One of the byproducts of addiction is the fact that an addict completely isolates themselves from the rest of society. There are reasons behind this. Drugs and alcohol will cause a person to lie, steal, cheat and manipulate – all of these actions result in harming society in one way or another. At one point a person makes the decision to go against the morals and values of society. When they do this they are separating themselves from the rest of the world. After a person completes a drug and alcohol rehab, they are thrown back into society. They are thrown back into the group that they harmed and resisted for so long. This provides for a bumpy transition at best.

In order to handle the inevitable cohabitation between a person who was once an addict and the rest of society the former drug user has to know what is expected of them. They literally have to be told not to steal, not to lie, not to manipulate and so on. And while this may be a very simple concept for most people to understand, remember this was a person who, until very recently, was basically trying to kill themselves.

The sign of an effective drug rehab is that they are able to fully handle the addiction and get the person up to the point where they are willing and seeking out the companionship of other, sober, individuals.

* Changes in eating habits or appetite and unusual change in weight.
* The odour of a substance about someone’s person or clothes.
* Unusual hyperactivity and alertness and uncharacteristic talkativeness.
* Unexplained needle marks and/or bruises.
* Change in attitude or personality for no apparent reason.
* Unexplained tiredness and lethargy.
* Hanging out with new friends and at new places, avoiding old friends.
* Loss of interest in activities and pastimes that were previously important.
* Problems at school or work such as lack of productivity and poor attendance.
* Withdrawal from family life and group activities.
* Lack of attentiveness and absent-mindedness.
* Decreased motivation and self-esteem.
* Defensiveness when questioned and severe mood swings.
* Possible violent temper or aggressive behaviour.
* Extreme highs and lows in moods.
* Expressing paranoid thoughts and ideas.
* Sudden issues with privacy, such as locking doors and refusing entry to others.
* Secretive behaviour.
* Sudden dishonesty and possible stealing.
* Change in personal hygiene habits such as bathing less frequently.

What to do if you suspect someone is addicted to drugs

If you suspect someone close to you is addicted to drugs, try to talk to them about it. Often when someone is addicted to drugs they lose sight of how erratic or damaging their behaviour has become. It can take someone close to them to make them realise the effect their drug use could be having.

Don’t be accusatory; be open-minded and approachable. Be open about your feelings and concerns and encourage the other person to open up to you. Do some research on the help that is available, for example from your GP, local drug dependency services and rehab centres.

Drug addiction treatment

There is help available for people who are addicted to drugs. This comes in the form of:

* A rehabilitation centre
* Residential rehab clinic
* Day patient treatment centres
* Counselling
* Detox programmes
* Medication
* Group therapy
* Complementary therapies

Wedorecover provides immediate access to details of the best private rehab centres in the UK and South Africa.

Just getting off addiction to prescription pain meds can be gruesome. If the addict tries to simply stop using and, without help, just grit his teeth and tough it out, the withdrawal symptoms can tear him up. It tears up everyone around him too.

Recently, a very concerned father called about his 27 year old daughter. She has had two back surgeries for which multiple pain medications have been prescribed. You guessed it, she has become very dependent on them.

It is not clear at this point if the pain in her body is from the injuries, the surgeries, or from her addiction to the heavy opioids she is on.

Heavy use of pain medications can actually perpetuate the sensations of pain after long term use; a little known fact that the pharmaceutical industry does not talk about.

And these medications do not just mask the pain, they also change the way you function mentally. And if a person has emotional issues to begin with, the added effects of the drugs can lay the prefect foundation for a full blown addiction. Prescription drug addiction is so common these days that more of our calls are for prescription meds than anything else.

So what needs to be done for this girl?

Two things: Detox her and then Rehabilitate her.

You could sit and try to “talk sense” for hours on end and it would not change anything. We would not know what is going on until we find out how much of her pain is actually from the back injury and how much is from the addiction to prescription pain meds.

The word detox has somehow evolved onto a catch-all word that covers all aspects of recovery from drug addiction. In reality, it is only one part of the journey, albeit a necessary part. And detox is much more than just taking a holiday from the drugs for a week. By detox we mean actually cleansing the body of the residual drugs and toxins that had built up over the years of drug use.

Then, when she is really off drugs, it is time for true rehab. See what is needed in the way of physical correction while she learns what she was missing to begin with, help her to gain the strength to live without the drugs, to live in the light of full awareness and not in the dim, drugged world she has been struggling in for however long.

The skills that keep someone off drugs, month after month, year after year, are what must be learned, with the help of experts in the field of addiction recovery. That is real detox-rehab.

But getting help is not easy either. There are very few “free” rehab centers. And if you find one… get in line. The waiting list can be very long. It does not do you much good when you hear, “Okay, we will help you…in six months.”

Tony Bylsma CCDC, is a rehabilitation counselor and drug prevention speaker in Los Angeles.
Blog: http://www.detoxrehab.org
Website: http://www.TheRoadOut.org

Caring genuinely, overcoming objections in rehab – Individuals suffering from addiction generally have a sense while in treatment to recognize genuine caring, or lack thereof coming from clinical staff. Because the work done in treatment is often difficult and very self-disclosing, addicts will look for reasons to avoid and isolate. A lack of interest in a client’s success will cause an immediate incongruency and foster excuses from treatment.

Trading places in drug treatment – Having the ability to see through the eyes of an addict and experience thoughts and feelings goes a long way in creating a bond and safe holding environment. An empathetic counselor can make up for some lack of experience in the field.

Behavioral substance abuse acceptance – A counselor with the ability to separate a clients behavior from the actual intentions and feelings of the client is necessary for productive outcomes in treatment. A non-judging approach is essential for any addict dealing with their demons. They have been under this stigma for quite a long while by the time treatment becomes a reality.

If these elements are easily seen in counselors a certain level of care is being given.

http://www.newroadstreatment.com

888-358-8998

When you look back at the reason and the surroundings in which got you started down the road to a cocaine addiction, you have to admit that the people you were with probably had a great effect on your getting started. The surroundings in which you put yourself played a great part in getting hooked and also in staying hooked. To get off and stay off, you must choose well your surroundings and the people with which you hang out with.

The people which you were accustomed to hanging out with probably did drugs too. And the surroundings in which you hung out probably was conductive to your habit also. Just think about people who you are around often, if they have a positive outlook then that rubs off on you. If they have the negative kind of outlook and are often grumbling and complaining, then you also pick up that negativity. The same applies to getting off cocaine, if you are in a positive and productive atmosphere it will be conductive to your staying off cocaine.

There is an old saying “resist temptation” and the key to resisting temptation is to not be around it! If you do not put yourself in the tempting position it is easier to resist. And if however, you put yourself in a tempting situation (like where others are doing it) then it is naturally harder to resist. If you keep yourself in a supportive atmosphere and with others who can and will give you support, then it is much easier to resist the temptation of picking the habit back up again.

The number one beneficial aid to staying clean from a cocaine habit is staying away from the drug scene, and the people who associate with it. Changing your group of friends sometimes can be hard to do. But it will be the most positive step you can do to isolate yourself from the temptation.

A new group of positive and supportive friends can and will be the best measure you can take towards staying clean. When you end up in jail with a drug charge, you will not get to pick your friends – and you will wish you had done a better job of picking friends while you had the chance.

Do you want to learn more about cocaine relief, download my free ebook “Cocaine Relief – First Step” here: Free eBook

Jim has overcome addictions and sees it from the users point of view, find out more at: http://www.CocaineRelief.com

Talking about drug addiction, though many consider it to be a disease, it can be interpreted as something related to human emotions just like talking and feeling. Thus it can be evaluated by talk-therapy and procedures like that, the only difference being that it infinitely harder compared to any other problem. Identifying the symptoms has been and continues to be the basic step towards the cure of any disorder and this is no different. The symptoms are basically eating disorders characterized by loss of appetite, which explains the lean and weak frame of junkies. Other symptoms are formation of dark circles resulting from insomnia which in itself is a symptom, and other side effects.

The craving for narcotics characterized by maddening abdominal pain can also be considered as a symptom, if it can be. What started as a simple experimentation with drugs out of curiosity can lead to the demons of addiction, something on the lines of the short story ‘Curiosity Killed My Crow’. There are many myths regarding drug use and addiction. And the existence of these myths itself is a reflection of the naivete of the once-normal-now-addicts.
Quitting can be the biggest one can imagine as the conception among people that only those who got a strong will power succeed in breaking the shackles, is one to get shattered. The reason being that prolonged usage of drugs usually results in changes in the functioning of the brain in such a way, that the thought of controlling the craving is ephemeral. Now the above reason should not be a heart-breaking one as changes in functioning of brain doesn’t mean that it cannot be reverted back to normal, there are lot of treatments and therapies which precisely work on it. Better late than never, to start a rehabilitation program, as one doesn’t have to wait until he/she hits the depth, when they are basically helpless. Effects of drug abuse on the other hand vary from one drug of abuse to other, but the most common trait observed is that the functions of brain like self-control, motivation, memory, emotional regulation and judgment get jeopardized. These effects of drug abuse are enough to consider it as a serious problem, but the decision to quit or get treatment should solely belong to the one who is addict rather than pushing rehabilitation onto them.

Marcus has been writing articles for nearly 4 years. Come visit his latest website over at http://www.how-to-play-rummy.com/ which helps people learn how to play rummy online.

To maintain this problem, people, especially teenagers will visit alcohol rehabilitation. It is a good way to heal from addiction. Most of parents will try to find the best solution to stop their teenager’s bad habit.

Rehabilitation has its own program to cope with addiction. You have to know that the quality must be appropriate choice. The program will be focused on alcohol addiction healing. The treatments must be formulated perfectly.

You have to avoid the treatments that are not safe enough. Sometimes, medicines supply will give side effects for people. It is better for you to ask about kinds of medicines and other treatments before you agree with the program. Remember that you want to save your teenager.

You can ask about the excess of other program, probably there is family treatment to face and handle alcohol addiction. Family must know exactly the factor and impact of alcohol addiction. You can take good prevention to stay away from this bad habit. Fortunately, you will know about the sign and how to maintain it well.

The price that is offered by alcohol rehabilitation center is based on the level and period that you want to take. As a good parent, you have to prepare the fee to get complete treatments. This is really stressful, but you want to get back your normal teenager right?

When your teenager returns home, you should care and protect them from bad habit that probably will be happened in the future. Try to communicate continually with rehabilitation centre to get continual solution after treatments process.

Read more useful tips and solution after the treatment in alcohol rehabilitation.

Drug-Addiction-Support.org

Admitting that drug addiction is a disease seems trite on the surface, but people look at drug addiction differently than they view heart disease, or cancer, or the common cold. There is always blame attached to drug addiction. There is always an accusatory finger to be pointed at the one who suffers from drug addiction disease.

Many in society assert that the addict is entirely to blame. There is not the same kind of sympathy for drug addicts that there is for smokers with cancer, or people with diabetes and heart disease. They are not viewed as people suffering from a disease.

The reasoning for society not being sympathetic to the addict is simple. People get hooked because they chose to take the drug in the first place. John Q. Public sees it that way and he can take the moral high ground because he didn’t take drugs and somebody else did. Maybe John Q. took the drugs but didn’t get hooked. People seeking a thrill might try a street drug like crack cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin because of the “rush,” the “high” they produce and chronic users are those who have developed a need far beyond merely wanting a thrill.

Prescription medications that are abused, such as OxyContin, are coveted because the effect is intense and even greater than the heroin they get on the street. Even if they don’t want a thrill, people can still become addicted to prescription medications just because they take more than the prescribed amount to feel better. In either case, nobody asked for their life to be ruined.

It may start innocently enough, but people get out of control. What started as a lark ends up as an albatross around their neck. It hangs there and the user can’t get rid of it. Regardless of how the disease started, the person is no longer in control of it and cannot break free of the disease’s power. People may have a few drinks, or enjoy a couple of trips to the buffet table, but sooner or later their body says it’s time to stop. With the addict, that “thing” that says stop isn’t there. They don’t get enough and continue, even long after another person has stopped. It’s the inability to stop that causes so much pain and suffering.

Whatever the drug of choice, intervention and treatment are necessary for the addict to return to a healthy lifestyle. The problem for the addict is that society has attached a stigma to the disease. Bad people are drug addicts. Weak people are drug addicts. Undesirable people are drug addicts. No, people become addicts; good people, nice people. The well-educated, the blue collar, the rich, the poor, all colors and types are all potential addicts. They can all contract the disease. No one is exempt.

Rev. Ned Wicker is a certified hospital chaplain working with drug and alcohol addiction. His website is: Drug-Addiction-Support.org

]]> http://helpdrugabuse.com/drug-addiction-is-a-disease/feed/ 0 http://helpdrugabuse.com/what-are-drug-addictions/ http://helpdrugabuse.com/what-are-drug-addictions/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:29:52 +0000 admin http://helpdrugabuse.com/?p=1032 A drug addiction is a compulsive disorder. Addiction can be of varied kinds, namely drugs, alcohol, gambling, spending, smoking, sex, eating or any other behavior. A person hit by this is often unsatisfied and restless. Drug addiction in layman’s terms would be dependence on chemicals or on unwanted plants for the sake of getting high. This disorder requires very high consumption of drugs in order to fulfill drug seeking behavior, and is very vulnerable to relapse.

The following are some of the most common drugs that are physically and mentally addictive.

1) Marijuana

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs. The drug is excessively popular amongst teenagers. Commonly known as pot, weed, grass, herb, Maryjane, and the devil’s cabbage. The effects can last for around 1-3 hours. It can cause a lot of harm to the lungs and a person loses his or her concentration power. It causes severe smoking habits that are difficult to quit, and prolonged consumption can also lead to cancer. There are few addiction treatments available for marijuana abusers, because it is not considered physically addictive.

2) Alcohol

The general concepts of alcohol abuse are wrong. Alcoholism is “alcohol dependence.” Alcoholics are the ones who seek help for a problem related to his or her drinking. Symptoms are craving (a strong desire to drink), loss of control (the inability to save oneself from drinking any time), physical dependence (the aftereffects of quitting alcohol, such as nausea, sweating, and shakiness), and tolerance (the need drink more and more to get “drunk”). Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that it does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking or physical dependence. There are a lot of treatment facilities that treat alcoholism. Drug rehabilitation centers are also present, and most importantly an alcoholic requires emotional support from the near and dear ones.

3) Ecstasy

One of the more dangerous drugs, it can bring about deadly reaction in the abuser. According to some users its one of the hottest drugs around. Ecstasy is often referred to as disco biscuit, go, “X”, love drug, and hug drug. Ecstasy is one of the harshest drugs around, as it causes accelerated dehydration, overheating, and may eventually lead to death.

4) Cocaine

Also known as “crack” in layman’s words. It is a strongly addictive stimulant that affects the brain directly. It is one the most popular drugs. And is consumed in great amounts. Cocaine is consumed by either chewing, snorting, mainlining, injecting, or smoking. It’s effects include; increased energy, decreased appetite, mental alertness, high blood pressure, addiction, restlessness, and hallucinations. There has been an enormous amount of cocaine used over the years. It is one of the most common cited drugs around. As cocaine is a strong drug, it causes harsh effects on the mind and body so the treatment process is very harsh.

5) Methamphetamines

Methamphetamines are often called speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, crank, and glass. They are a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system. It comes in many forms and can be snorted, smoked, orally ingested, or injected. Their effects are; increase in activity, hyperthermia, paranoia, hallucinations, stroke, and weight loss. It will usually remains present in the brain for a longer duration, which ultimately leads to prolonged stimulant effects.

6) Hallucinogens

These are drugs that causes hallucinations (illusory perception). Hallucinogens cause their effects by by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and then spread throughout the body. They are commonly known as acid, blotter, and blooter acid, dots, pane, and zen They generally react on the mind for around 12 hours within a span 30 minutes of administration. Prolonged use causes neural disorders and malfunctions of the brain.) It is one of the most highly addictive drugs. There is a misconception about this drug that it does not lead to addiction. Heroin is a processed form of morphine. It is often called smack, skag, and junk. The effects include; a rush, depression, abscesses, arthritis, and collapsed veins.

Addiction Forums

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]]> http://helpdrugabuse.com/what-are-drug-addictions/feed/ 0 http://helpdrugabuse.com/are-all-drugs-addictive/ http://helpdrugabuse.com/are-all-drugs-addictive/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:28:40 +0000 admin http://helpdrugabuse.com/?p=1030 Addiction, in medical terms is a condition in which a human body depends on something for its normal functioning, which further leads to physical dependence. Addiction triggers as a mental issue and proceeds to a physical reliance. In such a state a person tends to rely on a typical substance or a drug that seems to give him relief. An escalated drug tolerance is what we know as addiction. One can even get addicted to prescribed drugs; it need not necessarily be due to drug abuse.

It is quite tough a job to answer whether all drugs are addictive or not, it depends on how one defines addiction. Some feel that psychological dependence on a drug or any other substance is addiction. It can be anything. Some people are inclined towards these things and feel that they cannot live without the influence of the substance. This is more of problem with the person who is using it than the substance or drug itself. Dependence is after all a human nature; we cannot blame a drug just because we depend on it. This has more to do with the mental state of one’s mind than the physical.

Now, talking of physical dependence, it happens with certain drugs. We get used to some particular drugs typically and cannot survive without it. This happens due to repetitive use of the same drug for a considerable period of time and in heavy doses. Tranquilizers, heroine and also the common alcohol are the major addictives. These drugs are the most potent ones and are usually consumed in heavy doses and on a regular basis. Irregularity can lead to severe complications like flu, the shakes and at times can also lead to death. The body and he mind are totally dependent ion the drug and is prevention against illness.

The cause of drug addiction largely depends on the drug in use or abuse, the person using it and also the situations in which the drug is taken. It is the weakness of a person that leads to addiction. Some social issues are also being held responsible for drug addiction. Mental weakness, peer pressure, emotional set back and inferiority complex, any of these can be responsible for addiction. Drugs cannot be blamed.

It is true that tranquilizers have an addictive effect, so are some of the commonly used cough syrups, but that happens incase of an overdose. Normal dosage is fine and helpful too.

One should not get messed up with the terms drug-dependence and drug- abuse. These are totally different terms and have different meanings. Dependence is the after-effect of stopping the use of a drug, while abuse refers to knowingly over-using a drug. The former is more of tolerance and the later is a chronic symptom.

Seeping pills and other drug like ecstasy, LSD and cannabis, when used regularly can cause psychological dependence, physical dependence is unlikely. Drugs, which are more of stimulants like crack, cocaine, nicotine and amphetamine also lead to psychological dependence, the physical dependence of these drugs, are yet to be proved.

I Askd.com offers a large variety of information – from how do drugs work to how to quit smoking.

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