




Facts
Inhalants are widely abused around the world by teens and even young children. The amusing smell of many household substances can lead to sniffing and death. The different substances will have different effects on one's body, but all of them negative. Things are slowly being done to prevent more people from becoming inhalant abusers. Barbiturates: Barbiturates are a group of drugs that act as depressants on the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). They are derived from barbituric acid, a chemical discovered in 1863. Scientists looking for a drug to treat anxiety and nervousness that would not produce dependence (as do codeine and morphine) changed the structure of barbituric acid and synthesized barbital. Barbital, a depressant, was introduced as a medicine in 1903, followed by phenobarbital in 1913. Since that time, more than 2,000 similar chemicals have been synthesized, but only about 50 of these have been sold as medicines. As more people took the drugs, the side effects of barbiturates became apparent. An overdose can result in respiratory depression (slowing or stopping normal breathing processes), which can be fatal. Doctors also realized that the barbiturates can be abused. People can become dependent on them, and a serious withdrawal syndrome can occur when a person abruptly stops taking the drugs. In the 1960s, the introduction of the benzodiazepines, a safer class of hypnotic drugs (drugs that bring on sleep), replaced barbiturates for certain prescribed uses. Studies show that if drug users are going to progress into harder drugs after marijuana, they commonly try cocaine next. Eighty-nine percent of teenagers who use cocaine have previously used all three gateway drugs— tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana—and 99.9 percent previously used at least one of them. One of the world's most addictive drugs, cocaine is derived from the coca leaf and is usually snorted through the nose in the form of crystalline white powder. It is a stimulant that produces euphoria, alertness, and temporary increases in physical energy. The effects wear off quickly—if snorted they last between fifteen and thirty minutes, if smoked, only five to ten minutes —and the user is left depressed and listless, craving more. One recovering teen explains her addiction: "I couldn't even get out of bed in the morning without having cocaine first. My body just wouldn't move. I lived for it and my life revolved around it." In 43 states, there are laws prohibiting passengers, drivers, or both from having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Also, 45 states exercise the right to install an ignition lock in the cars of drivers who violate drunk driving laws. An ignition lock is a machine that is connected to a car's ignition and checks the driver's blood alcohol content level. The driver has to blow into the machine to start the car and do so from time to time while the car is running. If alcohol is detected, the car either does not start or turns itself off. |
Alcoholism
Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a condition that includes craving and continued alcohol abuse despite repeated drinking-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It includes four major areas: Craving: - A strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Impaired control: -The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: -Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: - The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
Drug Rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a place or program that an individual enters to treat a drug or alcohol addiction. Through therapy and education, the individual is restored to their former non-drug using self. They are then able to re-enter society clean and sober. There are many reasons why a person would need to attend a drug rehabilitation program. Some of the many reasons are: the inability to control their drinking or drug use, alienating their friends and family, problems with the law, and problems at work. Also, there are several different types of drug rehabilitation programs available: inpatient, outpatient, residential, short-term, and long-term.
Drug Overdose
A drug overdose occurs when you consume more drugs than your body can tolerate. Drug users are constantly flirting with the risk of a drug overdose. There is a
fine line between the high they're seeking and serious injury or death. While many victims of drug overdose recover without long term effects, there
can be serious consequences. Some drug overdoses cause the failure of major
organs like the kidneys or liver, or failure of whole systems like the
respiratory or circulatory systems. Patients who survive drug overdose may need
kidney dialysis, kidney or liver transplant, or ongoing care as a result of
heart failure, stroke, or coma. Death can occur in almost any drug overdose
situation, particularly if treatment is not started immediately.
Addict
An addict is an individual who has a compulsive urge to use drugs, to the point where they feel they have no effective choice but to continue use. An addict will continue their self destructive behaviors in order to feel good or to avoid
feeling bad. It can dominate their mind, and keep them coming back for more. The addiction can be
different for each addict, depending on their vice and the kind of person they
are.
Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment is needed when an individual finds that they have developed a drug or alcohol addiction which they are not able to successful end on their own. With the help of addiction treatment, addicted individual can get help to control their drug taking behavior and live happy and successful lives. There are several addiction treatment options available for drug and alcohol addiction. Some of these options include self-help groups, counseling, drug rehabilitation programs (in and out-patient), and residential treatment facilities. Each of these differ
in their aims and outcomes and elements of these addiction treatment options are often
combined.
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