




Facts
The cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, as measured by prevalence and incidence indicators, appears to have peaked and is declining for certain cohort populations, but concern continues over the chronic intensive use of the crack form among the predominantly minority underclass; those least able to cope—the uneducated, unemployed, and disenfranchised—are the victims. With processing facilities now closer to source countries least able to implement effective drug-control programs politically and economically, these two problems present daunting challenges for U.S. public policymakers. The younger a person begins using alcohol, the greater the chance of developing alcohol dependence or abuse some time in their life. Of those who begin drinking at age-18, 16.6% subsequently are classified with alcohol dependence and 7.8% with alcohol abuse. If a person waits until age-21 before taking their first drink, these risks decrease by over 60%. By the early 1990s, some evidence indicated that MDMA might damage nerve cells. In laboratory experiments, MDMA can produce long-lasting changes in the function of neurons that use serotonin as the neurotransmitter, sometimes causing the death of these cells. Even though LSD also interacts with serotonergic nerve cells, the administration of massive doses of LSD does not damage these cells. In contrast, in experimental animals, a single dose of MDMA approximately three times higher than the typical street dose has been shown to affect brain serotonergic systems for several weeks. In some studies, neurochemical markers did not return to normal until one year after drug administration. Moreover, it is not clear whether there was actual regeneration of neurons or only compensatory changes in the remaining undamaged neurons. In these experiments, the neurotoxic effects of MDMA appear to depend on total exposure. Both the dose taken and the number of times the drug is consumed may be related to brain-cell changes. The exact mechanism of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity is unknown at this time and may be due to MDMA itself, or it could involve the formation of a neurotoxic metabolite. Ecstasy use is associated with physiological damage to a number of body systems. These include the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and the body's ability to regulate temperature. Ecstasy increases heart rate and blood pressure, which is especially dangerous for someone with a known or unknown heart condition, but can also cause an irregular heartbeat in an ordinarily healthy person. An irregular heartbeat means the heart pumps less effectively; therefore the blood flow to the brain and other organs is not adequate. This condition increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other types of heart failure. |
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is what happens when a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol discontinues use. There are numerous symptoms that take place both physically and emotionally when an addicted individual stops using. Withdrawal can last a few days to a few weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. Keep in mind; this only occurs if a person has regular, heavy use of a drug or alcohol. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may require a medical professional to be present. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is often the best way to overcome withdrawal and its symptoms as well as recovery from drug addiction.
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.
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.
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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