Nutrition plays a big part in drug addiction. Drug abuse puts undue strain on the body, causing cells to clamor for more energy in order to cope. It also creates a harmful lifestyle including poor diet and irregular eating patterns. Much of the trauma involved in withdrawal and recovery from drug addiction could be eased through proper nutrition and lifestyle changes. Continue reading
Three Reasons to Choose Long Term Rehabs
Advantages of Long-Term Rehab over Short-Term Programs
Modern American society nearly always prefers the faster and easier approach to anything. Instant oatmeal, 30-minute oil changes and 10-day diets are only a few examples of the many ways that our culture is geared towards getting things done as fast as possible. Given the option, most people will choose the path of least resistance and the shortest way through towards an objective. While there is certainly something to be said for getting things done quickly, the fastest solution is not always the right one. In many cases, the quick solution does not fully get the job done, with the result that one has to do it over again. When your opportunity to quit drugs or alcohol and to live a future free from addiction is at stake, it is entirely worth it to take the time to do it right and to get the best possible results. Continue reading
Exchange And How It Works In Handling Drug Addiction
The story of addiction follows the same pattern, no matter what the characters or backdrop. It never begins voluntarily. A user doesn’t normally pop his first pill or take his first injection with the thought, “I can’t wait to get hooked on this stuff until I have no control over it.” It begins as a solution to a problem–maybe dealing with stress, or drowning out painful memories–and finally the user wakes up with the startling realization that he can’t live without it.
For many, drug addiction leads to a weakened sense of ethics and morals. It affects family life, and parents are often shocked to find their children exhibiting an unusual attitude at home. Addicts seem to lose respect for family members and friends, lash out unexpectedly, and bring upset and confusion in to an otherwise happy home.
There is a precise reason for this. Continue reading
Take Back Prescription Drug Day
On April 30, more than 4,700 sites nationwide came together in an effort that seeks to prevent pill abuse and theft. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this effort has increased by hundreds of sites, showing a growing effort by the American people to end this prescription epidemic. Government, community, public health and law enforcement partners at these sites worked together to collect expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs that are potentially dangerous if left in the family’s medicine cabinet.
“The overwhelming public response to DEA’s first nationwide Take-Back event last fall not only rid homes of potentially harmful prescription drugs, but was an unprecedented opportunity to educate everyone about the growing prescription drug abuse problem,” said DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart. “Studies have shown that, for many, prescription drugs are the very first drugs they abuse—and all too often they aren’t the last. That is why we are committed to helping Americans keep their homes safe by ridding their medicine cabinets of expired, unused, and unwanted drugs.”
This effort follows a plan released by the Obama Administration to crack down on the number of painkiller deaths. Anti-drug and health officials released a new strategy that calls for states to create and use databases which track prescription drugs. The plan also asks for an additional $123 million for drug prevention and an additional $99 million for treatment programs in the 2012 fiscal year.
The plan will also force states to put in place and use a drug monitoring program. A drug monitoring program is a statewide electronic database which collects designated data on substances dispensed in the state. The monitoring is controlled by a specified statewide administration or agency. The agency distributes data from the database to individuals who are authorized under state law to receive the information for purposes of their profession.
“I encourage every American to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to safely dispose of unused, un-needed, or expired prescription drugs,” said Gil Kerlikowkse, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “Preventing these readily available and potentially deadly drugs from being diverted and misused is something each and every one of us can do to help reduce the epidemic of prescription drug abuse that is harming so many Americans.”
There are many rehabilitation centers also participating in the event including Narconon drug treatment programs. The facilities are teaming up with law enforcement to ensure that drug prevention presentations are delivered and information is handed out about the dangers of prescriptions.
For more information call 800-468-6933.
Facts About Prescription Drugs
If you are reading this, you are most likely seeking help for yourself or a loved one with a prescription drug addiction. Perhaps, you are doing some research on prescription drug abuse for a project of some kind or you may just have a personal interest in this area.
Whatever the case, this will be able to provide you with some useful information.
According to the White House Drug Policy, there are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:
• Opioids such as Codeine, Oxycodone, and Morphine
• Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium.
• Central Nervous System stimulants such as drugs like Adderall or Ritalin.
These three types of medications are frequently prescribed and dispensed. All three can be addictive and have presented many problems for the user.
Painkillers are drugs commonly prescribed for pain and are only legally available by prescription. Painkiller abuse can be dangerous, even deadly, with too high a dose or when taken with other drugs, like alcohol. Short-term effects of painkiller abuse may include lack of energy, inability to concentrate, nausea and vomiting, and apathy. Significant doses of painkillers can cause breathing problems. When abused, painkillers can be addictive.
Narconon drug rehab centers have reported seeing a significant increase in the abuse of painkillers. According to the facility, the most common painkillers that are being abused currently are Oxy Contin, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone.
Depressants, or downers, are given out to treat a variety of health problems including anxiety and panic attacks, tension, severe stress reactions, and sleep disorders. Also referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, depressants can slow normal brain function. Health risks related to depressant abuse include respiratory depression, loss of coordination, dizziness due to lowered blood pressure, slurred speech, poor concentration, feelings of confusion, and in extreme cases, coma and even possible death.
Some of the most commonly abused depressants include Valium or Xanax.
Stimulants, or speed, are most often prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but they are also used to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, respiratory problems, obesity, and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. When taken in higher doses, these drugs can produce euphoric effects and counteract sluggish feelings. Health risks related to stimulant abuse include increased heart and respiratory rates, excessive sweating, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, hostility and aggression, and in severe abuse, suicidal/homicidal tendencies, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse.
Some commonly abuse stimulants are drugs like Ritalin or Adderall.
It’s easy to see how these drugs can be abused and become addictive for the user. There are definitely situations that call for prescription drug use. However, today this has become a widely overused and abused problem.
Unfortunately to monitor each and every use of prescriptions would cost taxpayers vast amounts of money and is not a reasonable response to this growing problem. The only logical solution is educating and making the public aware of the dangers that could arise and rehabilitating those already addicted to prescriptions.
For more information call Narconon 800-468-6933.