Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Solution

The Effects of Drug Abuse on the Addict’s Family

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:31:13 +0000

According to statistics, the State of Colorado ranks the highest for all drug categories within the United States. Increased drug use has caused a breakdown of the family unit in Colorado.Drug abuse can have lasting effects on family unit. This applies whether the family member is a parent, a spouse or a child. Foundations of the relationship are destroyed; and it takes time to rebuild essential relationship components, especially trust. Early detection of drug abuse is the best way to preserve the family bond and save it before these components are destroyed.

A drug abuser is at a high risk for multiple emotional and physical problems because of their drug use. The use of intravenous drugs and shared needles places the abuser at a higher risk of developing an autoimmune deficiency along with other harmful infections and diseases. The loss of sexual inhibitions increases the risk of developing such diseases. Additionally, mood swings can occur, especially during withdrawal periods, making recovery more difficult. Increased immunity to the drug requires more of the drug to achieve the same feeling. This increases the potential of overdose which can and often does result in death. Some drugs have a hallucinogenic effect which can cause delirium and paranoia. This can often result in abusive behavior and unreasonable accusations of family and friends.

Families can suffer total destruction amidst the drug abuse of a family member. Relationships become difficult and often scary for spouses, partners, and children. This can even extend to parents when children are abusing drugs. Often, families try to cover up the problem or deny that one even exists. This action is often stems from either love or in fear of punishment.

Another problem with families and drug abuse pertains to parents who abuse. Children who have parents that abuse drugs are more likely to develop emotional problems later in life. They are also more likely to suffer physical, emotional, or medical neglect. The effects of this on children can take decades to heal.

For many Colorado families, drug abuse can result in intervention by Colorado state services. The drug-abusing family member may be required to undergo hair follicle drug testing, a form of drug testing that is impossible to alter. In order to maintain custody or regain custody of children from Colorado state care, drug testing must be clean for a specified amount of time.

Find More Drug Abuse Articles

Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:31:17 +0000

The teenage years can be a time of great emotional stress as it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is at this particular time when have to grapple with a number of issues like search for identity, peer pressure, amorous and family relationships, as well as scholastic performance. These may be overwhelming to some teenagers as they undergo this critical stage in their lives.

For those who can’t adjust and handle the pressure, the use of illicit drugs becomes an enticing option to cope with, alleviate or escape from the issues that beset them. This is one of the primary reasons why quite a large percentage of teenagers resort to drug abuse. Teen drug abuse has now become a common and prevalent problem in modern society. In fact, drug abuse is currently the foremost concern among parents as cited in the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse.

Parents can’t possibly monitor their teens 24/7 without invading their privacy, and they can’t physically be present at all times, particularly in today’s fast paced world. So what exactly are the signs that parents should look for to keep their teens away from prohibited drugs?

The first thing to thing to look out for is the teen’s behavior. In general, a teenager will manifest behavior patterns quite different from his normal behavior prior to addiction. Parents should also be skeptical once their teenager starts to behave aberrantly and becomes withdrawn or aloof to other members of the family. They may also exhibit irritability, paranoia and violent behavior. However, such changes may not be drastic, but are the most obvious signs of drug abuse. Drug abuse has far-reaching effects on the user’s mood and performance. A teenage drug user will most likely suffer from long-term psychological effects from drugs that modify their mindset as well. As a consequence, a teenager can have degrading performance in school or in the workplace.

On the other hand, there are also physical signs of teen drug abuse that parents should be on the lookout for. Among the red light warning signs of the effects of teen drug abuse are blood-shot eyes, nagging cough, lethargy, irregularities in eating and sleeping habits, constantly tired or hyperactive, sudden weight loss or weight gain, teeth clenching and muscle tension, convulsions, dehydration, and consequently, death.

may start as a phase of experimentation in a teenager’s life, in their effort to adapt and resolve certain issues that typically highlight this crucial stage in their lives. Nevertheless, it could also spiral out of control and lead to serious and severe drug addiction that may even persist up to adulthood. This can be very debilitating and difficult to resolve. Teen drug abuse, when addressed during the initial stages can be rectified and lead to a better quality of life not only as a teenager, but ultimately as an adult as well.

Drug Abuse in Dentistry

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:31:19 +0000

Drug abuse is one of the most serious problems in the U.S. Because dentists can prescribe medications for their patients, addictive painkillers included, the dental field is a player in the role for stopping drug abuse.

Dentists prescribe narcotics for various reasons, such as post-extraction pain, cavity pain, and after any type of oral surgery. Sometimes patients abuse these medications and conjure up fake symptoms in order to obtain them. On the other hand, dentists are exposed to these painkillers and can prescribe such medications for themselves. This puts dentists along with their patients at risk for drug abuse.Preventing Drug Abuse

Patients
Careful surveillance is the number one way to reduce prescription drug abuse. Patients will come in to the dentist repeatedly with excruciating mouth pain. If no evidence for it is discovered, this patient could be seeking painkillers and abusing them.

If a patient has been prescribed painkillers on several occasions in a short span of time, then the case should be reviewed to see if these prescriptions have been necessary. If a dentist thinks that a patient is seeking to abuse prescription drugs, then he or she should not give the patient another prescription.

With so much stress in today’s society, terrorism, natural disasters and economic insecurity, many have turned to drugs for comfort. Most do not want to buy them off the street, so they seek it legally in the form of prescriptions. Dentists must be able to recognize these types of patients and refer them to services for help.

Dentists can be educated through training or accessible information on recognizing drug abuse. This includes learning the definition of “substance abuse and dependency, prevention concepts, rationale for substance abuse screening, dental team alerts, clinical interview skills, awareness of medical and legal implications, and the referral process.” By knowing and understanding these important aspects of recognizing and preventing drug abuse, these patients will not undergo unnecessary procedures and will have better quality dental care, and the dentist may help them get onto the path to recovery.

By observing the behavior history of a patient, dental staff may recognize a potential problem and refer the patient to a recovery program. The first staff member who usually addresses a patient is the receptionist. By knowing the following signs, he or she may be able to tell whether a patient has a problem with drug abuse. Here are a few signs that give warning to a patient who abuses prescription drugs:
1. Poor general appearance
2. History of broken appointments
3. Dramatic unexpected complaints
4. Repeated requests for unusual prescriptions
5. Appearing at closing time looking for a prescription for oral pain and promising a next day appointment

Dentists
If a dentist is the one abusing drugs, or suspected of doing so, then the staff needs to step in and demand he or she check into a rehabilitation center. It’s important that the dentist want to seek treatment voluntarily. If not, then the staff must be severe and report the dentist. If abuse is taking place during office hours, the dentist could be risking a patient’s well-being or life by misdiagnosing.

Dentists are trusted to perform the privileged act of practicing medicine. When that trust is violated by drug use, the dentist is no longer deemed responsible enough to practice medicine and treat patients. By going untreated, a dentist is risking the practice itself, a patient’s life, and his or her own.

Methamphetamine Use (Meth Mouth)
A new epidemic in drug abuse is methamphetamine (meth) use. Many dentists have seen an increasing number of these cases. Meth users’ teeth are clear evidence that they abuse this drug. Meth use significantly decays teeth.

The teeth of a user are “blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart” and usually cannot be saved and must be extracted. Meth is very acidic and dries out the tissues in the mouth. It also destroys the natural ability to chew. The “Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act” sponsored by U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), John Sullivan (R-Okla.), Brian Baird (D-Wash.), and Mike Ross (D-Ark.) includes funding for dentists and educations to inform children about the dangers of meth. For the referenced resourced information, go to http://www.smilemd.com/general-dentist/drug-abuse-and-dentistry.aspx

Drug Abusers and Small Businessess

admin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:31:20 +0000

Drug use in the United States is at an alarming pace, and this is being felt in no greater place than the
While substance abuse is a valid concern for businesses of any size, smaller businesses are at a of drug abusers damaging or completely destroying the company.

As far as American employees go as a whole, about half work at large corporations and the other half work at small business. The landscape shifts dramatically when looking at drug users.

1: Smaller businesses often do not require new employees to during the hiring process. Drug users have a better chance of ‘slipping through’ to jobs than at a larger corporation.
2: Small businesses often do not have an .
3. Owners of smaller businesses often have a with their employees than larger business owners. This creates a more difficult and complex situation when dealing with a drug abusing employee. Small business owners are more likely to turn a blind eye to drug abuse and give more ‘second chances’ than owners of larger companies

- Drug users are more likely to miss work, be less productive, and be less focused. While the cost of these actions is difficult to quantify, it can add up to lots of dollars down the drain.
-. An unproductive employee may mishandle customer requests, needs, and complaints, causing disgruntled customers to take their business elsewhere. A small company most likely cannot absorb losing customers as easily nor can attract customers as quickly as a larger company. These losses can greatly impact the bottom line.
- Smaller businesses pockets are not as deep as larger corporations. If an impaired employee causes an accident or injury, the resulting lawsuits, workers comp claims, and property damage could devastate a small business much faster than a large corporation.
-. Employees of small businesses work closely together, and a drug abusing employee can strangle the productivity. Knowing other employees are abusing drugs can bring down morale. Workers may also have to redo work or cover for a drug abusing co-worker. The top producing employees may become disgruntled by the drug abusers performance to the point that they may leave the company.

Implement drug screening as part of the pre-employment screening process. A good portion of drug testing is relatively low-cost. This step can bring about a high level of benefit by screening out drug abusers BEFORE they are hired.
Check out OSHA’s website. There are lots of free tools and resources available to create a drug free workplace.
It’s advisable to have a written plan of how and on what occasions your company screens for drugs, and the actions that will be taken if an employee has drugs in their system. Stay consistent with that plan.
These 3 steps are to the company and a good starting point to and expense of employing drug abusers.

Having a program in place can play a vital role in increasing productivity, minimizing accidents, decreasing theft, and improving safety and attendance. And, for small companies, this can be the difference in thriving or going out of business.

Drug Abuse – A Threat to Society

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:31:22 +0000

Drug abuse is the type of problem that affects more that the person who is abusing the drug. It is a far-reaching issue that has stretched out to families around the country. There are many different threats in states like Colorado caused it. Between the years of 1996 and 2000 Denver police offers made twice the national average of arrests due to drug abuse. This is a problem that cannot be ignored.

People in this category find themselves addicted to either illicit drugs or prescription medications. There are drugs in both categories that are highly addictive. Drug use is chronic or done on a regular basis which leads to the addiction. Side effects can cause lasting damage to the body of the abuser.

Our society suffers as many as 527,000 visits each year because of drug abuse. Families and businesses in Colorado have been destroyed because of the abuse of drugs. This is one of the reasons that drug testing has become so critical in the hiring process. Understanding the threats of drugs is very important, in providing users with practical deterrents.

Alcohol is one of the most common drugs abused in the entire state of Colorado. It is the drug of choice for most teens that are addicted. Drunk drivers are responsible for the physical harm and death of thousands every year. The threat that these drivers provide affects everyone that is on the road with them.

Businesses that hire people who suffer from drug abuse often feel the effects. They, in some case, experience damaged reputations as a result of these employees. In other cases, the damage may cause a reduction in profits for the business. Construction workers and food service workers are some of the top fields of drug abusers in the workplace.

Drug abuse is responsible for many of the health concerns that users experience. The Rocky Mountain Poison and Control Center, in Colorado, reports that cocaine is a serious problem in the state. It is responsible for the most emergency room visits, drug-related discharges, and mortality rates per 100,000 of the population. Medication costs for drug users tend to be 2 times that of a normal person. Drug abuse continues to make The War on Drugs relevant in this state. The ages of drug users is getting younger and younger. The average age that most users begin is 12.

The Facts About Drug Abuse Intervention

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:31:23 +0000

Drug Abuse Intervention Objective

The main objective of an intervention is to get the abuser to face the bare facts but in a non-confronting manner. The abuser needs to feel the seriousness of his choices but he also needs to see things in a clear and concise forum. The interventions are usually headed by a specialist who guides the conversation where it needs to go.

The fact is that a drug abuser is usually blind to the effects that he has on other people. He may use friends as a point of comparison and feel that his problems are much less than that of his fellow abusers. Drug abusers begin to make the wrong choices and their relationships with family and friends begin to fall apart. They start making choices that affect them financially and can even land them in a lot of trouble.

With the assistance of a well put together drug abuse intervention, the drug abuser is able to sit back and take a look at his addiction though his family and friends’ eyes. The decision to hold a drug abuse intervention can be a painful one but it is less painful than watching a loved one being controlled by a substance without facing his own life reality. Many loved ones do not want to force their addicted member to lose control or feel as if they are being attacked but it is very important for the addict to see what he is doing to those close to him.

The intervention, if planned properly, will lead the addict out of the despair and onto the road of recovery. The intervention may feel like a failure in the beginning if the addict decides to refuse treatment but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the drug abuser may decide to take the treatment later after the initial pain has worn off.Intervention does break though; it just takes a little time for the drug addict to respond. Drug abusers are not always thinking properly and when they have time to digest what has just happened to them, they usually come around and seek out the care they need to quit and start on the road to recovery.

By performing a drug abuse intervention, the addict gets the assistance of an abuse counselor who is trained in this form of confrontation. Each individual requires a different approach and with the right help, the addict is well on his way to recovery.

Once the intervention is planned, the interventionist makes sure that complete treatment for the addict is all set up and ready to begin. An intervention is sometimes a way to get the drug abusers or alcoholics to open their eyes before they actually hit the bottom and destroy their lives completely. Drug abuse interventions are a real motivational tool to get drug addicts the help they need.

Drug Abuse – An Overview

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:29:02 +0000

Does drug abuse exist primarily in the mind of the abuser or is drug abuse society’s problem? Somewhat of a philosophical question, agreed. Let’s get right down into the reality of the matter and skip the pretense.Drug abuse and addiction can be a huge burden on society. There have been approximate estimates of the overall costs of this issue in the USA alone, which includes health costs as well as losses in productivity, to surpass 500 billion dollars annually. People who realize they have to quit this dangerous habit may be too embarrassed or afraid to confide in anyone. They might even be worried that they will land into trouble if they admit to having this problem. Abusers must talk to anyone they trust.The procedure for a drug abuse test is a two-step process. A urine sample is taken from the individual and divided in two parts. One part is tested using immunoassay, a relatively simple, inexpensive, yet highly accurate test.If the doctor discontinues the prescription, an addict will seek out another doctor for a prescription of the same drug under false pretexts.

Abusers use various methods to get a high. They even mix prescription drugs with alcohol, marijuana or any other similar drug.Addicts use drug abuse treatment centers at the usual time when people cannot tolerate their usage anymore and is sometimes a healthy alternative to being an out-patient and going to NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings.College students seem to do very well with social / educational methods of rehab as they aren’t expected to admit they are powerless over their addiction. In fact the opposite is true. Drug abuse if the biggest and foremost concern among children and parents as cited in the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse. The survey was conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (Columbia University). It is clear that people will not get the satisfaction they need in life and may seek to better their mood and feeling in a bid to ease the conflict on the inside. Feelings of failure and low esteem in various life aspects will be among the key reasons why people might seek to find an alternative to happiness with drugs.The problem is that some people associate drug abuse with illegal drugs.

There are many drugs that are very legal to buy. These drugs can be abused.Non residential programs serve the largest number of drug abusers. Among residential facilities are hospitals, group homes, halfway houses, and therapeutic communities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides on-line resources for locating drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs.The effects of different types of drugs on teenagers include irritability, insomnia, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, violent behavior, memory loss, learning problems, increased heart rate, lethargy, panic attacks etc. If a young member of your family suddenly starts performing badly in school, makes a new group of friends, behaves in a delinquent manner or tries to keep aloof from other family members. To deal with the problem at its core, patients need to undergo behavioral therapy that delves into counseling, cognitive and physiotherapy. Fix the food nutrition problem in this country and you just may find another answer to effective drug abuse prevention for a number of pill poppers.

Alcohol Abuse Or Alcoholism, Are You Crossing The Line?

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:26:37 +0000

Alcohol abuse can be a tricky term to use, considering that ‘abuse’ can have different meanings to different people. However, it is often understood as referring to the excessive use of alcohol, and causing problems or negative consequences. While it may not automatically mean addiction to alcohol, alcohol abuse remains as one of the topmost public health concerns facing our society today and is in fact, the most common substance that often causes chemical dependencey.

Is it alcohol abuse or alcoholism?

Can you have an alcohol problem is still not be labeled as an alcoholic? Some experts say yes, alcohol abuse can occur without a person actually becoming an alcoholic. In alcohol abuse, the intake of alcohol can occur often and in big quantities but may not often result to alcohol dependency.

Alcoholism, on the other hand, is characterized by physical and psychological dependence, the lack of control over the frequency and amount of drinking, along with the strong craving to drink. Alcoholism is also marked with tolerance, a state where the amount of alcohol needed by the body to get the feeling of ‘high’ continually increases. Alcoholism is also chronic and may exhibit certain withdrawal symptoms.

Can alcohol abuse be inherited?

There are certain research studies that show the tendency of alcoholism or alcohol abuse to occur in families. It seems that a gene exists that predisposes an individual toward addiction to substances such as alcohol. However, this is not always the case. While certain genes may be to blame for alcohol abuse, lifestyle and the environment are also strong contributing factors.

Is there a specific group of people who are more likely to develop alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse does not depend on sex, race or nationality. However, certain generalities exist. More men, for example, have alcohol problems than women. There is also a higher incidence of alcohol abuse among people between 18 to 29 years old compared to people 60 years old and older.

Young people who start drinking alcohol earlier, say, at 13 or 14 years old, are more likely to develop alcohol problems when they get older, compared to people who start drinking when they are already adults.

Is there such thing as safe drinking?

Alcohol isn’t all bad, provided it is taken in moderate amounts. By moderate, we mean 1 to 2 drinks a day for men and less for women and people who are older. This type of alcohol drinking is possible if you do not have the proclivity toward addiction.

People taking medication or have certain diseases, for example, are advised to stay away from alcoholic drinks. For informational purposes one serving of alcoholic drink should consist of:

1.5 oz. of 80-proof drinks (few people measure with tis accuracy)

5.0 oz of wine

12 oz. of beer, wine coolers and mixed spirits

Is there a cure for alcoholism and alcohol abuse?

There is no magic pill, drug, cream or ointment that will cure alcohol abuse. However, it can be treated, although the efficacy of treatments is highly dependent upon an individual’s willingness to avoid or control alcohol intake and the frequency of exposure to circumstances that lead to alcohol use.

The Effects of Drug Abuse on the Addict's Family

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:26:32 +0000

]]>

Chronic Alcohol Abuse Symptoms

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:26:31 +0000

Chronic alcohol abuse symptoms can show early signs of real potential health problems such as loss of muscle tissue, loss of memory, and loss of testosterone, just to name a few.

Alcohol also affects every cell within your body, and if this condition stays chronic, it will start to kill cells, and once a cell is dead, it stays dead.

Alcohol is a toxin and will travel through your bloodstream into every organ and cell in your body. Liquid vitamins and minerals, because of their superior absorption into our systems can be a very strong asset to someone that consumes too much alcohol.

Alcohol is the most abused drug by the world as a whole, but other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine can affect the desired results of vitamins, but by far and way alcohol is the largest nutritional threat to the majority of people.

Chronic alcohol abuse prevents the absorption of vitamins and is often associated with a poor, and in some cases, a very poor diet. Your body needs vitamins and minerals to function normally, and they must be in the correct balance to do so.

Dehydration that is often caused by chronic alcohol abuse will interfere with the narrow limits of each ion in our body, such as calcium, sodium, and potassium.

A reduction in these ions by abuse can and often does lead to excess thirst which may lead to muscle cramps, as well as the potential for sudden dizziness or fainting spells.

If you are prone to getting cramps, especially in the middle of the night, you might want to revisit your alcohol intake.

Although the loss of vitamin B12 is the deficiency most associated with chronic alcohol abuse symptoms, there are several other critical vitamins and minerals that are affected by abuse of this drug.

Folic acid is a nutrient that helps your body to make new cells, including red blood cells, which are critical for carrying oxygen in your body. Vitamin B12 helps to maintain the red blood cells as well as the nerve cells, but folic acid is also a major contributor.

Also at risk with a loss of this nutrient because of chronic alcohol abuse symptoms is folic acid deficiency anemia, a condition where you don’t have enough red blood cells. Most people will be affected by this condition simply because they don’t eat enough of the proper foods that contain folic acid, or you have a hard time in absorbing it.

Pregnancy also puts you at a risk of this deficiency, and chronic abuse of alcohol during pregnancy can severely place the fetus at risk of birth defects.

Thiamin or Vitamin B1 is also a nutrient that is threatened by alcohol abuse. This nutrient is especially important in the metabolism of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, as well as the formation of hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is especially important to our bodies as it is a protein that is carried by red blood cells and delivers oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to peripheral tissues.

This delivery system by your body allows for the maintenance of cell viability. Alcohol abuse destroys this process, thus the killing of your cells.

Zinc is yet another nutrient severely affected by chronic alcohol abuse symptoms. Although your body does not require a lot of zinc, next to iron, it is the most plentiful of all the trace elements in your body.

It has been utilized throughout history for wound healing but also plays critical roles in the immune and reproduction systems, and is important to growth, taste, vision, smell, and blood clotting. However, perhaps the most important function of zinc in our bodies is its role in the metabolic process that produces energy.

A loss of this nutrient reduces endurance, and in chronic situations, muscle mass as well. This is one of the major reasons people that have drank too much feel so tired the next day.

But the damages to your body do not just end there with chronic alcohol abuse. Alcohol in your body also reduces testosterone which is critical for development and recovery of muscle.

This toxic drug also slows your body’s ability to heal itself.

Alcohol holds very little nutritional value, but it works very effectively in reducing the nutrients in your body, especially if abused. In fact, because of its high calorie content, the body treats it as fat, and as a result it breaks down the sugars in alcohol into fatty acids.

However, chronic alcohol abuse symptoms does more than just destroy nutrients in your body; it affects your appearance as well.

Alcohol can affect your skin, (loss of vitamin A) especially if you are prone to acne or blemishes; it can age you prematurely, dries up your hair, cracks your lips, and will also give your skin a puffy appearance.

It also affects your brain, as it deprives your brain of water cells and glucose, the brain’s food supply. It can also lead to blackouts, diminished memory, stupors, and in severe cases, comas.

Chronic alcohol abuse also causes increased stomach acid production which may lead to heartburn or even ulcers. However, because of the livers role in breaking down alcohol, it is the most effected organ in the body.

Chronic conditions will destroy liver cells which normally are in the state of constant rebuilding, can cause fat accumulation around the liver, and may eventually cause cirrhosis of the liver, which is fatal.

The list of damages to you body by chronic alcoholism alcohol abuse symptoms could go on and on, but maintaining the supply of vitamins and minerals in your body effectively is extremely important if you choose to drink alcohol regularly.

http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Solution

The Effects of Drug Abuse on the Addict’s Family

Related posts

Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

Related posts

Drug Abuse in Dentistry

Related posts

Drug Abusers and Small Businessess

Related posts

Drug Abuse – A Threat to Society

Related posts

The Facts About Drug Abuse Intervention

Related posts

Drug Abuse – An Overview

Related posts

Alcohol Abuse Or Alcoholism, Are You Crossing The Line?

Related posts

The Effects of Drug Abuse on the Addict's Family

Related posts

Chronic Alcohol Abuse Symptoms

Related posts