




Facts
Many intravenous polydrug abusers inject cocaine in combination with heroin either by injecting the two drugs serially or by combining the drugs in solution and taking them simultaneously (commonly know as a "speedball"). The increasing use of speedballs has led to their widespread inclusion in recent epidemiological studies of drug abuse in the United States. It has been reported that speedball abusers exhibit a more severe psychopathology compared to other cocaine abusers, are more likely to fail in drug abuse treatment, and are at increased risk of contracting HIV infection. Despite the prevalence of speedball abuse, the interactions between cocaine and opioid drugs are not well understood at either the clinical or preclinical level. This symposium examined current research on the pharmacological interactions between cocaine and abused opioids in order to provide a synthesis of current knowledge and to suggest potential directions for future research. Meth is a powerfully addictive and violent drug. Its use can result in fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain damage, liver damage, chronic depression, paranoia and other physical and mental disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that meth causes more damage to the brain than alcohol, heroin, or cocaine. Alcohol Is Readily Available. Alcohol is the easiest drug for children to obtain. In a recent study of students in Washington State, 25–30% of 6th graders said that it would be easy for them to obtain beer, wine or hard liquor. This compares with about 6–7% who say it would be easy to obtain marijuana and 0% who report it would be easy to obtain cocaine, LSD or amphetamines. As children get older, they find it easier to find drugs but alcohol remains the most accessible: 55% of 8th graders say alcohol is easy to obtain compared with 25– 39% who could find marijuana easily and 10–15% who could find other drugs easily. More than one in five high school seniors (22%) report recent heavy use of alcohol compared with one in seven (15%) who report recent heavy use of marijuana. Up to 40% of all industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism. |
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.
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.
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.
Addiction
Addiction is one of the many consequences of so-called 'casual' drug and alcohol abuse. A loss of control over drugs and alcohol can be driven by physical or psychological factors, or sometimes both. Physical addiction takes place when the body comes to need a drug to function normally. If it is not taken, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur. The only way to avoid this is to take more of the drug. Psychological addiction takes place when an individual comes to rely on a drug to supply good feelings, such as relaxation, self-confidence, self esteem, and freedom from anxiety. This is not just a casual desire, it's a powerful compulsion.
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