Archive for September, 2009

Choose the Right Intervention Program to prevent Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Prescription Drug Abuse on September 6th, 2009

Drug Abuse

Dealing with substance abuse has two aspects – Prevention and Intervention. While prevention deals with controlling addiction at the root level, intervention is required for those who are having a problem with drugs.

An intervention program acts as a lifesaver in many cases. The dependents, under the strong influence of drugs, fail to realize the necessity of such programs. They are often confused and fail to find out any solution for their suffering. It then becomes the responsibility of the family members, non-users friends and support group members to help him realize that drug abuse intervention program is the first step towards his recovery. In the eastern part of the globe, particularly in India, the social welfare organizations working for the cause, often utilize community resources to identify chemical dependents and guide them as well as their family members regarding the issue.

Deciding to take help for drug addiction is a very important step but selecting the right program is even more important. There are different types of programs offering diverse facilities. It depends upon you to select the suitable one. Be aware of some of these basic steps before you select one:

1. Find out whether the facility has an assortment of programs that can meet your needs. There are inpatient and out-patient services, minimal stay homes and full time residential facilities. Take the help of the medical personnel and the counselor to understand which one is required for you.
2. The next factor to be considered is the cost of the program. In this case you are the best judge to decide.
3. Medical-based treatments have been proved to be more successful. Since it provides a combination of therapies with prescription treatment to overcome the compulsion.
4. Select one that encourages the participation of the client’s family members and friends.
5. The program that ensures quality after care facilities even after discharge is highly beneficial.

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Use Internet to Combat Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Prescription Drug Abuse on September 4th, 2009

abuse

Access to drugs has become so easy nowadays with computer savvy teenagers purchasing drugs online. Internet pharmacies are now preferred by most teenagers since they can access any dangerous prescription drug as well as other street drugs like heroin, without any question. But parents now can take a sigh of relief. The Treatment Research Institute (TRI) in collaboration with Unyos, a Maryland – based software developing company, are helping parents, professionals and others by developing a software which will deal with the dangers that the internet pharmacies pose to the teenagers.

The resource will be available at the website www.websafeparent.com from September, 2009. “Drug addiction is a major problem of our society. It destroys human potential and community and has led to an overburdened criminal justice system. We are excited by the opportunity to help TRI address this misunderstood health care problem and continue the shift to prevention and treatment” said Mr.Carey Krez, CEO of Unyos.

TRI is a non-profit making research and development organization. It conducts researches in the field of addiction and transforms the findings into products that can be of use to service providers, policy makers, etc. The innovative approach taken by the alliance will provide science-based information and other multimedia resources as well as an online network. The site will be extremely beneficial for professionals and parents who are concerned about drug abuse, in understanding and dealing with threats of internet pharmacies. The information available in the site will be downloadable as well.  

Constance Pechura, Executive Director of TRI said “TRI conducts some of the best addiction research in the nation and is committed to increasing the impact of our findings by communicating them as broadly as possible.” She also added that “the TRI – Unyos collaboration has the potential to extend the reach of our discoveries to the very people who need but otherwise might not get them.”

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Drug Co-dependency: How to avoid?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Prescription Drug Abuse on September 2nd, 2009

dominoes

In one of my previous blogs I wrote about the effects of parents’ alcoholism on their children. But it is not just children who suffer. Parents, spouses, siblings of the drug user also suffer equally. As a result of living in a problematic environment, struggling to cope with addiction, they unconsciously develop a certain behavioral pattern referred to as Co-dependency.  
 
Co-dependency is a pathological condition which is characterized by extreme preoccupation and emotional dependence on a person which eventually affects the co-dependent in all other relationships. It is a faulty pattern of living, coping and problem solving governed by a set of rules created and maintained by the family. Such rules interfere with healthy growth and make constructive change very difficult, if not impossible. In their effort to control the chemical dependent the family members lose control over their own behavior. Ultimately life becomes unmanageable.

Co-dependency is characterized by the following traits:

  • Loss of daily structure
  • Neglect of personal care
  • Physical problems
  • Getting involved in unproductive activities
  • The ‘whatever I do is right’ attitude
  • Blaming others
  • Inability to plan and prioritize.

The co-dependent finds it difficult to identify and express his feelings accurately. Difficulty in maintaining close relationships, taking decisions, and anxiety in making changes are common. They have an exaggerated need for others’ approval and a fear of abandonment keeps them away from conflict. Taking responsibility for others’ behavior, unrealistic expectations from others, a sense of shame and low self esteem are other characteristics.

The co-dependent often acts an enabler helping the addict to continue with his addiction. But he must realize that addiction has affected the family physically and psychologically and some of their behavior patterns have, over the course of time, become inappropriate. A change in their attitude and behavior will help in supporting the addict in his recovery.

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