




Facts
Alcoholism is only one type of an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic—that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol. Some of the problems linked to alcohol abuse include not being able to meet work, school, or family responsibilities; drunk-driving arrests and car crashes; and drinking-related medical conditions. Under some circumstances, even social or moderate drinking is dangerous—for example, when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking certain medications. Addictions grow stronger over time for two reasons. First, a person's body may become biologically dependent on the substance or behavior. That is, the body may begin to need and expect that it will receive a certain substance each day or each hour. If it does not receive that substance, it responds by becoming ill. When this happens, the person is said to be physiologically dependent on the substance or activity. There is a danger in our current culture of prevalent advertising that makes certain products desirable to vulnerable sections of the population. An example of this would be the marketing of energy drinks to young people. Advertisers are selling these products (drinks like Red Bull, Monster and Amp) to the youth population, who are easily influenced by what they see in the media. Companies sell these drinks by pushing them on students who are stressed out from the demands of school. However, younger and younger individuals are drinking these products after seeing their older siblings or friends consume them. This creates a dangerous usage of stimulant-filled drinks by a group of individuals who aren’t old enough to make educated decisions about what they are putting in their bodies. Students younger than high school age should not have such easy access to energy drinks. What Ingredients Are in Energy Drinks: Energy drinks usually include a high caffeine content (through the chemical found in guarana plants) and chemicals like methylxanthines, ginseng, maltodextrin and creatine. The average 8-ounce can contains around 80 mg of caffeine (the equivalent of one cup of coffee.) People use energy drinks for desired effects of increased energy and mental alertness. However, there are some negative side effects that include nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms, decreased bone levels, and stomach upset. According to a “New York Times” article in May 2008, energy drinks have even led to seizures that require emergency room visits. France even banned Red Bull in 2001 after a young basketball player died after drinking four cans. SAR (structure activity relationship) = the relationship between the chemical structure of a psychoactive compound to its strength and/or effects |
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is what happens when a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol discontinues use. There are numerous symptoms that take place both physically and emotionally when an addicted individual stops using. Withdrawal can last a few days to a few weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. Keep in mind; this only occurs if a person has regular, heavy use of a drug or alcohol. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may require a medical professional to be present. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is often the best way to overcome withdrawal and its symptoms as well as recovery from drug addiction.
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.
Intervention
An intervention is when a group of loved ones and/or a trained intervention counselor meets with the person in need of help for the purpose of breaking down their denial and motivating them to immediately seek drug addiction treatment. Often, individuals in the midst of drug addiction engage in a variety of self destructive behaviors. Although baffling to friends and family members such people generally either aren't aware on a conscious level that they have a drug addiction problem, or even when they know they have a problem they may cling to the false belief that the problem will somehow go away without any outside help. When an intervention is held a moment of clarity is created
for the addict. Most people struggling with the problem of drug or alcohol
addiction will accept help the very day of the intervention.
Sobriety
Sobriety means the moderation in or abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor or use of drugs. When an individual with an addiction problem enters drug rehabilitation, their main goal is to attain long term sobriety. Unfortunately, sometimes drug addicts and alcoholics find they are able to sustain short periods of sobriety followed by a drug or alcohol relapse. This is why attending a drug or alcohol rehab will help the individual maintain their focus on sobriety. Often, it is only by getting help that individuals with severe drug addiction problems are able to achieve lasting sobriety.
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.
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