Posts Tagged anxiety

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

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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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Risks of Marijuana Use

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing on July 31st, 2009

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In my earlier posting I spoke about the legalization of marijuana. But as a counselor it is my responsibility to sensitize people on the risks associated with its use. It is high time that people understand that smoking pot is not as harmless as it is thought to be.

This is specially for kids and their parents since contrary to the popular belief that marijuana is not popular among kids, the fact is the number of teens in treatment for marijuana dependency is more than that for all other illegal drugs. Teenage is the age of experimentation which might lead to addiction. Research shows that the potency of today’s marijuana is very high and is thus highly addictive. It also serves as a gateway drugs for teenagers who might gradually switch over to other extremely harmful substances like heroine, cocaine, etc.

Smoking pot has hazardous effects on the health of the smoker. Marijuana smoke destroys and leads to abnormal functioning of the lung tissue. The amount of carbon monoxide absorbed and tar inhaled is 3-5 times greater than cigarette use. Loss of motor co-ordination, increased heart rate, heightened anxiety and panic attacks are short term effects of the drug.

Marijuana also affects the brain activities. It impairs the attention, memory and learning capacities leading to poor academic performance. Pot smoking creates a trance like state which impairs judgment leading to risky decision making and involvement in unsafe behavior.

Longitudinal studies show that chronic use of the weed leads to deviant behavior patterns like aggression, delinquency, rebellious, poor relationship with parents.

Often we have found teens resorting to marijuana as a way to overcome depression. But pot can worsen the situation by increasing the level of depression and paving a path for other serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and even suicide.

Will you still believe that marijuana is not harmful?

Be on the guard. Spread the message, save children from using marijuana.

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Addiction to Prescription Drugs is on the rise

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Prescription Drug Abuse on July 20th, 2009

The untimely death of pop star Michael Jackson has once again raised the question “Are prescription drugs beneficial or harmful for health?” I believe that a majority of people will speak for the motion. But a few, like me who have had the opportunity to know the reality, will speak against it. Yes, addiction to prescription drugs is scaling up.

Such drugs are definitely useful when used as directed by the physician. But often they are misused – taken in larger doses.

A survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2007 has shown that around 15% of the US high school students abuse prescription drugs. Addiction to such drugs is prevalent mostly among young adults between 18 – 25 years who are unaware of the inherent danger.

The causes are easy availability and a common belief that such drugs are not harmful since they have been prescribed by doctors. “A safe way to get the high” said a senior student.

3 groups of prescribed drugs are generally abused –

• Opioids prescribed for relieving pain e.g. Morphine like Kodian and Avinza, Oxycodone like OxyContin and Percocet.

• Central Nervous System depressants that are used for treating anxiety, sleeplessness, e.g., Barbiturates like Mebaral and Nembutal, Benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax.

• Stimulants that are prescribed to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), obesity, narcolepsy e.g. Detroamphetamine like Dexedrine and Adderall, Methylphenidate like Ritalin and Concerta.

So please be aware of prescribed drugs. Keep in mind the fine line that differentiates between using and abusing such drugs. Remember they are as dangerous as illegal drugs like brown sugar since they are highly addictive and dangerous. Consult a doctor immediately if you feel that someone in your family is abusing prescription drugs.

Take the Tour: http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_dangerZones.asp

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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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