The rapid climb of prescription drug abuse across the US has taken many communities, families and individuals by surprise. This devastating epidemic is a unique problem compared to street drug addiction. Despite their many similarities, a pill addict can seemingly hide his/her problem for a longer period of time—making the situation potentially more deadly. Continue reading
The Best Nutrition for Recovery from Drug Abuse
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.