Drug

How Meth can Destroy a Life

In school, most children are taught of the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other common drugs. For many people, these lessons are enough to keep them away from drugs for a lifetime; however, one widely used drug that is not receiving the attention it needs, is Methamphetamine, also known as (Crystal) Meth or Ice.

Meth is often used as a cheap form of cocaine, since many of its effects are the same, such as increased concentration and alertness. Meth is usually made in a make-shift laboratory, usually just referred to as “Meth Labs,” and is popular with very low-income drug users. While the exact location is disputed, the majority of experts agree the “Meth capital of the World” is somewhere in America, though some say it is actually Japan.

What many people are not taught are the harmful effects of Methamphetamine use. Meth is one of the most debilitating drugs available, both physically and mentally. There are an incredible number of effects of meth use, but some of the more common ones are anorexia, headaches, hypertension, hypo-tension, aggressiveness, schizophrenic hallucinations, depression, and psychosis. Meth is also one of the hardest drugs to quit and has some of the worst and most severe long-term effects of any drug, sometimes with hallucinations lasting six months after quitting and increased chance for heart problems.

Meth addiction is a very serious problem. If you or anyone you know uses methamphetamine, it is very important that you seek help immediately. Meth is known to destroy people and whole families, but only if you let it.

Filed Under: Drug Abuse Tagged With: Drug, Japan, Methamphetamine

What is the Definition of a Drug User?

Many people assume that those who use drugs are just that, users. What they fail to understand is that it can be so much more than being a user. Our brains have tricky ways to turn on us, creating a dependency instead of just abuse. The underlying problem of the poor perception happens because there are no physical manifestations of a dependency, so it is much easier to write someone off. This is the biggest mistake many people can make when it comes to writing someone off as a lost cause to drugs.

There are two distinct definitions that differentiate between use and dependence. It is not possible for someone to be both a user and dependent at the same time, as they are both completely different diagnosis’s. Understanding how each works can help with dealing with the user. It also helps with deciding what steps to take to convince them that they need to get clean for their own sake and others. Knowing how deep the problem runs is key.

A user is defined by someone who takes reckless actions with a complete and total disregard for the safety of others. They do not care that they have a problem and have no desire to get clean. A user is absolutely aware of their problem, but continues to persist in poor behaviors such as fighting, abusing loved ones, and getting into trouble with the law. And that is the crux of the problem. They know they are addicted, know the toll that drug use is taking on them and others, and they just don’t care. Someone like this needs a full blown intervention. They need to be sat down, have the impact that they have created demonstrated to them with full emotions, with the goal being one of changing the user’s mind about their problem and getting help.

This is the dark side of addiction. Users are self absorbed and don’t feel a need to get sober. It is night and day to someone who is a dependent and wants to get clean, but can’t.

Filed Under: Helping Addicts Tagged With: Drug, Substance abuse, Substance dependence

Casual Drug Use Can Lead to Addiction

So many people say “Nah, not me. I’ll never get addicted to drugs, I just use them from time to time.” And a majority would be wrong. Becoming addicted takes time and creeps up on the user quietly. All it takes is one extra line of cocaine, or trying heroin one too many times and the unconscious part of the brain takes over, demanding more and more.

There are some individuals who never get hooked on drugs and can use them casually throughout their lives. These people have non-addictive personalities which means their brains don’t take ahold of the drug like an addict does. Many are fooled by the non-addictive, thinking that if someone else can get away with taking drugs and not getting addicted, they can too. And that’s a bad assumption to make.

Addiction of any kind changes the brain chemistry, even something as mild as a cigarette. There is some type of reward for partaking in the substance, which in turn starts to hardwire itself into the brain. The more that is consumed, the more the brain changes, and not for the better. Two parts of the brain, the hippocampus and striatum have been found to be the areas that respond to drugs. The striatum is especially implicated as it is responsible for forming habits. It results in that one day, the user wakes up to realize that they are addicted and have to figure out how to stop it.

The unfortunate issue at stake here is the fact that the brain has been irrevocably changed. Neural pathways have adapted to the consumption of the drug and the eurphoria that comes with it. There is no switch that can be turned off anymore. It is stuck in the on position for the rest of the addict’s life, in turn creating an every day battle with the desire to get a buzz.

Filed Under: Drug Abuse Tagged With: Drug, Helping Addicts, Substance dependence

How Drugs Negatively Impact the Brain

Addicts have a hard time accepting the fact that they have a problem, despite the obvious evidence. Someone looking from the outside in can see the changes and waste their breath trying to convince the addict of them. Why is this? It’s because the brain actually undergoes a physical change when an addiction is active. The changes are subtle, so subtle that the user can’t detect anything and thinks that everything is normal. So what does happen to the brain under the influence of drugs? Repeated use of drugs will change the way that the brain looks on an MRI and how it acts. This is how someone turns from being a happy and pleasant person into a downright pain. The changes are interfering with the addicts ability to use good judgment as well as controlling any kind of behavior. It also becomes nigh on impossible to feel one’s own usual self without drugs because the craving for addiction has overrode everything else. It is much easier to quit using a drug in the early stages as the brain has not gone through much change and hasn’t adapted yet. The pitfalls come when the user realizes that the effects of the drugs make them feel really good and they don’t want to give it up. So they come back time and time again, changing how the brain works. Drugs go straight to the reward pathways of the brain, taking them over. Now these pathways want their reward, no matter what, causing the user to progress into risky behaviors to get a fix. It’s fact like these that prove that one just shouldn’t start trying drugs. Ever.

Filed Under: Recovery Facilities Tagged With: Brain, Drug, Magnetic resonance imaging, Substance dependence

Brain Enhancing Drugs

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Brian enhancing drugs are like Viagra for the brain. Scientists openly agree to using these sorts of drugs. Just like a Viagra pill is popped before having sex, the same way brain enhancing drugs are used when they require a brain boost to make that next big break though. The availability of mind enhancing drugs are well known in the scientific community. College students come to know about these drugs from scientific geeks and their use is quite noticeable during peak exam times. Unlike drugs which are addictive, these drugs on the other hand are quite safe and instead of having detrimental effects on the professional and personal lives, they have quite the opposite effect. These mind enhancing drugs are used of mental disorders such as ADD and OCD but are excessively useful for scientists who require to curb the mind from diverting to other things than the problem at hand. These drugs promise along with increased focus also the enhancement of other cognitive skills such as memory. An rough estimate has put the number of users in colleges to 7% and the number of scientists who agree to using these drugs are about 20%. These figures are completely based on self disclosure but could almost triple if all the scientists were truthful about their use. Some scientists consider as cheating since it gives them unspecified advantage above other scientists which makes them perform better than other non users. No scientific study on the side effects of this drug has yet been done but like any other drug this too should have side effects. Some of the less reported side effects are decreased physical strength, but this could be because of stress. Hence it is yet to be fully studies for all the effects of this drug to be known.

Filed Under: Drug Abuse Tagged With: Brain, Drug, Mental disorder, Sildenafil

Talk to your kids about Substance Abuse

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Your children are going to be exposed to drugs! They are going to be at parties where drugs are being used, and they are going to be forced to make tough choices.
We all know talking to our children about issues like Substance Abuse is a great idea, yet many parents venture into the topic once or twice and think they have done their job. Kids go through different phases as they grow up. When they are in high-school, they are likely exposed to drugs like marijuana, Oxycontin and other pain pills. As they move into college and past the age of 21, they are exposed to harder drugs like cocaine, crystal meth and exstacy.
While substance abuse at age 15 is not uncommon, it is more likely past the age of 21 as these now young adults expand their circle of friends and begin attending events like raves, where hard drug use is more common.
Start talking to your kids about Substance Abuse at an early age and keep on talking!
If you don’t think your kids will be exposed to drugs by the age of 10, you’re not thinking. Television news is full of stories of young people that have been exposed to Substance Abuse at very early ages. Kids these days are very visual, and showing them examples of Substance Abuse on television or via the computer is a good way to get their attention. If you show your children examples of Substance Abuse, finish the conversation by really talking about these types of problems and find out what’s going on in their lives.
Don’t stop talking when your kids leave the house or graduate college. Find out what’s going on in their work lives, their romantic lives and their personal lives. Substance abuse can reach out and grab someone at anytime, so it’s important to keep the conversations flowing even after they leave the house.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With: Addictions, Alternative Drug Treatments, Analgesic, Drug, Heroin, Illegal drug trade, Substance abuse, United States

Know if your children have a Substance Abuse problem

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It’s pretty scary knowing that your children are likely to be exposed to drugs while they are attending school. It’s even more frightening to think that your kids might have a Substance Abuse problem, and parents need to pay attention and ask questions.
The following are some signs for parents to look for
•   Grades – One of the first signs of drug use is grades that begin to fall. Teenagers who are involved in drug activity are less likely to pay attention to their studies, and it will show in their grades.
•   Habits – If your child loves to play video games and they suddenly stop playing video games, something is going on. If may be nothing, but lack of interest in their favorite things can sometimes indicate drug use.
•   Who are they hanging out with – Pay attention to where your kids are going and who they are hanging out with. A new friend shouldn’t be under immediate suspicion, but parents that ask questions will have a better idea of the character of this new friend.
•   Personal Hygiene – Watch what your kids are wearing and what their bathing or showering habits are like. For many children that are involved with drugs, their personal hygiene, or lack thereof can be a sure sign that Substance Abuse has crept into their lives.
•   Monitor your child’s spending habits – Having a Substance Abuse problem usually takes money, and unusual spending or frequent asking for money can be a sign that something different is going on.
It is important for parents to always talk with their kids.   If you don’t talk to your kids about the dangers of Substance Abuse, there is no guarantee they will know what to do when confronted with a difficult situation. Pay attention, look for changes in behavior and always love your kids.

Filed Under: Addiction Symptoms Tagged With: Addictions, Alternative Drug Treatments, BioMed Central, Child, Drug, Parent, Substance abuse, Substance abuse prevention

Drug Addiction can be overcome

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If you or someone you know has an Addiction to drugs it’s time to step in and do something about this devastating problem.
No one knows for sure who some people are susceptible to drug Addiction, but it is clear that different people handle their Addiction’s in different ways.   Some people are able to try drugs once and say that’s enough. Others are hooked from the moment they partake, and only a life-changing moment or heartfelt decision can intercept their course with the lowest point of their lives.
Couple of hints for those with drug Addiction
•   Be real – If you’re using of drugs is interfering with your home life, work or social life it might be time to examine if you have a problem.
•   Determine how bad this addiction is – Many people with a drug addiction aren’t always honest about their consumption. Getting a better idea of their habits, by any mean’s necessary, is important in determining the depth of this Addiction.
•   Confront an individual with multiple people – If one person confronts someone with an Addiction problem, it is likely to be seen as an attack. If multiple family members are in the room when the Addiction is mentioned, it’s still likely to be seen as an attack, but multiple people will witness the confrontation.
Overcoming drug Addiction is not easy, but it is possible. For many whose Addiction is very bad, a treatment facility might be the most appropriate recovery method. For some, a change in scenery, different apartment – different friends – or different surroundings might be the key.
Overcoming drug Addictions may take some time, and may involve multiple relapses. Doing research on the Internet is a good way to become educated on Addiction and the many ways to overcome.
Whatever you do, don’t abandon someone with a drug Addiction completely. If they are violent or volatile leave them alone, but check in on them occasionally.

Filed Under: Helping Addicts Tagged With: Alternative Drug Treatments, Brain, Centers and Counseling Services, Drug, Helping Addicts, Substance abuse, Substance dependence, United States

Opiate Abuse Fact Sheet

An opiate is an addictive drug, and opiate addiction is becoming a series issue in the United States. Studies have been showing that more people are snorting and smoking opiate drugs rather than injecting them because of an assumption that smoking and snorting are safer options. People also believe that there is an increased level of purity in the drugs used for these forms of taking them, which is not necessarily the case.

Abuse of opiate drugs has been associated with a number of really serious health issues including spontaneous abortion, fatal overdose, collapsing veins and a number of different infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. If you are addicted to an opiate drug, it is vitally important that you get help in order to overcome the addiction and move on with your life. If you know someone who is dealing with an opiate addiction, one of the ways that you can hold them accountable for their drug use is by testing their urine regularly. There are drug testing products that allow you to test urine at home, so you will be able to determine whether or not the opiate drug has been used in a certain period of time using such a test.

There are short term effects that tend to occur immediately after use and will disappear within a couple of hours. After taking an opiate like injecting heroin, the user will feel a rush, which is a feeling of euphoria. He or she may experience heavy extremities, dry mouth and flushing in the skin. The next phase of the drug effects is called “on the nod,” which feels like alternating between a wakeful state and a drowsy state. For most people, the mental functioning will become cloudy next because the central nervous system is being depressed. People who use opiates on a chronic basis may grow accustomed to the short term effects, but not the dangerous health effects that these drugs can cause.

It cannot be stressed enough: If you or someone you know is dealing with an opiate addiction, get help right now.

Filed Under: Drug Abuse Tagged With: Addictions, Drug, Opiate, United States

Heroin Addiction Fact Sheet

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Definition: Heroin is a type of opiate drug that is processed from the naturally occurring morphine found in poppy plants. Heroin typically appears as either a brown or a white powder.

Trade Names: There are a number of different names used to refer to heroin, including “H,” “Smack,” “Junk” and “Skag.” There are also names that refer to products produced in one specific region, such as “Mexican black tar heroin” for example.

“High” Effects: After taking heroin, users experience a sense of euphoria that can last for several hours. They may experience warm flushing and a feeling like their arms and legs are heavy. Later they will experience an alternation between feeling very awake and very sleepy. It is normal for someone to have clouded judgment and poor mental functioning while under the influence of heroin. Most effects of heroin wear off within a few hours.

Side Effects: There are a number of serious health conditions that are linked to the use and abuse of heroin. These serious health issues include the risk of fatal overdose, collapsed veins, spontaneous abortion and infectious diseases. These symptoms may not initially appear, but can develop over time with repeated drug use and can become more serious with time.

Other Issues: There are a number of other serious issues associated with heroin addiction and drug abuse. For example, since street drugs often have additives in them, heroin can contain additives that may not dissolve readily in the blood vessels, clogging them. This can cause cell death, infection and other issues in the most vital organs, including the liver, lungs, kidneys and the brain. You cannot know how pure your heroin is when you buy or use it, so there is no real way to protect yourself against these potentially deadly issues.

Heroin is perceived to be one of the most deadly drugs as it is one of the four most frequently involved drugs when it comes to drug-related deaths. Drug related deaths associated with heroin and other opiates have actually increased over time, meaning that the heroin addiction problem is becoming worse and more widespread.

Filed Under: Drug Abuse Tagged With: Drug, Helping Addicts, Heroin, Opiate