Term life insurance or term assurance is life insurance which provides coverage for a limited period of time, the relevant term. After that period, the insured can either drop the policy or pay annually increasing premiums to continue the coverage. If the insured dies during the term, the death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary. Term insurance is often the most inexpensive way to purchase a substantial death benefit on a coverage amount per premium dollar basis. Term life insurance is the original form of life insurance and is considered to be pure insurance protection because it builds no cash value. This is in contrast to permanent life insurance such as whole life, universal life, and variable universal life. Term insurance functions in a manner similar to most other types of insurance in that it satisfies claims against what is insured if the premiums are up to date and the contract has not expired, and does not expect a return of Premium dollars if no claims are filed. As an example, auto insurance will satisfy claims against the insured in the event of an accident and a home owner policy will satisfy claims against the home if it is damaged or destroyed by, for example, an earthquake or fire. Whether or not these events will occur is uncertain, and if the policy holder discontinues coverage because he has sold the insured car or home the insurance company will not refund the premium. This is purely risk protection.

Drug Treatment Categories

Doctors deliver treatment for drug abuse and addiction in many different settings, using a variety of behavioral and pharmacological approaches. Drug addiction is a complex disorder that can involve virtually every aspect of the functioning of a person in every day life: in the family, at work and school and in the community. Because of the complexity and pervasive consequences of addiction, drug addiction treatment must involve many components. Some of those components focus directly on the individual and drug use. Others, like employment training, focus on restoring the addicted individual to productive membership in the family and society and enable the recovered addict to experience the rewards associated with abstinence. Doctors deliver treatment for drug abuse and addiction in many different settings using a variety of behavioral and pharmacological approaches. In the United States, more than 13,000 specialized drug treatment facilities offer counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management and other types of services to persons with substance use disorders. Along with specialized drug treatment facilities, drug abuse and addiction can seek help in the office of a physician and in mental health clinics from a variety of providers, including counselors, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers. Specialists deliver treatment in outpatient, inpatient and residential settings. Although there are some specific treatment approaches that occur in particular treatment settings, a variety of therapeutic interventions or services can be included in any given setting. Because drug abuse and addiction are major public health problems, local, State and Federal governments fund a large portion of drug treatment. Private and subsidized health plans also may provide coverage for treatment of addiction and its medical consequences. Unfortunately, managed care results in shorter stays on average. An historical lack of or insufficient coverage for substance abuse treatment curtails the number of operational programs. The recent passage of parity for insurance coverage of mental health and substance abuse problems will improve this state of affairs.

Crash in Bed, Not on the Road

Most people are aware of the hazards of drunk driving. But driv­ing while sleepy can be just as dangerous. Indeed, crashes due to sleepy drivers are as deadly as those due to drivers impaired by alcohol. People do not have to be asleep at the wheel to be in danger. Both alcohol and a lack of sleep hamper the ability to react quickly to a suddenly braking car, a sharp curve in the road or other situations that require rapid responses. Just a delay of a few seconds of reaction time can be a life-or-death matter when driving. When sleep deprived people undergo a test using a driving simulator, these people perform as badly or worse than people who are drunk. The com­bination of alcohol and lack of sleep can be especially dangerous.
Of course, driving is also hazardous if people fall asleep at the wheel, which happens surprisingly often. One-quarter of the drivers surveyed in New York State reported having fallen asleep at the wheel at some time. Often, people briefly nod off at the wheel without being aware of it. These people just cannot recall what happened over the previous few seconds or longer. In addition, people who lack sleep are more apt to take risks and make poor judg­ments, which can also boost chances of getting in a car crash.
Here are some potentially life-saving tips for avoiding drowsy driving:
Be well rested before hitting the road. After multiple nights in a row of having fewer than seven to eight hours of sleep, the reaction time of the body slows. Restoring that reaction time to normal often takes more than one night of good sleep because a sleep debt accumulates after each night of lost sleep. It may take several nights of sleeping good to repay that sleep debt and ensure that the body is ready for driving on a long road trip.
Avoid driving between midnight and 7 AM. Unless the body is accustomed to being awake then, this period is when people are naturally the most tired.
Do not drive alone. A companion who can keep the driver engaged in conversation might help keep the person awake while driving.
Schedule frequent breaks on long road trips. If the driver is feeling sleepy, pull off the road and take a nap for 15 to 20 minutes.
Do not drink alcohol. Having one beer while being sleep deprived affects the body as much as two or three beers when the body is at its best.
Do not depend on caffeine. Although drinking a cola or a cup of coffee might help keep the body awake for a short time, it will not help overcome excessive sleepiness or relieve a sleep debt.
Opening a window or turning up the radio while driving will not help the driver stay awake while driving. Be aware of these warning signs that a person is too sleepy to drive safely: trouble keeping the eyes focused; continual yawning; and being unable to recall driving the last few miles. Remember, if the body is short on sleep, stay out of the driver's seat!