Substance Abuse: Be in the Know

The key is to be informed. Why? Because it could save someone’s life.

Somebody out there is in danger of making the choice that could change a dozen lives in one day: it’s a terrible choice, and it’s called slitting the wrists. Suicide.

And the horrifyingly amazing thing is what causes suicide: addiction.

It’s simple! It’s all about addiction. Substance abuse is centered around addiction. When you have an individual that has no recourse but to turn to all kinds of ‘pleasures,’ you know there’s going to be a serious problem. Very soon the addiction will simply take over the real world; but it won’t be enough….

It’s just a substitute. And it’s never satisfying. Someone suffering from substance abuse and addiction will always keep coming back for more — and more — and more, until reality will vanish, leaving nothing but despair.

And that despair will turn to a life that’ll end in seconds. It’s something to seriously avoid.

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As mentioned in the title, be in the know. Learn the facts. Visit sites all over about substance abuse and addiction, such as southdakotana.org. You know of anyone who exhibits the signs of addiction and substance abuse, act without hesitation. Save a person’s life.

There couldn’t be any more truth to this statement: “information is power.” And you can bet that when it involves the life of another human being, there’s nothing more powerful. You have a friend, family member, or even an acquaintance dealing with this scary thing called substance abuse or addiction? Get them help. Trust that they’ll eventually thank you for it.

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Drugs Defined

It’s an easy belief — all drugs are shaped to the hard substances, the addictive flavors. Cocaine is your assumption. Opioids are understood. There is no distinction to consider. These elements are instead understood as dangerous, thought to be limited to the illegal tastes. These are what cause abuse (and inevitable dependence); they are what must be feared. Nothing else can earn the name, can be deemed unsafe.

This is a common idea, assumed by the masses to be true. All drugs are thought to be hallucinogenic — with no other components recognized.

Such an idea is (unfortunately) incorrect, however, and individuals must be able to note the true meaning of drugs and their potential.

Defined simply, a drug is any substance that affects the mind or body, changing behavior and altering normal functions. It can be natural or manufactured — but must still be ingested to fall within the meaning.

And this is not what the public usually thinks these substances to be: marijuana, lysergic acid diethylamide (more typically named LSD) and other forms are usually considered. Such a consideration is limiting, however, and doesn’t explain what drugs can truly do — or what they truly are.

Caffeine, for example, is the most popular substance of choice for individuals throughout the world — with millions sampling it each day, unable to generate the necessary energy or focus without it. It causes addictions, demands constant usage. It’s simply because it’s not forbidden that no one offers it more than a smile.

And this is the distinction that must be understood: drugs are not merely illegal. They can instead be any substance that controls lives, forces individuals to constantly appease their urges. Recognize this before dismissing elements like medication (whether prescription or over the counter), tobacco, wine and more. These can each spark sudden dependency and must therefore be monitored carefully.

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Know more about the drug Ecstasy

A few decades ago, Marijuana, cocaine and heroine were the most predominant of all drugs. However, the last decode has seen the rise of synthetic drugs available in the form of pills. Ecstasy is one such drug that has gained popularity among the youth, especially the party going kind. It is a mind altering drug with hallucinogenic properties. Ecstasy is structurally similar to methamphetamine and MDA. These drugs have a history of causing brain damage. The mind altering drug was originally produced to aid diet and was later used to help patient lose their inhibitions during counseling sessions. Ecstasy is also known as X, Adam, XTC, Love drugs, Hug and beans. Although available in a pill form, people also use it by crushing it into a powder and sniffing or injecting it.

Young adults and adolescents are prime clients for Ecstasy dealer and the pill is widely available at rave parties and underground night clubs. Ecstasy enhances the physical senses and ability to perceive. It also makes the user feel highly energized and lose their sense of time. The effect of a single pill can last up to 3 hours. Due to its enhancement of enjoyment of physical pleasures, ecstasy first made its appearance at underground night clubs in the 1980s. It was even traded at college.

Users of ecstasy end up raving the drug whose side effects include depression, insomnia, extreme anxiety, paranoia and other psychological issues. Users also experience poor vision, dizziness, nausea, clenched teeth, chills and sweating. Ecstasy can be addictive as over 60% of its users experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop use. People already having a history of heat ailments should avoid the drug even more as it increases blood pressure and heart rate. Taking ecstasy at night clubs an be very dangerous as mixing with different alcoholic drink enhances its ill effects and is known to cause death due to massive heart attacks among clubber using the drug.

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What is Marijuana?

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Knowing the drugs that a person is most likely to get addicted to is one of the vital factors in battling growing instances of addiction. Grey- green in color, Marijuana is a blend of dried leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis Sativa. It can be easily hidden from family members as it looks like most dried herbs available at the local grocery. Users of drugs can call it by up to 200 different names which include weed, grass, pot, herb, hash, ganja, cannabis, widow, boom, Afghani 1, bubble gum and Mary Jane. Marijuana is commonly smoked in the form of ‘joint’ which is basically rolling it to form a cigarette. It can also be smoked in a pipe or can be mixed with tea.

Marijuana acts by altering the state of mind of the user. Users experience high levels of relaxation while complex forms can stimulate ecstasy. In extreme cases, taking marijuana can lead to paranoia and hallucinations. The user’s eye lids swell up while the eyes look red and bloodshot. The mouth dries up and the user loses his or her sense of coordination. In the sort term, using marijuana can have ill effects that include memory loss, difficulty in learning and thinking, lack o focus, anxiety and paranoia. The effects of long term use are much worse. These include weakening of the immune system, respiratory disorders, limited short term memory, high risk of developing lung, neck and head cancer and infertility.

Longer term abuse of marijuana can lead to addiction where users find it difficult to abstain from using the drug even for a day. Those attempting to quit using can face withdrawal symptoms like extreme depression, excessive aggression, insomnia and anxiety. While marijuana addiction cannot be treated using medicines, taking up psychological or behavioral therapy and attending group session can help addicts beat the habit. Knowing about the ill effects of using Marijuana can encourage the youth to refrain from use.

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Partying without alcohol

There are many events and functions arranged by the student body at a college, most of which currently involve serving alcohol. However, it is not always necessary to have alcohol at such events. Alcohol can even be avoided at parties with a bit of careful and responsible planning. It is always to brainstorm for ideas. Levels of creativity vary in everyone so the more heads you can get thinking, the more creative ideas you will get. Planning the event as a team will also be more fun, quick and effective.

Here are a few themes to makes party fun sans alcohol:

A Brazilian Theme

Think Mardi Gras! Have the attendees dress up in true Mardi Gras style with lots of beads thrown in. Arrange for unique non-alcoholic Brazilian drinks to set up a more authentic ambience. If you can get ethnic Brazilian dance music, then you would be all set to party!

Horror Nights

Hollywood has made billions by producing movies that scare people. Ask people to come to your party dressed as their favorite horror movie characters. Deck up the location with scary dummies and fake murder weapons. Get a DJ who can replicate sounds from horror movies intermittently while the music is playing. Try to arrange for blood colored or gooey looking drinks that taste good, non-alcoholic of course.

Cowboys & Red Indians

Create the ultimate western scene at the local park or camp ground, complete with bonfire, stacks of hay and remixed music from old Clint Eastwood movies. Bring lots of marsh mellows and have a bar-b-que arranged. Think of fun games that can be played based on this theme. Have your friends show up dressed as cowboys or red Indians, whichever they find cooler!

The Masquerade

Masques lend an air of mystery and romance to any party. Such a theme would be great for a Valentine’s Day bash. Make the party fancy with flowing gowns and feathered masques. Have fun!

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Talking an early drinker out of the habit

Early age drinking is on the rise in the United States. With children growing up watching their parents and older siblings drink, the moral values of abstaining has become diluted. While drinking among college going students is a common factor, children of even younger ages can start off their drinking habit early. As children don’t have a proper comprehension about the consequences of drinking and alcoholism, they find no reason to stop themselves when given the opportunity to drink. Starting t drink at an early age greatly increases the risk of addiction at a later stage. Children are also prone to early onset of the ill effects of alcoholism like brain damage, unsocial behavior and psychological imbalances.

If you are the parent of a child who has gotten into the habit of drinking, how you approach the subject can be crucial to helping the youngster overcome the habit. Aggression and severe disciplining can often backfire, pushing the adolescent towards rebellion and adamancy. Parents first need to figure what caused the child to start drinking in the first place. Was it pressure from peers? Is the child friends with older kids who might be setting a role model? Or has the child picked up habit by observing you? Once you ascertain the cause, weave your argument against drinking around it. Some points to keep in mind when talking to an early drinker are:

1. Make sure you keep an open mind and allow the child freely express his or her views. Don’t counter their thoughts or you might end up pushing them into a shell

2. Be gentle yet firm while conveying your stance about the child not drinking.

3. Try to explain as convincingly as possible the several ill effects that drinking will have on the child’s life.

4. Explain to the child how drinking as a minor is illegal and that is yours as well as the child’s responsibility to be a good citizen.

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Early Alcoholism in Colleges

Any addiction that takes root in early years is tougher to beat that one acquired later on in life. This applies to alcoholism as well. While people who start drinking after college are less likely to become addicts, youth that consumes alcohol during college years is more prone to addiction. College drinking is not a recent trend, it has been prevalent for generations. So much so that drinking has now become a part of college life and culture. It is a common perception that there is nothing wrong with college students drinking. This is far from the truth as consuming alcohol at an early age does not only raise the risk of alcoholism but it can also cause brain damage of varying degrees in the long term.

There are various factors that encourage drinking among college students. The first is the complacent and accepting attitude of the society at large, their parents included, about consuming alcohol. Parents who were themselves college drinkers will find nothing wrong in their child’s drinking habits. College drinking thus becomes ‘normal’ and the cycle continues from generation to generation. Modern day colleges themselves tend to be lax when forming policies and rules to curb drinking among its students. Drinks are allowed to be served at sporting events and other functions organized by the college’s student body. Drinking at these functions is not strictly controlled and the youth often end up getting intoxicated.

In addition to this, a non-drinking college student face a lot of peer pressure from his or her drinking college mates. In order to appear ‘cool’ and to blend in with the crown, most non-drinkers begin with consuming small quantities but this quickly increases once the person gets adjusted to drinking. Both, the parents as well as college authorities need to take a firmer stance against drinking during college years in order help the youth avoid getting addicted to alcohol, giving them the prospect of a better future.

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Getting Methadone at a Pharmacy

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If you or someone you love is coming off a harmful and debilitating addiction to drugs then the road to recovery is sometimes incredibly painful. However, with the advent of modern medicine there are drugs now that can help you deal with that addiction in a much less painful way. One of the most popular and common drugs is Methadone which is used to treat those coming off a heroin addiction. But before you head to your local pharmacy to get it filled there are a couple of things you want to keep in mind.

First thing is that Methadone is an incredibly expensive drug if you aren’t properly insured. So it is important that you have your insurance in order and you bring your PRESCRIPTION insurance card to the pharmacy. This will help in not having to pay more than you can afford.

This drug is a Schedule II narcotic meaning it is one grade lower than that of heroin itself. This just means that it puts extra regulations on the filling of this drug. One of these regulations is the expiration date. Most regular prescriptions like anti-biotics are good for one year from the original date written on the prescription. A drug like Ambien is only good for six months from the date written. With a drug like Methadone it is only good for 90 days from the date written. It was 7 days, but the law has since changed. So know that if you get a prescription for the drug it is in your best interest to use it sooner than later.

A pharmacy will not give an early refill on this medication. Some drugs a pharmacy will give out a day or two early. This will never be given out a day early. It will be given out only at the appropriate time. If a pharmacy does not have enough supply of the medication in stock you may be forced to either take what they have and forfeit the rest or take your prescription to another pharmacy. There are strict rules for dealing with Methadone.

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Are You Addicted To Your Prescription Drugs?

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Look at the following questions and assess whether you might have a problem with your prescription drugs.

Do you ever question that you are taking too many prescriptive drugs?
Does your family question how many drugs you are taking?
Do your friends comment on the frequency you take medications?
Do you have any guilty about the drugs that you take?
Do you feel the need to take medication to calm you down or to pep you up?

If you answered yes to four or more of the above questions, then maybe you need to take a further look into your use of prescription drugs.

It can be easy to get addicted to a drug, especially when it is prescribed. In the beginning, you have less guilt over how much you take because, after all, it was prescribed.

If you think it might be a problem, consider talking to your doctor and evaluating what it is that you are taking. If you are about to start taking a medication that can be habit forming, ask your doctor of the possible side effects and how much you should be taking.

Do not exceed the amount you are instructed to take and make sure you and your doctor are aware of the potential effects of the drug mixed with other medications you might be taking.

Before you begin a medication, make sure that your doctor is aware of your medical history, Medical and health care professionals have a way of screening you for possible future addictions with medications.

If you find that you may possible have a problem with being addicted to your medication, there is help. With anything, the first step is to take responsibility. Your doctor is there to help you, especially if he or she is the one that prescribed it for you. Take advantage of the help they have to offer and if needed you can enter a treatment and recovery program so that you can heal from the addiction.

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Kicking the Addiction of Nicotine

Smoking is one of the most common addictions and because many revere it as something less serious than alcohol or drug addictions, the incentive to stop is not as great. But, study after study proves that smoking is a dangerous habit. While it may not impair judgment as alcohol or drugs will, it has lifetime effects on the body resulting in cancer and even death.

However, the sooner one stops smoking, the sooner the physical damage can begin to repair.

Every person is different when it comes to stopping an addiction. With every addiction, comes various methods to stop and rehabilitate. Smoking is a tough habit to kick and the first step is the having the commitment and motivation to actually stop. Without that intent desire, the cravings will win.

Nicotine is very addictive and it won’t be easy to stop cold turkey. While, many people have done it before, it is not an easy quest. The best way to quit, is to follow a program of some sort.

Did you know that nicotine is as addictive as cocaine and even heroine? An addiction forms when your body becomes dependent on the chemical. This happens on a physical level as well as a mental and emotional level. You know you are addicted when you stop for a short period of time and you soon have immense cravings for the chemical. With smoking, it is the nicotine. Your body must have the nicotine in order to feel normal again. When you stop, you experience withdrawals, like irritability, attention disorders, anxiety, sleep disorders, feeling depressed, getting dizzy, experiencing headaches and more hunger than normal. This is when your body starts telling you that you need more of that chemical.

But, if you can get through those withdrawals then you can beat the addiction. It’s the hardest part of quitting. The extreme withdrawal period usually lasts about two to three days for most people. After this period, it becomes much easier to get through. Signing up with a program can really help through this time.

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