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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Holidays: Temptations for Relapse

The holidays pose a particular challenge for recovering addicts. No matter what substance they abused, the addict’s mantra of “one day at a time” is sorely tested around all the festivities, stresses and celebrations of the holidays. Rather than lock oneself away, learning how to deal with these occasions is an important part of the recovery process and how they can deal with the temptation to relapse.

Holiday parties are a time of particular joy and much alcohol. Drug addicts are encouraged to abstain from alcohol just as alcoholics are, but being around so much liberally flowing alcohol can be too much of a temptation for some. There is, however, power in words. Tell people who offer you drinks, “No thanks, I’m a recovering alcoholic.” They will respect your decision and applaud your strength. If sorely tempted, have somebody on standby that you can call for support.

The stresses of the holidays, financial, emotional or otherwise, are often too much for substance abusers to handle and relapses are a real concern. Recovering addicts need to change their lifestyle as much as anything else. Know the group of people attending parties; if these people are known drug users, just don’t go to the party if you don’t feel strong enough to turn them down.

No matter the addiction, recovering addicts rely on their support system more during the holidays than perhaps any other time of year. Explain to those closest to you exactly what you need from them and how they can help you. If you need extra help, consider talking to a trained therapist. Additionally, treatment centers like those at LaPalomaTreatment.com are there to help if you need support and many have a 24 hour hotline you can call if in need.

Don’t seclude yourself from the celebrations, just know in advance what you’ll have to deal with and go prepared, and call your support if needed.

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Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers: There to Help You Too

Under the influence
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Those with a loved one who is dealing with alcohol or drug abuse may find themselves unable to communicate with that loved one. The person may be unwilling or unable to listen to what you have to say. While you are sober and you understand the situation better, that does not mean you can control the actions of your loved one. In many cases, this is a situation in which there are few ways to resolve the underlying problem until the person suffering from the addiction makes the decision to change.

As someone dealing with alcohol or drug addiction, you can get help for yourself, too. Drug and alcohol treatment centers will work closely with you to determine what can be done to help you learn to cope with the problem. You should never blame yourself for another person’s actions, no matter what the addict says. Self blame is limiting and disheartening for all involved. Further, you also need to learn to take care of yourself. It is easy to get so caught up in your loved one’s alcohol or drug addiction that you neglect your own health or needs. You need support just as much as your loved one, especially when this person is a close friend or an immediate family member.

Once you understand the limitations you face, remember that you can still speak up for your loved one. Offer help and understanding, as well as support to your loved one. Encourage the use of drug and alcohol treatment programs including residential centers. Research and develop options for that person. You do not need to wait for your loved one to hit rock bottom to get that person help. However, you can only present that help, not force it, and when that person does not accept your help, realize it is not your fault.

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What is the Reason Behind Substance Abuse?

ContentFull understanding of the reason why someone abused drugs and then becomes addicted is not understood. Some think that it is a social behavior problem but nobody knows for sure. The drug abuser is referred to as weak and unable to change their behavior. The whole concept of drug abuse may go much deeper than a moral or social issue. Why do people end up taking drugs? There are alot of underlying causes that need to be analyzed.

It has been rumored among abusers that drugs can boost the self esteem. Depending on what drug is taken will determine what feeling is induced. It may induce an ecstatic state followed by other emotions. The reaction to this will also be determined by the type of drug that has been taken. A popular stimulant like cocaine will boost a person’s self confidence and raise their energy levels. A type of opiate like heroin will enhance a person’s senses to response and bring contentment to them.

People often come to abuse drugs because of everyday problems in their lives that they are having trouble dealing with. They hope to take away the problems by taking drugs. Stress is one of the main reasons that people begin to start taking drugs. This is also one of the main reasons that someone who is a recovering alcoholic or addict goes back to drinking again.

A teenager is often the one that is perceived to be vulnerable to taking drugs. Even though this age group is at a great risk to be users the same is true for all age groups. People in all age groups are at risk to have the tendency to abuse even athletes and intellectuals. These people are often faced with stresses that they have trouble coping with so they turn to drugs for help. They will use this as a test for mental or physical performance improvement.

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What is Alcohol Detoxification?

ContentAlcohol is sometimes consumed socially or during a meal. People consume it because it gives them feelings that are pleasant to the body. It is a depressant to the central nervous system. It will act as what is known as a biochemical inhibitor of activity in there and induce sedation while decreasing the anxiety.

A chronic pattern of abuse of alcohol is known as alcohol dependence or alcoholism. The effects can be psychological, behavioral, physical, or cognitive. Alcohol dependence results from a long period of consuming alcohol. A person that becomes alcohol dependent will have a craving for alcohol that is strong all of the time. The body will become so accustomed to all of the alcohol that it used to that after 3 or 4 hours without any it will start showing symptoms of withdrawal. This is what makes a person have such a hard time becoming clean. The withdrawal symptoms are hard on the addict.

The symptoms of withdrawal are somewhat different from that of alcohol. The excitory processes are increased in the central nervous system while the inhibitory processes have slowed. The withdrawal symptoms that appear after a few hours have a peak time around 24 hours later .

Withdrawal symptoms come in the form of anxiety, headaches, cravings and trembling. Around five percent of withdrawal symptoms occur as tremors and is probably one of the more severe withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol dependency can cause people to have health problems such as liver damage, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure.

The first step to coming clean is detoxification. In alcohol treatment a medication is taken to help the body get rid of the withdrawal symptoms. There are 4 goals to alcohol detoxification. First, safety for the alcohol dependent person’s withdrawal. The patient is to be given treatment where their dignity is protected. The recovery of effective and cognitive faculities.The final goal is to provide treatment throughout the person’s new life.

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The Causes of Alcohol Addiction

A dependence that is chronic and seeking compulsively to use alcohol is known as alcoholism. There have been studies that have shown 50% of the people that are age from 21 to 24 who have died in a traffic accident have drank alcohol before. The alcohol will have a significant effect on the brain and leads to bad judgment. One that has had to much alcohol will not be able to work as efficiently. A person’s reaction will not be responsible as they are when not intoxicated. When most alcoholics are going through withdrawal symptoms they will most likely end up in the emergency room because they are not able to deal with them.

Alcoholism does run in families according to research. However, it can also be related to one’s lifestyle which is the majority of the cause of alcoholism. There are several factors that may put a person at greater risk for developing alcoholism. These would be the friends that you surround yourself with, the amount of stress in your life, and the availability of alcohol. Just because one of the parents in a home is an alcoholic does not mean that their child will become one later. There are so many people out there that have a problem with alcohol even though nobody else in their family history has any problem at all.

One of the main symptoms of alcoholism is an urge to drink that is really strong. You will also see a physical dependence which will also see a separate set of symptoms. These would include nausea, shakes, and anxiety after drinking has ceased. Once drinking has started the alcoholic will have no control of being able to stop. Larger amounts of alcohol will be needed to make them high. All activities of any type will be neglected by the alcoholic.

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Getting Help for a Loved One with an Addiction – MichaelsHouse.com

Finding out that a loved one has a drug addiction can be a very difficult thing to deal with. It is hard to know that someone close to you has been dealing with something like this. You may even find that it is a problem that they have had for some time, and they have been hiding it. Once you find out that a loved one has a drug addiction, you may find that the road is nowhere near done. They may still be denying that they have a problem, and it may come down to you trying to convince them that they need help. This can be a long, difficult journey for everyone involved.

Making the discovery of a drug addiction is only the first step. Trying to get a loved one to admit that they have a problem can be very hard. It is something that may take time and patience. Having an intervention is one way that works in many cases. Unfortunately, it may also make the person upset. They may not feel that they have a problem to deal with. You will need to keep in mind that, until they do admit that they have a problem, a treatment facility like MichaelsHouse.com cannot help them. They may try, but until your loved one is willing to admit that they have a problem, they will be very difficult to help.

You may even find that your loved one wants to stand up to their addiction, but they are having a hard time doing so. In this case, you will want to make sure that they understand that you are there for them, no matter what. One of the hardest things that an addict has to deal with is the possibility that everyone they know and love will abandon them. Let them know this is not the case.

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