The Rehab Assumption

The days are slow — defined by an addiction, a compulsion that can’t be denied. You watch as a friend shapes himself to a drug, devotes every second to the pleasure of a high (and the crippling lows that always follow). He isn’t as he once was. He has instead… changed, has become a sad parody of himself. A substance defines him. A need controls him. And he refuses to admit it, is certain that he’s still the master of his own body, can return to normalcy if he chooses. He simply doesn’t choose to. He seems content instead to wallow in a disease of his own making.

And you… wait, sure that time will eventually reveal the truth. He’ll sink to depression, anxiety, self-loathing — and you’ll be ready, willing then to help.

You should instead, however, be willing now.

A myth shared among the masses is that addicts must be allowed to fall completely before they can understand the seriousness of their disease. No help should be offered. No attempts at intervention should be made. The lesson must instead be one of patience; and individuals must simply watch, allowing the decline to occur naturally.

This is a mistake.

An addiction must be combated as soon as it’s discovered. Don’t hesitate, thinking this is best for the user. It’s not. Instead it will only let him generate higher tolerances and far more devastating needs — making treatment less likely to succeed later on.

Make your presence known early. Demand that rehab programs be sought and that an effort be made to end the problem. Don’t allow an addiction to continue, certain it will cure itself. It won’t. You must instead fight it, forcing your loved ones to enter counseling and receive help. Without your insistence this will not be done.

Get involved to end addiction.

Filed Under: Addiction Rehab Tagged With: , ,

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.

Filed Under: Addictive Substances Tagged With: , ,

The Common Causes: Substance Abuse

It’s an all too familiar concept — substance abuse. We recognize it as a concern, a reliance on tastes that shouldn’t even exist. Dependencies can form; health can suffer; and the result is the expected tragedy.

Too often, however, are the causes of that tragedy ignored: thought to be unavoidable, indeterminable. The truth is more certain, though.

Substance abuse — while not always able to be predicted — does often follow specific patterns. And, if these patterns are noted quickly, they can then be better defended against.

The roots of most problems occur in childhood:

One: Early Exposure. Behaviors are learned, understood as common through experience; and individuals who witness their families and friends sampling substances (whether drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or more) will consider the actions to be normal. It is estimated that those who are exposed to these patterns as children are over twice as likely to mimic them later in life — often before they even shed their teenage statuses.

Two: Unstable Environment. Chaos breeds a need to escape. A lack of control demands relief. And unhappy environments (caused by physical or verbal abuse, poverty, divorce, constant relocation or other factors) can cause substance dependency. Individuals who experience unstable home lives are 44 percent more likely to try some form of drugs.

Three: Apathetic Relationships. All children crave affection. They want their parents’ approval, seek to earn security. When it’s not given, however, they become willing to settle for any form of recognition — even anger. Substance abuse can begin as a cry for attention; and those who aren’t cared for will often turn to alcohol or harder drugs. It’s believed that 50 percent of teens will respond in this way.

Recognizing these causes is essential for all individuals. When they can be understood, they can be more effectively combated in adult years — and this can lead to a lessening of abuse and the eventual dependence it can inspire.

Filed Under: Causes Of Addiction Tagged With: , ,

The Adolescent Traits

An assumption of innocence, a trust in youth: substance abuse is an adult disease, it’s believed. Children aren’t to experience it. They’re instead to be immune — kept protected from the ravages of drugs and alcohol, unaware of what could await when their teenage monikers dissolves.

This is a certainty shared by most parents — and it’s sadly an incorrect one.

Substance abuse is not defined by age. It’s instead caused by a variety of traits: many of which can be predicted in early adolescence. When these traits are recognized they can then be prepared for:

One: Lack of Social Skills. Relationships must be forged in adolescence — this is, it’s understood, the only way to gain essential foundations. Children who lack the ability to interact with their peers, however, may find such foundations impossible to achieve… and may instead turn to drugs as an answer. Those who are unable to form normal friendships with others (exhibiting symptoms of undeveloped communication) are 50 percent more likely to become substance abusers.

Two: Attention Disabilities. Fickleness often defines teenagers. Their moods are fast and their patience is limited. Certain individuals offer extremes, however — through aggressive emotions and unpredictable behaviors, a total lack of focus. This often appears in the form of Attention Deficit Disorder (or similar problems) and can lead to impulsive decisions. These teens can rely on substances to calm their minds and cure their disabilities, even if only temporally. 44 percent of those with attention concerns are estimated to use drugs regularly.

Three: Poor Academic Performances. Education isn’t always an easy thing. Many students struggle with books and statistics, are unable to remember facts. They can’t excel as others do. They instead can offer only the most basic answers — and use substances as a way to compensate. Those who are not gifted academically may rely on drugs to gain a sense of control in their lives and generate confidence (even if it’s momentary). 21 percent of failing students sample substances often.

Note the possible causes of substance abuse to better defend against them — and tame the problem.

Filed Under: Causes Of Addiction Tagged With: , ,

The Alcohol Demands: Rehab

It’s an all too unhappy scenario: the day was far too long; the demands were far too many; and the cubicle squabblings pushed you ever closer to madness. It’s only right to now indulge in the one pleasure you have — alcohol. One sip is enough to relax you. Two sips are enough to make you grin. And soon those little tastes transform into several bottles, all stacked haphazardly on the table and emptied. Hours have passed and you didn’t even realize it. You were concerned only with flavor.

Such concern is shared by many Americans — and what it suggests is far more troubling than what you may believe.

Alcohol, as of 2011, is the most common drug of choice within the United States. Countless individuals sample it — and 18 million of those can be deemed addicts. Despite such staggering numbers, however, only eight percent of these users seek treatment each year. The rest assume they are immune to the worries of drinking or simply choose to handle rehabilitation without any outside aid.

Despite the lack of participation with most alcoholics, however, they still total 40 percent of all patients currently within rehab. And, of those individuals, 20 percent confess to having chronic conditions — with over four drinks consumed each day (and that number often expands when the work week is done).

These statistics are disturbing — and prove a far too easy acceptance of alcohol. Individuals must begin to note the dangers of this drug… and that is indeed a drug. Too often is it deemed a mere indulgence. This misconception must end and opinions must be reversed.

Rehabilitation can’t truly begin until alcohol is understood.

Filed Under: Addiction Rehab Tagged With: , ,

The Abuse Dilemma

It was meant to be a causal pleasure — a drug was to be sampled occasionally, was to soothe the terrors of the day. Its effects would be easy; its relief would be instant; and no harm was to come from the infrequent tastes, the little bursts of consumption. This was the intention you created.

That intention has failed, however.

You find yourself craving a substance often, wanting to experience it each afternoon. Life is a series of obligations and these must be countered — with a drug offering a quick solution. It’s become a ritual to indulge in what you now  need; and yet you still think it’s not an addiction. It’s considered just a simple pastime…. until you try to quit and can’t.

What often begins as abuse (where individuals make a deliberate choice to partake in specific drugs, are not dependent upon them) quickly devolves into addiction. The desire to occasionally taste substances eventually overwhelms — with users confident in their own abilities to refuse drugs, certain they can handle more simply because they’ve managed to succeed so far. This belief triggers excess and excess triggers tolerance. Nervous systems become immune to basic doses, require more and more to obtain the wanted effects; and suddenly an addiction is formed.

It is an all too easy process and all too common one.

It is estimated that over 80 percent of individuals who use substances regularly will eventually become dependent on them. The need for alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and more will be impossible to ignore — simply because it’s become too vital to the daily experience. These individuals will be unable to  end the cycle they’ve started and will instead rely on it.

This is the great concern with substance abuse: few have the ability to simply limit themselves. Indulgence becomes accepted and that acceptance turns to compulsion. It’s vital therefore to end all usage of drugs before a tolerance to them can build. Abstinence is the only defense and the only hope.

Filed Under: Causes Of Addiction Tagged With: , ,

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.

Filed Under: Addictive Substances Tagged With:

What is Cocaine?

With drug abuse of the rise, it is vital for the youth to know what the effects of taking certain drugs can be as this will encourage them to refrain from using these substances. Cocaine is one such drug that is used by about 2.1 million people in the US alone, making it the second most commonly used drug after marijuana. It is one of the most addictive drugs known with even first time users having high possibilities of reuse and addiction. On the streets, Cocaine is also known as coke, crack, cane, powder, snow, the lady, line, toot, Neurocain, rock and flake. Cocaine, extracted from the South American coca plant, stimulates the central nervous system of the user.

Cocaine is available as white crystalline power that can be smokes, sniffed or injected. It is often sold mixed with flour, sugar and cornstarch that look like it. It variant, known as Crack Cocaine resembles a small chunk or rock that can be off white or pink in color. As it affects the nervous system, cocaine users feel a heightened sense of alertness; euphoria, a false sense of invincibility and a carefree attitude. One doze of cocaine has an effect that can last for about 2 to 3 hours. Although users feel highly energized after taking the drug, once its effect wears off users free depressed and extremely fatigued. Users face symptoms such as anxiety, loss of appetite and paranoia.

Overdose deaths are more common among cocaine users than other drugs. Short term ill effects of cocaine use include deteriorated vision, insomnia, vomiting, respiratory tract infections, bleeding nose, twitching or being unable to sit still, chest pain, hallucinations and much more. In the long run, cocaine use can lead to extreme depression with suicidal tendencies and heightened insomnia. Prolonged use of cocaine can also lead to severe health complications such as heart diseases, stroke, seizures, respiratory failure as well as ulcerations in the nose’s mucous membrane.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With:

What is Marijuana?

A photograph of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in S...

Image via Wikipedia

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.

Filed Under: Addictive Substances Tagged With:

Are you an addict?

Addiction and substance abuse can ruin a person’s life and in extreme cases it can be lethal. Addictions can be of various kinds. An addiction to alcohol is commonly known as alcoholism. One of the most dangerous types of addition is that of illegal drugs. People can also get addicted to certain legal but prescription pills. Recovery and rehabilitation from an addiction can be a very difficult process, with most people relapsing within weeks of recovery. The first step towards battling an addition is facing the fact that you are an addict. Most people with an addiction problem simply refuse to accept it and proclaim they have the habit in control. Here re a set of questions that will help you decide whether you or someone you know is having an addiction:

1. Do you consume alcohol or take any other substance secretly without anybody else’s knowledge?

2. In the case of drug abuse, have you switched drugs in order to beat the habit of using one?

3. In order to get a prescription, have you ever given incorrect information to a doctor? Have you ever forged prescriptions?

4. In a situation where you didn’t have funds, have you ever stolen the substance or used stolen money to purchase?

5. Are you in the habit of taking the substance before going to sleep or first thing when you wake up?

6. Have you avoided people because you know they think negatively about people who take drugs?

7. Do you take multiple drugs, each to overcome the impact of the other?

8. Are you regularly falling short of your financial responsibilities because of your substance use?

9. Do you lie to people who know about your substance use about the extent to which you use the drug?

10. Does the thought of not having access to drugs scare you?

11. Do you use the substance despite it causing problems with important relationships in your life?

Filed Under: Causes Of Addiction Tagged With: ,
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