Posts Tagged benzodiazepines

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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