Sunday, January 23, 2011

Pain Killer Addiction And Abuse

Pain killer (and other opiates), and prescription drug abuse is one of the largest growing problems in America today. The users (and abusers) of pain killers and other prescription drugs come in all ages, shapes and sizes.

Prescription drug abuse in general is a huge problem today, but pain killers are probably the most largely abused prescription drug.

It has been hitting America hard for the last few years. It practically came out of no where. Kids as young as fourth and fifth grade are stealing pain killers such as percocets, vicodins, and oxycontins from their parents prescription bottles. Many of them are even buying the pain killers from their fellow classmates, again as young as eleven and twelve years old!

As a person who has had a pain killer addiction first hand, I don't think America is aware of just how out of control, and how dangerous this addiction is becoming.

Being addicted to pain killers is definitely no fun. Trust me, I know!

After doing pain killers for long enough, they actually start to change your brain chemistry, making it almost impossible for even those with the best of self control to quit.

Those who have never been addicted to pain killers just have no idea of how addicting pain killers and opiates are. It simply takes over you. The addiction becomes an obsession, and it really is nearly impossible to quit without the help of methadone or suboxone.

And people who take methadone to rid a pain killer or opiate addiction sometimes must stay on methadone for the rest of their life. And of course there are those who just use methadone as another drug to abuse, again covering their pain killer or opiate addiction up.

Suboxone is a great way to ease the pain killer or opiate addiction, but I believe for it to be effective you must take the drug for at least a year which can be quite expensive. And even coming off of suboxone is no fun, although it is no where as painful as coming off of pain killers and other opiates.

America really needs to get a control of the pain killer and opiate addiction problem that is simply taking over America.

I don't know if it is just the area I live in or what, but almost everyone I know has a problem with pain killers, other opiates, or other prescription drugs. I predict that this will be the next "drug epidemic" that plagues America (like crack did when it hit). It really is getting that bad, and quitting is unbelievably hard even with the help of other drugs.

Not to mention how many people switch from pain killers to heroin to "save money", or as a substitute when they cannot get pain killers (pills).

To get more information on pain killer addiction check out [http://www.mypainkilleraddiction.com]

It is a site that I put together with all kinds of information on opiates and other pain killer addictions. I also describe my story of addiction, how I got through it, information on withdrawal, what to look for if you're afraid someone you know is addicted, and much much more.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Drug Addiction and Psychological Assessment

As anyone has experienced in the field of drug addiction and substance abuse will attest, sobriety is the main goal for clients, but much more lies beneath the surface. The more reputable treatment centers are dual diagnosis programs. Without addressing the basis of the substance abuse, the rate of relapse becomes much higher. Identifying the root causes of the addiction and drug abuse plays an integral role in the individual's recovery and long-term success. However, these causes are not as obvious and apparent as the drug use itself. Identifying a person as 'drunk' or 'high' may not be that difficult, but identifying a characterological flaw (often labeled a personality disorder), a processing deficit, or poor ego strength as an underlying cause of substance abuse and drug addiction often takes a considerable amount of detective work. Enter the psychological assessment.

A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or any other counselor working with the addicted population has to develop a treatment plan that addresses the individual's specific needs. The proficient treating therapist uses all information available in combination to assist and guide.

It is not enough to simply administer and score the psychological instruments. When performed by an experienced psychologist able to crochet information from the various instruments of the psychological assessment, the information gleaned from these assessments becomes an integral part of the foundation of treatment. Without this information, neither the patient nor the treating therapist has a clear blueprint for success. While such psychological assessments are not a guarantee of success, their absence virtually assures the patient will stumble from sobriety.

It should be emphasized that psychological assessments are not a panacea for all that is wrong for those with drug addiction and substance abuse problems but are rather a piece of a puzzle that requires a high level of professional expertise. Today's technological advances, such as the DESA (Digital EEG Spectral Analysis), fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography), offer an objective look at the brain's altered functioning from drugs. They are invaluable tools in the hands of competent clinicians with which to assist in finding underlying causes of drug addiction and substance abuse.

In addition to data, these technologies can produce clear, computer-simulated pictures of the addicted brain and compare it in pictures to a normal brain. These technologies offer new meaning to the statement "This is your brain, and this is your brain on drugs." When a patient with cannabis-induced psychosis was able to see his brain on and off drugs, the result was a dramatic shift in his behavior.

When traditional psychological assessment instruments are coupled with technological advances, the results are dramatically enhanced. Those with drug addiction and substance abuse difficulties require and deserve all that psychology and therapy have to offer in the way of help. The disciplines are now equipped to offer more and better help than ever before.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

10 Lies common that people use to reduce substance abuse

The dependence has a great influence not only the addict but also for your loved ones and family. Both the addict and their caregivers often fight the label of addiction, and because the old fallacy that addiction is simply a matter of moral weakness or failure.

To help someone, we must first recognize that there is a problem. Sometimes there is pressure from friends and family, which eventuallysomeone moves to get the help they need. Here are 10 common to say is to minimize dependence, is dependent on their own or a family member, may delay the processing forever.

1. I can stop at any time

It 'was at the joint request of alcoholics and drug addicts. It 's hard to rebut, because if you say: "Stop Then," they say it or not, they feel now, but they could if they wished.

2. And 'one of the manyStress, so the only reason to drink plenty

is a common excuse for excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs:. This is often accompanied by statements like "If I had a better job," "If my wife did not harass me," If it was not financially he said, "and similar statements because someone "needs" to drink or use illicit drugs.

3. My use of drugs or alcohol is my business, not hurt anyone

Nothing canbe further from the truth. The addict is capricious, unpredictable, unreliable and sometimes embarrassing. Sometimes, drunk, while the device so that at all. It is a burden on the health system because of the dependence of the effects on your body and brain. You can not be more productive or work or as a good father as they could, without drugs and alcohol in their capabilities. Drug addiction and alcohol in a huge financialWithout society, and a huge emotional cost for families.

4. drinks only on weekends

Excessive alcohol consumption is a common form of alcoholism. Unfortunately, they tend to take rejection, even more than you will find daily drinkers with attachments. You may have heard the story of a mother who committed suicide, some of their sons, brothers and sisters of children, and another driver and his passenger while driving back from a camping trip intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana. All yourThe family expressed shock and said they do not really drink a lot. There is a growing trend in the consumption of young women in a way that hides the problem. You can only drink during the day, or unconsciousness can drink to lose the weekend. A person needs to drink is not every day, with alcohol, a problem that requires treatment.

5. The DUI is unfair - I was not drunk

Duis is a serious matter. If you are driving under the influence ofAlcohol or drugs are not 100%, regardless of the concentration of low-alcohol (BAC). It drives a lot of life and less metal. You must be fully under control. Sometimes a normal drinker makes a mistake, driving after drinking a glass, but he did it on an empty stomach, low body weight, or simply not enough. However, if the blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit or even if you have a second DUI, is not just a case of misjudgment.Normal message drinkers after a DUI. The embarrassment and financial costs are sufficient to deter future incidents. The alcoholic does not have the ability to make good decisions when they drink, and tend to have more Duis.

6. The doctor prescribed all the different medications, so it should be in order

Not all doctors prescribe them carefully, and not all patients are honest with their doctors. Opiates are the drugs of abuse, in most casesand anti-anxiety and sleeping pills. If you have less than several pills, which have the effect of the abolition of the central nervous system, which juts out on dangerous ground. It 'important to see how the person has many recipes for the substances listed in Schedule II, III or IV controlled that, among many other drugs that affect mood is usually very risky and unhealthy behavior. If you have several doctors wrote these rules, or differentPharmacies to fill, it should sound alarms.

7. I do not think that I can not brunch with alcohol

This is one of the old myths, such as I-don't-drink on weekends myth. If you drink or that the house is really secondary to what you drink, how it affects their behavior and life, and how difficult it is to maintain abstinence from alcohol.

8. Not bad, I know people who drink morethat

If one compares the way a person is in various drinks, a trap for some people. Everyone has a different metabolism and various factors that influence how they are affected by alcohol. More importantly, how other people abuse alcohol is not really his concern. should be your concern, as the effects of alcohol your life. One could say that this excuse is to say that only two heart attacks and you know that a man with four friends, so I do not really have the heartDisease.

9. He did a great job and the patients do not ask, you can not have a problem

very functional alcoholic can get away with substance abuse more than others. Some people seem to just be able to get their addiction and to maintain a semblance of being very good. With a good job, a lot of money or of older children does not mean that you have a drinking problem. Examine areas of your life could be better if younot under the influence. This is a more accurate way to assess the situation.

10. I do not drink beer and wine, not make things difficult

myths of the old drive, and is one of those stories tell of alcoholics, which allows them to keep drinking. If you drink six beers every night, you can take six shots of whiskey. They are equivalent. What is important is the drink, and the impact on you, your life and your family.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Substance abuse among health professionals

Controlled substance abuse and addiction to prescription drugs, the problem is widespread in the United States. People who abuse and / or life are dependent on prescription drugs of all backgrounds. Health professionals are in this group. These are the people with our welfare or health professionals are more likely than any other person responsible has become a drug addict.

Although the vast majority of DEA RegisteredTherapy follow all the rules and regulations regarding controlled substances, certain medications can affect the health professionals who work in the show. You have access to controlled substances and the abuse of these drugs for reasons such as relieving stress, or drugs to improve performance of your attention and work.

If you suspect that a fellow nurse and a misuse or abuse of controlled drugs, whichare their responsibilities? Their primary responsibility is the public - people who care. As a physician, it is their duty to protect society against drug abuse. Even if a doctor, you are responsible for prescribing drugs such.

How can you tell if an impaired colleague? Signs of addiction are the same for all employees, but it is especially important to watch for signsin human health, they are responsible for their care. What to do for themselves:


Increased absences
The addict can provide plenty of time to be close to a drug
The person, my time away from work for a long time and excuses improbabl3
They can travel long the toilet frequently or often at the storage room where the drugs are
Suddenly you can, timeliness or unreliablePunctuality
His work can vary power between the periods of high productivity and low productivity
The person who has difficulty performing simple tasks, difficulty concentrating or remembering details and descriptions
You can make bad decisions at the trial of the poor
The person may insist on patient self-administration of medicines
Point reduction in writing and cartography
They show a deterioration of personal dataAppearance
The person showing mood swings, depression, anxiety or lack of impulse control
Patients and staff complain that they change their behavior or attitudes
The person is increasingly isolated on a personal and professional

Too often, they neglect their families to address drug abuse, health problems of their colleagues. They are cautious, fearing that the person may become angry and seeking revenge or a fine, the person may loseProfessional practice. Many times, employers or colleagues, at the end as a facilitator of health care, substance abuse among those affected. The abuser is a lighter workload, its neighbors and excessive absenteeism, excuses for poor performance.

Many highly qualified professionals in health and education and the experience of losing their families, careers and futures to drug abuse. If you think that the abuse of a colleague, then takeMeasures to preserve their life and lifestyle. There are many detoxification centers in the beautiful neighborhood. Williamsburg Place and The Farley Center can help if you suspect a colleague poorly controlled substances. people attach to Williamsburg Place and the Farley Center by phone at (877) 389-4968 to find a colleague to get the help they desperately need to concentrate.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Drug Addiction in Young Girls

I have been watching a soap opera called Emmerdale and there is a character in it called Holly, a 19 year old girl who is addicted to heroin. I think that the storyline is very effective.

Holly was at art college and had a very promising future ahead of her until she got involved in taking drugs. She was kicked out of college and since then she went living with a drug dealer boyfriend until he threw her out and she was forced to return to her parent's farm. Holly attended the GP who directed that she should attend a methadone clinic, get a prescription for the pharmacy and take her methadone on the premises. Her parents were trying to keep a close eye on her but they are farmers and it proved impossible to watch her all the time. One day she went into Hotten, the local town and she sold her body to a horrible old man in order to get the price of the drugs.

Then she was found sitting at the side of the road in the dark by some neighbours who nearly ran over her because they did not see her. They brought her home to her parents and the mother said to the father "What are we going to do? We can't afford to pay for Rehab". The father replied " She was on methadone and she still went out looking to score some heroin. We will deal with this ourselves" and then they decided to lock the girl in her bedroom in order to detox. They took most of the furniture out of the room so that she could not harm herself,.

I think that this is totally crazy. Locking someone up is a breach of their human rights, but more importantly I doubt very much that this method of punishment would actually cure someone of drug dependence/drug addiction. The girl is more likely to be worse off as a result of this treatment.

When I was about 13 our English teacher told us about a book called "Dear Alice". It was written by a 15 year old drug addicted American girl who talked about tearing her own flesh out because she thought that her skin was crawling with worms. It was truly horrific but it had the desired effect of putting me off drugs for life.

Like all parents I worry about the future of my own children. Alcohol is something that is widely accepted/tolerated in Irish society but drugs are all around us, even in small towns and villages. I sincerely hope that I never have to deal with drug addiction/dependence in the family.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Drug & Alcohol Rehab Program

Knowing when to seek treatment from a drug abuse rehab may be hard. You may notice that you are using drugs and alcohol on a regular basis, or that you seem to need more of the drugs or alcohol to feel the same effects. These signs are a common way that you can tell whether you need treatment, but you may also want to seek the advice of your friends and family.

Often, your friends and family will be able to spot the signs of a drug or alcohol addiction before you are aware of the problem. You may also ask the advice of the drug abuse rehab. Many drug abuse rehab centers offer assessments that allow you to identify and treat any problems.

Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

The treatment you receive from the drug rehab centers in your area will depend on the severity of your addiction. If you have a short term addiction to drugs and alcohol, you may be able to take advantage of the outpatient treatment programs offered by your drug abuse rehab.

Long term and chronic addictions to drugs and alcohol are often treated with a residential or inpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment at your drug abuse rehab will typically last from thirty to ninety days, although the time frame is often different for each person.

Finding the Right Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Searching for the right drug and alcohol rehab program can be difficult, especially if are not sure what you are looking for. The best drug rehab clinics have on site medical staff, and therapist or counselors who are available during the day.

You will also want to find a drug abuse rehab that is in a nice location, with comfortable rooms and space for exercise. Making sure that you are in a comfortable drug abuse rehab may seem trivial, but it is important to find a drug abuse rehab that you are comfortable with since you will be spending a month or more in the rehab. You will also want to note whether the drug rehab offers private or semi private rooms before you choose the rehab you want to use.

Treatment Options

The best drug rehab centers offer treatment for all aspects of addiction, including basic living skills. For example, it is common to find nutrition classes being offered in drug rehab centers across the nation. You will also find basic treatment options such as family therapy and group therapy sessions in drug rehab centers.

Your therapist and the staff at the drug rehab center you choose will help you set up a treatment plan after your initial assessment. It is important that you become an active participant in your recovery, which can take several months.