




Facts
Drug and alcohol abuse can take a huge toll on friends and family. It is not uncommon for friends and family to question at what point they need to intervene, how serious the situation is, and how much help the affected loved one is going to need in order to recover. 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. The economic cost to society from alcohol and drug abuse was $246 billion in 1992. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cost an estimated $148 billion, while drug abuse and dependence cost an estimated $98 billion. The 1992 estimates for alcohol were 42 percent higher than the 1985 estimate (taking into account increases due to population growth and inflation). When you take meth, whether snorting or smoking the powder, or swallowing a pill, the drug heads directly to your brain. There it triggers a release of serotonin, the "happy hormone", as well as dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which help give you that feeling of euphoria. This makes you feel very happy and usually quite energetic (hence the name "speed"). Often, people who use meth feel the need to obsessively wash their hands, clean, or take things apart and put them back together. It's kind of like a temporary OCD and is caused by the drug working in the brain and changing the chemical balance there. As the saying goes, what goes up must come down and that is very much the case with meth. When your high wears off, you will understand why they call it crashing. Many users take other drugs to ease the coming down part. Some of the effects of losing the high include drowsiness, irritability, and depression. It's not surprising that many meth users commit suicide when in this chemically induced depression. |
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 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.
Drug Side Effects
Drug addiction and abuse comes with a heavy price. There are drastic drug side effects associated with drug misuse and abuse. Drug side effects from legal and illegal drugs can range from mild itching to comas and death. In addition to the physical drug side effects mentioned, there are many psychological drug side effects of drug abuse; the most serious being drug addiction and overdose.
Detox
Detox is necessary when an individual through their chronic use of drugs or alcohol has developed an addiction. The objective of detox is to help the individual achieve a drug and alcohol free state. Detox is intended to relieve the physical symptoms of withdrawal and helps prepare the individual for entry into drug rehabilitation. Therefore, the ultimate goal of detox is preparation for long term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
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.
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