Drug Addiction

Teach Kids How to Manage Peer Pressure

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on March 9th, 2010

Peer pressure is one of the most powerful forces that a teen encounters in his early life. It is very disturbing to see most children straying from classes to hang out with their friends. These behaviors can be attributed to peer pressure; involving activities as harmless as going to the mall to those much more dangerous like doing drugs. How do you, as a parent, prepare yourself and your teen to face these real and probably unavoidable challenges?

peer presureIt is important first to teach your teen key issues like drugs, sex and alcohol and help him to make a stand on them. Inspire your child to be an advocate of these things; teaching him how to speak up and let others know he’s not a pushover. Teach your child to visualize him handling difficult situations. Sometimes, scripting out the reactions to some invitations can really help out in knowing what to do in these situations. These things usually follow when you teach your child the qualities of leadership. Encourage him to stand up to what he thinks is right.

Difficult situations and peer pressure truly tests our teens in the moments that they forget the consequences of making rash decisions. Giving in to something totally deviant from your character often causes distress, even depression.

There will be repercussions to going against the interests of your peers; some of these consequences are often a very big deal to most teens. Peer pressure is disabling and often times, we feel like we don’t have a choice anymore. But always remind your child that there is always a choice, and doing the right thing is the best choice.

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Handling Drug-Related Stress

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on March 6th, 2010

Stress and drug abuse have been closely interrelated with each another. For one, stress is among the major contributors or initiating factors to the use of alcohol or drugs, as well as one of the main reasons why recovering patients have relapses. Stress is also one major reason why smokers find it so hard to quit, or why they always find a reason to start smoking again.

stressStress in Withdrawal

Patients in withdrawal, especially from alcohol and nicotine, often undergo severe amounts of stress. What was once an outlet or a remedy for stress (smoking, drinking, etc.) has now becomes a severe source of it. Patients in withdrawal often undergo phases of depreciation and anxiety, which is interrelated with the body’s stress in withdrawal.

Child Stress

Children who undergo severe stress, like traumatic experiences or hostile homes, have more chances of being open to drug use. Studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between early life psychosocial stressors and an increase in anxiety, impulsiveness, drug use and depression in their adulthood.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A severely stressful event in one’s life often contributes to the abuse of drugs. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that is a result of a person’s exposure or participation in a very terrifying and stressful event. Most PTSD patients often result to using drugs because of they cannot deal with the dramatic event in a healthy manner.

Stress Management

Recovered users who used drugs, alcohol or nicotine to help manage their stress will most likely need a re-evaluation in how they handle their stress. It takes a lot of time and patience for a person to be truly free from the psychological effects of addiction.

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4 Common Myths on Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation on March 4th, 2010

There’s a lot that most people don’t understand about the struggles of drug addiction. In fact, there are numerous misconceptions that most people have with drug use and treatment. Here are some of them:

drug addictionMyth 1: There should be no drug relapses after completing a drug rehabilitation program.

Drug addiction is a persistent disease and getting out of rehab is only the first step to recovery. There are many factors that contribute to a relapse for a recovering addict. The best that thing that can be done is to not to give up because recovery usually takes a long time to achieve. Sometimes it even requires multiple treatment measures before absolute sobriety is attained.

Myth 2: One can quit drugs on his own if he truly wants it.

Withdrawal is a dangerous process that often leaves the patient extremely vulnerable. Some people think that they do not need to be treated and that they can stop using when they really want to. The truth is it is extremely unlikely for a person to be able to successfully detoxify by sheer willpower alone. Research has shown us that long-term drug abuse alters a person’s brain to a level that makes it almost impossible for him to abstain from the drugs.

Myth 3: Illegal drugs are more dangerous than those that can be bought in pharmacies.

Not all dangerous and addictive drugs are illegal. There are some over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs which are used by some to get high, like cough syrup, painkillers, weight loss pills, etc. The fact is this — it does not matter if they are obtained over-the-counter or bought under the table; if drugs are abused, then they are dangerous.

Myth 4: One should be at “rock bottom” to need drug rehabilitation.

People tend to think that addicts need to hit rock bottom first before they can start absolute recovery. This is a dangerous way of thought. Drug users are better off if they start fighting the addiction during the early stages.

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Common Secret Hiding Places of Drugs

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on March 3rd, 2010

Drug paraphernalia can be difficult to detect. Nowadays, technology has successfully developed several ways to disguise these tools as just like everyday things. You must educate yourself with drug paraphernalia and how drugs look like to be sure that you don’t confuse drugs with harmless things and end up hurting your child because of wrong accusations.

As a parent, we cannot help but be on alert when there are indications that our child might be using abusive substances such as drugs and alcohol. It is the role of the parent to ensure our children’s safety and sometimes asking them up front just isn’t enough. That’s when we have to “get our hands dirty”.

hidden drugsYou walk in to your teen’s room and want do a search for substances. Where do you look first? You can start by checking his bags, his clothes, on his table, on and under his bed and on the floor. However, remember this: things aren’t always the way they seem. Be wary of everyday tools that seem out of place. Check his table, top of his cabinet, anywhere that things can be placed inconspicuously. You should expect that your teen will make it very hard for you to locate his secret stash. Go through the simplest things and check. There are known pipes for marijuana that is cleverly disguised as lipsticks and markers, so also be creative in your search.

Marijuana, crack and other drugs are usually hidden in places where our child would expect us never to be able to find. Look through shoes and their clothes cabinet. Marijuana is usually kept in small plastic bags which can be easily hidden away inside a shoe or in a suspicious hole in the house.

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Drugs Commonly Abused by Teens

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction on February 19th, 2010

Teen drug abuse is an ever-present threat in society, causing a lot of teen delinquencies and family problems. Among the hundreds of illegal substances that are abused, these are the top drugs that are abused by our teens:

marijuanaMarijuana

Marijuana is often the first drug most drug users have tried. Youth use marijuana as a way to cope with life’s stresses, to deal with anxiety, anger or depression, an escape from reality, or to simply address boredom. Marijuana use increases the heart rate, body temperature and appetite. It also produces drowsiness, dryness of mouth and throat, bloodshot eyes, and a reduction in ocular pressure. Long term effects include respiratory problems like lung damage and cancer, impairment in memory and concentration and possible motivational problems.

Meth, Crystal Meth or Speed

Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that speeds up the central nervous system and metabolism making the user more energetic and alive. This affects the user’s sleeping patterns, promotes euphoria and sex drive. Crystal Meth is commonly smoked, inhaled, eaten or injected intravenously. It is known to produce serious side effects like extreme weight loss, welts on the skin, hyperactivity, shortness of breath, depression, paranoid delusions and suicidal tendencies.

Huffing

There are over thousands of household and classroom products that can be abused. This form of drug abuse is called “huffing.” Most drugs for huffing are found in perfectly legal products.

Volatile solvents are any liquid that vaporized at room temperature like correcting fluid and paint thinners. Aerosols are commonly sprays containing propellants like deodorants, foot sprays and spray paint. Medical, industrial and household products like ether, butane, propane and even whipping cream can also be abused.

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Common Signs of Cocaine Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Facts on February 15th, 2010

Cocaine is a powerful and addictive central nervous system stimulant. With its intense and potent euphoric effects, the drug user can easily become addicted to cocaine after a short period of time. Upon taking it, it intensifies alertness, restrains appetite and sleep while giving off pleasurable sensations. Users often take it for performing physical and intellectual tasks more efficiently.

Here are some slang terms or names for cocaine: big C, blanco, blow, blast, Bolivian, Charlie, coke, Columbian, girl, heaven, happy powder, Mama Coca, mojo, nose candy, Peruvian, pimp, she, sniff, snort, snow, toot, trails, white lady and stardust.

However put, cocaine is very dangerous and can be lethal to its users. It is known to cause heart complications including irregular heartbeats, strokes, heart attacks and respiratory failure. Other effects include depression, violent tendencies and a loss of sexual function.

Here is a list of known signs that someone may be abusing cocaine:

cocaine• Sudden weight loss
• Bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils
• Periods of depression
• Runny nose
• Decline in personal appearance or hygiene
• Respiratory infections
• Distorted sleep patterns
• Loss of interest in social engagements and relationships with friends and family
• Loss of interest in food, sex and other productive and pleasurable activities
• Paranoia, hallucinations and delusions
• Impatience and irritability
• Relentless or sometimes destructive need for money
• Euphoria
• Hyper-alertness
• Panic
• Use of small spoons, mirrors, razor blades, rolled paper money
• Use of small bottles with screw-top lids, plastic packets for storing

You may also use home drug tests to be certain about cocaine abuse. They can be very convenient to use, highly effective and totally confidential.

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