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Facts
The field of research that explores the relationship between injury and drugs other than alcohol is relatively new. This research has been greatly aided by improved drug testing, which allows investigators to detect drugs in samples of blood, urine, saliva, sweat, or hair. Most of this research occurs in facilities such as hospital trauma centers and emergency departments, where more severely injured victims receive treatment. Other important research is conducted by medical examiners who test for the presence of drugs during an autopsy, which is the close investigation of a deceased person's body to determine the cause of her or his death. In the case of questionable deaths, autopsy results can lead medical examiners to conclude that injury was the cause. They can then rule these injury deaths as homicides or suicides (intentional injury) or accidents (unintentional injury). Alcohol consumption can lead to addiction. If the need to drink is constant, then a person may be addicted to alcohol or on the road to addiction. Alcohol can also cause depression. Although initially drinkers may feel a sense of euphoria, it is short lived. In the long-term, heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer from depression because alcohol alters the brain's chemistry. Alcohol also affects memory, even at moderate levels of consumption. More than 18% of Americans experience alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some time in their lives. Benzodiazepines are addictive substances. Regular use of any benzodiazepine can lead to physical and psychological dependence in as little as four to six weeks. Taking Xanax for more than eight weeks carries a high risk of dependency. Both psychologically and physically addicted users may experience cravings for the drug, but those with physical addictions will actually experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking benzodiazepines. In other words, they will become ill if they don't get the drug into their systems. Withdrawal symptoms can be quite serious and range from insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and nausea, to tremors, seizures, and even hallucinations. |
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
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.
Therapeutic Community
An effective therapeutic community attends to the many needs of the individual, not just his or her drug use. Care given at a therapeutic community addresses the individual's drug use and associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems. Also, a therapeutic community will continue to be flexible and provide ongoing assessments of the individual's needs, which may change during the course of care.
Remaining in care at a therapeutic community for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness. The time depends on an individual's needs. For most people, the significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in treatment.
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.
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).
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