




Facts
Drug addicts often think and act differently when using drugs. They will often steal from their family, and be more inclined to abuse them physically and mentally. As families are destroyed by alcoholism, illicit drug use can destroy them too. In 1964 a group of researchers discovered that heroin addicts could avoid the drug and live more normal lives if they received a daily dose of methadone. The methadone eased withdrawal symptoms and lessened cravings for heroin. Better yet, people taking methadone could not get high on heroin because methadone binds to the same brain receptors that heroin does. Some problems remained. Methadone is itself an opioid, so it causes dependency too. Its side effects are identical to the natural opiates and include constipation, nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, and the possibility of breathing problems. Researchers concluded that some people trying to wean themselves off heroin or other opiates by following a methadone treatment plan might have to take methadone for a very long time. The treatment was not foolproof, either. Many addicts returned to drug abuse, sometimes turning to cocaine to get high. Because methadone and cocaine work differently in the brain, methadone treatment does not help cocaine addicts stop using cocaine, nor does it block the effects of cocaine. Antagonist = a compound that will bind to a receptor to form a complex which does not give rise to any response, as if the receptor were unoccupied. Young adulthood is the period between the ages of 18 and 29 years. During this period many young people pursue postsecondary education, enlist in the military, or enter the workforce. This is a time of transition and of increased risk for problems with alcohol. The youngest segment of this population—young adults ages 18–24—are most at risk for alcohol problems, compared with other age-groups. This group is most likely to drink heavily, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, and school or work status—that is, whether they attend college or are employed full time. Despite increased attention in recent years, the problem of young adult drinking continues to escalate: alcohol-related deaths rose 5 percent for 18- to 24-year-olds between 1998 and 2001. |
Abstinence
Abstinence is the act or practice of refraining from indulging a desire. The type of abstinence we are referring to here is abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This term has two connotations when it comes to abstaining from drugs. The first refers to drug or alcohol treatment programs that aim to help an individual stop using drugs or alcohol for the rest of their lives. The time abstinence is also used in drug education and prevention. It refers to trying to stop children from ever using drugs.
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.
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 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.
|
|

To Find Drug Rehab and Treatment Centers in Woodland
Call toll free


Woodland Drug Rehab and
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Information
|