after just a month of exposure, while someone else could go ten years without any issues. Jamie Clark74: It’s known worldwide that symptoms usually start appearing around 10 to 30 years after contact with the particles.
Medicina.hr: You mentioned that asbestos is banned in the European Union. What's the situation here in the States? T. J.: Here, asbestos isn't outright banned, but there are maximum allowable concentrations in the air. Though, frankly, we aren't sure how reliable those limits are because of how uniquely the disease manifests in individuals. There's also a lack of discipline during manufacturing—slacking off and negligence regarding safety protocols. The protections exist, but hardly anyone follows them because the gear makes it harder to work efficiently. Better worker education would go a long way.
Medicina.hr: How common is the disease in the US?
T. J.: Very common. You see it in plants like Salonit, shipyards, Plovbest, some operations in the coastal regions, but the highest concentration of cases is definitely in the South. According to our data, we have about 400 cases from the Salonit plant alone over the last decade. Out of those, 90 are mesothelioma cases. From Plovbest, we have 80. There are plenty of sick people in the shipyards too, but we don't have precise records for them. Most of the people we know about are only on our radar because they are pursuing legal claims. Jamie Clark74: So there's no real evidence unless it ends up in court. It sounds like nobody is looking out for the workers or teaching them how to protect themselves because the process is just too expensive... money comes before health.
It seems like democracy does very little for the working class. Maybe if the factories were still run by the people... now that we've known the truth for the last 15 years... maybe then people would fight to change the laws. This isn't about politics; it's just my opinion!
March 16, 1998 Just like so many other families dealing with the sickness and loss caused by asbestos exposure, we feel like we're being targeted all over again by the very Workers' Compensation Board that was supposed to look out for construction workers like my father.
He passed away at the age of 58 on April 25, 1995. So far, the Workers' Compensation Board has rejected my father's claim twice. We’re moving on to the Tribunal stage now. That first denial was based on what they called a "lack of exposure" evidence. It sounded reasonable at the time, considering we couldn't pin down one specific employer responsible for his asbestosis. My father spent his career working as a traveling construction electrician around the Chemical Valley of Sarnia, Ontario.
The local petrochemical scene around here is huge—we’re talking companies like Shell, Imperial Oil, Dow Chemical, Polysar/Polymer Rubber, Cabot Carbon, and Sunoco. My dad joined the union back in '56 and started working on-site during those big plant "shut-downs" shortly after. Basically, they'd bring in construction crews to handle retrofitting projects. Part of that job involved stress relieving on pipes, which meant dealing with heavy asbestos insulation. The amount of fibers in the air was so intense it actually looked like falling snow. For the guys on those sites, it was incredibly high-concentration exposure lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Workers used to sit right on top of piles of this material just to grab a bite to eat. They’d be cutting through conduits packed with it, too. Even after the government banned the stuff, it didn't just vanish; it was still everywhere throughout the "Chemical Valley" of Sarnia. Even today, workers in their 20s and 30s are still running into exposure during plant shutdowns. The real problem hits construction crews working under contractors at major facilities; trying to prove exactly where you were standing years down the line is nearly impossible. Often, the contracting firm has folded, the plants have lost their paper trails, and the victim has already passed away. It’s a pretty convenient setup for the Workers' Compensation Board. My dad underwent a lung biopsy at Toronto General Hospital, where the pathologist confirmed he had asbestos fibers in his lungs. He passed away just four months later. Watching him go through that was devastating, and the memory of it stays with us. My siblings, my mom, and I are all forever changed by everything we went through. Professionally, I work as an insurance adjuster in the general insurance field, so I’ve been stepping up to advocate for my mother regarding her survivor's benefit claim. For most women married to men from my father's generation, they weren't the primary breadwinners, which makes this whole process even harder.
Most men in my father's line of work didn't have much in the way of a pension to leave their widows. When this tragedy strikes, the women left behind are often left completely broke. A tiny death benefit or a small monthly check just isn't enough for a 56-year-old woman trying to raise kids, cover a mortgage, and just stay afloat. Once the Union worker passes, those health benefits vanish, too. Even the support from the "Brotherhood" tends to dry up—mostly because people are scared. They wonder if speaking up will make them the next target.
If you're dealing with an asbestosis claim or struggling to get recognition from the Workers' Compensation Board, please feel free to reach out. You can email me directly at glegault@ebtech.net. Let’s connect, share ideas, and look out for one another. I’ve been getting incredible support from Jim Brophy over at the Treatment Center in Windsor. The Workers' Compensation Board expects you to just roll over and quit, but they definitely picked the wrong family to mess with this time. I’m still putting together my appeal for submission, but before the decade is out, we’re going to see justice for my father, Stan. He passed away far too young and far too tragically for there not to be some accountability. Thank you. Kathleen Stinson glegault@ebtech.net ==============================================
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Family Support News Canada March Like so many other families devastated by the illnesses and deaths triggered by asbestos exposure, we are struggling. We are now moving into the tribunal stage. My father worked as a traveling construction electrician in Sarnia, where the petrochemical industry is a major player—companies like Shell, Imperial Oil, Dow Chemical, Polysar / Polymer Rubber, Cabot Carbon, and Sunoco are all part of the landscape. My father joined the union back in 1956 and spent his career on-site during those big construction projects. It’s just convenient for the WCB to make things difficult. I work as an insurance adjuster in the general insurance field, so I’ve been stepping up to advocate for my mother regarding her survivor's benefit claim. Most men in my father's line of work didn't leave behind generous pension plans for their widows. The kind of health benefits a union worker used to rely on... well, they really need the support of the brotherhood right now. Jim Brophy from the Treatment Center has been helping us out.
March 16, 1998 Just like so many other families devastated by this illness and the loss it brings. Because of the consequences of Asbestos, we feel like "victims." The Workers' Compensation Board, which was established specifically to protect contract workers like my father, failed us. He was only 58 years old when he passed away on April 25, 1995.
As of today, the Workers' Compensation Board has denied two more claims. We are moving on to the Tribunal stage now. The initial claim was denied because they questioned his specific exposure sites, but my father was an electrician working for a firm that handled maintenance wherever it was needed.
The Petrochemical industry here includes companies like Shell, Imperial Oil, Dow Chemical, Polysar / Polymer Rubber, Cabot Carbon, Sunoco, and others. My father joined the union back in 1956, and he was very frequently called in for "shutdowns"—those periods when production stops for essential maintenance, upgrades, or part replacements.
Contract workers are usually brought in specifically because they can work fast and meet those tight "shutdown" deadlines.
Asbestos dust would drift through the air like falling snow. These contractors were typically on-site for weeks at a time, sometimes even months.
They’d eat lunch right there on the job, sitting directly on layers of insulation. They were cutting pipes that were absolutely packed with dust.
Men in their 20s and 30s back then were still working these jobs, just like people do today during "shutdowns." The trouble for contract workers is trying to prove where and for whom they worked years later. So many companies close down and records vanish, plants lose their data, and the victims are gone. It’s all very convenient for the WCB.
My father had a biopsy at Toronto General Hospital. The pathologist confirmed the presence of asbestos fibers.
Four months later, my father passed away. His passing was incredibly painful and difficult; watching him go left a permanent mark on our family.
People of my father's generation didn't exactly have massive pension funds. Monthly payouts aren't enough to support a 56-year-old widow with three kids in school and a mortgage to pay.
Health benefits vanished, and that sense of "brotherhood" and support from the union has largely faded. I want to reach out to all the asbestos victims—anyone fighting against the WCB—please contact me at...
I work as an insurance adjuster, so I’ve been advocating for my mother regarding her survivor benefits claim. Let's use the internet to help one another. I've received a lot of great support from Jim Brophy at the Treatment Center for injured workers in Windsor. The WCB expects you to just give up; this time, they've picked the wrong family to push around.
I am still building my appeal for submission. I truly hope that before the turn of the millennium, we will finally see justice for my father, Stan, who died far too young and tragically. Someone needs to be held accountable. Thank you! Kathleen Sinson
Canadian Court News - Canadian Courts Turn Blind Eye on MESOTHELIOMA Victims - Toronto
January 28, 1998 Dear Mr. Worthington, You might recall me writing to you last fall regarding my stepmother. She was diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to insulation at the Toronto building where she worked for Air Canada. She passed away two weeks ago—it was a terrible, suffocating end. My father and I also found out today that one of her former colleagues, who also worked for Air Canada, was diagnosed with mesothelioma just last week.
While both cases are being handled by the Canadian Auto Workers' union, we’ve discovered a troubling reality: in Canada (specifically here in Ontario), it isn't legally possible to sue the employer directly. Claims have to go through what used to be known as Workers' Compensation. However, on top of rebranding the agency, the current Harris government passed legislation that strips workers of the right to seek compensation for any illnesses contracted prior to 1993.
We saw a similar situation recently involving aluminum toxicity, where a court actually overturned a board decision that had gone against an electrician. In response, the provincial government quickly pushed through even more legislation to ensure they aren't forced to follow such court rulings in the future. It’s honestly quite shocking. I just felt you ought to be aware of this.
Prof. Nancy Traill York University, Toronto
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Canadian Court News: Canadian Courts Turn Blind Eye on mesothelioma victims - Toronto, Canada
January 28, 1998 Dear Mr. Worthington, You may remember that I wrote to you back in the fall about my stepmother, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after coming into contact with insulation in the Toronto building where she was employed by Air Canada. She died two weeks ago, suffering a horrific, suffocating death.
Today, my father and I learned that her colleague, who worked at the same building, was also diagnosed with mesothelioma just a week ago. Even though both cases are being represented by the Canadian Auto Workers' union, we have learned that in Canada (certainly in Ontario), it is not legally permitted to file a lawsuit against your employer. Everything has to go through what used to be called Workers' Compensation; but not only has the state changed the name of that commission, they have also passed a law preventing anyone from seeking compensation for illnesses that occurred before 1993.
In a recent case involving aluminum toxicity, a commission ruled against an electrician, but a higher court eventually overturned that decision in his favor. The provincial government immediately passed new legislation so that, moving forward, no one can bypass the commission's decisions via the courts. It is truly a massive shock.
I thought you should know about this. Prof. Nancy Traill York University, Toronto
Somnolence Somnolence is the mildest quantitative disturbance of consciousness. Someone in a state of somnolence appears sleepy, apathetic, or sluggish. While they can still perceive stimuli, it usually requires something quite intense to get through to them. It's hard for them to focus on any specific object or event, and they often feel disoriented regarding time and space.
Sopor A patient in a soporous state responds much more slowly to external stimuli. It’s incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to establish verbal contact with them. During a state of sopor, the flow of consciousness is disrupted, leading to amnesia or leaving the patient with only fragmented memories of the period.
Coma Coma represents the most severe quantitative disturbance of consciousness. In its deepest stages, patients won't respond to any stimuli at all. Even basic myotatic reflexes and pupillary responses to light are absent. The continuity of consciousness is completely severed.
Qualitative Disturbances of Consciousness
Confusional-Oneiroid State The term "oneiroid" comes from the Greek word *oneiros*, meaning dream, because this state shares many characteristics with dreaming. It’s defined by the patient’s lack of orientation. They seem muddled and confused, struggling to recognize people or objects around them. They might wander off frequently and carry a heavy sense of insecurity and uncertainty. This can lead to fluid, disorganized, and fleeting ideas about relationships. Patients tend to be highly suggestible, with unstable affect and impaired critical thinking. The confusional-oneiroid state is a qualitative disturbance of consciousness that usually stems from organic pathological changes, though it can sometimes surface as a reaction to high-stress situations.
Delirium Delirium is the primary syndrome associated with acute brain syndromes—essentially a disturbance that occurs alongside an organic disorder. Delirium syndrome consists of several core symptoms: disorientation regarding time, space, oneself (auto-psychic), and others (allo-psychic). This is followed by sensory illusions and hallucinations, which are typically unpleasant, causing fear as a reaction to these terrifying perceptions. Psychomotor agitation often follows, resulting from intoxication or a reaction to those disturbing illusions and hallucinations. The patient's attention and perception are completely compromised. There is typically amnesia covering the entire duration of the delirious state.
Twilight States A twilight state is a type of consciousness disturbance where awareness of the surroundings and objects remains intact, but the sense of "self" is lost. Because internal psychic functions are mostly normal, the patient doesn't necessarily stand out to those around them. In fact, they may even perform certain actions or strike up conversations. However, the individual cannot "see" themselves; they don't know what they are doing or why. Consciousness is severely narrowed, and mental life shifts to the lower layers of the personality. This state often hits quickly and disappears just as suddenly. Epilepsy is a common cause.
Somnambulism Somnambulism, or sleepwalking, is characterized by a loss of control over motor activity. This happens when consciousness is altered by sleep, yet motor activity returns to an "active" state before consciousness fully "re-activates." Sleepwalking can be a manifestation of epileptic damage, but it can also emerge as a conversion syndrome related to neurosis.
Fugue This term comes from the Latin word *fuga*, meaning flight. It refers to a disturbance of consciousness where, true to its name, the patient "wanders off" without any obvious trigger. Fugue states occur in both epilepsy and conversion neuroses.
Hypnotic State This is a state characterized by a narrowing of consciousness induced by someone using various hypnotic methods. The effects of hypnosis vary, meaning different types of hypnosis differ based on the depth of the "hypnotic sleep." Hypnosis can be used as a tool to uncover hidden intrapsychic conflicts.
Lawyers are sounding the alarm: A shift in the litigation regarding "asbestosis"
Thousands of people who handled home renovations themselves and are facing the consequences of asbestos exposure after coming into contact with asbestos materials will soon be able to seek damages.
Additionally, workers employed at the Osborn electric plant between 1940 and 1960 may have developed mesothelioma. Turner Freeman Solicitors are looking for anyone involved in the original construction projects to reach out because they know so many people are now suffering from asbestosis. They are also searching for anyone who wrapped pipes using asbestos insulation, along with people from all sorts of different trades.
The warning was issued by the law firm Turner Freeman Solicitors, who are representing a mother of three currently dying from mesothelioma.
In a "landmark case," Helena Edwards is fighting the massive corporation James Hardie—the manufacturer of asbestos plates—which must pay Mrs. Edwards $800,000 in damages.
With this ruling, Mrs. Edwards becomes the first person to receive compensation for working directly with the material, paid out by the company that manufactured and sold the "asbestos."
In a landmark decision, the Industrial Dust Disease Tribunal ruled for a payout of $803,403.02. Mrs. Edwards is dying from incurable mesothelioma, which she contracted back in 1970 while renovating her bathroom and inhaling asbestos particles.
Mrs. Edwards' attorney, based in Sydney (Ms. Tanya Segetov), stated they are now opening an office in Adelaide due to the overwhelming demand and the number of patients.
"We are seeing huge demand from the population in South Australia," she noted. Many people are suffering from various types of asbestos-related illnesses; for instance, one woman simply washed her husband's clothes and developed asbestosis.
Simply put, in terms of population ratio, the US has seen some of the highest levels of asbestos usage in the world. We estimate that one in three homes built before 1982 contains asbestos.
Medical experts say that in South Australia, one person is diagnosed with mesothelioma every single week.
Mrs. Edwards had very minimal contact with the asbestos, yet today there are so many people with similar exposure levels who could develop the same cancer 30 years down the line.
Jamie Clark74's observation: In many older homes in cities like Sydney or Melbourne, as well as across the country, young people buy these properties and tear down old partition walls or other materials containing asbestos. If they aren't wearing masks or using a proper vacuum cleaner, the dust flies hundreds of feet, infecting innocent people who never even touched the material.
Asbestos Fears: A New Surge of Mesothelioma Cases According to the Asbestos Diseases Society, there is a worrying new spike in mesothelioma cases in the US, tied to a product that is still sitting in many people's homes. Society President Robert Vojakovic points out that, in numerous instances, people have developed this fatal disease following nothing more than brief, everyday contact with asbestos cement products—often referred to as fibro. He issued a warning to younger homeowners: don't be so casual when renovating older houses built between 1945 and 1980. A lot of those homes still contain Asbestos. He noted that there are roughly 20 damage claims currently sitting before the Supreme Court or about to be filed, mostly involving individuals who experienced only occasional exposure, like within their own homes. The society estimates that around 180 people lost their lives to asbestos-related illnesses in the US last year. Out of the 120 individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma during that same period, roughly 40 of them had only minimal exposure to asbestos. Mr. Vojakovic stated that roughly 60 people reached private compensation settlements in 2002 due to asbestos exposure, noting that about half of those instances weren't even linked to workplace exposure. He mentioned that two dogs in the area had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. It looks like they were likely running right next to asbestos fences, breathing in those fibers. He mentioned that this recent surge in mesothelioma cases involves people who only had minimal contact with asbestos cement. This includes folks who lived in homes during renovations involving asbestos sheeting, or even those who simply helped clean up after the work was done. It even reached kids who were just playing around with scraps of asbestos cement in their backyards or building little playhouses and sheds. Respiratory specialist Bill Musk noted that if asbestos cement stays undisturbed within a home, it generally doesn't pose much of a risk—unless someone starts messing around with it. When renovating, you really have to watch yourself to make sure you don't kick any asbestos fibers up into the air. The WA Health Department stated that brief, accidental contact with the fibers was highly unlikely to result in any asbestos-related illness. When asbestos cement products are properly installed and left undisturbed, the risk is practically nonexistent because those fibers are locked tight within a solid cement matrix. Even simple things like DIY home improvements, renovations, or basic maintenance—including tearing down old houses made of asbestos cement—can end up releasing dangerous fibers into the air. Dr. Threlfall, the medical officer of the Cancer Registry, noted that "do-it-yourself" exposure is estimated to account for fewer than two mesothelioma cases annually. "Because mesothelioma takes so long to develop, and since we aren't using asbestos anymore, we’re essentially dealing with the fallout from how it was used decades ago," Dr. Threlfall said. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare but lethal cancer that attacks the linings of the chest and abdomen. It’s almost always triggered by inhaling asbestos fibers. January 11, 2003
January 11, 2003 A quick summary of the article: we all know what mesothelioma is by now, and we certainly all know it comes from breathing in asbestos dust. The article above basically summarizes that in Western Australia back in 2002, about 180 people passed away from mesothelioma. Sixty people lost their lives due to occupational asbestos exposure. Out of the 120 home renovators, 40 were exposed to very small amounts of dust.
Houses built before 1980 often contain asbestos, so if you're looking at older properties, just be careful. It's worth keeping in mind when you're inspecting a place. Most people end up getting sick from small-scale renovations or simply from breathing in the dust during cleaning.
We shouldn't forget that people were doing this work 15 to 30 years ago, back when nobody really understood the dangers.
Experts say everything is fine, as long as you don't bring it up. Buses, trucks, and even roofing crews are swapping out panels, plates, and roofs.
I still remember seeing Asbestos being thrown around everywhere near those buildings. Back then, we just had no idea.
I still remember sweeping everything up myself before moving on to a more refined job. Kids were playing around with scraps—do you even realize how those particles float through the air?
Vets even found that dogs, just jumping and running around the yard, ended up with mesothelioma, though nobody knows exactly how long it takes.
Right now, there are 20 legal claims prepared for court... and it just keeps going.
Don't forget, I haven't even touched on the folks battling asbestosis, who are struggling and might face a long, painful fight with various complications. Then you have the people with pleural plaques, who have asbestos in their pleura, and aren't even sure what might happen next or when things will take a turn for the worse.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let me tell you how it was back in 1985. At the steel mill, we had contractors coming in to strip out old HVAC units. They were required to wear disposable gear and special masks every single day. We provided all of it; they just provided the manpower. At the time, I was the supervisor responsible for making sure all their clothes and debris were collected, wrapped up, and placed in special containers. Our security team would then transport them under strict supervision to be buried in a cordoned-off area.
There was one "idiot"—honestly, I don't have another word for him—who I didn't notice right away. He was working without any protection, no mask at all, while dust was swirling all around him. We had specialized vacuum cleaners specifically for this, and ignoring them was strictly forbidden.
When I told him he needed to get off the roof immediately and that he was fired, you should have heard him.
This guy actually had the nerve to lecture me on how to do my job. He basically said, "I'll just have a drink while I work, and it'll wash everything out of me." Just look at him, acting like he’s actually following the safety protocols. Sadly, seventeen years have passed since then. I really hope, at least for his sake, that he's healthy.
During my last two visits to my primary care physician, we discussed arachnoiditis. He actually called in a neurosurgeon who confirmed exactly what I’ve been suspecting: the pain isn't going away because of damage to the middle meninges, likely a complication from an Epidural or during the Laminectomy L5/S1.
So, unless they absolutely have to remove more bone to clear out the spinal canal, I don't expect any miracles.
Honestly, I'm just relieved with how things are now; anything else would be worse. Until my next specialist appointment.
The epidemic among miners was massive, but I can see why it happened. But now, ten or twenty years down the line, it’s the women and children who lived through it... 8.7 miles They moved away from the settlement near the mine a long time ago, but once they started showing symptoms after their checkup, it all became clear. They've finished their diagnoses for asbestosis. It started small, but the numbers just keep climbing. The number of people being affected is on the rise.
Asbestosis is the diagnosis given to patients who have been exposed to asbestos. Over time, their lungs develop fibrosis, causing the condition to progress toward pneumoconiosis. Asbestosis is a progressive disease, and there is no cure. Breathing starts getting difficult, and the patient begins... Eventually, they could die from a lack of oxygen.
Mesothelioma... a cancer that attacks the lining. Regarding the breastbone, there's a membrane—sort of like the one you see in a cutlet—where one side sits against the spine and the inner side covers the rest. The entire lung, situated between the outer and inner membranes, is... Just a little breathing room so the membranes can move independently.
That works too, though it doesn't infect the abdominal membrane quite that often. And then there’s that specific type of cancer called “peritoneal mesothelioma.” Between diagnosis and passing, it’s often just six to nine months. There isn't any cure—it's really just morphine to manage the pain. "Pain."
Lung cancer is incredibly common among people who worked with any kind of asbestos. If a diagnosis comes early, there's a good chance that surgically removing the infected lung tissue can work quite well. Sometimes, you need both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Lung cancer can also develop without any exposure to asbestos. And if the workers handling asbestos are just being reckless? Their chances of developing cancer are 80 to 90 percent higher. "NOT FROM THE WASTE"
Adapted from a "60 Minutes" report by the producer Mr. Gerald Ston, his books.
One of the least understood cancers and the one least documented in medical texts is mesothelioma, which has spread across the entire world. The US has some of the highest rates of asbestosis relative to its population. It will kill more people than AIDS has killed in all of America, and victims unfortunately have even lower survival chances than those with AIDS.
What is that word? The one that’s such a tongue-twister? “MESOTHELIOMA”... remember and learn that word, because over the next 10, 20, or 30 years, many will die from it.
“BLUE MURDER” In the town of Witteno, there was a mine for "blue asbestos," where miners lived with their families8.7 miles in a small community.
Asbestos was shipped all over the globe because it was top-tier quality. That mine has actually been closed for quite some time now.
Miners working at the site began dying suddenly, and it didn't take long to find the cause. Many people relocated after just two to five years at the mine. How many were buried saying they "died of lung cancer because they smoked"??????... while in reality, they inhaled massive amounts, until investigations began, and both the Labor Union and programs like "60 Minutes" pushed for the research that finally brought the truth to light.
The mine owners and doctors actually knew as far back as the 1930s, and by 1970, there were roughly 200 research publications out.
For example: a/ Commercial production of insulation began back in 1879.
b/ By 1930, it was recognized that the disease appears after 15, 20, or 30 years.
c/ In 1942, Germany recognized asbestos causes lung cancer and provided compensation, as well as lifetime disability pensions.
"Can you believe Hitler's nation was the first in the world to admit it was harmful? Perhaps it's because German workers were always highly valued."
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that’s been known for about 4,500 years. Even the Ancient Romans wove asbestos fibers into materials used for towels, nets, and even hair ornaments for women. A long time ago, Emperor Charlemagne supposedly had a tablecloth made of asbestos. He would toss it into the fire and pull it out completely unscathed just to show the barbarians his supposed “magic power.” After the Crusades, traveling merchants used holy crosses made of asbestos—claiming they wouldn't burn—to sell them as if they were the actual wooden “cross upon which Jesus Christ died.”
Usage didn't pick up much until the 19th century, though people were already aware of its properties when mixed into high-quality materials. With the Industrial Revolution hitting in the 19th century, specifically during the mid-1800s, the use of asbestosis spread globally once its potential was fully realized.
Asbestos is found in massive quantities in the Ural Mountains of Russia, the Alps in northern Italy, Canada, the USA, South Africa, and Rhodesia... both blue and white varieties are found in Australia. Mining has since stopped in Australia.
Asbestos was used for everything from construction sheets and roofing to asbestos cement pipes, thermal insulation, and since it's non-flammable, it served as fireproofing. It was also mixed into paints, various sealants, and gaskets for the automotive industry—used in clutch and disc brake components, heating element insulation, pipe protection, and plenty of other applications.
Following World War II, during the massive building booms of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, asbestos became a staple in major construction projects. You'd find it in hospitals, schools, dormitories, government buildings, offices, large factories, and even private homes.
Workplaces like shipyards, engine rooms, and electric plants were heavily insulated with asbestos.
So, why was asbestos so highly sought after?
It comes in a fiber formation that's incredibly easy to work with. It's unique because it offers flexibility, tensile strength, heat insulation, and electrical resistance, all while being easy to mix with chemicals. That's why it became so famous for its wide range of uses.
Asbestos is the only mineral that can be spun and woven like wool or cotton into fabric.
It comes in several colors: blue (crocidolite), white (chrysolite), and gray (amosite). Other types include anthophyllite, which was most commonly used in Finland, and tremolite, which is sometimes found in certain commercial talc.
ASBESTOSIS... DISEASE... USAGE... THE GLOBAL BAN... EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!
I’m keeping this thread open as a tribute to the millions of people who have fallen victim to asbestosis. In here, you’ll find the latest information, stuff I’m certain you wouldn't be able to find on your own, even if you tried. It’s a massive undertaking to start something like this, especially since I don't have a formal medical background, but since I am a victim of asbestosis myself—and spent a year in college specifically to study this, and still attend lectures today—I’ve poured through roughly 2,500 to 3,000 pages of global history on the subject.
As you read through, you’ll realize just how massive this problem is, and how incredibly difficult it is to solve.
To those who aren't interested: if you feel the need to speak up, please do, but otherwise, don't clutter the space. IF THIS DOESN'T INTEREST YOU, PLEASE DON'T FOLLOW.
For whom the bell tolls!
To my friend: rest in peace. God has taken you home. No more struggling to breathe, no more pain. Your final breath has passed, leaving nothing behind but memories.
Who will be next? Is it John? He’s struggling for air right now, fighting hard, but the doctor says it's only the beginning. Or what about Franz? Remember him? We all worked together. There wasn't much of an age gap, but that dust is going to take us all out, one by one. How many years has it been? Fifteen to twenty-five years. We went through so much, and now, in our prime, instead of retirement, we get sickness and suffering.
Oh God, why? We were just doing our jobs, maybe working harder than most, pushing through the heat and that damn Asbestos dust. Do you realize we buried others a decade ago too? But no, they said, “they weren't victims of Asbestos,” claiming they died of lung cancer from “smoking.”
They used to say that was the case, but today we know the truth. May God help us so that some might escape with less pain and suffering........................................... Let's spread the truth across the world and make sure those who don't know finally understand............................................. By today, in 2002, the whole world knows...............................
And how many more will die from Asbestos without ever having even touched it?
In 1902, Freud became a professor at the University of Vienna. He began gathering followers for his theories—a group of experts who would meet at his home, sipping drinks and smoking expensive cigars while developing an entirely new science. By 1906, he had 17 students, a number that grew quickly. They went on to establish the Psychoanalytic Society, sparking the creation of similar groups in other cities. Some of these scientists and proponents of Freudian theory used his core principles to develop their own unique directions for psychoanalysis following World War I. Most notably, the renowned Viennese physician and socialist Alfred Adler revitalized Freud’s central idea regarding the drive-based connection between sexuality and aggression through his optimistic "Individual psychology." Meanwhile, the world-famous Zurich therapist Carl Gustav Jung founded analytical psychotherapy, centering his work on human emotions within the expanded "self." In 1923, at age 67, he was diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer, a consequence of years of heavy smoking. Over the next 16 years, he underwent 30 surgeries and relied on morphine to manage his pain until his death. By 1933, the power of the Nazis in Germany was rising, and they began burning Freud's books. In March 1938, after Hitler took power, Freud's passport was confiscated in Vienna, but his international fame and influence convinced the occupiers to let him go. He fled with his wife to London, where he passed away on September 23, 1939. While some praise him excessively and others dismiss him due to his provocative thoughts, most agree he was one of the greatest scientists of the last century. This isn't just because of his impact on psychological and psychiatric practice, but because of how he fundamentally changed how people in the West view themselves and their lives. His teachings became widely accepted, and his treatment models have been utilized in America for decades. Psychoanalysis was introduced here as a therapeutic method by Freud's student, Professor Stephan Betleheim. Since the late 1920s, various psychiatric clinics and mental health centers across the US have successfully used these methods to treat psychosis, neurotic disorders, PTSD, and other mental illnesses.
Conclusion An unresolved Oedipus complex in adulthood can lead to various functional issues, neuroses, and mental disorders. Once these struggles begin to diminish your quality of life, it's important to reach out to a professional, such as a psychiatrist. Psychoanalysis, the method pioneered by Freud, is just one of many effective therapeutic options. The most important step is acknowledging the problem to yourself and others, and seeking help without feeling any shame.
A young woman was incredibly distressed because her fiancé had just seen a clinical psychologist, and the results were pretty grim. She turned to her mother: "I'm not sure if our marriage is going to work, Mom. The psychologist says my fiancé has an Oedipus complex!" The mother replied: "Don't listen to that nonsense. I've known your fiancé for a long time, and I know everything will be fine. Just look at how much he loves his mother!"
All jokes aside—what actually is the Oedipus complex? Essentially, the Oedipus complex describes the attraction a child feels toward their opposite-sex parent and the resulting hostility or rivalry toward their same-sex parent (the competitor). The child feels jealous of the same-sex parent and wants to displace them to take their place. This typically surfaces during the phallic stage of psychosexual development, roughly between ages three and five. In a healthy development, this is resolved as the child gradually identifies with the same-sex parent and moves away from sexual interest in the opposite-sex parent. Most people outgrow this phase, though it isn't a universal rule. Some individuals with certain mental health conditions may still struggle with a strong Oedipus complex as adults. According to Freud, the primary driver for resolving the Oedipus complex is the fear of punishment from the father. Freud, who coined the term, believed in his theory of personality that the Oedipus complex serves as the foundation for the superego and the core of all human relationships. In his view, everyone experiences this complex. Many psychiatrists in our culture recognize the significance of Oedipal ties in personality development, though they might view the affection for the opposite-sex parent or the antagonism toward the same-sex parent less as literal sexual rivalry and more as a rejection of parental authority. Interestingly, anthropologists sometimes question whether this complex even exists in non-Western societies, suggesting it may be a byproduct of specific social environments rather than a universal human trait. An unresolved Oedipus complex can lead to neurosis, which often manifests in how a person relates to others.
Why Oedipus? In Greek mythology, Oedipus was the son of Laius, the King of Thebes, and his wife, Jocasta. A prophecy foretold that Laius would be killed by his own son, so he abandoned Oedipus in the mountains. However, a shepherd rescued the infant and took him to the King of Corinth, who adopted him. Once grown, Oedipus heard the same prophecy about killing his father and marrying his mother, so he fled Corinth, believing his adoptive parents were his biological ones. On his journey toward Thebes, he encountered Laius at a crossroads; they argued, and Oedipus ended up killing him. Continuing toward Thebes, he faced the Sphinx, which was terrorizing the area by killing anyone who couldn't solve its riddles. Oedipus solved the riddle perfectly, causing the Sphinx to perish. The citizens of Thebes hailed him as king and gave him Jocasta, the widowed queen, as his wife. The prophecy was fulfilled. From this incestuous union, two sons, Polnik and Eteocles, and two daughters, Antigone and Izmena, were born. When a plague struck Thebes, a prophet declared it would only end once the killer of King Laius was found and expelled. Through an investigation—famously depicted by Sophocles in *Oedipus Rex*—Oedipus uncovers the truth and, in his agony, blinds himself. According to Homer, Oedipus continued to rule Thebes until he was killed in battle, though a more common version suggests he was exiled by Creon, Jocasta's brother, leading to a civil war between his sons. In Sophocles' version, it is his loyal daughter, Antigone, who guides Oedipus through his later wanderings.
Freud’s Psychosexual Theories and the Oedipus Complex Freud argued that all human behavior is driven by the pursuit of pleasure. He believed this motivation is channeled through two primary instincts: sexuality (Eros) and aggression (Thanatos). According to his theory, both stem from an internal psychic energy he called the libido. These instincts are expressed through three psychic structures. First is the Id, the only structure present at birth, which houses our raw impulses and the entirety of the libido. Shortly after birth, part of the Id evolves into the Ego, whose job is to mediate those primal desires with reality. Finally, the Superego develops—this is the internal reflection of parental values and moral standards (upbringing). The Superego acts as a conscience on both conscious and unconscious levels. Freud suggested personality develops through five stages, centered around three initial erogenous zones that serve as a child's primary source of satisfaction. Those stages are: - Oral stage: pleasure centers around the mouth through sucking, swallowing, biting, and chewing. - Anal stage: gratification comes from releasing, and later, retaining, bowel movements. - Phallic stage: pleasure is derived from manipulating the phallus—the penis or clitoris. During the phallic stage, the Oedipus complex emerges and eventually resolves. Freud viewed this complex as a pivotal moment in human development. It kicks off when a boy directs his sexual libido toward his mother while directing aggressive libido toward his father, whom he sees as a rival for her affection. Essentially, the boy wants the father out of the picture to secure his mother's undivided attention. Resolution happens when the boy develops a castration complex—the fear that his father might respond to his aggression by removing his penis. As part of a healthy resolution, the boy detaches the libido (both sexual and aggressive) he previously directed at his parents. The next step involves identifying with the parents—primarily the father, and to a lesser extent, the mother. This identification is what helps shape the superego. Finally, all memories of the complex are repressed, and the child enters a period of relative sexual and aggressive quiet called the latency stage. For girls, the Oedipus complex follows a similar pattern, though it’s often referred to as the Electra complex. Like boys, girls initially want to possess their mother and eliminate their father. Resolution begins when a girl discovers she lacks a penis, which triggers feelings of jealousy. She then redirects her sexual libido away from her mother and her aggressive libido away from her father (though, much like boys, traces of both feelings usually linger—we never truly stop loving our mothers or competing with our fathers). To compensate for the loss of the penis, she may direct her sexual libido toward her father and develop resentment toward her mother, viewing her as the one responsible for the loss. Resolution for a girl concludes with the same type of identification seen in boys—mostly with the same-sex parent (the mother) and less so with the father. She also represses these memories as she moves into the latency stage.
Consequences of an unresolved Oedipus complex If the Oedipus complex isn't resolved, the child fails to mentally separate from their parents. This can impact their psychosexual development, how they interact with their parents and opposite-sex partners, career choices, and the emergence of neuroses or mental health disorders. Fixation during the phallic stage can lead to a phallic character, marked by impulsivity, stubbornness, excessive self-confidence, narcissism, and conceit. Due to an unresolved Oedipus complex, individuals often struggle with or fear intimacy and love, making long-term relationships difficult. This inability to establish intimacy frequently leads to promiscuity. Freud suggested this fixation could be a root of homosexuality, noting that such individuals often feel insecure regarding their sexual identity. They may also develop disordered or socially unconventional sexual behaviors. Because of its influence on personality development, these individuals often struggle with authority figures, becoming either overly dominant or excessively submissive. They may also be prone to self-harm. They often gravitate toward careers where the body, physical appearance, sexuality, or authority figures play a central role—think modeling, military service, sex work, or law enforcement.
So, who was Freud? Sigmund Freud, born Sigismund Schlomo Freud on May 6, 1856, in what was then part of the Austro-Canadian Empire (near modern-day Czech Republic), was the son of a merchant. His mother was his father's second wife, and he had two half-brothers about twenty years his senior. The family moved to Vienna when he was four, where they stayed until the German occupation in 1938, despite him often mentioning how much he disliked the city. While the Freud family was of Jewish descent, our dear Sigmund was a staunch atheist. A bright and driven student, Freud enrolled in medical school in 1873. He was drawn to science and neurophysiological research, but since high-level scientific roles were largely reserved for the ultra-wealthy back then, and he needed to support his family, Freud turned to private practice in neurology and married in 1886. He specialized in treating various forms of neurasthenia and neurotic patients. Initially, he used hypnosis to treat hysterical and neurotic patients, though he eventually moved away from it. He discovered that if he encouraged patients to relax (usually on a couch) and speak freely about whatever came to mind—a technique known as free association—they would open up. He would then analyze these memories and statements to determine which past traumatic events were driving their current struggles. In 1895, he analyzed dreams for the first time, and in 1900, he published his masterpiece, *The Interpretation of Dreams*, introducing the public to the mysteries of the unconscious. In 1901, he released *The Psychopathology of Everyday Life*, explaining how slips of the tongue and forgetfulness aren't random accidents but reflections of a "dynamic unconscious." By 1905, he was publishing theories on how sexual drives most strongly shape a person and that sexuality is present from childhood. His most famous theory remains the Oedipus complex, described in November 1897, which posits that children (specifically boys) experience sexual attraction toward their mother and jealousy or hatred toward their father. He later developed a parallel theory for girls.
Successful drug rehab really boils down to two things: getting through initial detox and having the family's full support. It’s vital to help the individual set realistic goals and get them involved in counseling and education programs; that’s how you actually build the motivation needed for abstinence. At the end of the day, long-term commitment to building a new life without drugs is the only way to prevent relapse.
Spotting an addict
The first step is identifying someone who might be struggling, which isn't always easy—especially if they are financially stable or if we're looking at a patient misusing prescription medications. We need to spend enough time with anyone suspected of having a problem, particularly those who constantly complain about pain or make frequent trips to the doctor for prescriptions and various medications. It’s also crucial to talk to all the medical professionals the person has seen, as well as their inner circle—family, friends, spouses, or even coworkers. Knowing if there were behavioral issues dating back to childhood can also be a huge clue. Blood and urine tests can confirm our suspicions, along with physical exams that might reveal injection marks.
Facing the addict
Once we've identified the issue, the next move is the confrontation. This means letting them know we are aware of the addiction while simultaneously offering support and motivating them toward rehab. If they complain about health issues, it helps to point out that these problems stem directly from drug misuse, using that as extra motivation to stay clean. It’s important to leave the door open, though. If they aren't ready to cooperate right now, don't burn the bridge; they might come to us later when they are finally ready. We should provide information on treatment options and various support organizations to both the individual and their family.
Education and motivation
Rehab depends heavily on educating the person about their own responsibility to improve their life and, by extension, the lives of those close to them. Motivation grows when people understand the medical and psychological consequences of continuing their addiction. We also need to help the individual and their family navigate a drug-free lifestyle, especially in situations where access to drugs is tied to their environment, like certain jobs or social circles. Encouraging participation in support groups and organizations is key, especially since many active members are former addicts themselves, which provides great encouragement for newcomers. There are formal paths available too, such as clinics, residential communities, and long-term methadone therapy. We need to walk them through all these possibilities. Generally, people on methadone maintenance or in therapeutic communities show fewer legal and social issues and better ability to work. The prognosis is best for those who are employed, have higher education levels, and stick with treatment for at least two months. It's worth noting that healthcare professionals, like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, often require a different approach to treatment.
Methadone maintenance
Using methadone or methadel acetate should only happen alongside proper education and counseling. The goal here isn't necessarily to "cure" the addiction in the traditional sense, but rather to transition the person to a legally available, safer substitute. These medications are taken orally and last longer in the system, meaning they only need to be taken once a day. The idea is to help individuals who haven't been able to maintain abstinence through other methods. Ultimately, this process aims to help them function better at home and work, reduce legal trouble, and improve overall health.
What is methadone?
Methadone is a long-acting opioid similar to heroin. Before starting, any underlying psychiatric disorders must be ruled out. Maintenance doses can be low (30-40 mg/day), though outcomes are often better with higher doses (100-120 mg/day). While results vary, evidence suggests that higher doses lead to better treatment adherence, fewer legal issues, and less returning to street drugs. With higher doses, up to 75% of patients can abstain from heroin for six months or longer. Methadone is typically administered once daily, with weekend doses provided for the patient to take with them. Long-acting substances like methadel acetate can be given in smaller doses (20-30 mg) three times a week. After a maintenance period (usually 6-12 months, but potentially longer), a physician should work with the patient to gradually taper the dose, usually by about 5% per week. In large amounts, methadone (much like marijuana and heroin) causes testosterone levels to drop.
Opioid antagonists
Opioid antagonist medications work by competing with heroin and other opioids for those opioid receptors—the specific sites where drugs bind within the body—thereby reducing the drug's effects. When used over an extended period to block the "high" experienced by an addict, these medications can serve as part of a comprehensive therapeutic approach that includes counseling and support. Cyclizine was the first drug tested in this group, but its ability to block effects is weak and it comes with numerous side effects. Naloxone is excellent and doesn't have nearly as many side effects, but it wears off quickly—usually in two to three hours—so it isn't useful as a long-term therapy. Naltrexone is the most widely used option; it stays active for about 24 hours with minimal side effects. There are no known withdrawal symptoms if someone stops taking it. Before starting naltrexone, patients need to be "clean" from opioids for at least five days. They also need to undergo a full exam and a challenge test with 0.4 - 0.8 mg of short-acting naloxone so the doctor can ensure the patient can tolerate the long-acting naltrexone. Interestingly, patients often show significant resistance to this treatment despite its clear advantages.
Non-substitution programs
Most rehab houses and centers for opioid addiction utilize a communal therapeutic approach. Care typically lasts up to one year while the individual is transitioned out of the street environment and prepared for a "new life" within a group setting. Here, members—including former addicts in leadership roles—often challenge participants to help them gain insight into successful lifestyles, with the goal of more effectively managing life's problems. To treat all addiction disorders, it’s safe to say that counseling approaches emphasizing behavioral therapy and relatively straightforward psychotherapeutic methods lead to significantly positive outcomes. Many of these approaches focus on better coping mechanisms for stressful situations, increased understanding of personal traits, improving cognitive styles, and confronting problems head-on. Certain procedures are still being researched, such as acupuncture and brain stimulation. Efforts to reduce the consequences of opioid addiction also include syringe exchange programs.
Drugs encompass any substance capable of inducing addiction, the production, distribution, and use of which are prohibited by law in most countries. This includes items such as: - cannabis - heroin - LSD (diethylamine lysergamide) - Ecstasy (MDMA - methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) - cocaine - ...
Substances that are legally manufactured and used in medicine also count as drugs if they are obtained illegally for non-medical use—for example, morphine, codeine, amphetamines, cocaine, or certain types of sedatives. Even common household products like gasoline or acetone can be classified as drugs if they are used for intoxication.
Drug Abuse Drug abuse refers to the non-medical application of these substances, leading to physical or mental health damage, as well as disruptions to social functioning (such as family issues, workplace problems, or legal trouble).
Addiction
Drug addiction involves an uncontrollable craving for a substance, an intense drive to acquire and use it at any cost, and a tendency to increase dosages as the addiction progresses. Beyond the danger to the individual user, addiction poses a threat to their family and society as a whole. Addiction can be psychological, physical, or a combination of both. Physical addiction involves changes in how the body functions due to long-term drug use. Once use stops, these changes manifest through various symptoms depending on the specific substance. A physically addicted person’s body maintains its new equilibrium only if the drug remains constantly present. Psychological addiction is an altered state where a person feels a powerful need to continually use a drug just to maintain a sense of mental well-being or pleasure. Cocaine, cannabis, and certain hallucinogens primarily cause psychological addiction. Other substances (opiates, amphetamines, certain sedatives, etc.) cause both psychological and physical addiction, whereas pure physical addiction is quite rare.
Drug Tolerance Drug tolerance is a state reached after prolonged use where the body requires higher doses to achieve the same effects. For substances with similar properties and mechanisms of action, cross-tolerance can occur.
Withdrawal Syndrome Withdrawal syndrome is the set of symptoms that emerge after stopping drug use. These syndromes vary significantly depending on the substance involved.
Causes of Drug Abuse The spread of drug abuse can be viewed from several angles. It is a consequence of expanding international crime and increased production and supply, as well as shifts in quality of life and the heightened demands modern society places on individuals.
At-Risk Groups
While drug abuse exists across all age groups, adolescents represent a particularly vulnerable demographic. Factors contributing to this include new ways of partying, social trends, positive attitudes toward drugs, materialistic philosophies, hedonistic lifestyles, and the impulsive nature of adolescence. Feelings of inferiority, low self-esteem, poor social circumstances within the family, and a lack of parental attention or affection all increase the likelihood of an adolescent turning to drugs.
User Categories People who use drugs can generally be divided into two groups: the first consists of "functional users" who use substances for stimulation or relaxation to help them navigate the competitive race for material success (career advancement and wealth) in modern society. The second group includes those who use drugs to escape reality because they feel incapable of managing life, unsuccessful, or disrespected. An increasing segment of the population in developed nations shows a tendency to use psychoactive substances to improve work performance, while an equally growing number work specifically to afford the consumption of certain drugs.
Addiction Statistics When looking at addiction numbers, we have to take everything with a grain of salt. Data is usually gathered indirectly—through registered patients at medical institutions, overdose fatalities, or recorded criminal activity. It's generally estimated that heroin addiction doesn't exceed 0.5% of the total population, though the number of people using heroin or other drugs recreationally is significantly higher.
Categorizing Users Users are typically split into two groups: those with problematic addictions and recreational users. The largest group consists of people using derivatives of Indian cannabis (like marijuana or hashish). In many major American cities, residents will try these substances at least once in their lives; in certain parts of the US, up to 50% of young people have tried them. In urban areas, about 3% to 10% of the population uses these drugs on a weekly basis.
Synthetic Drugs In the early nineties, the US saw a surge in the consumption of synthetic stimulants, particularly amphetamine derivatives—most notably MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy.
Addiction in America
Back in 1994, it was estimated that there were roughly 6,000 illegal drug addicts in the US, along with another 35,000 people who weren't technically addicts but used illegal drugs at least once a week. Following periods of instability and sudden political or economic shifts, the US has seen a sharp rise in drug use since 1991, especially regarding marijuana. By 1994, the number of addicts enrolled in methadone substitution programs had climbed to about 1,200. Meanwhile, in major cities like New York, there was a significant spike in Ecstasy use starting in 1993—a trend closely tied to the rise of techno music and the rave scene.
Gender Distribution Statistically, addiction is four times more common among men than women.
A lot of research has backed up what most of us probably assume just by watching people every day: smokers tend to drink, and drinkers often smoke. In fact, those who consume the most alcohol are frequently the heaviest smokers too. This overlap between alcohol and tobacco use is actually a massive public health issue. One study followed people being treated for alcoholism and other substance addictions and found that out of 845 subjects monitored, 222 passed away over the following 12 years; one-third of those deaths were linked to alcohol, while one case was tied to tobacco (1).
The co-occurrence of alcohol and tobacco use
Between 80% and 95% of people struggling with alcoholism smoke cigarettes (2), which is three times higher than the rate seen in the general population. About 70% of alcoholics are heavy smokers (meaning they go through more than a pack a day), compared to just 10% of the general public (3). Interestingly, drinking tends to influence smoking more strongly than smoking influences alcoholism. That said, smokers still face a 1.32 times higher risk of consuming alcohol compared to non-smokers (4).
Most adults who use alcohol or tobacco first come into contact with them during puberty or early adolescence (5). Among alcoholics who also smoke, cigarette use typically starts a few years before alcoholism sets in, though the data isn't perfectly consistent (6). Teens who start smoking are three times more likely to start drinking (7), and smokers are ten times more likely to develop alcoholism than non-smokers (6).
Why are alcohol and tobacco used together?
The reasons why alcohol and tobacco are often paired up can be split into two main categories that aren't mutually exclusive: either one substance enhances the effects of the other, or one helps mask the unpleasant side effects of the other. These interactions can change how a person builds a tolerance to substances, as described below. (There is a third possibility—that one substance might alter the metabolism of the other by changing how it is absorbed, distributed, or eliminated from the body—but that hasn't been definitively confirmed yet (8)).
"Reinforcement." The concept of reinforcement refers to the psychological process where a behavior—like using addictive substances—becomes a habit. A key part of this "reinforcement" happens when nerve cells release a chemical messenger called the neurotransmitter dopamine into a small area of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens following substance use (9). Nicotine is the primary factor from tobacco that drives this reinforcement process. Once it hits the brain, nicotine activates a group of proteins called nicotinic receptors. These proteins, located on the surface of brain cells, normally regulate various physiological functions, some of which may be responsible for the reinforcement mechanism. Ultimately, nicotine triggers the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens region (5). Consuming alcohol also leads to dopamine release, though the exact way alcohol does this isn't entirely clear yet (10,11).
Tolerance. Tolerance is when you become less sensitive to the effects of a chemical substance, meaning you need higher doses to achieve the same result. Long-term nicotine use in animals can create a tolerance to certain effects of alcohol "reinforcement," while chronic alcohol use creates a tolerance to certain effects of nicotine (8). This kind of cross-tolerance can lead to increased consumption of both substances as people try to chase the same high they used to get with smaller amounts. Additionally, cross-tolerance can make side effects easier to trigger. For example, smokers might reduce or quit smoking if they feel its side effects (like an increased heart rate or "jitters"). However, the sedative effect of alcohol can mask the harmful effects of nicotine, leading someone to continue smoking at the same or even higher doses (12). Conversely, the stimulating effect of nicotine can mask the decreased alertness caused by alcohol consumption (8).
Animal studies offer some interesting evidence regarding these interactions. For instance, it appears that alcohol causes mice to lose physical coordination by inhibiting nicotinic receptors in the cerebellum—the part of the brain responsible for movement and balance. Interestingly, nicotine intake seems to clear up these impairments and restore coordination (13,14). Additionally, alcohol reduces the effectiveness of vasopressin, a hormone that likely plays a role in memory processes. Vasopressin is also linked to how the body develops an alcohol tolerance (15). Nicotine helps normalize vasopressin function in the brain, which may help mitigate damage to memory and other cognitive functions (11).
What's the actual risk of developing cancer from alcohol and tobacco use?
Smoking and heavy drinking are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, certain lung conditions, and various types of cancer. For smokers who also consume significant amounts of alcohol, the risk of developing oral, throat, or esophageal cancer isn't just additive—it’s much higher than the sum of the two individual risks combined (2). To put that into perspective, compared to someone who neither smokes nor drinks, the relative risk of oral and throat cancer jumps sevenfold for smokers, sixfold for drinkers, and skyrockets to 38 times higher for those who do both (16).
How exactly do alcohol and tobacco increase cancer risk?
When you light up a cigarette, high temperatures trigger chemical reactions that produce around 4,000 different substances. This cocktail of compounds, commonly known as tar, enters the lungs through inhalation. From there, the bloodstream carries individual tar components throughout the entire body. Certain enzyme systems—specifically the microsomal enzymes in the liver—work to convert some of these tar ingredients into chemicals capable of causing cancer. It’s also worth noting that long-term alcohol consumption can activate these same microsomal enzymes, significantly boosting their activity and further increasing the cancer risk associated with smoking.
Microsomal enzymes aren't exclusive to the liver; they're also present in the lungs and the digestive tract—the primary entry points for tobacco smoke. The esophagus is particularly vulnerable here, mainly because it lacks robust defense mechanisms (20). We've seen in lab studies that alcohol can ramp up the risk of esophageal cancer in animals when they're simultaneously exposed to certain tar components, which lines up perfectly with earlier observations mentioned in the text (18, 19).
Finally, people struggling with alcohol addiction often show deficiencies in vitamin A and zinc—substances that have been proven to play a protective role against cancer (20).
Treating addiction in patients who also smoke.
Until fairly recently, addiction specialists treating alcoholism didn't really push patients to quit smoking. The prevailing thought was that it might add an extra layer of risk that could jeopardize the entire process of getting sober (21).
Research hasn't really backed up these assumptions. One study tracked patients in a rehab facility going through a standard smoking cessation program (6). For comparison, they looked at a group of alcoholics who went through the same alcohol rehab but didn't get any help quitting smoking. A year after treatment, the results showed that quitting smoking had zero impact on abstinence from alcohol or other drugs. That said, 12% of the first group successfully quit smoking, while nobody in the comparison group managed to kick the habit.
In another study, patients who took part in an extra nicotine weaning program alongside their main alcohol or drug rehab showed at least a temporary drop in smoking rates and felt more motivated to cut back (22). Interestingly, people who managed to quit drinking without any formal rehab program also happened to stop smoking at the exact same time (6,23).
Following the lead of other medical institutions, many alcohol rehab clinics have now banned smoking altogether. Initial data and early findings suggest that implementing such a policy is actually doable under these specific circumstances (24). That said, we still need more studies to confirm everything.
A common hurdle in alcohol detoxification programs is the issue of secret smoking—people sneaking cigarettes when they think no one is looking, which unfortunately includes both patients and staff. To address this, experts suggest tailoring smoking cessation protocols to mirror alcohol recovery models, such as the 12-step approach (2). It’s also worth noting that nicotine replacement therapy often needs to be more intensive for those struggling with alcoholism, as alcohol consumption can build up a tolerance to nicotine's effects (25, 26).
Generally speaking, smokers dealing with alcohol addiction who also have a history of depressive disorders face much tougher odds when trying to quit smoking compared to those without such a history (27). For some, smoking might actually act as a buffer against depressive episodes, meaning that quitting could potentially trigger more intense bouts of depression (28). Additionally, using tobacco or alcohol can activate microsomal enzymes, which may lower the effectiveness of certain antidepressants (17). Because of this, it is vital to monitor blood drug concentrations in patients with heavy alcohol and tobacco use (5).
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to a cluster of symptoms that can occur in individuals who stop drinking after long-term, heavy alcohol consumption. Mild cases often involve tremors, seizures, and hallucinations, typically surfacing 6 to 48 hours after the last drink. A more severe manifestation, delirium tremens, involves profound confusion, hallucinations, and intense autonomic hyperactivity, usually appearing between 48 and 96 hours post-consumption. Estimates regarding the frequency of severe complications vary. Regardless of how common these severe outcomes are, recent evidence emphasizes the importance of treating anyone suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome. In a classic study that shaped our understanding of alcohol withdrawal for years, Isbell et al. (1955) found that alcohol-related seizures occurred only after someone stopped drinking. More recent studies have largely focused on seizure tracking; Ng. et al. (1988) challenged Isbell's concept, reporting that the risk of a first seizure is actually linked to current alcohol intake rather than just withdrawal. Based on retrospective data from patients who experienced seizures, they concluded there is a causal link between alcohol consumption and seizures that depends on the dosage taken. However, newer neurophysiological findings actually support Isbell’s interpretation of withdrawal.
Within the central nervous system, ethanol (at concentrations high enough to cause intoxication) interferes with the processes that signal certain nerve cells to activate or become excited (Hoffman et al. 1989; Lovinger et al. 1989). It also affects the processes that tell certain nerve cells to remain inhibited (Suzdak et al. 1986). Additionally, ethanol acts as a non-specific biochemical inhibitor of central nervous system activity. During withdrawal, the central nervous system experiences the opposite effects: excitatory processes ramp up while inhibitory processes decrease (Morrow et al. 1988). These shifts can lead to an overactive central nervous system once alcohol consumption stops.
Researchers have measured this hyper-activation in patients (Linnoila et al. 1987). Even patients with moderate alcohol withdrawal syndrome can experience sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity and increased production of adrenal hormones, specifically cortisol and norepinephrine. Both of these hormones can be toxic to nerve cells. Furthermore, cortisol can specifically damage hippocampal neurons (Sapolsky et al. 1986)—a part of the brain believed to be vital for memory and affect control. Repeatedly untreated alcohol withdrawal can lead to direct damage to the hippocampus.
Ballenger and post (1978) conducted a retrospective review of studies that led them to conclude that repeated, inadequately treated withdrawal episodes can trigger future withdrawals with even more serious complications.
In reviews concerning the pharmacological treatment of alcohol intoxication, withdrawal, and addiction, Liskow and Goodwin (1987) concluded that benzodiazepines are the drug of choice for alcohol withdrawal syndrome—for example, long-acting benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, or short-acting ones such as oxazepam and lorazepam.
Physicians have traditionally used benzodiazepines by administering reduced doses during the withdrawal period. Rosenbloom (1988) recommends this approach, suggesting the use of medium half-life benzodiazepines (like lorazepam), or even those with shorter half-lives (like midazolam) because these drugs don't linger in the system, making it easier to tailor dosages to individual patients. However, Sellers et al. (1983) introduced a different way of doing things. At the start of treatment, diazepam doses are given every 1–2 hours until the withdrawal syndrome subsides. Most often, further treatment isn't even necessary because diazepam has a long half-life and produces a psychoactive metabolite (desmethyldiazepam) with an even longer half-life. This method, known as the "loading strategy," simplifies treatment, provides protection against seizures, and eliminates the possibility of patients behaving in ways meant to solicit extra medication.
Other medications, such as the beta-blocker propranolol (Sellers et al. 1977), the combination of the beta-blocker atenolol and oxazepam (Kraus et al. 1985), and the alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine, have been tested and shown to ease certain symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. However, there isn't clear evidence regarding their effectiveness in preventing recurring episodes (Liskow and Goodwin 1987). Potential drugs that might prove useful in the future include calcium channel blockers (Koppi et al. 1987) and carbamazepine, which are currently undergoing evaluation (Butler & Messiha 1986).
Most clinicians rely on medication to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. That said, Whitefield et al. (1978) reported successful detoxification achieved without drugs in a group of individuals with uncomplicated alcoholism. This approach focused on screening and providing strong social support during the withdrawal phase. The study authors noted that "non-drug" detoxification requires less medical staff, shortens the detox period, and removes the influence of sedatives on a patient's awareness regarding their need to participate in a recovery program.
Several researchers have developed scales to assess the severity of alcohol withdrawal: "the Total Severity Assessment and Selected Severity Assessment" (Gross et al. 1973), "the Abstinence Symptom Evaluation Scale" (Knott et al. 1981), and "the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale [CIWA]" (Shaw et al. 1981). Originally designed as research tools to measure treatment efficacy, these scales are now used in clinical practice as well. Foy et al. (1988) demonstrated that a modified version of the CIWA can serve as a helpful "guide" for treatment and for predicting a patient's risk of developing more severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Such guides can be quite useful when monitoring appropriate medication dosages. Still, these assessment methods aren't perfect; occasionally, a patient will experience much harsher reactions than what the "guides" predict. Using these guides should never replace the clinical judgment of professional medical staff.
A study by Hayashida et al. (1989) compared inpatient and outpatient patients during the detoxification process. The research indicated that outpatient detoxification is an "effective, safe, and inexpensive treatment method for mild to moderate forms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome." However, the data also suggests that inpatient detoxification is more effective: during a one-month follow-up, those treated as inpatients reported significantly greater improvement in controlling their drinking, even though they were identified as being at higher risk than the outpatient group at the time of admission. Interestingly, this difference disappeared after a six-month follow-up period. One point the study doesn't emphasize is that while outpatient detox might be cheaper for some, it remains unclear how much undetected serious comorbidities—which might go unnoticed outside a hospital setting—could lead to severe and costly complications later on.