




Facts
OxyContin, approved by the FDA in 1995, is an opium derivative that contains the same active ingredient as Percodan and Percocet. OxyContin is intended for use by terminal cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. The structural formula for oxycodone hydrochloride is as follows: The chemical formula is 4, 5-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride. OxyContin is designed so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time. Rohypnol use remains at a low rate compared to other drugs of abuse. Information about rates of Rohypnol use may not be as accurate as rates for other drugs, since at least some people who have taken it remain unaware of it. Also, those who have used it on others may not be reporting it on surveys that ask about individual use. National surveys began including Rohypnol on questionnaires around 1996, when use among people ages 12 to 17 was around 1 percent. Among 8th grade students, use of Rohypnol fell to 0.5 percent in 2000; 0.7 percent reported using it in 2001. Among 12th grade students, use of Rohypnol increased to 1.8 percent in 1998, then fell again, remaining at about 1 percent for the next few years. Addicted users of Rohypnol need to be weaned gradually off the drug, to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Other sedative medications might be used briefly to help the user withdraw from Rohypnol. Chronic inhalant abuse may result in serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the user's heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Brain damage may result in personality changes, diminished cognitive functioning, memory impairment, and slurred speech. Parents of teens need to be especially vigilant about signs of inhalant abuse (huffing), since the abused substances are simple household items and not readily identifiable as drugs of abuse. These substances are also easily purchased and inexpensive, making them attractive to curious teens. In addition to signs of intoxication, parents should be warned of potential inhalant abuse by sores and scratches around the mouth area along with the presence of unusual odors. Anyone taking BZDs daily for six to eight weeks may develop dependence and suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Although treatment strategies are usually tailored to the severity of symptoms—a high-dose withdrawal (usually at doses greater than the therapeutic for longer than one month); or low-dose withdrawal (therapeutic doses for more than a few months)—the most effective way to treat dependence is a very gradual tapering (gradual dose reduction) of the drug. If an individual abruptly stops taking the drug, the brain, having become accustomed to sedated activity, can race out of control. This can lead to seizures and other serious or life-threatening consequences. Close monitoring by a qualified physician is critical to the safe use of, and withdrawal from, the sedative-hypnotics. Inpatient or outpatient counseling is also helpful during the detoxification/withdrawal process. Patients are typically withdrawn from high-dose sedative-hypnotics by gradually reducing the substance of dependence, substituting a longer-acting BZD, which is later tapered, or substituting the barbiturate phenobarbital (Luminal) and subsequently tapering. The chosen method depends on the substance of abuse. Gradual dose reduction is used in a medical setting and requires that the patient use no other drugs of abuse and adhere strictly to the dosing regimen. Substituting a long-acting BZD with subsequent taper is often used to treat BZD withdrawal or mixed BZD-alcohol withdrawal. Substituting phenobarbital may be used for withdrawal from BZDs or other sedative-hypnotics or in patients with multiple drug dependence. Most individuals who are tapered and withdrawn from therapeutic (low) doses of BZDs experience mild to no withdrawal symptoms that gradually subside and disappear within a few days to a few weeks. For those individuals who experience continued symptoms, a slow, gradual taper from the original BZD dose usually minimizes these symptoms. |
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.
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 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.
Addict
An addict is an individual who has a compulsive urge to use drugs, to the point where they feel they have no effective choice but to continue use. An addict will continue their self destructive behaviors in order to feel good or to avoid
feeling bad. It can dominate their mind, and keep them coming back for more. The addiction can be
different for each addict, depending on their vice and the kind of person they
are.
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.
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