Addictive drugs activate the brain's reward systems. The promise of reward is very intense, causing the individual to crave the drug and to focus his or her activities around taking the drug. The ability of addictive drugs to strongly activate the brain reward mechanisms and their ability to chemically alter the normal functioning of these systems can produce an addiction. Drugs also reduce a person's level of consciousness, harming their ability to think or be fully aware of present surroundings.
What Is a Drug?
In medical terms, a drug is any substance that when taken into a living organism may modify one or more of its functions. Drugs can provide temporary relief from unhealthy symptoms and/or permanently supply the body with a necessary substance the body can no longer produce on its own. Some drugs can produce unwanted side affects. Some drugs lead to an unhealthy dependency that has both physiological and behavioral roots.
No one wants to be a drug addict or alcoholic, but that doesn't stop people from becoming addicted. The most commonly asked question is simply - how? How could my son, daughter, father, sister, or brother become a liar, a thief, someone who cannot be trusted? How could this happen? And why won't they stop?
The first thing you must understand about addiction is that alcohol and addictive drugs are basically painkillers. They chemically kill physical or emotional pain and alter the mind's perception of reality. They make people numb.
For drugs to be attractive to a person there must first be some underlying unhappiness, sense of hopelessness, or physical pain that they wish to escape from.
The life cycle of addiction begins with a problem, discomfort, or some form of emotional or physical pain a person is experiencing. They find this problem very difficult to deal with.
We start off with an individual who, like most people in our society, is basically good. This person encounters a problem or discomfort that they do not know how to resolve or cannot confront. This could include problems such as difficulty fitting in as a child or teenager, anxiety due to peer pressure or work expectations, identity problems, or divorce. It can also include physical discomfort, such as an injury or chronic pain. The person experiencing the discomfort has a real problem and feels their present situation is unendurable, yet they see no good solution to the problem.
Everyone has experienced this in life to a greater or lesser degree. The difference between an addict and the non-addict is that the addict chooses drugs or alcohol as a solution to the unwanted problem or discomfort.
Analogous to an adolescent child in his first love affair, the use of drugs or alcohol becomes obsessive. The addicted person is trapped. Whatever problem they were initially trying to solve by using drugs or alcohol fades from memory. At this point, all they can think about is getting and using drugs. They lose the ability to control their usage and disregard the horrible consequences of their actions.
In addition to the mental stress created by their unethical behavior, the addict's body has also adapted to the presence of the drugs. They will experience an overwhelming obsession with getting and using their drugs. They will also do anything to avoid the pain of withdrawing from them. This is when the newly-created addict begins to experience drug cravings.
The individual now seeks drugs both for the reward of the pleasure it gives them, and also to avoid the mental and physical horrors of withdrawal. Ironically, the addict's ability to get high from the alcohol or drug gradually decreases as their body adapts to the presence of foreign chemicals. They must take more and more, not just to get an effect but often just to function at all.
At this point, the addict is stuck in a vicious, dwindling spiral. The drugs being abused have changed them both physically and mentally. They have crossed an invisible and intangible line. They are now a drug addict or alcoholic.
A person tries drugs or alcohol. The drugs APPEAR to solve their problem. They feel better. Because they now SEEM better able to deal with life, the drugs become valuable to them. The person looks at drugs or alcohol as a cure for unwanted feelings. The painkilling effects of drugs or alcohol become a solution to their discomfort. Inadvertently the drug or alcohol now becomes valuable because it helped them feel better. This release is the main reason a person uses drugs or drinks a second or third time. It is just a matter of time before they become fully addicted and lose the ability to control their drug usage. Drug addiction results from excessive or continued use of physiologically habit-forming drugs in an attempt to resolve the underlying symptoms of discomfort or unhappiness.
The addict will now attempt to hide their drug use from friends and family members. They will begin to suffer the effects of their own dishonesty and guilt. They may become withdrawn, difficult to reason with, and possibly develop strange behavior.
The more they use drugs and alcohol, the guiltier they will feel and the more depressed they will become. They will sacrifice their personal integrity, relationships with friends and family, theirs job, savings, and anything else they may possess in an attempt to get more drugs. The drugs are now the most important things in their life. Their relationships and job performance will go downhill very drastically.
There is such a thing as a "drug personality", which is artificially created by drugs. Drugs can change the attitude of a person from their original personality to one secretly harboring hostilities and hatreds that they doe not permit to show on the surface.
This establishes a link between drugs and increasing difficulties with crime, production, and the modern breakdown of social and industrial culture.
The drug personality includes such characteristics as:
Drugs and alcohol are broken down in the liver. When a person drinks or uses drugs over a period of time, the body becomes unable to completely eliminate them all. These metabolites, the substances the body converts the drugs or alcohol into, are removed rapidly from the blood stream. However, they become trapped in the fatty tissues of the body. These drug residues remain for years. There are various types of tissues that are high in fat content, and these tissues are re-generated very slowly. When they are re-generated, the stored drug metabolites are released into the blood stream and they reactivate the same brain centers as if the person actually took the drug. The former addict now experiences a drug re-stimulation, or "flashback", and drug craving. This is common in the months after an addict quits and can continue to occur for years, or even decades.
Even as the withdrawal symptoms subside, the brain demands that the addict give it more of the drug. This is called a drug craving. Craving is an extremely powerful urge and can cause a person to create all kinds of reasons why they should begin using drugs or drinking again. They are now trapped in an endless cycle of trying to quit, craving, relapse and fear of withdrawal. Eventually, the brain cells will again become used to having lowered drug metabolites. However, because deposits of drug or alcohol metabolites release back into the bloodstream from fatty tissues for years, craving and relapse remain a cause for concern. Left unhandled, the presence of metabolites, even in microscopic amounts, cause the brain to react as if the addict had actually taken the drug again. This can cause craving and relapse even after years of sobriety. To solution to preventing relapse due to the above scenario is the Narconon New Life Detoxification procedure.
Almost all of us will take a mood-altering substance at some time or another. These mind-altering substances are what we call drugs. Most of us have had coffee or tea, or had a few glasses of wine or beer. These are acceptable practices in terms of their health and social consequences.
However, some of us will abuse alcohol. Some will smoke cannabis, take amphetamines, try ecstasy, or shoot-up heroin. This over indulgence is dangerous, yet we choose to do it. Why do some abuse drugs while others don't?
People abuse drugs for many different reasons. Here are a few examples:
You should note that all these reasons deal with changing the way a person feels. People like to avoid boredom and loneliness. People also like feeling powerful, fitting into groups, feeling relaxed, feeling "good" etc. Drug abuse provides "good" feelings that are otherwise missing from a person's life. That's why people choose to abuse drugs in the beginning.
A danger with so-called "casual drug abuse" is that it carries a risk that, over time, it can escalate into habitual drug abuse. This is the foundation for drug addiction.
How does this happen?
If person abuses drugs to feel better or as a way of coping with problems, then there's a good chance that he or she will never learn the life skills necessary for feeling good naturally or coping with difficult situations. Instead, he or she may always choose to avoid uncomfortable feelings or situations by simply getting drunk or stoned etc.
Here's a make-believe example:
A schoolboy fails an examination. He feels bad and smokes some marijuana to avoid his feelings of shame and disappointment. He begins to do this regularly when he feels down. He gets older. He loses his job. He's very angry about that, but the old level of drug abuse no longer numbs his emotions. So he gets some tranquillizers from his doctor and soon starts to abuse them. They become his new emotional painkiller. He gets older still. A member of his immediate family dies. He is grieving. The old ways of killing his pain are not enough, he needs more. He begins to get drunk everyday. We can substitute alcohol or other drugs anywhere in here, it's all the same.
This individual has never learned how to cope with his uncomfortable feelings; he turns to drug abuse to "help" him with his problems instead of facing them head on.
So what's the problem with abusing drugs as an emotional painkiller or whatever? Well, drugs are like roses that grow in a garden. They look attractive but they have sharp thorns!
Some of the 'thorns', or risks, associated with drug abuse include:
Another, more insidious, risk associated with drug abuse and addiction is a person's:
This doesn't happen to everyone. Many people drink alcohol or smoke cannabis occasionally and feel no compulsion to drink or smoke more. Some have tried heroin or cocaine once or twice and decided not to take those drugs again. They are very lucky. They haven't lost control.
But many people do loose control of their drug abuse. They discover that drugs, like roses, have got thorns. And they can hurt . . . they can hurt very much. LOSS OF CONTROL can be driven by physical factors, psychological factors, or both.
Physical dependence is when the body comes to need a drug to function normally. If it's not taken, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur. The only way to avoid this is to take more of the drug(s). Psychological dependence is when an individual comes to rely on a drug to supply good feelings. These are feeling such as relaxation, self-confidence, self esteem, freedom from anxiety, etc. This is not just a casual desire, it's a powerful compulsion.
So, here's a scenario: A person first takes a drug out of curiosity, peer pressure, boredom, etc. They like the way it makes them feel. It makes them feel self confident, relaxed, and powerful. So they take it again in an attempt to get these good feelings back. They take it again . . . and again . . . and again . . . Now they're becoming either physically or psychologically dependent on the drug. They have to keep on taking it just to feel normal. They feel that they have no choice. At this point they have lost control of their drug use. However, they will probably not be able to admit this, even to themselves.
So, for some people, what began with casual drug abuse can develop into drug addiction. This can happen quickly over a period of weeks, or slowly over a period of many years.
Note that a person who abuses drugs occasionally doesn't intend to go on and become addicted to them. This is not a voluntary process. There seems to be a line somewhere in any person's personality and drug use. Once the line is crossed, it's too late. That person is very likely to be powerless to reduce or stop their drug intake by their own efforts.
We're not just talking about desperate heroin addicts or alcoholics on park benches here. There's a whole range of drug addiction and it can affect anyone.
This could be:
The compulsive alcoholic is no different than the heroin addict. The intensity of desire may be very similar. People who have become physically or psychologically dependent to some degree on their drug or drugs of choice often realize that they're drinking or using more than they used to. They may then make some effort to reduce their drug intake. This could involve cutting down the amount taken each time, only drinking or using drugs on certain days, switching to another drug (e.g. whiskey to beer, alcohol to cannabis, heroin to methadone) etc. Sometimes attempts to cut down may involve a life change such as moving home or changing jobs. It's very common for such efforts to end in total failure, much to the utter bewilderment and dismay of the individual concerned. He or she cannot reduce their drug intake. They're now faced with the fact that their drug addiction is beyond their control. It has taken on a destructive force of its own. He or she now needs help to deal this problem.
Nobody knows why some people become dependent on drugs while others do not. It has nothing to do with lack of will-power or moral weakness. A genetic component may be involved. An individual's family and social environment may also play a part. But it does it really matter why? What's more important is what can be done about it.
A drug or alcohol dependent person can cause chaos for themselves and their family. They may act irresponsibly which can cause financial problems, difficulties at work, or trouble in school. They may lose the trust of family and friends by deceit and broken promises. They may lie or steal in order to continue using drugs or alcohol. They may feel shame and guilt from repeated failure in trying to control their intake. And yet he or she will usually insist that "there's nothing wrong"DENIAL is a symptom of drug addiction. It works something like this:
A person may like abusing drugs, either for the good feelings that it brings or simply to avoid withdrawal symptoms. He or she wants to keep on using the drug. Yet he or she knows that the drug abuse is hurtful to themselves, their family, and their friends. The individual loves his/her family and friends. There's a subconscious conflict here that can't be resolved. The only way out of it is to deny that he or she has a drug problem and deny that it's harmful to themselves or to others. The person may really believe there's no problem, as this DENIAL is subconscious.
Drug addiction is NOT an illness; it is a serious problem the individual has developed over time and through repetitive drug abuse. Just like any other problem in life, drug addiction has a solution!
Much of what you've read thus far has described the dangers of either regularly abusing drugs or alcohol, or becoming dependent on them. You may be thinking that you know of people who get drunk now and then, or smoke marijuana occasionally without any appearance of problems with their drug use. You should be warned that casual drug use does pose a danger. From our experience we can say that drug abuse and drug addiction are progressive. They start small . . and get larger . . and larger . . and larger.
It's very easy to move from marijuana, to amphetamines, to heroin. It is also easy to transition from a weekly drink, to a daily drink, to permanently drunk. It is common to take more powerful drugs or take more of a single drug. Remember, this can develop slowly over the years. Would you like a so-called "casual drug user" to be your taxi or train driver, to look after you while you are in the hospital, to do electrical wiring in your home, to repair the brakes on your car, to be driving towards you just as you cross the road? Always remember, there's no such thing as a safe level of drug abuse.
Do you think you have a problem with drugs or alcohol? Are you concerned about a family member who has a problem like this? Whatever your situation, it's easy to believe that you're alone with this. Maybe you feel that somehow you have to solve the problem all on your own. That is not the case. There are a lot of people who care about you, and who would like to help you if they can. You don't have to deal with drug addiction on your own!
Family & Friends
If you have abused drugs or alcohol, you might feel that they would not want to help you. You may feel like they are already fed up with your behavior and they don't care. You may think that they don't understand. Well, perhaps they are fed up with your behavior. Perhaps they have got good reason to be. But if so, it's your behavior that they don't like. They probably still LOVE YOU as a person.
If you talk to family members or friends honestly about your drug or alcohol problem, and are able to ask for their help in dealing with it, then you might be surprised at their reaction. Usually, if they think that you're being straight with them, your family or good friends will be happy to give you help and support. Remember to always respect them for helping you and remain appreciative for that help. If you are concerned about a family member who is abusing drugs or alcohol, family members and friends can give you emotional support that will help you to cope with the situation. They can act as a shoulder to cry on or as a physical support in confronting the abuser about his or her behavior Maybe they can help you to find a way forward. They can help you look after yourself, while at the same time encouraging the drug/alcohol abuser to seek help. As always, a problem shared is a problem halved.
A Doctor
If you have a drug or alcohol problem, a doctor may be able to:
· Help you understand what's happening to you
· Explain how you can begin to overcome this addiction
· Refer you to some sort of community help
· Refer you to a day-care or residential treatment facility
But don't “con” the doctor just to get some pills that you think will make you feel better. That won't help you. That will only strengthen the power of your addiction. It will make things much worse. The first step in overcoming drug or alcohol addiction is to stop taking the drugs. Your doctor can be one form of support that you can take advantage of to help you to stop.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment offers intensive drug addiction help over a period of weeks or months.
Residential treatment has some advantages over out-patient treatment, although it may not be suitable for everyone. For example, those who are responsible for caring for young children may be better suited to attend an out-patient treatment program. Residential treatment can also be expensive, although some financial help is often available for those in need.
Residential treatment offers a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment where individuals can confront their own drug addiction and associated issues. This is done with the help of qualified staff. Therapy usually consists of a mixture of group counseling, individual counseling, and an introduction to the principles of a drug recovery program.
We can't give details here of all Residential Treatment Centers around the world.
Individual drug counseling can be a great benefit to those who are seeking help in tackling their own drug or alcohol addiction. Such counseling can also help those people who are affected by the alcohol or drug addiction of another member of the family.
Drug counseling may be more appropriate or practical than either out-patient treatment or residential treatment for some people. For example, someone who has a full time job may be unable to attend a residential treatment center. Similarly, someone who has children may only be able to secure a child sitter for an hour or two in the daytime. In situations like this, using a local drug counselor may be the best solution. It allows appointments to be made that suit the circumstances of the individual seeking help. You will be able to find details of drug counselors in your local area by looking in the telephone book or the Yellow Pages.
A drug is a generalized term given to any substance that changes the way your brain works. Drugs can be broadly classified into three groups: depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens.
Some drugs have a "depressant" effect and slow down your reaction to things. Taken in small amounts they may make you feel more relaxed. Taken in large amounts they may cause you to pass out as they slow down your breathing and heart rate or may cause nausea, vomiting and even death. Mixing depressant drugs may be dangerous and increases the likelihood of drug overdose.
The effect of the depressant you are taking may also be influenced by the amount you take. Taken in large amounts cannabis may cause hallucinations.
Depressant drugs include:
Some drugs have a 'stimulant' effect which make you feel more awake and alert. They increase your heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Stimulants may make you feel agitated, keep you awake, decrease your appetite and dilate your pupils. If you take a large amount of a stimulant drug you can become anxious, paranoid, aggressive and get stomach cramps. People who also use amphetamines regularly may be putting themselves at risk of developing a speed-induced psychosis.
Stimulant drugs include:
Hallucinogens may change people's perceptions of reality. During this time, people may experience visual or auditory hallucinations. It is impossible to predict whether your hallucinations are likely to be positive or unpleasant. It is not uncommon to experience anxiety, panic or paranoia during an hallucination. It is also difficult to predict the length and frequency of the hallucinations. You may still be having them for up to 24 hours or for periods after this time. Losing contact with reality and perception changes may cause people to have accidents and take risks they wouldn't normally take. Some people may develop a drug-induced psychosis as a result of taking hallucinogenic drugs.
Hallucinogenic drugs include:
Drugs have their own individual effects on people, which may result in different experiences and reactions for everyone. Your mood and the environment at the time of taking the substance may affect your reaction to it. Depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens all have different effects.
Everyone has a different reason for trying alcohol and other drugs. Some of the reasons as to why people may be taking drugs are:
Illegal drugs can be particularly unpredictable, as they are not manufactured in a controlled way. Any time you take an illegal drug you cannot know whether it is stronger or weaker or the same as the last time you tried it which means you may be taking more than intended.
Mixing drugs can be dangerous. Stimulants can hide the effects of depressant drugs like alcohol. You may feel less drunk than you are which may mean you take more risks, and put yourself in danger.
Drug addiction is a treatable problem. With the help of treatments targeting individual needs and concerns, people can control their drug using behavior and live happy and successful lives.
What is drug addiction?
Drug addiction is a pattern of repeated drug use that usually results in tolerance (the need for greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect), withdrawal (physical and cognitive effects when drug use declines or stops), and compulsive drug using behavior (drug use that persists despite efforts to reduce intake and despite problems with family, friends, and work).
Drug addiction is a complex problem. It encompasses a diverse range of drugs such as: alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine. Drug addiction is caused by many different factors. Drug problems are frequently accompanied by other psychological problems such as: behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These co-occurring psychological problems must be addressed when seeking treatment for drug addiction. These underlying problems may interfere with the effectiveness of treatment.
There are several treatment options available for drug addiction and they differ in their aims and outcomes. Elements of these treatment options are often combined.
1. Self-help Self-help options vary but most involve the individual being responsible for their own treatment. Books, videos, telephone, and on-line support are some of the self-help options available. Typically, self-help materials involve an assessment of drug using behavior and associated consequences. They also involve monitoring of drug using behavior that includes the conditions in which the drug is taken and the physical, emotional, and behavioral consequences of taking the drug. Education about drugs and their effects, modification of drug taking behavior, and access to support are also components of this type of help. Self-help components are commonly incorporated into other forms of treatment. Self-help groups are managed and run by people who have had drug issues. Because the members have drug issues, these groups can offer great insight, understanding, and support. An example of a self-help group is Alcoholics Anonymous.
2. Counseling There are many different types of counseling techniques. Although they each have different theories and methods, they often address common issues.
a. Family therapy
Family therapy involves all family members in the treatment process. This is because drug problems are thought to be related to dysfunctional family relationships and interactions. Family therapies often involve other people in the person's social network, such as teachers and friends, who may affect the person's drug use. The goals of family therapies are to improve family communication, provide education about drugs and their consequences, enhance problem solving, identify parental substance abuse problems, and improve family relationships.
b. Rational emotive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy
These therapies aim to challenge and change the irrational and negative thoughts (cognitions) that are hypothesized to be responsible for drug use and to change and reduce drug taking behaviors.
c. Skills training
This approach is based on the belief that substance dependence represents a means of coping with difficult issues and stress. The training of life skills is thought to provide more functional and healthier options for coping with stress. A variety of life skills are developed. The skills include social skills, assertiveness, drug refusal skills, problem solving skills, relaxation, and crisis management. Training involves presenting the rationale for learning the skills, modeling, practicing, and feedback.
d. Relapse prevention
Relapse prevention involves the development of strategies to help maintain drug abstinence. Various techniques are used to prevent "relapse" or the re-initiation of drug use. These techniques include the identification of high-risk situations for relapse, instruction and rehearsal of strategies for coping with those situations, self-monitoring, strategies for recognizing and coping with cravings and thoughts about the drug, planning for emergencies, and coping with lapses and relapses. Training involves rehearsing skills, role-playing, and homework tasks.
1. Treatment settings
Treatment can occur either in an in-patient setting. Examples would be hospitals and residential units. It can also occur in an out-patient setting. Where treatment takes place depends on a number of factors. The presence of psychiatric problems, family and social supports, the severity of the problem, and previous treatment efforts all factor into the proper treatment setting.
2. Treatment goals
There are two major treatment goals, abstinence and reduction. Abstinence involves never taking the drug again, whereas reduction (or harm minimization) involves reducing the amount of drug taken to a relatively safe level. Each approach differs according to difficulty level and types of outcomes. The chosen goal depends on the type of treatment option, whether you think you will be able to stick with your goal, the outcome you would prefer, and how much support you have. Which treatment option should I choose?
It is important to realize that not all treatments are suitable for everyone. The treatment option that is best for you depends on how long you have had the drug problem, the severity of the problem, and the type of drug being used. For drug addiction problems, it is recommended that you seek the help and support of a professional.
Many parents worry about whether their teenagers are taking illegal drugs, how they can tell, and what to do about it. Unfortunately, we live in a drug-using society. While there is a lot of concern about illegal drugs, the most harm and the greatest risk to young people comes from using legal drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, and medicines. However, young people may want to experiment with new things and test limits. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of them try illegal drugs.
Fortunately, out of those who try, not all will go on using drugs regularly and only a few will develop serious problems. With all the stories about drugs in the media, many parents wonder why young people would even think of trying drugs. The fact is, many young people don’t try them. Of the young people who are having problems in their lives, only a small number turn to drugs. It seems that the longer young people wait before they first use and/or regularly use drugs, the less likely it is that a drug problem will develop. While this can offer some comfort to parents, it is important for parents to be well informed and know what to do for their child.
Why do teenagers use drugs?
Some parents think that young people only use drugs if they are depressed or have problems at home or school. Understanding some of the reasons may help parents to appreciate the many pressures that teenagers face. Some of the reasons are:
Young people often rely on friends to tell them what to expect from a drug. The information they get is often not accurate.
How will I know if my teenager is taking drugs?
This is the most common question that parents ask. The answer is that there is no easy, sure way to tell. The effect of the drug might have worn off before you see your teenager or the effect of the drug is not something that is easy to see. Even when there is a major change in behavior, it could be caused by something else, such as illness. Parents who know their children well will notice any sudden change in behavior that might be a sign that something is wrong.
These changes include:
Don’t jump to conclusions!
Think about all the possible reasons for a change in behavior. Is it due to a sudden growth spurt, or possibly changes due to puberty? Are there problems at school or with friends? Are things going on within your family that could be affecting your teenager? Remember that there are many reasons other than drugs that might be the cause of these changes. So it is a good idea to react to the situation in the same way you would to anything that made you feel worried about your teenager’s well being. In this way you won’t make the possible mistake of jumping to the wrong conclusion which could damage the relationship with your teenager.
Bringing up the subject
To raise the subject, you need to be able to talk with some confidence. The way you talk will make a difference to how your teenager responds.
If you suspect or find out your teenager is taking drugs, be careful how you initially react to the news.
If you are suddenly faced with drug use, let things simmer down. Wait until your teenager sleeps it off and talk the next day. Getting angry will close the door on communication.
Your teenager probably knows, but remind them what your values are and what you will allow in your house. This can be a tricky issue and will depend on how old your teenager is. With older teenagers, you may have to come to terms with the fact that they are making their own life choices.
Find out what kinds of drugs are being used and how they are being used. The best way to find out is to ask your teenager.
If your teenager is apprehended, give them moral support but let them see that it is their responsibility.
If you find or suspect your teenager (or friend) has passed out from drug or alcohol use, phone 911 immediately for an ambulance. Do not hesitate!
Remember, many times drug use comes from trying something new. Using drugs is not the same as being addicted to drugs. In most cases, addiction to drugs happens over time after they have been used regularly. Even though some people may become addicted faster than others, it is not true to say using drugs for a short time will always lead to addiction.
What parents can do
Good parenting is important for all children and teenagers and should help them to be healthy in all parts of their lives. However, good parenting will not necessarily prevent teenagers from trying drugs. They are at an age when they make their own choices about using drugs, and many other things as well. Using drugs is often just part of being a teenager. If you find that your teenager has used, or is using illegal drugs, you should not blame yourself (unless you have been an influence with your own behavior).
As your children enter their teen years, think about what you can do to help make their lives interesting.
Keep the communication open and honest. Be approachable!
Make sure that you have safe arrangements for teenagers getting home.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t need to handle this alone.
Peer group issues
Drugs, both legal and illegal, are a part of our social life and culture. This is especially true for younger people. Drugs can be potentially harmful to our physical and mental health. There are a number of differences between men’s and women's use of drugs.
Until recently, smoking has not necessarily been seen as a women's health issue, but rather a concern of public health. The effects of smoking appear in almost every major system and organ in the body. Heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and cancer are directly linked to smoking. Women's risk of developing lung cancer is twice that of men who smoke the same number of cigarettes. Women also face additional risks linked to contraception, birth, menstruation, menopause, osteoporosis, and cervical cancer. It is estimated that in 1998, over 6,000 female deaths were attributable to smoking. This is approximately 10% of all deaths.
So, who smokes?
While overall rates of smoking have dropped over the last 20 years in many developed countries, the greatest reductions have been in rates of male smokers. Results from the Australian Burden of Disease and Injury Study reveal that between 1981 and 1996, the mortality burden for lung cancer per capita decreased 15% for men but increased by 62% for women. This has resulted in a closer similarity between men’s and women's smoking habits. However, projected estimates suggest that more women than men will smoke in the future. A 2001 household survey of almost 27,000 people aged 14 and over revealed that:
Like cigarettes, alcohol is a widely used legal drug. It is accepted as part of our culture. Alcohol is a mood altering drug which, when consumed in large quantities, can act as a depressant. It affects judgment, balance, and coordination. Young people are at risk of alcohol related injuries including: road trauma, violence, sexual coercion, falls, accidental death (i.e. drowning), and suicide. Prolonged alcohol abuse affects major body systems and organs, including the liver and the brain. Like smoking, adolescent drinking is largely a social activity and peak consumption occurs on weekends.
So, who drinks?
The 2001 National Drug Strategy's Household survey found that:
Illegal drugs are volatile substances used illegally and pharmaceuticals used for non-medical purposes. Illegal drugs include:
The consequences of illegal drug use include physical health outcomes such as kidney, liver, and heart damage. They can also cause loss of memory or concentration, depression, the transmission of viruses through sharing needles, and psychological or physical addiction. Some illegal drugs can lead to increased aggression or hostility. There are also associated legal risks of engaging in illegal or dangerous activity.
So, who uses illegal drugs?
Accurate information about the use of illegal drugs is difficult to obtain due to people's reluctance to admit to their use. The 2001 National Drug Strategy's Household survey found:
Addiction is an unhealthy obsession with a certain activity or substance. Drug abuse and alcoholism are common forms of addiction. The signs of addiction are not always evident and can sometimes be more obvious than other times. Possessing the signs of addiction does not always mean that there is a drug addiction present. However, you may want to be more aware if someone is suspected of using. If a friend or family member is suspected, be supportive and assist the individual on the road to recovery. Addictions manifest in a wide variety of people from all walks of life. It is not exactly clear how addictions develop, but they can be initiated by a number of factors including social pressure, personality, and availability. Addiction can also cause one's physical well-being to deteriorate over a period of time.
Remember: Denial is dangerous for everyone. Addiction takes over the lives of addicts. It endangers their health, safety, and happiness as well as that of others. Denial lets everyone pretend there is not problem. The longer denial goes on, the longer it will take for an addict to change his or her behavior. Ignoring a loved one's drug problem will not make the problem go away. But if you suspect someone is using drugs, you must proceed very carefully. Don't spy or make emotional accusations, which are sure ways to make the person rebellious and defensive. Instead, tell the person that drugs can damage their health and their future. Explain that you want to protect them from the danger of drugs just as you would want to protect them from any other threat. Most importantly, get the help as soon as possible.
Here are some pointers for selecting the best
Residential Treatment Program: No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals. Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to each patient's problems and needs is critical.
Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug use. Treatment must address the individual's drug use and associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems.
Treatment needs to be flexible and provide ongoing assessments of patient needs, which may change during the course of treatment.
Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness. The time correlates directly with the individual's needs. For most patients, the threshold of significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in treatment.
Individual and/or group counseling and other behavioral therapies are critical components of effective treatment for addiction. In therapy, patients address motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding non drug-using activities, and improve problem-solving abilities.
Addicted or drug-abusing individuals with coexisting mental disorders should have both disorders treated in an integrated way. Because these disorders often occur in the same individual, patients presenting for one condition should be assessed and treated for the other.
Detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use. Medical detoxification manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal. For some individuals, it is a precursor to effective drug addiction treatment.
The best rehab programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet the needs of the individual.
An overdose occurs when an excessive amount of a drug or poison is taken, leading to a toxic (poisonous) effect on the body. There are many drugs that can cause harm when too much is taken including alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, and some herbal remedies.
Always call an ambulance if a drug overdose is known or suspected. Many overdoses do not cause permanent damage and most people make a full recovery. Some overdoses can cause damage to certain organs such as the liver and kidneys. If the overdose was an attempt at self-harm, this requires careful ongoing treatment.
The symptoms of an overdose vary widely
A wide range of symptoms can occur and everyone responds differently. Symptoms depend on the drug, the amount taken, and the person's bodily constitution. Some poisons are weak and cause minor distress, while others are very strong and can cause more serious problems and possibly death. General symptoms of a drug overdose may include:
The main reasons for an overdose include:
People of any age may overdose on drugs, though certain groups are at increased risk including:
Other risk factors include:
Medical care depends on the drug taken and the person's medical needs. Options include:
If you have concerns or questions at any time, contact your local doctor. In an emergency, you should rely on the emergency department.
Activated charcoal - home care suggestions
If charcoal was given in the hospital, it will be passed with the next bowel movement in a day or two. Home care suggestions include:
Some ways to avoid overdose happening include:
If you think someone has taken an overdose, suggestions include: