




Facts
Dealing with a loved one’s drug abuse can be emotionally draining and exhausting. But when the family is threatened with immediate violence, it’s time for immediate action. Drug abuse can lower inhibitions and increase the possibility of violence. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine can also trigger delusions, paranoia, and agitation, making the person especially dangerous to be around. Getting the drug may also become so important that activities like caring for a child fall by the wayside, increasing the chance of child neglect. If you are abusing drugs, even admitting that you may have a problem is a huge step. It takes tremendous strength and courage to admit that you are having trouble. Much as you may want to, don’t try to quit alone. Recovery is possible with the right medical help and social support. Without the right support, it is very easy to rationalize just one more hit or pill, and withdrawal symptoms can test the strongest resolve. The road to sobriety is rewarding but challenging. If you take the time to build a support network and learn your triggers for using, you will greatly reduce the risk of relapse. Infections: The infectious complications related to IV use of cocaine are not unique to cocaine. All IV drug users are at risk for infections such as cellulitis (soft tissue infection at the injection site), abscesses at the injection sites, tetanus or lockjaw, lung or brain abscesses, or infection of the heart valves. These are due to nonsterile techniques of IV injections. Contagious viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV (AIDS virus) are transmitted by sharing IV needles. The abuser may complain of pain and swelling and redness at the injection site or fever. Abusers may also complain of jaundice or turning yellow, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or the multitude of complaints that accompany hepatitis and AIDS. Due to their high potential for abuse, most barbiturate-like substances have been replaced by newer, safer agents—such as the BZDs and non-BZD sedative-hypnotics—that exert a sedative-hypnotic effect. Meprobamate (Miltown, Equanil) was introduced in the 1950s. It had the effect of relieving anxiety without producing sleep. However, regular use produced psychological and physical dependence. Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sopor) is a nonbarbitu-rate hypnotic that is said to give a heroin-like high without drowsiness. When it was first introduced as a prescription drug to treat anxiety and insomnia in 1965, it already had a reputation as a drug of abuse in other countries. It was banned in the United States in 1984 due to the high incidence of its abuse. Despite its nickname "the love drug," it diminishes sexual performance. By 1972, "luding out"—taking methaqualone with wine—was popular on college campuses. Excessive use of the drug leads to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms similar to those of barbiturates. Over-dose by methaqualone is more difficult to treat than barbiturate overdose, and deaths have frequently occurred. In the United States, the marketing of methaqualone pharmaceutical products was discontinued in 1984, and the drug became a Schedule I controlled substance. However, some level of occasional abuse has continued. Methyprylon (Nodular) was introduced as a sedative and hypnotic in 1955. Its effects are nearly identical to the barbiturate secobarbital (Seconal); it acts by raising the threshold of arousal centers in the CNS. However, over-dose produces shock, low blood pressure, and water in the lungs more often than respiratory depression. The drug soon became popular (especially its stronger derivitives—hashish, charas, ghanja, and bhang) among musicians who maintained that smoking marijuana gave them the inspiration they needed to play their music. These musicians glamorized the use of marijuana. Some claimed it gave them contemplative vision and a feeling of overwhelming freedom and verve; others not only used the drug themselves, but sold it to a variety of customers. As the entertainers went on the road, so did their drugs. Eventually, use of marajuana, alcohol, and other mind-altering drugs spread and soon became prevalent in major cities worldwide, such as Chicago, New York, London, and Paris. |
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).
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.
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.
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.
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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