Illegal and Prescription Drug Rehab Can Both be Vital to Health

October 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When people think of addiction and rehab, they think of things like cocaine and heroin. They consider street drugs and how dangerous and debilitating an addiction to them can really be. What they don’t think about, though, is how many people also go through prescription drug rehab each and every year. Both kinds of rehab programs are important for your health, depending on which kinds of drugs you’re abusing. It’s very important that you understand that there are all types of addictions. Cocaine is certainly one of them, but it’s far from the only one that’s a concern in society today.

Because so many people are getting involved with all different types of drugs, it’s vital to be aware of problems in your circle of friends or in your family members. Looking for unusual behavior is something you should be doing, even if you really don’t suspect that person of having a problem. There’s no need to be paranoid or start spying on them and snooping through their things. Just be aware if you notice serious changes in their mood, behavior, habits or finances. Drug addiction isn’t always obvious, but there are changes you can look for.

Even if an addicted person doesn’t want your help, doesn’t think there’s a problem and doesn’t want to hear the truth, it’s important that he or she knows you’re there for them – and that you know there’s a problem. In time, the addict will often acknowledge it on his or her own. In the meantime, continue to make the effort to get help, and make sure that you don’t let things progress to a dangerous point just because you don’t want to butt into that person’s life. Sometimes, butting in is the only thing that saves someone.

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Filed Under: Alcoholism, Awareness, Drug Addiction, Drug Research Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

How to Tell the Symptoms of Someone on Drugs

September 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The signs of someone having a drug-related problem are many. You could read vast amounts of literature identifying common and not-so-common warning signs for an alcohol or substance abuse problem of any kind.

There are a few common physical signs that are linked to drugs and alcohol abuse. Sleeping pattern changes are one of the obvious signs here, along with bloodshot eyes.

Appearance can be another sign of abuse. Poor hygiene and a general indicator of appearance being neglected can be indicative of a drug problem.

Watch out for slurred or agitated speech, along with shifts in weight. A sudden or great loss or gain in body weight can be a sign of such abuse, related to a number of drug problems.

Accidents and injuries are also a common sign of abuse. Bruises and abrasions on the skin may form in relationship to this. Also, individuals with drug abuse are often sick more frequently, which rounds out the physical signs.

The category of many more signs are found in those relating to behavior. This is one area where you may want to consult a professional if you have questions, though some behavioral signs are very clear.

Emotional changes and indicators are especially worthy of attention. These include everything from depressive, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and losses of interest in activities.

Actions that may cover up drug use are also common. For instance, if one always locks doors and spends extra time in the bathroom may indicate drug abuse. Hidden stashes of substances are also common.

Take note of the individual’s actions in order to determine whether he or he has a drug problem. This should not be done lightly; talk to professionals and others around the person when making such a huge decision, in order to move forward properly and at the right level.

These are just a few common symptoms of drug use. Be sure to read on others to improve your understanding of the signs of drug abuse.

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LSD

August 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment
LSD and equipment used in its manufacture are ...
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Origins of LSD
Commonly known as Acid the chemical LSD or Lysergic acid diethylamide is well known for its use among the hippy counterculture during the 1960s. It is used to produce psychological, sensory, and visual altered states. The drug was synthesized by a Swiss scientist named Dr. Albert Hofmann while he looked for ergoline, a chemical compound used to treat migraines and Parkinson’s disease. It wasn’t until some five years later that Hofmann discovered the psychedelic properties of the drug by accidentally ingesting some of it. Hofmann then did a number of controlled experiments testing the drug and found it to be a very potent psychedelic agent. LSD was later patented and marketed as a psychiatric drug in 1947.
The CIA and LSD
During the 1950s the CIA initiated Project MKULTRA. They tested the effects of LSD on CIA members, members of the US Armed Services, doctors, the mentally ill, prostitutes, and the general public. Some subjects did not know they were in fact subjects at all. The clandestine project was disclosed by the Rockefeller Commission Report in 1975.
The Effects of LSD
The psychedelic experience caused by LSD varies depending on the user, dosage, and environment. The hallmark psychological effects produce by LSD ingestion are visuals, change in identity perception or ego death, and perception of unity transcending all experience. The physical effects can be perspiration, goose bumps, increased heart rate, nausea, and an increase or decrease in body temperature. The visual distortions produced by LSD are not objects that are imagined, but instead a tree breathing or vibrant colors washing over a person you are looking at. Ego death and the resulting perspective have been purported by some to greatly change their personalities and lives – usually for the better. A user may state that new perspectives about his perception of the “self,” lead him to have a different relationship with the world around him in a positive way.
Is there harm?
LSD officially became illegal in the US in 1968, but FDA approved studies continued until 1980.  LSD is said to be physiologically well tolerated by the human body.

Origins of LSD
Commonly known as Acid the chemical LSD or Lysergic acid diethylamide is well known for its use among the hippy counterculture during the 1960s. It is used to produce psychological, sensory, and visual altered states. The drug was synthesized by a Swiss scientist named Dr. Albert Hofmann while he looked for ergoline, a chemical compound used to treat migraines and Parkinson’s disease. It wasn’t until some five years later that Hofmann discovered the psychedelic properties of the drug by accidentally ingesting some of it. Hofmann then did a number of controlled experiments testing the drug and found it to be a very potent psychedelic agent. LSD was later patented and marketed as a psychiatric drug in 1947.
The CIA and LSD
During the 1950s the CIA initiated Project MKULTRA. They tested the effects of LSD on CIA members, members of the US Armed Services, doctors, the mentally ill, prostitutes, and the general public. Some subjects did not know they were in fact subjects at all. The clandestine project was disclosed by the Rockefeller Commission Report in 1975.
The Effects of LSD
The psychedelic experience caused by LSD varies depending on the user, dosage, and environment. The hallmark psychological effects produce by LSD ingestion are visuals, change in identity perception or ego death, and perception of unity transcending all experience. The physical effects can be perspiration, goose bumps, increased heart rate, nausea, and an increase or decrease in body temperature. The visual distortions produced by LSD are not objects that are imagined, but instead a tree breathing or vibrant colors washing over a person you are looking at. Ego death and the resulting perspective have been purported by some to greatly change their personalities and lives – usually for the better. A user may state that new perspectives about his perception of the “self,” lead him to have a different relationship with the world around him in a positive way.
Is there harm?
LSD officially became illegal in the US in 1968, but FDA approved studies continued until 1980.  LSD is said to be physiologically well tolerated by the human body.

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Filed Under: Drug Research, Drugs Tagged With: , ,

Cocaine on the Brain

July 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dopamine Pathways. In the brain, dopamine play...
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Ingestion

Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, or shot directly into the blood stream with a needle. The most common means for administration is snorting where cocaine powder is taken into the nasal cavity and absorbed into the bloodstream via mucus membranes. Cocaine can be smoked or “freebased” by a user where cocaine absorption into the bloodstream through the lungs is immediate and overwhelming; a method largely blamed for the crack-cocaine explosion during the 1980s. Cocaine injection is not as popular of a technique and is usually reserved for serious addicts, but injection results in the most intense cocaine induced euphoria.

How does Cocaine Work?

Regions of the brain are stimulated by competition, food, sex, natural and synthetic drugs. The vental tegmental area (VTA) is a region of the midbrain on which cocaine has strong affect. The VTA is connected by nerved fibers to the nucleus accumbens that is a significant area of the brain controlling reward. Rewards produce dopamine (a neurotransmitter) that heightens activity in the nucleus accumbens. Dopamine is used to communicate stimuli of reward and then normally recycled out of the synapse for reuse. Cocaine blocks dopamine removal from the synapse resulting in an excess of dopamine to the receiving neurons and thus euphoria.

Does it cause Long-term or Permanent Effects?

There are plenty of strong-willed people that lose themselves in cocaine addiction. Many whom use cocaine regularly are not in control of their habits even if they think so. Once addiction is present even those whom have stopped for periods of time are at high risk of a relapse. The dopamine system in the brain is vital to motivation; the brain scan of an avid cocaine user shows decreased dopamine receptors resulting in desensitization to natural rewards. Not only are those reward pathways less sensitive to natural stimuli, but the drug cocaine itself. Consequently, a user will have to use more cocaine to produce the same effects and thus be more susceptible harsh side effects that come with elevated use.

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Marijuana – A Subtle Danger

May 11, 2010 By 1 Comment
"Marijuana Cigarette"
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Is marijuana really bad?

Marijuana is often championed as the natural drug that does not have any negative side effects. Because marijuana is seen as such a harmless drug when compared to Class – A drugs like cocaine, heroine, ecstasy, etc. marijuana is often thought to not have an affect on a person’s functioning. Marijuana is in fact a much less harmful drug than those Class – A drugs mentioned above, however, it can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to function normally.

What are the side effects?

When marijuana use becomes anything other than recreational (1-4 per month use) it can begin to change a person’s behavior. Marijuana affects everyone differently; some people maintain the same behavior during periods of heavy habitual use while others are significantly affected. Users that experience behavioral deviations often exhibit subtle changes in their social and or work lives. Heavy marijuana users are often less outgoing and willing to navigate unfamiliar social settings. They prefer to hang out in smaller groups of close friends and are more sedentary. Heavy marijuana users can also suffer a lack of motivation to do extra work outside of what they have to get done. For example, a heavy marijuana user might perform fine at work, but lack the motivation to pursue personal goals outside of work like continuing education, physical fitness, or entrepreneurial aspirations.

Does everybody suffer the side effects?

Not everyone suffers the side effects mentioned above; there are high functioning heavy marijuana users. There are heavy marijuana users that are lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc. just like there are high functioning alcoholics. However, the percentage of high functioning marijuana users among the total population of heavy marijuana users is scant. Most heavy marijuana users endure at least some of the side effects mentioned above.

What’s the big deal?

There is no big deal; marijuana is not going to ruin your life like heroine, cocaine, alcohol, or some other drugs. Despite that, marijuana is dangerous because of its ability to subtly change your behavior without evident warning signs. You won’t hit rock bottom, but you may end up being less extroverted, chasing less goals, seeking less self-renewal, etc. There are plenty of heavy marijuana users that are doing just fine in life, but that is all they are doing – just fine. If you are intent on being an extraordinary person heavy marijuana use won’t positively obstruct that prospect, but it will probably make it harder.

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Why Do We Need Drug Treatment Centers?

April 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Conversation between doctor and patient/consumer.
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Drug addiction has become more prevalent with the increase of prescription drug abuse.  Often times a patient may convince a physician that they require a pain-killer for a phantom pain.  Because a doctor may be overwhelmed for any number of reasons, such as having too many patients to see, it may be that some patients wind up with drugs they don’t need. Other times, a patient suffers a severe accident and is prescribed drugs and they wind up “liking” how a particular drug feels and use the drug as a crutch and keep going back to the doctor for more.

Drug treatment centers are available around the world for individuals struggling with drug abuse problems or an addiction to drugs.  The goal of these programs is for the patient to become clean and sober. Thankfully, many treatment facilities offer medical supervision with a licensed physician; patients can receive individualized treatment to help with withdrawal symptoms which are at their worst the first few days without drug. Some presenting symptoms of withdrawal include sweating, tachycardia, abdominal pain or constipation, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and depression. Often a withdrawal pattern can be discerned based on the type of drug that has been abused. Along with the pharmacological side of drug addiction treatment, many drug treatment centers offer psychological therapy focusing on relaxation techniques, meditation, group therapy, and exercise.

Many programs also offer their patients follow up care. This is very important as it produces better long-term patient outcomes, especially once a patient returns home. Follow-up care is most important during the first few weeks at home as this time period is the most likely period for relapse to occur. While one would hope to never have to use these facilities, know that they offer programs for every level of addiction and can help the patients to be sober and drug-free for the rest of their lives.

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