The nature and stages of Drug use

July 22, 2014

The nature and stages of drug use – Drug Addiction

Whatever the reason may be this young children must not suffer because of your choice to use drugs

The problem of substance abuse and drug addiction is such a big issue of concern to all the stakeholders. Everybody is looking at this problem will wonder as to where is the point of disconnect because it appears that all that needs to be done is not being done either by the authorities or the individual addicts. For instance who doesn’t know the consequences of drug use! Yet we are still seeing the number of people being addicted to drugs increasing. I believe that you are equally wondering what it is, that we are missing. We will be looking at certain factors relating to the nature of drug use in this article to unlock the riddle behind this great concern.

The nature of drug use

For us to have a better understanding why people use drugs it will be necessary that we look at some three identical factors explaining the nature of drug use. These factors include:

The individuals personality
The type of drug you take
The context of your drug use

These factors are related and can’t be disconnected. They influence your reasons for using a drug and the effects it will have on you. We need to understand that there are different levels of drug use with different types of problems. Users may move between the different levels of drug use, for example one may have started using drugs heavily but along the way stops and begins to recover from the effects of drugs use. But then again in the process of recovery they may relapse and return to the same old habit of drug use. It is important noting that it is not automatic that when using drugs then this behavior will definitely lead to drug abuse, this is not always the case because drug use is totally different from drug abuse. Now let us look at some of the stages of drug use as follows:

Experimental use

In the holy book the author begins with these words “in the beginning God …” and so in everything we do there must be the starting point. The same with drugs one must have started from somewhere. Normally young people will try using drugs for the first time as an experiment and this is what we call the experimental stage. In the desire of wanting to feel accepted and belong to certain category of friends they try drugs to have the feelings their friend have. This stage greatly depends on various factors like the accessibility of the drug, the kind of friends you keep and often the current trend or fashion. Because one is testing the feelings you may continue using drugs or may stop along the way once your curiosity is satisfied. However this type of drug use is very risky for young people because many of them are not aware of the dangerous effects of indulgence into drugs.

Recreational drug use

This is another stage of drugs use where users indulges into drugs for marry making and having fun periodically like weekly and especially during the weekends doing this regularly makes it becomes part of your social life. Users of this stage often feel that they are in full control over their drug use and so even if they consume more they do not feel that this can lead them into being addicted to the drugs they use. This type of drug use only applies to certain drugs and contexts, for example ecstasy and dance culture. Most people who take recreational drugs see it as a ‘normal’ activity in their social circle.

Dependent drug use

Drugs has way of containing their users, you may think that you are on top of everything but this may not be so using drugs over period of time heavily you may not be able to control your usage. When you reach this point where you can’t control we call this dependence or addiction which may either be physical or psychological. Where physical dependence means that your body systems craves for drugs and psychological dependence is when you feel that you cannot cope without the drug you are using. It is important to know that this level of drug use usually happens on your own or in a small group. As well as making you sick, it often causes emotional, psychological and social problems.

Abstainers

These are those individuals who have chosen not to use any kind of drugs completely or if they ever used then they have stopped and have not only used them for a very long time but does not ever want to use drugs again.

These are therefore some of the stages of drug use and having discussed them we are now left wondering actually why do people use drugs?

Why people take drugs

There are many reasons why people take drugs and here are some of the factor which can influence them:

Risk taking – people are drawn to risk taking differently. They may use drugs to fit in with their social group or to help them cope, for a sense of release or individual transformation, or for the thrill.
Predisposition – it may be because of your genetic or psychological characteristics meaning you are more likely to take drugs.
Experimentation – some people try drugs for the first time as an experiment and out of curiosity or because their friends are doing it. They want to explore to see how it affects them and talk about their experiences with their friends afterwards.

Gender and age – the age you are when you first try drugs can influence how you will go on to use them. For example, the younger you are when you start drinking alcohol, the more likely you are to try hard drugs later on. Young men are more likely to experiment with drugs than women. However, heavy drug use can cause more damage to young women.
Peer group – this can cause one into drugs in two different ways like the group of people you relate with can pressure you into taking drugs or you may choose to hung out with people who are into the same things as they are.
Availability – the easier it is to get drugs, the more likely you are to use them. This will also influence the type of drugs you use.
Family, social and environmental factors – people who live in a ‘deprived’ state, where the risk factors are high and the protective factors low, have a higher risk of using drugs. In terms of family, the important factor is how happy and stable your family life is, rather than whether you have two parents or not.

Finally dear reader drugs are not good for your health or anyone for that matter doctor Akoury the chief executive of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center founded this facility to help people with addiction related problem, if you are one she will be of great help and care for you in the most natural way to have your life back. Call on her and get the best because she will focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

The nature and stages of drug use – Drug Addiction

Drug abuse in the Military Forces

July 15, 2014

Drug abuse in the military forces – What is not known to the public

These are our men and women entrusted with securing our boarders. we have a duty to protect them from drug addiction for them to protect us effectively.

When defining drug addiction you will probably include in your definition the fact that addiction does not discriminate on personality or status or otherwise, this is very true and practical. The effects of drug abuse in our military forces has not been a topic of discussion the public for a very long time but his does not mean that the men and women in uniform do not suffer from the scourge of drug addiction. It may be true that the rate of illicit drug abuse may be lower among the military personnel compared to the civilians, but studies reveals that excessive use of alcohol and cigarette smoking are more dominant with the military forces compared to the civilian.

The kind of life lived in the confinement of barracks is that of forced respect to the superiors. It is forced because in most cases the rules require the officers to give a “yes sir” response irrespective of whether this is the correct response to be given. We all know that respect is earned and never forced on anyone. Again this trend normally causes stress to the officers who have no say whenever they are being deployed during wartime. Zero-tolerance policies and stigma pose difficulties in detecting and treating substance use problems in military personnel this is also compounded by lack of confidentiality which discourages many who may require treatment from pursuing it.

Those with multiple deployments and combat exposure are at greatest risk of developing substance use problems. They are more apt to engage in new-onset heavy weekly drinking and binge drinking, to suffer alcohol- and other drug-related problems, and to have greater prescribed use of behavioral health medications. They are also more likely to start smoking or relapse to smoking.

Illegal and Prescription Drugs

The question of drug abuse in the forces much as it is real it has not been very much rampant compared to the abuse among the civilians. The use of illicit drugs has been very minimal mainly because of the strict adherence to the zero tolerance rule for drug use among the department of Defense (DoD) this is according to the studies conducted by DoD. This decrease has been on the decline since this rule was first introduced about two decades ago. This zero tolerance policy is at the moment being applied without notice to the soldiers by running frequent tests on the soldiers. The consequences of testing positive to any illicit substance are very stern and the soldiers found positive can be unceremoniously be dismissed from the force besides being prosecuted in the court of law.

It is also interesting to note that despite efforts made to contain the use of illegal substances in the forces the same has not been properly done to the abuse of prescription drugs which statistics has revealed to be on the increase and is being abused almost on a willing basis and in relation to the civilian population. The same report of DoD indicated that misuse of prescription drugs in the forces went up progressively from just 2% in the year 2002 to 11% in 2008 that is a hooping 9% increase with opioid pain medications being misused the most by the service members.

This great misuse is attributed to the fact that these drugs are easily available and are commonly prescribed to them from time to time for pain relieving reasons. The urge to using the pain relieving prescription drugs is necessitated by the fact that service men normally attain injuries in the line of duty and are consistently straining as a result of bearing the burden of carrying heavy equipment during multiple deployments rendering them to have consistent body aches.

Drinking and Smoking

The men and women in uniform are also rooted in the use of alcohol and cigarette smoking as compared to the civilian population. Studies established that close to half of active duty service members (that is about 47%) reported binge drinking. This behavior is common especially with those service men and women with high combat exposer.

Suicides and Substance Use

Suicide rates in the military were traditionally lower than among civilians in the same age range, but in 2004 the suicide rate in the U.S. Army began to climb, surpassing the civilian rate in 2008. Substance use is involved in many of these suicides. The 2010 report of the Army Suicide Prevention Task Force found that 29 percent of active duty Army suicides from fiscal year (FY) 2005 to FY 2009 involved alcohol or drug use; and in 2009, prescription drugs were involved in almost one third of them.

Addressing the Problem

There can never be a problem without a solution. From our discussion it is evident that drugs abuse is alive and kicking within the forces. Finding solutions must be prioritized to keep our states safe because we all know what addiction can do to our lives and especially if the victim is one entrusted with the protection of lives of many defenseless citizens. Therefore it is important that:

The authorities must ensure that proper investigations is done and adopt increasing the use of evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions and expanding access to care.
There is need to broadening insurance coverage to include effective outpatient treatments and better equipping healthcare providers to recognize and screen for substance use problems so they can refer patients to appropriate, evidence-based treatment when needed.
It is also necessary that measures be taken towards limiting access to alcohol on bases.
It is also important that in addressing substance use in the military there is need to ensure patient/individuals confidentiality and shifting a cultural climate in which drug problems are stigmatized and evoke fear in people suffering from them.
Proper controls must be put in place limiting the duration of prescriptions for opioid pain relievers to 6 months and having a pharmacist monitor soldier’s medications when multiple prescriptions are being used

Finally doing all these are very necessary however it must be known that substance abuse is a medical condition which needs medical solution. Seeking the services of an experience medical doctor is very important. A visit at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a medical facility founded by Doctor Akoury is the best place you can be when addiction knock your door. At this facility doctor Akoury together with her experience team of experts will not help your condition get better but they will also focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. This is the place you need to be for ant addiction related problem and you will have your life back in and with the real addiction professionals.

Drug abuse in the military forces – What is not known to the public

Prescription Drug Abuse

June 27, 2014

Prescription Drug Abuse-Fueled by Ease of Access

Prescription drug abuse can be challenging because one may not clearly know who is abusing and genuinely looking for painkiller to relieve pain

It is almost becoming common knowledge that when you talk of an addiction many will think of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs because of their addictive nature. What may not be in the public domain is that legal drugs prescribed by the medical doctors can also be addictive. This is what this article is going to discuss so that we can have better understanding of how prescription drugs affects those who may be addicted to them.

Many people would wonder just how they became addicted to whatever substance they are taking, the realization normally occurs during the addiction recovery process. It is during this process that addicts discover that the journey to addiction recovery is not an easy one and takes very long time and while tracing their steps backwards with a view of trying to comprehend the genesis of their addiction they can trace it to accessibility and affordability of the drugs. When these two factors are the case then an addiction very possible because there will be little hindrances to people using these addictive substances. We know that accessibility is easy and especially for those users of street drugs or alcohol what we are left pondering about is how easy it can be for addicts to access prescription drugs addictions because these drugs (opioids) can only be accessed from the pharmaceutical companies. How then is it possible for one to be addicted from these drugs? The assumption is that the legitimacy of prescription drugs makes them hard to be abused because for one to use so many prescription drugs they must be authorized by a medical doctor or pharmacies.

This in many cases is not so because those addicted to prescription painkillers and other medications get them much easier than what the general society believe. Addicts are becoming smarter daily to defeat the systems and take advantage of what friends, family members, and medical professionals have to offer. How then do they achieve this? According to a recent CDC findings, just about 15 percent of prescription drug abusers claim getting their substances from a dealer or a stranger. Since these substances do not always come from a “dealer,” it is important to identify what sources can help fuel prescription drug addiction:

Prescription Drug Abuse-Family and Friends

It may interest you to know that probably you may have willingly and with great caring concern given to your addicted friend or loved one a painkiller hoping that you are helping then get rid of their pain. Out of this good deed you may have facilitated an addiction to prescription drugs. According to an article from New York Daily News close relatives may not only be the easiest supplies of prescription drugs but also the most affordable. The article continues most people who abuse addictive prescription painkillers get them for free from friends or relatives, while drug dealers are a relatively uncommon source for those at highest risk for deadly overdoses, a government study found.

In an effort to reduce instances where relatives become the easiest and cheapest supplies it is advisable that medications should only come from qualified medical doctors and so anyone seeking for prescription drugs should get it from the authorized medical personnel. This is necessary because as a friend or a relative you may have the good intension to help but in the process your desire to help turn out to be harmful. The harm can be that intense in severe cases it may result in addiction or an overdose. Knowing the consequences of an addiction, we all ore one another the duty of care to ensure that we are all safe from this addiction problem, therefore since addicts may sometimes resolve to steal if all access is denied we must ensure that all drugs are kept to safety and out of their reach.

Prescription Drug Abuse-Doctors

When the habit graduates into addiction the victim will be very desperate and can choose to do anything so long as they get the substance. The doctors will normally give prescriptions to their patients to help them recover from their respective illnesses but when a given patient becomes addicted to the prescribed drugs then careful attention should be taken to the return patients less you become their source and consistent supply. The doctors must not administer treatment in haste without running test to positively identify the problem before giving a prescription. This is necessary because some of these cases may not be genuine but are only meant to dupe the doctor to advance supply.

Healthcare professionals must be on the spot light to those individuals who would want to use them to get the drugs often some of the use may not be legitimate. In many occasions people believe that a prescription from a medical doctor will guarantee them from addiction or misuse, this is not always the case. Some of the prescription abusers both beginners and high users will relay on their trusted physicians to continue getting their supply. Trust or not all healthcare professionals must live to their calling and only give prescription upon confirmation from the test result.

Prescription Drug Abuse-Subscription Drugs

We have discussed the effects, supply and certain remedies of these prescription painkillers and we are getting well informed of their negative effects but are they really? Prescription drugs are many and I will just let you know of the most commonly used for example Oxycodone. This is an opiate, a narcotic used to reduce severe pain. This drug is very addictive because it has close relationship with heroin as they extracted from the same ingredient, this is in fact common with most painkillers prescriptions and they have almost the same kinds of ingredients.

Prescription Drug Abuse-What Makes Them Addictive

As is already discussed all painkillers medication drugs has the element of narcotics in their contents/ingredients. Narcotics work by obstructing the pain receptors in the brain creating a comfortable feeling devoid of pain and relaxation. The problem is that this can only last for a while and when the intensity of the painkillers subsides the patients will not only get the pain back in full but will also have to deal with the withdrawal effects which normally come in the form of headaches, pains and nausea. This will be an incentive for such persons to even take the double portions of the painkillers to again confuse the pain and to avoid dealing with the withdrawal problems and the cycle continues. As the intensity of drugs develops in the body the more one become tolerant to the drug and will take even longer to get the same effect.

Prescription Drug Abuse-Help for Loved Ones asking for Prescription Drugs

Like I had said we all ore each other the duty of care and in particular when it comes to prescription addiction. If someone you know is desperate for prescription drugs, you may want to consider the possibility that they may be facing serious problem with addiction but before that you will need to understand the sources of prescription drug abuse, this way it will be possible for you to take action early enough to prevent serious health consequences or even fatality in a loved one. You can further be of help by recommending the services of an expert who will be able to medically examine the patient for proper medication. Dr. Dalal Akoury who is also the Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is not just an expert in this line but has had a long experience of more than two decades in offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment patients globally as well to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. You will not just be treated of your addiction but will also be cared for professionally and with dignity. Any qualified professional or anyone for that matter can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

Prescription Drug Abuse-Fueled by Ease of Access

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

March 8, 2014

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE-SERIOUS PROBLEM

Prescription drug abuse is becoming a major scourge to the society today

Much as recreational use of prescription drugs is a serious problem with virtually everyone, teens and young adults are most affected. Resent studies shows that teens are more likely to have abused a prescription drug than an illegal street drug. Many teens think prescription drugs are safe because they were prescribed by a doctor. But taking them for nonmedical use to get high or “self-medicate” can be just as dangerous and addictive as taking illegal street drugs. There are very serious health risks in taking prescription drugs. This is why they are taken only under the care of a doctor. And even then, they have to be closely monitored to avoid addiction or other problems. Many pills look the same. It is extremely dangerous to take any pill that you are uncertain about or was not prescribed for you. People can also have different reactions to drugs due to the differences in each person’s body chemistry. A drug that was okay for one person could be very risky, even fatal, for someone else.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ABUSE-WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

Due to their potential for abuse and addiction, many prescription drugs have been categorized by the US Drug Enforcement Administration in the same category as opium or cocaine. These include Ritalin and Dexedrine (stimulants), and the painkillers OxyContin, Demerol and Roxanol. Many illegal street drugs were at one time used or prescribed by doctors or psychiatrists but were later banned when the evidence of their harmful effects could no longer be ignored. Examples are heroin, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine and Ecstasy. Abuse of prescription drugs can be even riskier than the abuse of illegally manufactured drugs. The high potency of some of the synthetic (man-made) drugs available as prescription drugs creates a high overdose risk. This is particularly true of OxyContin and similar painkillers, where overdose deaths more than doubled over a five-year period.

Prescription drugs abuse-Types of abused prescription drugs

Prescription drugs that are taken for recreational use include the following major categories: 1. Depressants: Often referred to as central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) depressants, these drugs slow brain function. They include sedatives (used to make a person calm and drowsy) and tranquilizers (intended to reduce tension or anxiety). 2. Opioids and morphine derivatives: Generally referred to as painkillers, these drugs contain opium or opium-like substances and are used to relieve pain. 3. Stimulants: A class of drugs intended to increase energy and alertness but which also increase blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. 4. Antidepressants: Psychiatric drugs that are supposed to handle depression.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE-DEPRESSANTS

Sometimes called “downers,” these drugs come in multicolored tablets and capsules or in liquid form. Some drugs in this category, such as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Haldol, are known as “major tranquilizers” or “antipsychotics,” as they are supposed to reduce the symptoms of mental illness. Depressants such as Xanax, Klonopin, Halcion and Librium are often referred to as “benzos” (short for benzodiazepines). Other depressants, such as Amytal, Numbutal and Seconal, are classed as barbiturates—drugs that are used as sedatives and sleeping pills. Effects of Depressants Higher doses can cause impairment of memory, judgment and coordination, irritability, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. Some people experience the opposite of the intended effect, such as agitation or aggression. Using sedatives (drugs used to calm or soothe) and tranquilizers with other substances, particularly alcohol, can slow breathing and the heart rate and even lead to death. Tolerance of too many depressants can develop rapidly, with larger doses needed to achieve the same effect. The user, trying to reach the same high, may raise the dose to a level that results in coma or death by overdose. Long-term use of depressants can produce depression, chronic fatigue, breathing difficulties, sexual problems and sleep problems. As a dependency on the drug increases, cravings, anxiety or panic are common if the user is unable to get more. Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, weakness and nausea. For continual and high-dose users, agitation, high body temperature, delirium, hallucinations and convulsions can occur. Unlike withdrawal from most drugs, withdrawal from depressants can be life-threatening. These drugs can also increase the risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, and weight gain (instances of up to 100 pounds have been reported). In a study conducted by USA today, based on Food and Drug Administration data over a four-year period, antipsychotics (a type of depressant) were the prime suspects in forty-five deaths caused by heart problems, choking, liver failure and suicide. ROHYPNOL Rohypnol is a tranquilizer about ten times more potent than Valium. The drug is available as a white or olive-green pill and is usually sold in the manufacturer’s bubble packaging. Users crush the pills and snort the powder, sprinkle it on marijuana and smoke it, dissolve it in a drink or inject it.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE-ROHYPNOL EFFECTS

Rohypnol has been used to commit sexual assaults because it renders the victim incapable of resisting, giving it the reputation of a “date-rape” drug. Rohypnol users often describe its effects as “paralyzing.” The effects start twenty to thirty minutes after taking the drug, peak within two hours and may persist for eight or even twelve hours. A person can be so incapacitated (made unable to act) they collapse. They lie on the floor, eyes open, able to observe events but completely unable to move. Afterwards, memory is impaired and they cannot recall any of what happened. The person experiences loss of muscle control, confusion, drowsiness and amnesia. Looking at the seriousness of these elements we certainly need help and we need it now. The good news is that we have AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s. In this facility the primary objective is to care for you and your health the natural way. No chemical no side effects it’s all about what is right and good for you. Doctor Akoury focuses on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. Where-else can you get help? Certainly none, this is the place to be.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE-SERIOUS PROBLEM

Tag Archives: Abuse