




Facts
Intravaneous drug users have one of the highest HBV incidence rates among all risk groups, and at least half of all new HCV cases occur among IDUs. Studies have shown that infection with HBV and HCV frequently occurs soon after an individual begins injecting drugs. Prevalence rates vary considerably, but have been reported as high as 50 percent for HBV and 65 percent for HCV among people who have injected drugs for less than a year. Co-infections of HBV, HCV, and HIV have been found to cluster in IDUs and, in some geographic regions, are endemic among long-term IDUs. HCV is now considered an opportunistic infection in HIV-positive people, according to the U.S. Public Health Service and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Although a vaccine is not yet available for HIV or HCV, data on the HBV vaccine indicate that it is possible to immunize injecting and non-injecting drug users successfully. One aspect of deterring the production of methamphetamine involves provincial legislation to control the sale of precursor retail products, such as cold medication, that contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Such medications can be used to develop methamphetamine in “addiction-based” lab operations. A person who has overdosed on antianxiety drugs or sedatives requires hospitalization, usually in the intensive care unit. Benzodiazepines do have an antidote—flumazenil. Supportive care is given; which may include intravenous administration of fluids, drugs if blood pressure drops, and a ventilator. Eight to twelve hours after the addict's last dose, the user begins to experience the onset of flu-like symptoms: watery eyes, sneezing, muscle aches, weakness, and vomiting. The symptoms increase in severity over the next two to three days and include shivering, muscle spasms, paranoia, fear, hallucinations, and debilitating cramps in the stomach and extremities. Within a week, the body has corrected the imbalance created by the regular ingestion of heroin, and the symptoms subside. However, intense cravings for the drug last for a much longer period of time and often contribute to relapse. |
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.
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.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment offers intensive drug addiction help over a period of weeks or months. This form of 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 attendance at an out patient treatment program. Residential treatment offers a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment where individuals can confront their own drug addiction and associated issues, 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.
Dependence
Dependence is the compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences which can be severe; drug dependence is simply excessive use of a drug or use of a drug for purposes for which it was not medically intended. Physical dependence on a substance (needing a drug to function) is not necessary or sufficient to define addiction. There are some substances that don't cause addiction but do cause physical dependence (for example, some blood pressure medications) and substances that cause addiction but not classic physical dependence (cocaine withdrawal, for example, it does not have symptoms like vomiting and chills; it is mainly characterized by depression).
Abstinence
Abstinence is the act or practice of refraining from indulging a desire. The type of abstinence we are referring to here is abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This term has two connotations when it comes to abstaining from drugs. The first refers to drug or alcohol treatment programs that aim to help an individual stop using drugs or alcohol for the rest of their lives. The time abstinence is also used in drug education and prevention. It refers to trying to stop children from ever using drugs.
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