




Facts
Withdrawal from benzodiazapines such as Rohypnol is similar to withdrawal from alcohol, and is typically more unpleasant and longer lasting than withdrawal from narcotic drugs. Rohypnol withdrawal frequently requires hospitalization. A medical withdrawal treatment that is sometimes used for people with Rohypnol addiction is phenobarbital, a drug that is more commonly used to treat epilepsy. One approach is to substitute 30 mg of phenobarbital for each 1 mg of Rohypnol the person has been taking each day. The dose is then reduced each subsequent day until withdrawal symptoms are eliminated. An essential element of Rohypnol withdrawal is tapering the dose gradually to avoid causing too many unpleasant side effects. Many youth often think that using marijuana is cool, fun and a lot less dangerous than most other illicit drugs. The great majority of youth who first turn to tobacco and alcohol (gateway drugs) then experiment with marijuana, believing that it is slightly harmful or not harmful at all. The fact is that marijuana has numerous negative direct and indirect effects. Although the effects depend on the does, the strength of the drug, the user, other drugs in the body and the setting, some of the immediate effects of marijuana use include the following: an increase in heart rate (as much as 50%); reddening of the eyes; dryness of the mouth and throat; hoarseness, coughing, laryngitis and bronchitis due to cancer-causing chemicals; relaxation and feelings of euphoria; short-term memory impairment; sense of time and space are altered; and the ability to perform tasks requiring concentration, swift reactions and coordination is reduced. Some of the immediate problems that marijuana users may experience include: vomiting, headache and dizziness; seizures can be triggered in people with epilepsy; possible traffic accidents, other injuries or arguments due to marijuana's intoxicating effect; poor job or school performance and legal problems may also occur due to the drug's mental effects. The use of alcohol and other drugs can affect judgment in terms of physically protecting oneself against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Every year thousands more young people are diagnosed with AIDS (the number rose 43 percent between 1992 and 1994) and nearly three million teenagers—one out of every six—are infected with an STD that could lead to serious illness or sterility, which would leave them unable to have children in the future. Anyone who shares a needle is also at risk of contracting AIDS by the exchange of blood with an infected user, no matter what their age or history of drug use. Approximately one-third of AIDS cases have been traced to intravenous drug use—usually of heroin and anabolic steroids, but crank and cocaine can also be injected. Based on a questionnaire by the CDC, almost one quarter of the teenagers who use steroids also share needles. Post Acute Withdrawal is an adjustment the brain has to make while in the process of returning to life without chemicals. It is the time period when neurotransmitters start acting again. During periods of addiction to drugs, alcohol and/or other substances of abuse there is artificial stimulation and disruption to normal brain function. During the adjustment period difficulty in thinking clearing, expressing emotions, memory, coordination, sleep disturbances and stress are all common. |
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 Addiction
Drug addiction is a pattern of repeated drug taking that usually results in tolerance (the need for greater amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect), withdrawal (physical and cognitive effects when drug use declines or stops), and compulsive drug taking behavior (drug taking that persists despite efforts to reduce intake and despite problems with family, friends, and work). Drug addiction encompasses a diverse range of drugs (such as alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine) and is caused by many different factors.
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.
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.
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