Archive for July, 2009

Is Alcoholism and Drug Abuse a Disease?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation on July 19th, 2009

How many of you would actually agree to this? I guess, a very few or perhaps no one. But working with chemical dependants for so many years I have now accepted the fact that it is a disease.

Dependency on chemicals has always been thought of as a problem related more to the morality of an individual – a weak person with defective value system. But several researches have proved that addiction is a disease. It is a chronic disease which is progressive but can be arrested at any point of time with proper intervention though there is always a chance of relapse which is due to the prolonged effect of the drugs on the brain.

In 1951 World Health Organization accepted alcoholism as a major medical problem. The American Medical Association considered alcoholism as a treatable disease in 1956. In 1960 E.M.Jellink first presented a comprehensive disease model of alcoholism. The American Psychiatric Association described alcoholism as a disease in 1965. The disease concept was at first applied to alcoholism but later covered addiction to other drugs also.

If you think about certain characteristics of addiction it will be easier for you to accept it as a disease:

  • Addiction can be defined
  • It has definite signs and symptoms
  • It has a definite course which is predictable
  • It is a primary disease, not a manifestation of any other disease
  • It is treatable
  • It is permanent – can be arrested but cannot be totally cured
  • It is terminal since if not treated, it leads to insanity or death.

Addiction is a disease which affects the physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects. The effective treatment procedures must include these aspects in their treatment module.

Thus if you know someone who is suffering from the disease please do not ignore him or her. Take them to a rehab centre and help then to recover.

Recently I read this article.
http://information.hairconfirm.com/drug-testing-for-drug-free-home/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-drug-testing-your-teenager/

Thought you may find this to be helpful. Please share your thoughts and let us know if you happen to find some useful info on preventing drug abuse.

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What is your role as parents to prevent drug addiction?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation on July 18th, 2009

Drug addiction is undoubtedly a disease that can be arrested but not cured. It is therefore absolutely necessary to focus on its preventive aspect. It is high time that people begin to realize that the only way to stop addiction is to prevent taking drugs even once.

Most people fail to understand that addiction is a problem and that it might even affect their dear ones. Drug abuse among the teenagers and young adults is on the rise. The choice of chemicals might have shifted over to prescribed drugs or over the over-the-counter drugs but the nature of addiction remains the same.

Thus, as responsible members of the society, you should come forward to form a shield to protect the younger generation from becoming victims of drug addiction.

The role of parents is crucial in preventing drug abuse among children. Good parenting, building a stable and strong bondage between the family members, trusting each other, and consistency among the parents regarding rewarding and punishing help in building a congenial atmosphere at home where a child feels secured and wanted.

This helps in building up self confidence and maturity which in turn prevents drug addiction.

As parents, I feel you can do these to prevent drug addiction?

  • Communicate openly with children about the hazards of drug addiction.
  • Be patient listeners. Encourage them to speak about their problems, listen to them and help them in solving the problems.
  • Take interest in the daily activities of children and have a thorough knowledge of their friends. A sudden change in the friend circle is something to be noted.
  • Set examples by not using drugs or alcohol yourselves.
  • Be well informed about facts related to drug abuse.
  • Provide encouragement in building interest in different modes of recreation.

I found this site to be extremely helpful. Explore to find what the experts have to say
http://www.drugrehabtreatment.com/parents-advice-to-others.html.

If you suspect or know of someone who is addicted to drugs, please let us know through this space. Let us spread the awareness.

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Brown Sugar Addiction

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation on July 17th, 2009

We all know that the problem of brown sugar addiction has been a challenge to society for more than three decades. It has reached alarming proportions, eroding the potentials of the younger generation – the future citizens of a country.

Brown Sugar is one of the most commonly used drugs. It is an adulterated form of Heroin – a derivative of opium. It is highly addictive in nature and is available in a powdered form in small vials. Brown sugar is around 20% heroin mixed with other impurities like chalk powder, rat poison (yes! It is true), zinc oxide or even strychnine.

Though the presence of such impurities makes the drug cheaper than heroin, it makes the users even more vulnerable to casualties, which might even lead to death. The route of intake of the drug varies. I found many who prefer to smoke it as cigarettes and there is yet another group that inhale the fumes of the powder heated on a foil while some inject subcutaneously or intravenously. In the long run they develop ugly looking and painful polyps on their nasal cavities.

The first episode of drug taking, as reported by most of the users, is not a very pleasant experience, as it may lead to a feeling of restlessness, vomiting. A person may even lose his or her senses. Gradually, they start to get the kick or high and the demand to use the drug increases and become drug dependant. The drug completely overpowers them. And, the thoughts and actions are controlled by it.

There are many ill effects of brown sugar. On the physical side, it leads to weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, respiratory tract infection, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal problems, viral hepatitis, skin infections and even dental problems. On the psychological side, it leads to irritability, lack of concentration, depression and frustration. There are also behavioral and social effects of brown sugar that lead to socially deviant behavior, involvement in criminal activities, compulsive lying and manipulation.

The ultimate destination of a brown sugar addict is prison or a rehabilitation centre or in the worst case, death.

Never experiment with Brown Sugar. Be assertive and say NO the very first day. If you know someone get him or her to the rehabs as fast as possible!

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The Treatment of Ecstasy Overdose

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing on July 15th, 2009

In my last post I talked about MDMA or Ecstasy which is one of the most popular drugs available in the market. Teenagers and young adults become addicted to this dangerous drug because of its easy availability. Rave parties, rock concerts and night clubs parties seem incomplete without Ecstasy. However, an overdose of MDMA is killing and extreme care needs to be taken to treat the patients. I personally encountered many abusers who vividly describes the kind of hallucination they used to enjoy with the shot of it. But let’s find out about the treatment.

Ecstasy treatment starts with pre-hospital care. Pre-hospital care is supportive in nature but some steps need to be taken to fight the killer drug. The following may be done.

  • Addressing the ABCs
  • Administering oxygen
  • Obtaining intravenous access
  • Assessing blood sugar level
  • Regularly monitoring the patient
  • Frequently checking vital signs and assessing consciousness
  • In cases of extreme agitation, anxiety, seizures and panic reactions, intravenous or intramuscular administering of short acting benzodiazepines
  • In case the patients lose control completely, restraining them.

For severe toxicity that can be life threatening, emergency hospital care needs to be taken. The following steps are essential for emergency hospital care.

  • Addressing the ABCs, providing oxygen, obtaining intravenous access and monitoring cardiac functions
  • Glucose determination
  • Verbal counseling and support
  • GI decontamination in cases of acute toxicity by ingestion
  • Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation if patients are unable to breathe
  • Aggressive cooling measures for patients suffering from hyperthermia
  • In cases of extreme agitation, anxiety, seizures and panic reactions, intravenous or intramuscular administering of short acting benzodiazepines
  • Administering nitroprusside and nitroglycerin to lower blood pressure
  • It is essential to conduct a pregnancy test for female overdose cases. MDMA can cause miscarriage or premature labor.

In addition to all these measures, constant psychiatric consultation is required for the patients. Medical toxicologists are also required to provide information and instruction on complex ingestion.

You may visit these sites for more info:
http://www.soberliving.com/addictions/ecstasy.html, http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/treatment-centers/rehab-centers/ecstasy.htm http://www.treatment-center.com/drug-alcohol-info/ecstasy.php.

Let’s join hands to save our youth from this dangerous drug and lead them to a brighter future. I look forward to read your thoughts and suggestions.

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The Ecstasy and Agony of MDMA

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts on July 14th, 2009

Hi, this is Deb again. We have heard about of Ecstasy, the drug, right? But many of us may not know what it is exactly!

MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, is the most popular drug around. Extremely dangerous, Ecstasy is one of the most available drugs and can be bought easily by teenagers and young adults. A recent survey of teens conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that one in four questioned said they had a friend or classmate whom they knew had used Ecstasy, and 17% said they knew more than one user (http://www.drug-rehabs.com/ecstasy-rehab.htm).

Ecstasy was introduced in the USA in the 1960s as a cure for psychiatric disorders. However, it ended up worsening the condition of the patients and was soon abandoned as a therapeutic agent. It became popular in the 1980s because of its psychedelic effects and is now widely abused by teenagers and college students.

Ecstasy is believed to cause a pleasing and relaxing sensation. Other immediate effects of Ecstasy include extreme confidence, feeling of affection and well being, anxiety, dilated pupils, increase in blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate, rapid eye movements and tensing of muscles, especially in the jaws. This drug causes lack of sleep and ability to endure physical hardship.

However, the ill effects of Ecstasy are multiple. It reduces fluid intake, thereby causing dehydration, exhaustion and in extreme cases, death. It also causes maniac behavior, hallucination, paranoia, psychosis, nausea and vomiting and convulsions. Ecstasy is fatally dangerous for people suffering from hypertension, diabetes, heart ailments, liver diseases and those with panic attacks and psychotic disorders. Overdose of Ecstasy causes kidney failure, bleeding in the brain, dehydration and extremely high blood pressure.

The popularity of MDMA or Ecstasy is on the rise. It’s a must have in rave parties, rock concerts and other teenage parties. People get hooked to the pleasing sensation of the drug and by the time they realize, the damage is already done.

If you wish to know more about Ecstasy, you may visit these links:

http://www.ecstasy.org

http://www.nida.nih.gov/InfoFacts/ecstasy.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA

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Join Me to Create a Drug Free World

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation, Prescription Drug Abuse on July 11th, 2009

Hi, my name is Deb. I work as a volunteer in a homeless shelter in Ohio. As per a statistical update released in the year 2006 by the department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of homeless in US was around 700,000. It may seem unbelievable to you but I guess the actual figure can be even higher.

Out of all the people I meet each day a whopping 50-55 percent has a history of drug abuse. My colleagues in the shelter often discuss about the menace of drug abuse and how it has become rampant in last few decades.

I’ve been working with drug addicts with more than 15 years now and during the course of my professional journey, I’ve treated multiple drug abusers and helped them get back to normal life. I’ve worked with people of all ages, especially teens and young adults. It always sickens me to see how our younger generation falls prey to drugs and drug abuse and I’ve dedicated my life and career to treat them and get them back to the mainstream of life.

Now that I’ve spent a considerable amount of time working with people addicted to drugs, I feel it is time now to I made others aware of this killing habit by expanding my horizon. That is why I chose to publish my blog on the Internet. The Internet reaches far and wide and I hope my blog will make people aware of the dangerous effects of drug abuse and help them in some way or the other. While I’m writing this first entry in my blog, I can visualize all those desperate people who have come to me all these years and the immense pain they have gone through during the course of their rehab treatment. But, I salute their determination and spirit, as I know how difficult it is to get out of the addiction. Sustained abuse make permanent changes in the brain cell structure that drives a person to take more drugs.

Drug addiction is a problem that has been plaguing us for a long time. It usually starts at a young age and can take anyone under its fold. Let us take a pledge today to do anything and everything for making our homes drug free. I would love to see my readers come up with their share of experience, valuable tips, and suggestion to help these hapless friends.

Through this blog, I appeal to one and all to stop taking drugs and help people who have fallen prey to this deadly habit. I sincerely hope that more and more people will read my blogs and contribute so that together we spread awareness and make this a drug free world.

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