




Facts
Parents should begin talking to their children about alcohol at an early age. They should explain what alcohol is and its effects. However, they should not overly emphasize that alcohol is restricted for young people because this, in most cases, will only increase a child or teenager's desire to drink. Laws intended to discourage parents from purchasing and/or providing alcohol for persons under the age of 21, even if they are their own children, are now in place. These laws, which are knows as social host liability laws, hold parents responsible and make them legally accountable for purchasing alcohol for anyone who is under the age of 21. Approximately 14 million people in the United States are addicted to alcohol or abuse alcohol. Benzodiazepines do not depress breathing, blood pressure, or other vital functions, like many of the drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders. They are also less likely to cause damage to the body systems or death in cases of overdose. Despite this, these agents still present a number of problems for many individuals, including the need for higher doses and addiction. Tolerance and physical and psychological dependence are common with continued treatment with all of these drugs. When used for a longer period of time, a number of the benzodiazepines will slowly lose their effectiveness, and higher doses may be needed to achieve the desired effects. Further, if any of these medications are discontinued abruptly, withdrawal symptoms can occur, and these can be quite serious. These symptoms can include seizures, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, and memory impairment. Prescription drugs, such as diazepam (for example, Valium), methylphenidate (Ritalin), hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen (Vicodin), and oxycodone (OxyContin). Nonprescription medicines, such as cough syrups or cold pills, are also abused by teens. |
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.
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.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a condition that includes craving and continued alcohol abuse despite repeated drinking-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It includes four major areas: Craving: - A strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Impaired control: -The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: -Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: - The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
Drug Rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a place or program that an individual enters to treat a drug or alcohol addiction. Through therapy and education, the individual is restored to their former non-drug using self. They are then able to re-enter society clean and sober. There are many reasons why a person would need to attend a drug rehabilitation program. Some of the many reasons are: the inability to control their drinking or drug use, alienating their friends and family, problems with the law, and problems at work. Also, there are several different types of drug rehabilitation programs available: inpatient, outpatient, residential, short-term, and long-term.
Tolerance
Tolerance to a drug takes place when an individual is exposed to the same drug repeatedly and begins to build up an resistance to the drugs effects. The body then adapts and develops a tolerance for the drug. The addiction that is produced is so powerful that it creates cravings in the user. These cravings for the drug are the result of its impact on the individual's memory with feelings of pleasantness and euphoria which the individual has come to associate with the taking of the drug.
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