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Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on January 22nd, 2010

The bad thing about prescription drugs is that they are readily available in your local pharmacy, and they are no less dangerous than the drugs you get on the street. Just because you can get some at any time does not mean in any way that they are safe to use. When taken non-medically and in excess quantities, they can do a lot of damage to your body and may even cause death.

prescription drugsThe problems that prescription drugs can bring are real. The most commonly abused of these are painkillers, cough syrup, sleeping pills and other sedatives. While the drugs each serve a corresponding purpose, using them for the wrong reasons can lead to an early end. Famous people all over the world have paid with their lives for what they thought as a great way to escape the sadness and pain of their lives, but despite taking these, there still remains a certain level of emptiness within, which is why they continue drug use until their last breath.

So, how does one avoid addiction to prescription drugs? The first thing is to strive to be happy. Keep in mind that most abusers of this drug type are often depressed and seek out anything to relieve them of their sadness. Looking at bigger picture of life helps, and often at a much larger level than you originally anticipated.

Of course, this is something that is easier said than done. But the important thing is that you do not give in to life’s problems. It may take a great amount of willpower to do so, but it’s better than being a slave to something as small as a pill or a syrup bottle.

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Poverty, Loss of Hope and Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on January 6th, 2010

Given the state of affairs of the world today, everyone is doing their part in cutting back their costs. Those with lavish lifestyles are forced to tighten their belts at least a notch, since the global economic crisis has made life a bit more difficult. The situation is felt harder by people in the middle class and lower class, who live their lives from paycheck to paycheck – for those still with jobs, at least. When all hope for financial security seems lost, some people could turn to drugs for the solution, desiring to escape reality if only for a brief moment.

hopelessness may lead to drug abuseWith life becoming increasingly harder by the day, you can’t really blame some people for turning to drugs. The rate of unemployment has become depressing over the past few years, where people experience being out of job for a period longer than they initially expected. In despair, some people choose to do drugs. The sad reality about this situation is that it may even be harder to get out of this trap.

It would be easy to preach that people should work harder instead of wasting their lives away on drugs, but actually doing this may not be as easy. The best way to fight against this trap is to give them hope for life, to give them another reason to live their lives more meaningfully again.

While poverty does not necessarily lead to drug abuse, the sense of hopelessness that the former brings is a powerful and compelling force to deal with, and this is not something that everyone can readily face. Understanding this fact is key to overcoming this challenge.

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Myths About Pot Smoking

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on September 30th, 2009

PotSmoking

Substance abusers who fail to abstain from chemicals despite several treatment efforts, generally think of switching over to some other forms of chemicals for harm minimization. Often we come across confused parents who try to make a deal with their children that, “if you stop using all other drugs you will be allowed to smoke only pot.” This is not really surprising since throughout the world marijuana is the most popular drugs because of its euphoric effects. The myths associated with marijuana are also responsible for its widespread acceptance. A good number of users and their family members believe that they are smoking herb – a natural product. Isn’t that a consolation!

But parents must be aware about the three common myths about marijuana use and then decide on their course of action.

#  Marijuana is not addictive. It does not create physical dependence. This is absolutely an incorrect notion since continued use of pot leads to physical dependence which is evident from the symptoms that are noticeable once the substance is withdrawn. Lack of appetite, poor sleep, fatigue, aggression are some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with the substance. 

# Marijuana is natural and thus good for health. All natural products are not safe for health. Mother nature also produces certain things which are detrimental for health. Marijuana affects the Central Nervous System specially the cognitive aspect of the brain. The effects, though subtle, are often irreversible. Short term memory is impaired, a slower processing speed leads to slowing down of the brains ability to solve problems. Prolonged usage in adolescence might lead to neuroplasticity.

# Marijuana is a natural healer for diseases that cause pain. Studies have shown that THC, the primary chemical in marijuana helps AIDS patients to gain weight and prevents cancer patients from experiencing nausea. Thus THC is filtered and extracted and used in different pills. But actual marijuana has at least 400 cancer causing chemicals apart from THC which might cause devastating effects when they react with THC in the body.

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Approaches of Primary Prevention for Drug and Substance Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on September 28th, 2009

primary prevention

The use of substances has been a very common practice amongst people in all cultures since the earliest times. But today the pattern of abuse as well as the nature of substances has changed considerably thereby affecting the consequences.

Newer substances are being found. The present day youth can also design drugs! But citizens like us, who have taken up the challenge to combat against this hydra headed monster, are also finding out better ways of reaching out to people and sensitizing them against the issue and the results have been quite rewarding. 

Globally primary preventive activities are being adopted and implemented to control substance abuse. The approaches basically aim at reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors at the individual and environmental levels. In order to make primary prevention effective the involvement of the government, communities and others is an absolute necessity.

The Individual Approach of primary prevention aims at imparting necessary knowledge and developing skills and resources which helps in bringing about a change in the attitude, beliefs and values of the individual. Peer Education has proved to be very effective since it involves young people both as receivers and providers of information.

Building social and personal/cognitive skills improves young people’s abilities to interact socially, clarifies values and enhances self awareness. Participation in group projects providing leadership opportunities, discussion of feelings, values and perception through role play motivate young people to resist social pressure and teach them skills like decision making, problem solving and goal setting. Developing vocational and livelihood skills can increase work opportunities and increase independence.

The Environmental Approach aims at developing positive social norms by providing a safe and supportive environment. Providing interesting recreational activities, participation in community service projects, etc. helps in social bonding which acts as a protective factor. Availability of adequate resources and referral system, involvement of key persons in the local community are prime factors in primary prevention.

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Some good blog sites on drug addiction and prevention

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Other, Prescription Drug Abuse on September 26th, 2009

Medical-MarijuanaDesign

Let us explore today some blogsites that I found to be informative and interesting. Hope our readers will like them too.

The first I found is Drug Addiction Support (http://www.drug-addiction-support.org/drug-addiction-blog.html). The site discusses common issues related to drug addiction, drug addiction syndromes, most common causes behind drug addiction, effects of drug addiction, and treatment modalities.

You will find nice, information rich articles that are easy to read and understand. It has a section on various drugs like cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, suboxone, marijuana, etc.

Next I found Narconon of Georgia (http://narcononofga.wordpress.com/alcohol-awareness/) quite interesting. Nice topics and good, authoritative content may help you if you are seeking information on drug and alcohol addiction. The site has added some videos which you may find to be very appealing.

You may also see Recovery Connection (http://www.recoveryconnection.org/) website that focuses on drug, alcohol, and substance abuse recovery and treatment plans. It has published a state-wise database of addiction treatment centers and information on the types of treatments offered in specific centers. You will find lots of information on Addiction Treatment Programs and Drug and alcohol Rehab Programs, Drug/alcohol Detox Programs, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs, Eating Disorder Programs, GLBT Addiction/rehab/detox Treatment and Detox Programs, etc.

Drug Rehabs.Org (http://www.drug-rehabs.org/) is dedicated toward rehab programs. You can have specific information if you are searching rehab programs for yourself, friend, family, spouse, children and you can search their database depending on the age of the person. The site has option of searching on the basis of the type of drug as well.

See Alcohol/Drug Help Line (http://www.adhl.org/) is an exclusive help line–based service provider. They run their service during Sunday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (previously it was 24-hrs helpline). The site presents some useful links if you wish to be a part of the rehab services or volunteer for some counseling.

We request our readers to write to us if you find some interesting sites/resources. This would help us in fighting the menace more comprehensively.

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Methamphetamine abuse and associated risks

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other on August 10th, 2009

meth abuse

Methamphetamine is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs since 1970s.

Typically a person starts using methamphetamine as a stimulant for its powerful enhancing effects on energy level, mood, alertness, concentration, sex and appetite suppression resulting in weight loss. Gradually tolerance develops and the individual finds great difficulty in functioning and experiencing pleasure without it. Recent researches have also revealed that children and adolescents who use alcohol and are sexually active are more prone to use the drug.

The physical effects of the drug include increased wakefulness, surges of energy, restlessness, increased, irregular heartbeat and blood pressure, enlarged pupils, sweating, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain and fever. When used in larger doses the person can become aggressive, violent and also paranoid.

Long term use leads to extreme weight loss, severe dental problems (meth mouth), mood disturbances, confusion, insomnia, violent behavior. Chronic users experience visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions like insects crawling under the skin.

The intoxicating effects of the drug can alter judgment and inhibition making the person vulnerable to engage in unsafe behavior practices like unsafe sex, thereby increasing the chances of HIV transmission. Apart from HIV, the injectors also pose the risk of contracting other blood borne diseases, abscess, etc.

The use of the drug causes irreversible damages in the brain. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the use of methamphetamine leads to reduced levels in dopamine transporters resulting in slowed motor skills and weakened memory. Damage to dopamine transporters may be recovered after stopping the use but not the memory or motor skills.

So do not run after a ‘flash’ of pleasure in exchange of your brain – the primary organ required to function normally and which cannot be transplanted.

A great resource: http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRMetham.pdf

In case of help call Meth Tip Hotline toll free number –  1-866-638-4847 . Anonymity and confidentiality is maintained.

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